Aside from handling dynamics, this 2008 non-S with paddle shifters felt like a Corolla in every way. And, there is absolutely no on-center feel or self centering in the steering - horrible!

The ergonomics in the R53 were not great, but more than acceptable. The ergonomics in the 2008 are a magnitude worse; the center stack is a disaster, especially the heater/AC controls. And, the amount of plastic feels so much more in my face.

Unfortunately, this car is really tight in many ways, but the vicseral connection with the road and controls is simple Japanese in feel.

...still, it was a real rip in the twisties!!! Much more fun than I expected from a non-S.

 

spot on in your description.

 

i seen a post last night that was from a month ago or so, and they said their 07 s had a floating luxury car feel to going down the road. And i thought, "what?" I know the 53 and 56 are different, and i havnt been in a 56 on the road (short track stint, but i wasnt driving, was a good driver tho too, so might of head some of the flwas), but floaty and luxury were far from what i was expecting to hear in the description of any mini. For what its worth, i hate the interior of the new ones. Dont really like the looks of the exterior either, unless it has the JCW aerokit. Then it is hot. angry almost. But the interior is ugly i think. I almost bought a saab 9-3 aero cause i loved the looks so much, but when i went to test drove it, i got to the door, opened it up, and shut it then walked away. There was no way i could drive a car with an interior like that one. The r56 interior is better than that, but not by much. I could at least drive it, just not like looking at it. hahah

Beecher

 

The example I drove for a day did not exhibit a floating nature at all, even with the small all seaon tires that come with this model. The steering was the biggest standout; it was lighter and feel was still good - the steering became somewhat lighter as the limit of adhesion was reached and it felt mostly progressive and equal to tire grip or the lack of. But on center feel and return to center action is really horrible! Hit an undualtion in the road that actually steers the car, and it does not return even a little on its own. tire pressure was spot on too.

The color didn't help the experienc; Pepper white - which I love - with black silver and basic blue/grey interior. Really cheap feeling...like a Corolla without carpet kind of cheap.

 

I agree with you meb in terms of R56 on-road behavior. However, put on a set of Hoosier R6's and the car transforms into a perfectly balanced track monster; no joke.

 

That on-center feel can be dialed in with a good alignment. Also keep in mind that the Coop has much more sidewall than an S, so you may be comparing apples to oranges depending on how the steeds are shod.

 

I've driven Mach V Dan's R56 on 235 width tires and H&R and Technic springs on more than one occassion. Fair to say it's still not as engaging as my car, though it's faster and more refined for sure.

 

its not supposed to be refined. hahah. They call it a bulldog, they arnt overly refined. Now they will have to call it a jack russel, a bit wirery, but fairly well behaved, and shall i even say "refined". haha. I want a pitbull in bulldog cloathing, and im coming very close. It is annoying when they make it faster tho, imagine how fast it could be in dedicated track mode tho, almost makes you want to buy one....

Beecher

 

Yea, tires do make a big difference...and so do spring and damping rates. So this was an apples to oranges kind of comparo...I still don't like the interior

 

so in Chow's standards, MINI perfected the car.


my FitSport is tighter than the R56 MC.

 

just out of curiosity, i keep seeing people call it the r56 mc. is there no official designation for the cooper over the s, or are both 07 up hatchs r56. I know the clubman is a r58 or what ever.

thanks

Beecher

 

I've gotten two '07 or '08 MC-auto loaners recently, and agree with Meb's comments. I knew the exterior looks had suffered at the hands of EU pedestrian safety rules, but there was all this talk in the press about how the interior would be much upgraded with better materials and such. BS, as far as I can see. I dislike the weirdly shaped buttons, switches, HVAC controls, the bulbous vents and CD slot, and the stretches of empty plastic. In comparison, the R53 looks positively classy. I think they way overshot on the "cute" quotient for the re-design, maybe to make up for the exterior losses. Hated the seats, with no lumbar support at all.

