I had a look and Both look good, but that red R53 is so so beautiful! Wow, I Wish I had those red interior bits on my PW R53 :(

 

Another vote here for the R53.

The others gave you some great info. Additional considerations: '05 - '06 cars are generally considered the sweet spot for the first gen MINIs as many of the early problems were worked out. Many people will recommend you avoid the first year of any new build or refresh due to issues with a new design or technology. 2007 was the first year of the R56.

I test drove a 2010 S before I bought my 2006 R53, and they are - as many other posters noted - quite different cars, from the interior & exterior design to the engine and ride. I prefer the supercharged version hands down. But you will probably get better mileage out of the R56. I drive in a rather spirited manner and average 25MPG in city/suburban driving.

Good luck with your decision and let us know where you end up!

PS: after looking at the specific cars, DEFINITELY go with the R53! The red/red exterior w/white wheels and red/black interior are freakin' great!

 

My vote is for r53 I drove both and that did it for me. I also would be concerned with getting the first year of a body style. You have to drive both then decide they are surprisingly different

 

Sounds to me like the jury has determined the verdict R53. All the reasons someone would want a mini cooper except gas mileage, which if that's the only reason get a prius, are most available and ready to go in the R53

 

One of the things you mentioned in your post, OP, is that you were disappointed in your Audi A4's mileage only being 27 mpg...

Well, that decides it for you, then. You will be getting the R56.

The R53, (which I own), is certainly fun, and perhaps a more raw, connected driver's car some might argue, but the R56 is miles ahead of it, (literally) as far as gas mileage.

In my R53, trying really really hard, my record for gas mileage was 23.5 mpg, all on the highway.

It is not very frugal.

 

WOW !

 

Thanks again guys.

So, went out to test drive both.

First up, the R53. Wow! This guy looks awesome. Apart from a couple of dings, it looks really nice. Hopped in and took it for a spin. Now some perspective. This was located in South Boston. The roads are beaten up during winter. So ... the ride is super firm! Not surprised coz it's got the 17" and run-flats. I really like the way the car handles and behaves. Here's the mistake though ....... I was with the wife and she wasn't happy about it. Since I'm trading in my A4, got the value and wife hated it more coz the guy just lowballed us. I left pretty much disappointed because wife and I can't agree. We might as well sell it ourselves. She said to check out the other one first.

Next up, the R56. Car looks ok outside. As soon as we got in, the disappointment begins. The front moonroof shade is torn. The shift **** is so loose I can pull it out easily. I can't believe these guys didn't even make the car presentable. I decided to overlook that as those are easily fixed. Now the test drive. Pulled up to the light, made a right, and here's the worst part of it. The car was bucking, hesitating like crazy. From what I can tell, I think it's the clutch slipping. Decided to keep going as I thought, hmmmm, maybe it's been sitting a while. But nope, it kept hesitating, ya know, step on the gas, loss of power, power comes back, loss of power again ....... So I told the sales guy who was with us that I'm just turning around and going back. Parked it, gave him the key, thanked him and we left.

So, after those 2 test drives, I must say I love the R53. We now just have to sell our A4 ourselves to push forward. I think I can steer the wife on the harsher ride part

Thanks again everyone for the advice. We will still be on the lookout for other MINIs out there.

 

Glad you had a chance to drive the R53. Let me say that dumping the runflats for a set of *regular* tires will sort the ride nicely without compromising the handling. I have 17's too, and was a bit surprised at how firm the ride was when I brought mine home, but some new rubber will remedy that quite well. That was the first change I made, and two years later with all the other mods, still one of the best.

Good luck with it all!

 

Glad you drove both, although it doesn't really seem like THAT R56 was even worth considering.

If you haven't been turned off by your R56 experience, try checking one that's in top condition

That R53 looks very nice, from looks/options alone I would take it over that particular R56 without even having to drive it.

