Alright, so I have a lease on an '06 Cooper S and the lease is ending soon. Part of me wants to get a new '09 that has a few more features that I don't have on my current one and then its just always nice to have something new. However, I love my current Cooper S and I don't want to part with it but I want something new as well. I had the same problem 3 years ago when I got my second Cooper S but I easily got over it.

I'd love to get some feedback comparing the 2nd generation to the 1st generation and some pros and cons of the new one. Thanks!!!

 

I don't know much about leasing, so what are your options at this point as far as your 2006 goes? Do you have to give it back at the end of the lease period, or can you buy it? How much would it cost to buy it outright?

As for the differences, all I can suggest is that you take some long test drives in one of the new models. The new ones make significantly more power and torque, and have significantly better fuel economy to boot. Beyond that, whether the rest of the changes are improvements or not is strictly in the eye of the beholder.

 

Well I have the option to either return the car for a new one or just buy my current one. I drove an R56 again today and I really liked the noticable power increase but I don't like that I can't really actually "hear" the car, like mainly the exhaust. Does that really change if I get an aftermarket exhaust for the R56? That's the main thing I'm worried about is it sounding wimpy and stupid. I love the navigation system and the interface it offers for bluetooth and iPhone compatibility.

 

The OEM exhaust on R56 S models has a very minor growl to it that becomes slightly more pronounced with age/mileage. I have an Alta 3" catback with an oval tip on my R56 S and it started out dead quiet but now it has a nice low volume rumble that becomes a growl on hard acceleration.

If I were you, I wouldn't get the factory Nav system. It's overpriced in the extreme and you can get a lot better aftermarket GPS for less money.

 

Well I'm mainly getting the nav for the phone capabilities. I want to be able to scroll through music on my phone with ease and without having to hold the phone in my hand as it would be a manual and could present difficulty. I also like to be able to see stuff on a screen.

Ok that exhaust info is helpful thanks. That was really what I was worried about. Have you by any chance owned both the R53 and R56? cause I'd like to know which you or someone liked better. Thanks again for the help

 

Here is a post on our local Mini Club forum about the comparison of a JCW R53 and a R55. This is a car fanatic as well. Hope it helps some!

http://forums.kcminiclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=1784

 

Thanks saturn, that really helped a lot!!

 

If the R56 had the same dash as the R53, I would go with the newer MINI, strictly for the performance and fuel economy... However I really do NOT care for the look of the newly designed dash - specifically the speedo. I'd personally stay the old.

 

+1

 

=1 also

 

Personally I'm not a fan of leasing so if it were me I'd buy the R53 and do the pulley, intake, exhaust, tune and enjoy. At the end of it all you'll have a car that's yours and have been able to do some things to make her even more unique to your tastes, including maybe an aftermarket head-unit that has the i-phone capabilities you want.

 

Don't Listen To Anyone !!!

Drive them both and follow your heart.

As for me ...I wouldn't trade my '06 for an '09 even if you added cash to the deal. No way, no how. I am more attached to my R53 than any car I've ever owned or am likely to own.

 

I agree with reelsmith. Everyone has their own preferences. I'm in a similar situation. My '04 has 145K and is probably facing some expensive repairs (i.e. s/c, clutch, LCA bushings, again, and unforeseen items). I love my '04 but realistically, can I afford to drive it another 3-5 years?

I had the opportunity to spend a week in an '07 S during ArcticMINI V. I found the new model to be a very different car, not bad but different. It definitely has a lot more torque. It is as stable as the 1st gen in bad weather (try doing 75 mph on an ice road ). I found that the increased heighth of the hood gives it a larger feel than the earlier model.

Overall, I like the 2nd gen. I'll probably be very happy with it to replace my '04 but it won't diminish my love for the old model.

 

Wow. I take it that your phone has MP3 capability in it or something? Is being able to do that through the car really that worth $2k+ to you? I'm not knocking you or anything, I personally don't think that it's worth the money.

I got the bluetooth option and can make a call from my regular Hifi radio easily. I have a OWM phone though. OWM = Old White Man's phone. I use my Garmin Nuvi 650 as a MP3 player on trips. I have enough music on it to set it on shuffle and drive from Delray Beach Florida to just north of the NC/SC state line without repeating a song and I only have to touch it once. Of course, the GPS part of it lies though...

 

See, I think I'm leaning towards this now. Everytime I get into the car I keep getting more attached to it. I just love all the little things about it. When I got it, I was able to order pretty much everything I wanted to get with it. I am trying to follow my heart and I think my heart is telling me to keep my '06 but I don't know .

 

This comparison isn't exactly what you're looking for but it's close: http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/11/...-s-r53-vs-r56/

 

I own both. I love both. But I still prefer the R53 by a wide margin.

 

Keep in mind that although you have a residual $$ on the lease it may be up for some negotiation. Cars are not exactly flying out of the showrooms.

Give the dealer a call and find out if they will give you a better deal, either by purchasing right off the lease or letting the lease expire and buying it as a used car.

I have a friend who has done this several times with great results.

 

r53 ftw, with right mods its a beast