Driving experience was more positive: decent curve handling and pretty peppy for a MC (in the sport mode). Great gas mileage. I miss the burble, though. I've never used such sensitive, grabby brakes -- you need a lite touch here.

When I got back in my car, I really noticed how much lower the beltline is on the R53, which gives the cabin a more pleasant, open feel.

 

YES! ditto on the brakes...what's up with those ?

 

As with many things, you get used to most of the changes in the new car. The brakes become "normal" after a while. If you get used to driving in sports mode, the throttle response in non-sports mode seems awful. If you get used to driving in non-sports mode, the throttle response in sports mode seems way too quick and hard to modulate.

etc, etc...

I bet when my modded R50 Cooper comes back to life, I'll think it's very odd after driving a stock R56 MCS for many months.

I'm not sure what my point is.

 

I understand.

 

I drove an R56 'S' for a few days recently, then hopped back into my '05 MCS and re-traced my route.

The R56 is a better car, no doubt about it.
It is easier to drive quickly
It is less 'wearing' in traffic - lighter clutch, less 'lurch/surge'
It is faster out of the bends - that low-end torque is addictive
It is way more comfortable

The R53 is a better car too
It is more challenging to drive quickly
It has that crazy darty, instant power for ripping through traffic
It (mine at least) is way more stable on the brakes heading for the apex, but you really need to pick your exit gear carefully.
It burbles.
Its Stereo (HK) is better and you can hardly hear the rattles if you turn it UP !

I have said it before and I consider it to be worth repeating, the R56 drives like a small BMW, not a Mini.

In my opinion, nearly all of the character that made the R50/53 so appealing has been removed, most of the current character is based around the quirky center stack and the goofy looks.

I figure that my current Mini will be my last - unless I go crazy and find a low mileage GP......

Shame really, I have really enjoyed the last 70K+ miles....

 

the more i drive around in my r53, the more i get attached to it for some reason...

just a few months back, i was about to trade it in / sell it for an e36 or z4 but now, i dont know... i just wanna keep it until i open it up with its full potential... simply its too fun modding it and love the rough-ness lol

 

Is not the 08 the same as the 07? So this thread is really just another shot to rehash the same old crap, under the guise of relevant information.

 

...07, and 08...basically the same. As for the information...no, it's new since I drove the R56 for the first time. Unless my opinion is irrelevant???

 

I wasn't referring to you, but the responders, who have been saying the same thing since the R56 came out. And I am sure this thread will bring all the usuals back.....

 

If you're referring me as one of the responders, let's set the record straight: this is my first post on the R56. Like Meb, I posted only because I recently drove one.

 

I didn't realize this was a hot topic...I probably should have been clear about the apples and orange comparison since I've not driven an S.

An 18,000lb truck trying to come to a stop hit my mini in the back moving me forward two car lengths in an instant - with just a tap. I was thinking about a new mini at that moment...I was in an awful mood while driving the new car...which may have colored some of my opinion...

 

Ugggg. Obviously I am referring to people who have been playing the R53/R56 is better theme since the R56 came out. It doesn't really matter what I said, though. Let's just see what happens in this thread.

 

I test drove an R56 and R53 both w/ 17" rims and liked the friskyness of the R53 better (and liked the interior better)

Having had a non-S loaner... the car felt good enough, but it was like BMW really cheaped out on the plastics on the inside.
The ergonomics are truly horrible on the R56 though. The radio was not exactly what I'd describe intuitive, and I gave up on the trip comp.
I also could not easily adjust the heat without taking my eyes off the road...

I only hope they did a better job on the Clubman.

 

you got to understand, your an r56 owner in a r53 forum. Of course most of us arnt going to like it... Doesnt mean we are wrong about its faults tho. And we all know about the faults our cars have, its not like any of the posters so far are new to the scene. If you dont like us picking on your car, go to your forum and pick on ours. hahah.

just having some fun with ya

Beecher

For the record, i think these have been my first r56 posts.