My R56 is due to hit NY next week ...and I am pretty excited about that. So, excited that while passing a MINI dealer yesterday I stopped in to look over the new cars again.

While I was there I found a zero-mileage '06 MCS that is very similar to my spec (all DS instead of DS/B). It has all of the options my R56 will have and adds the premium package and the cold weather package. It's $2,000 less than my car ...it even has the h/k sound system.

Both cars have so much going for them ...they are so similar, yet they are so different. I'd like to put them both into a big blender and create my own version of the MCS.

I didn't sleep much last night ...I am truly torn.

I'd imagine that everyone that prefers the R56 will tell me to get the R56 and everyone that prefers the R53 will tell me to get an R53 ...problem is, I'm not sure which one I prefer.

I like different aspects of them both and styling is more important to me than performance ...here I give the edge to the R53, which is a reversal of my previous position. I spent a lot of time looking at them both yesterday and came away with a renewed respect for the styling of the R53. Since they both go faster and handle better than anything I've ever owned, performance is a non-issue. I like that the R56 gets better gas mileage and the interior seems more comfortable.

Reliability will be of major importance as the car will be my daily driver and I will put about 18K miles on it a year. Any issues the R53 has are all known at this point, whereas issues with the R56 are yet to be discovered ...but it could very well turn out to be the more reliable of the two.

Isn't it funny how much emphasis we place on the looks of our cars? Think about the heated debates we have had over which one looks better. Of course, neither one unequivocally looks better, its all a matter of personal opinion ...and it is that opinion that's gotten me into this mess.

My wife thinks I'm crazy not to get the newer model and my daughter thinks I'd be nuts not to get the one that I think looks better. I asked two of my car-guy pals and they were a split-decision as well.

In the end, I am going to follow my heart ...and at the moment I'm not sure where its taking me.

Please don't post anything like "buy the R5X, the R5Y sucks" ...I prefer to think they are both wonderful cars, hence the difficulty with the decision.

Thanks for reading.

dean.

 

Thats a tough one. I am not sure which way I would go, but if I had to make the choice I think I would go wiht the R53 just because of the know issues vs the unknow. just the lesser of 2 evils/possible evils.

 

Tough decision, but good luck with.

 

Dean:

Scotch is running down my nose as we speak.....

While I dip my fine torpedo cigar, I'll tell you that I would really hate to be in your shoes right now.....

I would say my vote is for the R53 But i am glad that you have finally seen both in the light and have been able to recognize what makes each generation special.

The '06 is ultra solid and reliable. That would be your clear advantage over the R56. My 2 year old '05 R53 has not failed me in 23K miles and the car still puts a grin on my face everytime I drive it. I just don't get tired of it or look up to the R56. I love my car!!. The R53 is truly a classic!!

But my friend it is up to you. Good luck whichever way you decide to go. You can't go wrong either way to be honest with you.


Last but not least: If MINI loses a potential R56 sale to a leftover R53, they should begin to worry. I think that MINI has taken some risks with the R56 by making it too polarizing for some, even to newbies to the brand. I hope you are reading this Mr. Hildenbrand. If ain't broken don't fix it!

 

good luck

 

I like 'em both... but the R53 is somewhat more of a "known quantity".

You know what mods are availible. You know what issues are out there (don't fool yourself, though - some are more serious that the teething problems we've heard over the R56).

If all thins were equal, and I could get EXACTLY the spec I want in the R56 (INCLUDING the Redwood Red Lounge Leather - so, basically impossible)... I would do the R53.

 

I LOVE my R56, but in the same situation I would have probably gone for the R53 simply because in this specific case you will get more value for your $$$.

 

... And you saving $2K right off the bat! Mmmmm nice mods...pulley, intake, etc.

 

I know the feeling Dean. I struggled with the '04 vs '05 back in early '05. I really liked the new gearing and other amenities in the '05, but in the end I was swayed by value (more goodies on a car that cost less) and looks. HB was ok, BEPH looked strange in angular light, but Indi Blue was just perfect. And I got the shark fin and thumb bump steering wheel.
Good luck with the decision!!

 

Dean, I also think that you could get that new R53, keep it a few years and let MINI iron out the initial problems with the new car. Revisit the R56 in a couple of years (A mid-life facelift should come around mid 2009) and if you like what you see then, then trade or sell the R53. Not a brainer to me really. That way you'll get to experience the best of both worlds!

