The new key and audio systems worry me a bit... it seems the car is getting more complicated and it might be more difficult to fix, upgrade in the future (I keep my cars long).

I've never had a BMW or Mercedes so maybe I am just worrying too much about this? I am thinking of the R56 vs. the R53 mostly for its fuel economy... it is important to me now and I think it will be even more important in the future!

 

The flat key system has been used in BMW's for years. I have heard about issues with that key in early BMW 7 series sedans but that was probably 4-5 years ago. I think those systems should be pretty solid by now.

The radio... I think is dumb to integrate the radio with the speedo. Based on the diagram shown on the other thread, it appears that you can yank out the radio without having to replace the entire speedo assembly. Still, you have to remove it to get to the radio. In the R53 the radio is tucked inside the center console and to get to it all you have to do is remove a few torx screws and the center dash legs. Much simpler procedure for sure.

FWIW, I am currently getting 24.5 MPG in strict city driving with the A/C on and off (depending on the weather) on my '05 R53.

 

Reading opinions on these types of forums is always going to make one worry. Just go to any other car forum.

 

Ok, I won't worry about this too much then.

This is also comforting though still my least preferred thing about the car... but as long as it can be fixed w/o having to replace the entire thing I guess it's ok.

I've seen a post on mini2 about a guy getting 37.5mpg on the new one w/only 1200 miles and he does not say this is just highway. seems a substantial improvement to me.

 

yeah the new "prince"engine is more fuel efficient. But I still love the whine of the supercharger!

 

to me CO2 emissions are much more important than whether the engine whines or not... in 5 years restrictions will be more severe and possibly the price of gas will be much higher too... I want my baby to stay with me as long as possible!

R53=207g/km
R56=164g/km

 

Everyone has their priorities. Still my R53 is wayy cleaner than any V6 or V8 SUV.

 

Very true... and even better than my 98 cabrio... but since I am picking a new car might as well think of these things...

 

Hey, at least you are not getting one of those hybrid vacuum cleaners on wheels..LOL

 

I think I'd rather bike than get one of those...

besides, the way I drive I don't think I would get much more than 45mpg out of the Prius on the highway... maybe in city driving but that I don't do...

btw, you realize we are in the same neck of the woods? I am buying from MOT, heard their service is great.

 

They worry me a bit too, but I'm trying to keep a positive outlook.

I wish the MINI had a lot less electronic sophistication and was a bit more spartan. No fancy turn signals, no programable lights/wipers/locks/etc. Guess I'm just an old fart that likes things simple.

dean.

 

I am old school too. I prefer a regular key to an insert chip board, but that's me.

 

I knew if I posted enough times we'd agree on something.

dean.

 

I am in agreement to! So can I get the new engine on an R53?

 

Now you are talkin '

I wish MINI had done just that. Drop the new engine in the R53. presto!

 

I've got only two minor gripes about the new key.

1. The range is pretty short. Like 10 feet or so. That's a good thing for many, but I could lock my Toyota from a block away. Unfortunately that also meant I could accidentally trigger the alarm from a block away.
2. The comfort access to unlock the doors by the little button on the door handle doesn't always work the first time. The manual says that this is expected, and it's because the system is searching for a key inside the vehicle and to try again. But if I'm standing next to the car and the fob is on the other side of my body, it doesn't work, and I have to turn so that the fob is closer to the door. I'm going to replace the battery in the fob (only comfort access folks have the battery) with a fresh one and see if that helps. After all, it's a wee radio, and a weak battery could cause a weak signal.

 

Ok, I've changed my mind about the key. It makes the car harder to steal... and since I won't have an alarm and it will be on the street , better that way...

Now, about that stereo...

 

So you like electronica and tecno? My wife and I are big time synth-pop fans. We have a nice collection of Erasure and Pet Shop Boys. Man they sound sweet in my HK stereo!

 

Yeap, I like electronica... house, tribal house, some trance, some chill for good measure

 

He you guys are not arguing about the right emisisons. Check out the epa fuel economy site. The air pollution score (The Air Pollution score represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits. Scoring ranges from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). This score does not include emissions of greenhouse gases (see the Climate Change rating).) On this scale the 2006 and earlier mini recieves a 2. Most small cars recieve about a 6, a few notable exceptions, most volkswagens most worse at a 1 rating, 5 speed manual insight (a real shocker at a 2), and scion at a 2. The new 2007 mini not yet posted on epa site, but it supposedly meets more stringent standards and will surely have a better rating.

The 2006 and earlier mini is better than most when it comes to greenhouse emissions, the new 2007 is even better. But when you look at emissions like NOx, CO, unburned HCs, the old tritec falls short.

 

Thanks for the extra info... yes, I was just referring to CO2. I was aware that the new one was much better for all other emissions too, and in any case only reinforces my decision to buy the R56.

 

Key in my decision as well.