So My '06 Cooper is in for its' last round of warranty repairs. They gave me an 09 Astro Black MCa (of course it's not a manual), and I just wanted to give my brief review of what is good and what needs to be changed. And yes, I know these are common issues but hear me out:

The Good:
-Auto-up on the windows
-Steering feel and suspension (after Sport button is pressed)
-Looks like it's alot easier to access the oil filter
-Engine's torque is more accessible lower down (helped by the closely geared auto). Feels faster initially.

The not so good:
-Toggles need a click, not the squish they have right now.
-Upper toggles are silly, bring back push buttons on the lights. Also, the mood lighting isn't important enough to warrant its own toggle.
-Volume **** vs UI ****, not helped by the fact that the volume ****'s volume icons don't light up at night.
-Flimsy CD faceplate.
-HVAC controls need to be rethought.
-OBC button on end of stalk is easily pushed accidentally when I signal.
-Freaky electronic cancellation on turn signals...
-Redundant clock displays.
-Where are the vertical grab handles on the doors? While I'm talking about the doors, why are the storage compartments so darn tiny?

The WTF?
-Exhaust ports on the engine come out the front? The header has to wrap underneath the engine... Hmm.
-Entire engine compartment is very unfriendly looking. Hard to identify what every part is.
-Bulges on hood much softer and squishier looking. A sense of tautness is lacking from the exterior, which was perfect the first time around.
-UFO Key.
-Blocked off grille spaces-- MINIs were able to pride themselves on not having fake grilles but now this car has nonfunctioning side grilles as well as a mostly-useless front top chrome grille.
-The sport button is an insult. OK, maybe that's harsh but the fact that they put this "feature" on the S models as well as the JCW cars undermines their efforts against other superminis. If they want to pitch the Cooper as their economy car, then it makes somewhat more sense, I suppose. IMHO this hurts the brand's image.

Having a MINI is better than not having a MINI but I feel like my R50 pretty much is as high-tech as cars should get. The first car felt genuine despite itself (not to mention its difficult inception). This car has had all the wrinkles ironed out, but is lacking in character. I get the feeling that those German boffins were up to what they do best-- reengineering and redesigning what doesn't need to be changed. That said, I'm looking forward to the facelift because if BMW knows what's good for them, there is going to be a long list of revisions...

But enough of my bellyaching right?

 

Funny, my dad had his 06 R50 in the shop this week for a coolant leak and SES light for misfire on #4 cylinder (got a new cylinder head by the way) and he received an 09 MCS. His observations were that he did not like the seats (he has the base seats), he did not like the key, he hated the interior design, especially the speedo/radio, didn't like the general look of the front of the car, hated the initial hesitation (turbo lag I believe), said that when he presses the accelerator, he expects the engine to respond (it was also automatic). So in general, he preferred his 06 R50 to the 09 R56.

 

I agree with both these posts.

I like the powertrain in the R56 better but that's it. I'm just really glad I bought in 06 and found an 05 MCSC in great condition. By the time I'm ready to trade in, hoping for a lot of changes in the MINI again... and hoping the next model closely resembers the R50/53.

 

Dude really the engine looks like it is unfriendly! This is by far the easiest car I have every worked on. Its the same motor it just has a turbo up front. I acctually like the sport button cause when I am puttering around town I don't like chirping the tires cause the clutch is a lot more sensitive. It also keeps me from Fast and Furious every where. But it is your opinion so stick with it and enjoy your R50

 

We own a MCS 06 and a MC08, the MCS 06 is mine, and although I tell my husband I hate his car ( lil mini rivalry). I do like his seats better.. not really in love with the interior of his.. and I can't compare the boost or power, because obviously the supercharger, makes a huge difference. I do like the sport button in his.. but my first love is my 06S..

 

I used to have an R50 and now own an R56S (JCW Stage1). While I absolutely miss the pureness and simplicity of the R50 (that includes everything - the exterior and interior design, the engine, the interface of the console and the radio), I keep having more and more fun with the R56 and appreciate it's superior technology. Still hate the center stack and the radio - but that motivates me more to keep my eyes on the road :D

 

I must say after an 03 S, an 06 S, and an 02 Cooper (in that order) I am loving the 09 barebones Cooper I just picked up. I think it really depends on what you want from the car. As an everyday car I love the added torque, and instant response, of the new Cooper engine. It has many more ***** than my 02 had. Also, it gets the best fuel economy out of the bunch.

For an everyday, do anything go anywhere car, I think the R56 is great. I think the seats are better than the R53s, maybe equal to the base seats in the 02. The center stack sucks in terms of ease of use and positioning but the scroll **** and menus give you access to a lot more than the R50/53s had. The climate control is the only part for me that is a real let down in terms of easy of use. I mean really MINI, what was the point of all that?

The thing I can't get over is how much a base R56 Cooper drives like a sports car.