Sorry to keep adding fuel to the confusion fire.

 

That's part of the attraction and my quandary ...I won't have to do any mods to the R53.

Remember, I'm not a performance guy and won't be doing a pully, etc. But, I had planned to upgrade the speakers of the R56 and add an aftermarket exhaust to get some noise back. So, the R56 will cost me what I am paying +++, while I can drive the R53 off the lot and be done with it.

dean.

 

I'm willing to bet at current gas prices it will take you quite awhile to realize $2000 in gas savings between the 2 models. The fact that the 2 models are spec'd so closely together is really the only reason why this is a tempting offer for you. Since styling IS so important to you, I can only suggest you go with your gut on this. I doubt either choice will end up biting you in the rear end... what's important is you start motoring!

 

The best way to decide would be to drive both back to back and sit in both for 15 minutes, preferably without any pressure or company. Then get the car that you think you want. You can change your mind later. It's the last chance to get a new R53 and if you wait too long to decide the R53 may be gone from the lot. Good luck!

 

Exactly. The '06 already comes with the bubble. To my ears the H/K stereo sounds great. You won't need to tear apart your new car to change the speakers, therefore saving money and lessing the chance of introducing rattles into the cockpit. And quite frankly, you'll find the stock performance of the '06 R53 much more than you'll ever need out in the road.

Did you test drive it? That may seal or break the deal.

 

You have the next 5 years to buy a new R56.... but the window to purchase a new R53 is all but gone...

 

R53 hardtop production ended in November. This is basically your last chance to own a piece of history

 

Where is Tiger and Roo when you need him?

 

You're not a performance guy...yet! haha

Well, you are in quite a pickle! I think whichever route you go will be the best route. You could always get the roof painted black.

I will be anxious to see where you go with this!

 

I know you like them both but if reliability is a big concern & you will be putting 18K miles on the Mini each year I think you should go with the R53 since starting in '05 the Mini's reliability was greatly improved. Plus at 18K miles a year you may be ready for an upgrade to an R56 by the time all the bugs are worked out. Sounds like a win-win to me

Yeah never say never. I swore I would not mod til my warranty ran out & yet, hmmmm, somehow I find myself with an appointment for a pulley install at the Dragon this year

 

I think Inomis is right on, sit in both, ask the MA adviser to give you 10min alone in each car just sitting and then drive both - your gut will tell you what you would like better.


R53 will have some sentimental qualities and the notion of established quality, while the R56 will have the improvements that were felt necessary when redeveloping the R53 (which are pretty minimal).

I believe that you will get a better resale value eventually for the R53, not just the $2000 but also a lower percentage value loss every year. While the R53 has a pretty strong following here, 95% of all people who are going to buy a used Mini will have no sentimental attachment nor knowledge of the qualities of the R53 but will look for 'the new model' that is a bit better in every aspect (better mpg, space, finishes, engine, options etc) if you look at it from an aspect of a owner that never had a Mini before ...

Good luck to you, keep in mind that you win in either case, you can't go wrong ...

 

Dean said he is more into the looks than the performance. I think he should spend quality time with both cars, drive them and decide which one will appeal to him the best. I think the R53 is a winning proposition to him. R56 will be built until 2011. Pleanty of time to get those new. But a new R53 are becoming rarer as each day goes by.

 

I have done this, am okay with both and have a slight preference for the R53 ...I like that it sounds and feels a bit sportier. However, I appreciated the extra room in the R56 and thought the seats were more comfortable.

Isn't anybody going to tell me to buy the R56 ?!?

dean.

 

 

I struggled with this same exact thing for the last several months of '06. The R53 is my first Mini love and the R56 was very uncertain. I worried for a long time about reliability, I am far more familiar with turbo's than superchargers, I liked the looks of the R53, etc etc. It finally boiled down to the fact that I wanted to have a large downpayment before jumping in so, the chips fell on the R56 side due to timing. I agree with inomis, go for a test drive in both. As silly as it may sound, draw up a pro's and con's chart. When I struggle over something it really becomes clear to have it all drawn out on paper. Good luck making your choice!

 

Go with your first choice...