A few things hold me back from complete approval (like my approval matters LOL) for the R56. One major issue is that there is no longer a slat grill on the S.

(other issues are: the change in body/glass transition radius on the trunk compared to the sides of the car, cheap materials, bad body gaps, the BIGGER look, and the engine noise or lack there of) all IMHO!!!

I looked on the site for a while and did not come put with a major opinion on this topic....

Do you miss the slat grill on the S or not?

I personally miss the british touch....

 

Not at all. It never did anything for me on the R53.

 

Hell no, bye bye LAME slats

 

Don't miss 'em at all. If I would've got a R53 instead of ordering a R56 I would have changed out the slats for the honeycombed grill that some of the first gens have installed.

 

Interesting....I seem to be alone lol.....not the first or last time :-)

 

You are not alone. I would like the OPTION of a slotted grill. Aftermarket maybe?

 

The grill on the S had a lot to do with my decision to buy the S. I like the more aggressive look.

And for that matter, I had that slotted grill look on a previous car:

 

Nope, not at all.

 

Can the Cooper grill be fitted on the S? If I get the driving lights, I will have one to sell. Is that what everyone means by the slotted grill?

 

no, look at the front end of a stock R53 (02-06) and the new R56. This is what they mean.

 

Somehow I am managing to live without it

 

You could easily switch in the slat grill couldnt you? I personally prefer the slat grilles on all MINI's....but can understand why they went with the mesh grill.

 

If the MCS came with a slat grille, I would be looking for an aftermarket replacement. I don't like the Venetian blinds on the R53 or R56 MC.

When I told a friend I was getting an MCS he started telling me about a real cool grille replacement he had seen on a modified R53. It looked like the R56 MCS.

 

I don't know if you can switch the grill from the Cooper to the Cooper S....I guess I am assuming that you can not. If I was MINI I would not have thought to make it that easy..........

I understand the thought process behind the mesh grill as well, but let me opt for it...I guess I am old school (R53)

Let the more agressive look come from an aero kit....IMHO

 

I will be replacing my slat grill as soon as possible. I do not really care for it.

Ther MCS and MC grills do not appear to be a direct swap. The different front bumper fascia seem to be the key.

 

Blimey says "up yours" to all you slat-haters.

I told him that it was a personal matter and y'all had a right to your opinions.

But then he called me a name that I can't repeat here...

 

I knew of a ventroliquist who had the same problem BlimeyCabrio. Matter of fact, I think it was Anthony Hopkins who portrayed the person in a movie.

 

while i didn't keep the slatted grill i think it is too bad they got rid of it since it gives more variety to the appearance options for the car (and more variety for what you see on the street) - without it the MCSs will all pretty much have the same look/expression, aero kit or not.

 

I like the new honey combed grill better.

 

I don't like the cheap plasticy look of the new grill (much like I don't like the lower plastic grill on my R52) but I am sure there are or will be plenty of aftermarket solutions to spruce it up
Is plasticy a word? I've been making up a lot of good words this week

 

I'll have the courage to say it...I like the slats and am glad they are still on the MC! So I guess it is a happy coincidence to hear MCSers are pleased without it.

 

eVal I think that was dead on It is not that I want to see the black mesh grill gone ...I would just like to see a variety of options.....guess a slat grill is not one of the 10,000,000 (or however many) combinations MINI offers

 

I have to say I also prefer the new R56 Cooper S grill.

 

Depends where your inspiration is coming from. If you want a
new updated look, I guess you would go with the aero grille. But I love
the look of the classic minis and that chrome slatted grille makes me
and my MINI happy

 

I couldn't see the grill from the driver's seat, and everything else was a blur.