I own a 2005 MCS/JCW with JCW Brakes and Suspension. I took it in for routine service last week in order to keep my 100K mile warranty in effect. I have 83K miles on the clock. They found worn out lower control arm bushings, a leaking oil pan gasket, leaking valve cover gasket, and a leaking radiator. I had to pay my $200 deductable and the fee for the routine service. I am thankful I took out the extended warranty! I actually took it out because I wanted coverage on the supercharger. The rear gearcases have an unfortunate tendancy to lose their oil then chew up the gears that drive the water pump. Not cheap is the understatement of the century!

The above work, and a faulty power steering pump at ~40K miles is the only repair work I've had to do to the car. I would like to hope that DIY oil changes every 2500 miles and meticulous attention to the car have contributed to its great service. Anyway, the car is utterly fantastic to own and drive.

This service trip was my first opportunity to see an R56 live and in person, so naturally I asked a MA for a test drive in a new MCS. He asked for my license and insurance, and I told him that they already have it on file and showed him my key to my 06 MC loaner. He asked about my current car, and I told him it had the JCW Engine Kit, Suspension, and Brakes and that it had every option except nav and automatic. I also have an R-Speed rear sway bar, but I didn't tell him that. He surprised me when he balked about the test drive in his R56 MCS demo car. He said that he didn't think it'd be a good idea for me to drive his demo because it wasn't equipped like my car, and especially since it had the base suspension. He called down to the prep shop and had a new MCS with Sport Suspension and LSD sent up. I kept the car under 4000 rpm and I didn't abuse it in any way, but I must say that it is an impressive car! The power is certainly adequate, and the power delivery is near instantaneous and very linear. Right or wrong, I was expecting a lot of lag and an abrupt and peaky powerband. I was pleasantly surprised. The suspension handled at least as well as a stock R53 MCS, and possibly as well as an R53 with the JCW Suspension Kit but with a much quieter and more compliant ride. The brakes were supposedly identical to the R53 JCW Brake Kit except for the red paint on the calipers, and they certainly felt the same. Again, I was very impressed!

The freshened interior was great in my opinion. Plenty of comfort and great seats along with some cosmetic freshening and updating. I am beginning to get interested in the R56!

Are there any R56 owners who came from an R53 equipped similarly to mine? I'd like to compare and contrast notes on the two generations of MINIs.

The only real gripe I have is that in the new R56, there is less freedom of choice in the color schemes. I was very disappointed to learn that I cannot get the reddish brown Lounge Leather in a Chili Red body. My second choice of Laser Blue (I hope I got that right...I mean the new version of Hyper Blue) doesn't have any two tone blue/black interior available in all leather. C'mon MINIUSA, red seats are OK in a red car!!

Rawhyde

 

So whats the soup are you going to get a second car or not??? No just kidding. My first test drive went some ting like this. The sales woman talked about the features (of all which i all ready knew) we get out on the freeway feeder road hit the first u and then she asks if i would bust another u and let her out at the dealership. I drop her off and her exact words were "Try not to wreck it, have fun, and try and be back by the end of the day" SOLD

What were your true power r53 vs r56 feelings????

 

I think my car would outrun the R56, but not by as a large margin as I expected it to. I was guilty of expectinng the R56 to be watered down and "cost reduced". I am really interested in the upcoming "Stage II JCW Kit". I also want to see how durable the R56 is. I changed jobs in March 2007, and I now have a 62 mile one way commute.

I'll either swap for a new MCS or outright buy PT Cruiser 5 speed as a beater work car. (I know that the PT ain't very cool, but it DOES come with a lifetime powertrain warranty, and it can be bought new for about $15K with 5 speed and A/C only.)

Rawhyde

 

My personal opinion would be keep the r53. They are doing amazing things by adding a turbo to the already supercharged motor and you have done plenty of work to your baby already. But a PT cruzer ???? Isn't that the anti mini. From all the post i have read so far it seams like the is a definite rivalry between both cars (one sided of course) One question still did you get to use the sport button at all???

 

Not sure if you've seen this but it may help to some degree: MF Comparison: Modded R53 vs JCW R56

 

I really like the idea of keeping the R53. It is truly an amazing car. Bear in mind that I'm a RWD musclecar guy. I'm a big fan of various BMWs and vintage musclecars. I'm definately not a "hot hatch" or "FWD performance" or "import scene" guy. Even with my prejudices, the MINI was impressive enough to cause me to forego a 330Ci with Performance Pkg. at the time. I may keep it another year and outright buy an R56. Gabe's review kinda mirrored my brief impressions.

As to the PT, it is a pure POS. BUT it is a POS that has a LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. It is also the cheapest car in the lineup that has the lifetime coverage. Another advantage is that it uses a chain instead of a rubber band to drive the cam. I know the PT has fans, I just want the warranty because I commute a little over 40K miles per year. The less money I spend on commuter cars, the more I have to spend on cool cars! A MINI is just too cool to be subjected to abuse like that....

The important question is why the heck can't I get the cool red leather interior in a Chili Red R56?!??!??

Almost forgot, but YES I had the Sport button mashed!

Rawhyde

 

the REDwood interior is not RED in real life--its orange/terracotta in color. Probably would not look good with CR. Mini does not block many choices in its ala carte availabilites but this BLOCK is probably a good one.

I have seen the redwood with the silver, dark silver and sparkling silver colors and it looks great. It would look great with black, too, if you want to live with a black car.

Great looking seat BTW...I have the black LL with my CR

 

Emtrey, that wood trim package really sets off the dashboard! No way I'll get an R56 without the wood!

 

I fell in love with my first MINI back in 60s-cousin of mine has the first S imported to US thru Canada (still has it along with a Moke and some other classic MINI). They did use some wood trim back then so I wanted to bring back a bit of the nostalgic English look. The seats remind me of the Austin Healy 3000s.

Just a bit of mix an match. The creamline was my MAs idea. I had not even thought about it till he showed it to me. Almost bailed on the idea at last moment but the car had been "frozen" for production. Glad it was. I love it and no issues keeping it clean ( I do have comfort access so I don't rub up against the dash trim alot) I just hit the armrests with interior celaner periodially and its as new. Same for the piping on the seats.

People are shocked when I open the door. I doubt they expect that kind of interior on a MINI.

 

That interior looks like it's over-inflated and is about to pop!

 

OMG---you figured it out....It just gave birth to a SMART CAR..

 

Pictures often lie. It's very nice in real life.

 

Can vouch for that. I have a very similar combo: black LL, cream, anthracite, interior chrome, but piano black instead of english oak trim. Extremely sharp. Creates a very classy and luxurious atmosphere. Quite surprising to almost every single one of my passengers. Seeing emtrey's MINI actually encouraged my going for it.