Hello everyone! Hope all is well.


So last summer I decided to sell my 2003 r53. I was dropping a lot of money into it for mods and repairs. I believe the owner before me thrashed the car pretty hard and I was paying for it. The car was around 144,xxx miles and had low compression. Obviously the r53 is a love hate relationship and I ultimately decided to sell it and buy something I thought I needed over something I wanted. I ended up with a 2010 Subaru forester and don't get me wrong it's a great car because it's a "safe" buy. I guess the experience I had with my mini scared me away from buying another one right away. My father owned a 2005 r53 and it was in immaculate condition so it's definitely all in how you take care of it. Plus the 05-06 were updated by mini.


Anyway, after driving the forester I've come to realize how boring it is compared to what my city speeder used to do. Also, seeing so many minis around where I live now has given me a craving for another one. So my question is if I were to pick another Mini do I get the R56 or the F56? I don't really care for bells and whistles in cars such as nav systems or Bluetooth or back up cameras. I just want something that's gonna put a smile on my face when I'm going around twisties. What's the difference between the 2 besides the updated looks and new engine? I wouldn't be buying new so probably 2010-2013 for the r56 and 2014-2015 for the f56. Thanks in advanced guys!

 

The F is more refined and BMW like. Some people think the newer ones are ugly, I like mine. Much less interior rattles and road noise in the F. I only have long term R60 driving experience so can't compare the 56's in that regard as I only test drove the R years ago.

I don't need bells and whistles either just wish the stereo was more easily upgradable.

 

From Gen 1 to Gen 3 the chassis feels smoother, more electronics overall. My R52 feels more connected to the road than my R58 and the F56's I drove.

Good luck on the search.

 

F56

/thread

 

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning towards the F56 but there's just something about the 1/2 gen bulldog stance. Question about the f56. When in race mode does the exhaust note burble at all or would I need to swap out to something like the remus valvetronic exhaust?

 

R56 N18.
Reason I say this is the F56 almost feels TOO refined and bmw like, almost takes some of the fun out of it (stock vs stock). I have not driven a modded F56 though, I am sure a couple suspension bits and tires would make it less numb feeling.

 

wait for the refresh even if not buying new. The used ones will take a hit with the largest hit to the 3rd gen and the smallest to a 1st gen.

 

I cannot comment on the R56 vs F56 seeing as I do not own either. I do however own a 2006 R53 and "knock on wood" it's been great so far for the month I've owned it. It was very well cared for from the previous owner before me and I also had it inspected by my local Mini dealer and checked out. With all that said, my Dad had 2 gen 1 R53's and then 1 R56. He had a miserable time with the R56 and got out of that car as quick as he got in it! From reading around the forums it seems as though the R56 are very problematic but I can't say cause I don't own one. Have you looked into getting a 1st gen again? Maybe look for an 05-06 as those were the least problematic. Good luck!

 

The Renault designed engine in my R56 had problems with durability. There was even a class action suit against BMW over the timing chain, for which I received a check for $500 early in 2017. I'm told the F56 is built on the Series 2 platform, and now that I own one, I can see that it is a completely different car. The stores have plenty of 2016's left if you want a 'bargain'.

 

I have a '13 R56 Justa which is naturally aspirated and it has been trouble free. The base model (Justa) is much more trouble free than the S or JCW.