who thinks the new 07+ car look very toyish inside compared to our 02-06s? To much plastic all over the place with many more *****. Maybe I'm just saying this because I only own an 05, but just seeing two pictures side by side I still like the pre-07 better.

 

The 07 does look better in person. The pictures don't quite do it justice. That being said, the dash in the 07 feels much more like that of a domestic car, hard and plastic-y. I would like to see a little higher quality in the interior materials.

 

I couldnt have said it better myself, totally agree
but im still it will grow on me after a while!

 

I feel the same way, from pictures. Reviewers don't seem to mind (at least not on par with my impression).

 

^ +1

 

i just love the fact that i have a mini!!
can't be any happier.
but i like my '06 better only cause i know they fixed most of the problems in earlier models.
and of course..with the fact that the '06 will be my car for a very long time.

 

It does look a bit toyish, but I did like the way the driving position feels. The seat was comfy and the steering wheel had a nice grip. I'm not too picky though...

dan

 

I so hoped that I would actually like the R56 in person, but I don't. It rides as high as a 4x4 and does look a bit goofy and less upscale than the R53. Much of the interior improvement is nice though...

I still need to drive one before writing it off. It is supposedly very quick and the ride is much better.

 

I drove both - hard - at Beaver Run last month. The '07 S is a little softer, but not objectionably so (and I came from a h-a-r-s-h- Mazdaspeed Protege, so to me the '06 S is "supple" and if the '07 is "not objectionable" it's stiull got enough starch). It looks higher mostly because the "beltline" is higher - soas to integrate with the higher hood required by European pedestrian safety regs.

The interior, well, in pictures it looks like it was "GM-ed", but in person it's much nicer, can't explain why, but I liked it. It's a little more integrated than before. Not "toyish" in person, but I agree that it doesn't photograph well. Can't explain why, perhaps there's not enough contrast. Just wait, the chrome and brusked aluminum and whatever other trim kits are sure to come out and change the looks.

The seats in the '07 S are fantastic, and the fabric is much better than before.

The further-apart headlights still give the '07 a googly eyed look to me, but that would probably grow in me if I had one.

The '07S turbo is strong, really strong. One of our club members said it feels like a R53 with a pulley and more low-end. The regular Cooper is apparently much improved, but I didn't get a chance to drive it...

 

Your not the only one. The 07s took all the special features of the car and enlarged them. The inside feels cheap and looks cheaper. The only thing I like about the new car is the introduction of new technology and better options from the factory.

 

I like the upgrades but not really 100% sold on the style

 

I agree that it looks 100% better in person than the pictures.

 

Doesn't anyone agree that the R56 is pretty much a "polarizing" design?

 

I want the side markers smaller and wheel gap decreased without going to mods.

 

I am reserving all opinions until I get a chance to experience an R56 up close and personal.

 

Looks -wise, I totally agree... I'm not a fan of the new interior at all. The stereo alone (built into the speedo - good luck ever replacing that unit with an aftermarket head unit if you ever want to) makes me really dislike the '07. Add in the cheap-looking buttons, rthe changes to the painted dash and everything else, and I think the car is a step BACKWARDS in the looks department.

However...

It just FEELS more solid. Doors feel like they've been padded/soundproofed... seats feel roomier and more comfy... back feels larger... I've not yet driven an '07 but I've sat in half a dozen, and I'd like to drive a few miles and feel that turbo action.

Bottom line: I'm glad the '07's are out, because they'll hopefully drive down the resale value of the 1st gen model (I want a second Cooper, a CR w/ white top & mirrors).

 

Imagox - definitely drive one. They're impressive. Agreed on the radio issue. Also would have to program OUT the annoying "bong" that occurs when the e-brake is pulled while the car is moving. Do not ask how I know this.

 

Yes, you are the only one. Everybody else thinks the inside just looks, well, different.:impatient

 

Um... no, he's not. I'm not a fan of the interior of the new car AT ALL. I'm much happier that I got an '06 - it benefits form the previous 4 years' worth of refinement and it looks far better (IMHO).

 

The inside looks cheap. They made a $20k car look like a $20k. The earlier cars look more like a $30K car inside. Except for some of the trim rattles and plastics.

 

Yes and no. It is right now because we are in a collective visual rut about how we view proper MINIs and need to get over it. The design is darn good but you'd never know it around these part (the design-nerd threads).

One day all will be righted and the naysayers will 1) either come around or 2) come to terms with their own personal visual interpretation of MINI perfection, drive their R50/53s forever, and leave the whole discussion alone.

Maybe we just need the Clubman to get here so we can get polarized about something else.

(don't know if you can tell the the whole thing is starting to get funny to me)

 

I agree with that, C4. My personal opinion (as in, this is what I think and hope this doesn't start another series of criticisms back and forth) is that the new MINI is a better car, but for its styling. I don't think the new one looks terrible, but def think the 53 looks better. I just don't get the almost universal acclamation by review articles which state that you can hardly see the difference.

 

I love the arguments about the new vs old MINI's. Neither is better than the other, just different.

 

I just saw the new ones at the ATL auto show last weekend. The interior is not too bad, the seats were way more comfortable. I like the addition of toggles on the headliner, but the center stack was questionable to me, even my wife agreed, who doesn't understand my obsession with the 05s. The exterior was not that bad, I just really did not care for the taillights, they looked half the size of the previous model

 

I don't have the experiance of you all as I am just now starting the looking process but I have been admiring the MCS since 02. I saw/sat in a Sparkilng silver-black/Redwood MCS at MINI of Mt.View, CA yesturday. Nice combination of colors. It also had the piano black dash which helped the overall look in seperating the different elements of the dash but it is more busy than before and the center stack is much more stylized whereas I think the first gen was more pure to the original. I also like the overall design of the 1st gen-especially the front but the difference on the two is less noticable in person. I was going to drive the 07-it was the MCS demo but the sales staff were all out on other test drives so it will wait. I would have felt that I was wasting the time of the staff as I am just out here (San Jose) on business and it unlikely I'll buy one here from back home in NC.