R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 1st generation MINI looks better than 2008 model

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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 01:54 PM
  #51  
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Both.
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 01:58 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by DrPhilGandini
I puke every time I see an R56...
Okay, you get the award for overreaction!!!
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 02:56 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by DrPhilGandini
I puke every time I see an R56...
Okay, you get the award for overreaction!!!
Overreaction indeed!
Most people only puke a little ... in their mouth.

(just a joke - don't overreact, R56 owners)
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by eager2own
I can't believe the new MCc won't have the SC whine
Sorry I didn't have a picture of the MCS, so I had to use an obvious MC which would not have had a SC whine now nor then...

Riddle me this: why do they call the R56 a MCS?... Shouldn't it be a MCT?

And while we are at it: Shouldn't they call it Assteroids instead of Hemorrhoids.
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 06:35 PM
  #55  
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definetelly. i tell everyone i know how much i hate that they took a perfect car and instead of actually making it smaller like the classic (which i was HOPING they were going to do) they somehow managed to make it BIGGER and TALLER. what a stupid decision. i want a classic so bad. i even think my mini is to big.
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 06:40 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by Xymox
VAST improvement over the bathtub TT. More angular and menacing.
the new TT is wayyy hotter
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 08:56 PM
  #57  
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Enough Mac vs. PC posts, please. Take it to the Off-Topic forum, it's been covered ad-nauseum there.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 05:37 AM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by cabriopilot

Riddle me this: why do they call the R56 a MCS?... Shouldn't it be a MCT?

Well the "S" never stood for "supercharged" -- after all there was no supercharger on the original MCS.

There are many theories out there on what it stood for when first used -- the prevailing one seems to be "Special" but others are "Super" and "Sport"
I'd add "Sexy" to the list
 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 07:36 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by eager2own
There are many theories out there on what it stood for when first used
I always thought it stood for Smith.
 

Last edited by reelsmith.; Jul 30, 2008 at 09:14 AM. Reason: sppellling
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 09:00 AM
  #60  
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On my cabrio it stands for Sunburn
 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 09:01 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by rtwerk222
I don't know if i'm the only one who thinks so, but I was parked next to a 1963 Austin Cooper today and I cant help thinking that it looks better than the BMW version . . . I know the new BMW mini is technically a better car but I cant help thinking that the older version just looks better on the outside. The newer model seems to have lost the mini look somewhat, it looks more like a standard car.


 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 09:45 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by SnYpR
my gf's grandparents just bought an 08 cooper...and we had them parked side by side in the driveway...and it was an overwhelming consensus that everyone liked mine better. but that might be because ive spent the past year dumping all my money into mine too...
yeah it would be hard not to pick you car. looks sweet!
 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 10:42 AM
  #63  
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Well, we own one of each gen, and they both look great!

There's something to be liked (or hated) in each gen, so you can't really generalize which one is "better". Don't forget, each MINI is unique in itself, so we might as well argue about colors, stripes, rims... urm wait, we DO!

Long live the MINI in whichever form, I say!
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 07:56 AM
  #64  
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I have an R56, but when I see R53s driving around, I have to say I like their shape more.

That being said, I think I'll be happier once I drop mine, and I really like the R56 interior over the R53.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 08:09 AM
  #65  
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Love everything about my R53. The R56 looks a little more aggressive to me which I like. It sits too high though. As far as the exterior goes I like both. The interior on the R56 to me looks really cheap. The customization with stereo and the cd player and the overall center console is what will keep me from buying an R56 for a while. Hopefully they will change it on the next model...
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:03 AM
  #66  
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From: Goodbye Milwaukee, Hello Carson City, NV
Originally Posted by gokartride
Good call!!

The real question (with all due respect) is...what rock has the OP been living under that he just now got around to noticing something we've been discussed/debating for over two years??? As it relates to "anyone else"...I think most of us around here have moved on.

Let's see, we've finished w/ the Clubman. Next up?....picking on the '09 cabrio.

You certainly have a right to be tired of, exasperated, "moved on about" or whatever. People notice things at different rates for whatever reason. This is a discussion forum, not a new topic forum. If its old hat, just don't click the link.
Personally, a rehash keeps me grounded. It keeps poor pedestrians who happen to walk in front of my poorly designed but intentionally ordered in 7/06 R53, safe from my deadly, lower hood because I am reminded of their vulnerability by threads like this. Lord knows how many have been saved!
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:53 AM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by MiniMaxx
People notice things at different rates for whatever reason. This is a discussion forum, not a new topic forum.
Well, okay then....but I'll remind you of this when somebody posts complaining how dangerously small and inadequate the rearview mirror is!!!
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 12:05 PM
  #68  
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I much prefer the looks of the R53 (even the older modle pre-facelift)

I find it resembles a classic Mini more with the headlights and bodylines.

The only thing that really turns me off the R56 styling is the headlights how they swoop back and to the side, really turns me off, aswell as the giant speedometer in the center (just seems outlandishly big to me).

However that being said I much prefer the drivetrain of the R56.

Perfect world for me, R56 drivetrain in a R53 chassis
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:03 PM
  #69  
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From: Goodbye Milwaukee, Hello Carson City, NV
Originally Posted by gokartride
Well, okay then....but I'll remind you of this when somebody posts complaining how dangerously small and inadequate the rearview mirror is!!!
It is? I thought all rearviews were like ours! Actually, I read
that post(s) awhile back and without complaint, promptly got a dangerously large clip-on like the Allview wide angle mirror. Looks good?...not so much. Blindspots? None.
You'll have to remind me of something else. There's plenty of dead horses on this board though and I promise to take that reminder like a man.


I love the R53! (On topic obligation fulfilled)
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:17 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by MiniMaxx
I love the R53! (On topic obligation fulfilled)
It's okay, I suppose....being a distorted R50 and all!!! (still on-topic)

Oh, and on the mirror...yes, very dead horse....no need to discuss....forget I mentioned it!!!
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:28 PM
  #71  
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I like them both but I prefer the R53 interior. one thing I dont like about the R56 is the non functional hood scoop. I like VHP lol (thanks eager2own) but as long as it serves some kind of purpose.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:56 PM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by broadwayline
Perfect world for me, R56 drivetrain in a R53 chassis
Perfect world for me, R53 just as is, but with any/all mechanical issues resolved.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 02:40 PM
  #73  
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From: Baton Rouge
I LOVE my R53. For me, I think the biggest drawback to the R56 is, like some have pointed out, the proportions of it...the windows are shorter or the panels are taller, higher stance...?? but, something is "off". Thats not to say I don't like the R56, I just prefer the '53. A good friend of mine just bought a R56 and it's awesome!! By far, it's the best looking one I've seen...and it gave me a new respect for them. I wave to ALL MINI drivers.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 04:01 PM
  #74  
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Originally Posted by Kyran
I am an R56 owner and I like both of them. I would be happy to own either. I test drove both before I bought mine and the only reason I chose the R56 was that it came with all the benefits of buying a new car.
plus 2. I like the r53 late 05-06. I settled on a r56 because of engine upgrade and final finish of interior componets. Mine has a fully functional scoop too.They are both nice.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 06:13 PM
  #75  
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Car company designers are Myopic and Short Sighted and lack mental depth

Why do these designers continue to mess with a good recipe.

If BMW does to the Cooper, what Subaru eventally did to the WRX ( 08 model looks like a sissy car ), and Scion did to the XB ( Looks like every other boxy car now) , the appeal and uniqueness of the MINI will fade off into the sunset like Gary Cooper......
 
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