I think, visually, the bigger loss is that I can't see any room for a color line in the new interior. That's been such a big way to add personality and distinctiveness to make a MINI uniquely YOURS, y'know?

 

I understand totally what your saying.. and I do agree with what you mean.. You have brought up some good points! I guess the reason I bring up the speedo so much is because it just seemed to give the wow factor..ha ha and its hard to see it go...lol..

 

I started a new thread before I saw this one...
East Bay Mini said last night they are taking orders until August?

 

Is the Clubman going to be all new for 2014 like the hatch?

 

Nope

 

Hey guys, new here... just wanted to note that I ordered my Eclipse Gray R56 on 5/29 with no problems. It's in production now. Dealer gave me no indication that either ordering would be cut-off at a certain time, or that 2014 ordering was imminent (even though I asked him about them). He didn't pressure me in any way to buy from their stock or find one from another dealer.

Of course, that doesn't mean someone else's experience a week or two from now won't be completely the opposite.

 

Awesome!! welcome aboard Don't forget to check out the 2013 support group...!! Some good info there for yah...Im waiting as well... but im getting closer ha ha ..lol

 

I'm new as well, Ordered 6/18/13 - Production 1st week of July. Good luck.

 

I sincerely hope your statement concerning the Roadster is 100% correct. Autoblog just released pictures of the 2014 Hardtop (F56) and the front end is not an improvement IMO. I will order a 2014 Roadster after the 2013 winter passes; I would love the new Roadster to remain in it's present form.

 

That is a mixed bag. Mini enthusiasts certainly like it, but even at that, a lot are getting Connected/Nav and from what I understand, few use the speedo anyway, the digital readout on the tach is easier to see and accurate, not 5mph off because you are looking at it at a weird angle.

But that big center speedo is one of the biggest complaints I read about in just about every review of the Mini.

I ordered my CMS with the big speedo and no Connected/Nav because it is a quirky conversation piece, and, IMHO, Connected/Nav is crap. No touch screen? What is this, 1997?

I am not glad to see the speedo go, but honestly, it wouldn't have affected my buying decision if it were already gone.

 

Not sure if this timeline is still accurate, but I've not seen anything to contradict it, and it makes sense. BMW doesn't do wholesale changes to entire makes. One model at a time.

 

Hey all, relatively new here, but just wanted to post this link:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ed-undisguised

I quite like the exterior shape as a whole. I think the grille and the lights really do it for me. The grille sort of reminds me of the grilles of Minis of old. However, one thing that does put me off is that enormous front overhang. Look at it! I just hope that it doesn't upset the balance of the car... Also, the rear tail lights look a little too large and shapeless for my taste.

I think it looks good, but not nearly as good-looking as the R53 and R56 models..

 

In the thread on Roadsters, Gil-galad said the Roadster will remain unchanged in the 2014 and 2015 model years. I hope he's right! That black thing on the front end is nasty looking. I heard the black bumper was designed to comply with European safety standards, thus leaving open the possibility (however remote) that the American market may not see that particular change.

 

I'd need to see the car in person, something seems weird from the camera angle. I will miss the center mounted speedo and the round vents. As someone else commented, the interior just doesn't flow for me and appears segmented. Again, would need to see it in person.

As an additional comment. Left-hand drive sample with the gas tank on the passenger side. Prolly another safety people for those that run out of gas on the motorway. You can refuel on the curbside...

 

BMW has a history of implementing very gradual and deliberate changes in their lineups. Their philosophy is that when implementing a significant change in your models, start with a base model, work out the kinks, and when issues get worked out, move on to other models in the line up using what you have learned.

At this time, the only projected change, (the start of the 3rd generation), is from the R56 to the F56. One or two more models will make the transition next year, and so on until the final model in the current lineup makes the transition in 2017. At this point in time, that model is supposed to be the R-59. However, discussion appear to be taking place at certain levels about the R-59. Word has it that some of the decision makers want to re-configure the R-59, and redesign it into what some would call a "proper" roadster. In other words, rear wheel drive. I expect that the only change that we will see this fall, will be the introduction of the F-56. And the rest of the models will go into next year with very minimal changes.

 

Changing factories over is also a big process. They have spent over a year putting a whole new F-56 line in the old NEDCAR plant in the Netherlands. They now have to re-work Oxford which is making all other models while still trying to run.

 

I don't think there will be a rear wheel drive mini. BMW bought the brand to enter the less expensive (than BMW) front wheel drive market. That may add All4 to other models beyond the R60/61 as a higher end option, but don't see RWD.

 

But they are evidently starting to make FWD BMWs, so the distinction isn't nearly as clear. Who knows, maybe they will try to put together a RWD MINI. I'm not really sure how you can really do that, but what do I know?

 

Looks like they took a Mini and slapped new body panels on and a BMW badge. There is even a Mini in the shot for reference.

 

Hey Bram, are 2013 HT orders over now?

 

I have not heard anything lately.

 

Ok, thanks

 

My wife and I just ordered a 2013 Hardtop (R56) Cooper S on Sept 7th. We got it form the dealer in Indianapolis. It was part of their allocations, and is currently waiting to be built. They guys at the Indy mini dealer said they can still order Hardtop 2013's no problem. I also talked to the mini dealer in Ann Arbor, and they said that they could not order a hardtop model until january or february of next year. But that dealer has only been open for about three months, and I suspect the other dealers had snapped up the allotments before they opened their doors.


Sheldon

 

I thought you couldn't even order a R56 anymore..lol.. Lucky you though!!

 

I just ordered a 2013 JCW hardtop last week. October build, Just got my production#.
They said it was 1 of 3 JCW's being built for the last production of the R56. Cool!