My 02 MCS is currently in the shop and the dealership gave me a a loaner 06 MCS. The thing is equipped pretty much like mine expect that the loaner has an Automatic. The first thing I noticed is the ride is much more soft and quieter than mine. Does anyone know if they changed the shocks or coils for the newer years. The ride is really improved over my 02'

 

I drove an '07 MCS when it first appeared. It feels much better than the R53... It is softer, faster and quieter. I guess switching from a heavy supercharger to a turbo it makes a lot of difference... The R56 has to be a better car, of course. But I don't like that some of the materials they are using on the new one look cheaper (plastics, chrome, etc) Also I like much more the R53 look from outside. But the R56 is a great car eventhough. If planning to get one, I'd wait a couple of months until they fix some minor issues. This is the first time they use a turbo instead of a supercharger.

 

From what I have read on the forums, they softened the suspension starting with the '05s.

 

The suspension (totally revamped) is less jarring, yet the wheels feel more planted when you're really pushing it. The suspension has also been dialed in to work better with runflats.

 

The '06 MCS is still an R53... the '07s are R56s... I test drove both, and the power delivery in the R56 was smoother as were the ride motions... it felt more grown up, like the VW GTI.

 

+1 Plus the runflats have gotten much better.

 

Had 'em both on a track last winter, echo the above. Don't think it's a weight issue (super-vs-turbo), more a suppleness issue.

At the risk of dragging this into yet another tedious R50/53/56 comparison thread, the interior materials look much better in person than in pictures, though I do lament the loss of removable and more distinct downtubes, and pretty much losing the ability to put in aftermarket sound (though I'm pretty much totally satisfied my '06 HK).

The suspension WAS softened into '05 and '06 compared to '02-'04 (despite the carryover architecture), then totally revamped on the new '07+ platform.

 

Many of the reviews stated that the R56 lost some of the R53's "edge" which isn't a bad thing but for those of us that wanted edge the R53 is our choice. The new rear control arms are pure sculpture IMHO.

 

I thought they softened it sometime in '03 by using a different weight of oil in the shocks........no?

 

True.

 

I believe it was May of 03 as my April build 03 had the firmer ride.

 

Yeah, it was back in 2003. There was a huge uproar b/c many owner and perspective buyers (like me ) thought the softer suspension would ruin the handling. I think there was even a online petition.

 

It's funny, I had a Mazdaspeed Protege ('03) with the Tokicos and a Racing beat suspension (from the factory!) and to me the '06 MCS was more supple, now the R56 is suppler still - but let's face it, they all ride pretty harsh compared to a "normal" or even a "sport" sedan...

 

I'm glad my August '03 MC got the "softer" suspension. It still seems plenty stiff to me, and maybe it's a bit less likely to cause the dreaded strut mushrooming.

I remember some of the comments back when the change was announced, you would have thought they were turning the MINI into a Buick.