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An interesting article over at Car Throttle:

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/min...e-in-20-years/

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If I was the editor, I would have sent the article back for a rewrite. There's more to a car than drive dynamics, My F56 is hands down a better car to live with vs. my old R53. The QDR on the R53 was like something you'd see in a MK3 Jetta or Golf except slightly worse because of parts prices and ease of repair. IMO even the best example of an R53 is now a hobby car these days, there's always going to be something that needs fixing. There a hoot to drive for sure, but this old dog is too tired to spend the weekend mopping the floor with the back of my shirt.

The QDR of the F56 is hands down a better car for people new to the brand. I'd have a tough time recommending an R53 to a lay person that has no spanner skills and is budget minded. The R56 is a huge forget about it. I think that gen basically ruined MINIs reputation in the states

 

Oldboy Speedwell, thanks for posting this article. I started to read it yesterday and forgot about it until now.

Nicefeet, I think the writer's conclusion was that the R53 was funner to drive, but the F56 is a better "total package".

I actually think that's the conflict of new Mini's. Is it a driver's car (focus on performance/handling), or a luxury car (that values comfort)?

 

I enjoyed reading the article but don't think there's anything remotely surprising, or even revealing. Of course a new car is more refined than one that's 20 years old. In general, 2041 models will be more refined than current cars. (One thing will remain the same: Elon Musk will still be touting buggy software as full autonomous driving.)