On either car, ditching runflats will improve ride quality, as can certain suspension setups

 

Quite honestly, I like the ride of the R53 even with the runflats. Dunno, I just like to feel the road when I drive. Even our R55 non-S has stiffer ride than my A4 with the sport suspension and I prefer the R55 better. I'll switch the rear bar out for something stiffer coz it still pushes on corners.

 

Having driven both, I still think the R53 is the better of the two. Good luck with your choice, but my vote is with the R53.

 

I wasn't really turned off with R56's in general, just "that" R56.
Will still keep checking out other R53s and R56s in the next weeks or even months.

Maybe it's only with "that" R56 but the R53 felt more punchy to me. The R56 is smoother. Though I have to drive a proper R56 before I make any more generalized judgement.

 

I've driven both too - never owned a R56 though.

My advice - R53 all the way. My current MCSa will be the Mini I own until it doesn't run anymore, and then I'll be done with them. The only thing that could tempt me out of it is an R53 GP.

 

I wonder if MINI will ever make a car that goes back to the R53 roots, I've yet to hear an R53 driver/owner who didn't like them.

 

Sweet Mary Mother of God she is incredible. This is why I should have married a billionaire.

 

ya man. that beast is DeeheeCeent!

already upgraded like wavy gravy. low miles, tolerable price. if i didnt own one already...

 

I found from personal experience that a set of Koni FSDs (or yellows set soft) will go a long way to bringing the wife around to the merits of the r53.... Particularly on our wonderful New England roads.
And ditch the run flats.

 

My local MINI dealer got an R53 in, 2004 Manual with about 110,000KM. One local owner. Dark Silver, already tinted nicely and it has brand new Yokohama non-RFT tires. It wouldn't cost *much* to trade my R50 for it... I may test drive it on Saturday.

The only things I don't like about it are the cloth seats and the two-spoke steering wheel.

 

If you want sporty handling the stock R56 suspension is really soft. I went from a 2003 MCS with sport suspension to a 2012 JCW with standard suspension. The 12 lost the fun factor in the handling dept that's for sure. Power and exhaust sound on the R56 JCW are 100 times more exciting. Now I have the JCW suspension and its perfect. I do miss the supercharger whine though....

 

yea to what both of them said. That is one sweet R53. The only thing I would do differently is a black roof vs white, JMO though. Might be a great canidate for a carbon fibre roof wrap. Love everything about it...

 

Exciting stuff! Keep us posted. I grew quite fond of my 2 spoke, just wish it was thicker :(

 

What did you end up deciding?

How about you dannyhavok, trade in the base mini for the S?

 

Well, I had a test drive scheduled but something came up and i had to cancel. I decided to not reschedule... there is so much to like about my R50 (higher compression "punchy" little engine, modded to my preferences, very low mileage, great condition, optioned nicely, etc.) that I decided it wasn't worth the gamble to get into something that's just faster but possibly lacking in other areas.

As luck would have it, a MINI club just across the border from me had organized a Jan tune event, so I've signed up and I'll be making the ~4 hour drive next month to get the R50 properly dyno tuned. I think keeping my current car and giving it that extra 10-12HP with an improved power curve will be a great compromise and should keep me happy for the next couple of years

When I get back I'll be sure to write a thorough impression of the tune. I know there are a bunch of other diehard R50 owners out there curious about getting a tune, but so few have had it done, it's hard to find information on it.

 

Whoa! 23.5 mpg? on the highway? I've been getting an all round avg of 28 mpg with my R53. 50/50 highway/city. In the summer, with the A/C running most of the time, it'll drop to 25/26 mpg....

I have just a 15% pulley. (just recently added the CAI, but can't count that right now. too new).

Not to hijack. I haven't driven an R56. Would've liked too. So I can't compare.

But one thing for certain. I will NOT leave my R53, ever! She's an awesome little car.

 

When I get back I'll be sure to write a thorough impression of the tune. I know there are a bunch of other diehard R50 owners out there curious about getting a tune, but so few have had it done, it's hard to find information on it.