Here's my deal. I've got an 07 Cooper S that's for the most part stock that I signed a lease deal on and $33k sticker. I love the thing. My girlfriend recently bought an 03 100k mile Cooper S for 8k. Well to my surprise I like her car more!!! One problem I see with it is the car is a lot slower than mine. My last car was a 10second Z06. I can't go any slower than my current Mini.

My lease is up in November.

Is the GP as fast or faster than an R56? I know how they're all modable ect so I'm talking stock here. And I guess I want to know which is quicker not faster as I don't care too much about top speed. Of course there likely isn't as much torque down low as my car. But in say a quarter mile which is better an R56 or the GP?

I know i know i know it's not about speed it's about handling....and that's why I want the previous generation now. So again what are the R56 stats vs the GP?

Thank you so much!
-Gene

 

Well the specs alone should tell you the GP is faster since it has less weight (not by much, but hey) and more power (215 HP vs 172HP). As to your comparison with the R53 to your R56, it might be best to compare a latter model since the shorter gearing does improve acceleration off the line.

GotMINI

 

True on power to weight but power under the curve is what wins races so I felt I couldn't go by that for sure. If you look at power to weight the R53 shouldn't be much slower than the R56...but to me it is by a large margin.

So during the life cycle of the R53 they changed the gear ratios?

What year? I assume the GP has the shorter ratios, no?

 

The gears were shortened for '05. The GP was made in 06 so yes it has the shorter gearing. Also the GP shares the fact that it has aluminum control arms like the R56, resulting in saved weight. Overall the GP is the ultimate production R53 so I'm quite positive the GP will be faster than a stock R56, an R56 JCW might be a different story. But it won't have the R53 handling you were talking about Overall if you had the chance to choose between the two I would def. recommend the GP 1. Because it's a rarity, and 2. Because its the ultimate, "stripped out (really just a backseat delete and sound dampening material removed, as well as the control arms), enthusiast's MINI. Def. faster and more exciting than a stock R56 S IMO.

 

My suggestion would be to drive an 05/06 R53 JCW (unless of course you have access to driving the GP)... sure the GP might be slightly faster but it should give you a good indication if whether the R53 is the right choice for you. The R56 tends to have better low/mid-range power, but the R53 makes up for it at the top-end... which is where I tend to stay usually since I love the sound of the supercharger screaming at redline.

GotMINI

 

my experience was that the R55 ( never had a regular R56 ) was not near as fast the a GP. Now, the R56 JCW was very close to as fast if not as fast as the GP. But that was just off the line.. Would pull with the GP until it hit around 4krpms.. then would start to drop.. That when the GP would hand down take it.. It starts to really dance at 4k... So over all, I would say a GP is faster than a R56 JCW.

 

Thanks for all the great information!

Hope to join the GP club by years end.

 

This is by far the best deal I have seen on a GP: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t/11278/cat/12. According to the replies, it may be sold. Otherwise, you're looking at spending $26-29K.

 

Don't overlook an 05 or 06 JCW. Maybe not quite as quick as a GP (because of the weight difference) but they're still stinkin' fast. 06 is really the best year.

 

+1 on JCW as an option. Granted, you won't get the paint color or other graphic asthetics. But the difference is only 8-10 HP between the two.

 

GP is faster than a stock R56 MCS. R56 JCW is faster than a GP.

To me, the GP is the best car BMW has built for the MINI brand since its inception. It's mod friendly, although it's pretty damned quick out of the box.

The R56 is great down low, the GP is great in the higher RPM's, where the R56 begings to lose steam. Everyday driver, R56. On the track, GP.

These are VERY different cars to drive. Take each out for a spin, make a decision off of that.