I don't know if i'm the only one who thinks so, but I was parked next to a 2008 mini cooper today and I cant help thinking that the 1st generation mini looks better... I know the new 2008 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.

Anyone else think so?

 

You're not the only one that thinks so. There have been quite a few threads already discussing this particular point of view.

 

My wife does (shes not a mini owner)... i do too.. but im a R53 owner so that might affect my point of view :P... but in the end it all depends on your "likes"

 

Let me guess how this is going to play out....

1st gen owner like the looks of first gen cars better.
2nd gen owners like the looks of the second gen cars better.

Me, I do not even notice...like them both. This always happens with any car (make) when the new models come out.

 

I prefer the R56. I like how the hood is a bit higher. Either way, I think they all look fantastic.

 

 

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.

 

In my opinion on looks alone... R53 > R56. I have never test drove a R56, but without the supercharger whine, is it really worth it?

 

Surfblue says: Who cares? Drive what you want, drive what you like. This subject has been beaten to death on this forum, and the subject is entirely SUBJECTIVE. To each his own. Me, I like em all, but if you want to get down to it, what truly looks like a Mini is an original like my "sold it a few years ago" original 62 Cooper. If you want to be a purist, you need sliding windows and ten inch wheels. All others are imposters. Moving along...

 

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.

 

You can thank legislation for that. The European Union pedestian impact law.

The r56 styling is finally starting to grow on me. Especially with the JCW body kit. Wow . I also like the new features such has the available Bluetooth, USB ipod integration and the improved fuel economy.

 

I am flying in and picking up my 2006 Mini S, R53, this friday.

For me, mostly I wanted to hear the supercharger whine. Had a few supercharger vehicles, not yet a turbo.

It's a little hard for me to notice the visual differences, as a newbie to the Mini community. I was more concerned about the mechanical, engine, handling differences.

 

Yeah, my dream: An R50 body with the new internals. (but NOT the monster speedo. That's a little too "Walt Disney" for me. With apologies to the owners thereof.)

 

having both I prefer my 2008

 

Wow. Surprised this thread hasn't turned ugly yet.

I own a 2004 R53, and the reason why I bought it (used) was because I had just missed the deadline for ordering an '06 model (according to NW MINI). I saw numerous photos of the then-upcoming R56 and decided that I'd much rather have the supercharger and the "look" of the R53. I wanted an '05/'06, but my '04 came around at the right time, at the right price, and right options.

I was discussing the R50/53 vs. R56 with a fellow MINI owner here in town. We both came to the conclusion that if the R56 would have been the first of the new MINIs in the US, we'd probably LOVE them. We are biased, simply because we bought into the R50/52/53 style first.

Personally, I could see myself in an R56 if I couldn't be in an R53, but the parts that bug me most: the frog-eyed headlights, the 4x4ish stance, the huuuuuuuuge speedo and illogically placed controls on the center stack. I could live with those, but I wouldn't be quite so comfortable with it as much as an R53.

Unless they come up with something a lot better for the R56's replacement - I'll probably wind up with an R56 sometime in the future, despite my reservations. By the time my '04 has worn out, I'm sure low-mileage R53s will be next to impossible to find.

They're both MINIs, why can't we just love them for what they are?

 

i am ogign ot save this...

i love both

 

+1 for that! If it wasn't for the '67 Cooper my uncle used to have - I would have never even thought about owning a new MINI.

I originally wanted a classic of some sort, but had difficulties finding one in decent shape that didn't have an astronomical price tag on it. I also thought about the feasibility of driving a classic as a daily driver in Alaska, and thought better of that.

I *will* own a classic someday. They are just too awesome to pass up!

 

Ok pc or mac

 

So...you have two MINIs, each with lots of slight differences here and there. It's natural to make a choice and even like one over the other. Bottom line if you're being picky, both cars have their strengths and weaknesses, although the weaknesses are pretty easy to overlook on both when the car is considered as a whole...I mean, MINIs have always been nice looking overall. When I weigh it all out, appearance-wise I have come to like both.

 

As has been pointed out, this subject has been beaten to death. There are staunch supporters on both sides and folks that sit firmly on the fence and like both cars. Me, I ordered an '07 and when I saw it bought an '06 ...how much "better" the R56 was became meaningless ...so, you know where I stand.

But, in the end, it doesn't make any difference at the moment, because we can all drive the one we like the looks of best ...if looks are that important.

 

LOL. I own (and like) both.

Macbook Pro for a laptop, and a Win XP machine for my desktop.

 

How can you ask? There IS NO comparison

 

Case dismissed? Let us move on. Both cars will be classic and have a time of their own. Mini will always be one of the most loved and adored cars for me.

 

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.

 

Rhetorical?

Mac of course...

Well, we have Mac desktops and a PC Laptop (Thinkpad).

But I often wish the PC Laptop was a Mac...

Helpful to have both though.