You may have seen the thread over on the 2007 board entitled "That Darn R53" in which I said I was thinking of not buying the R56 that I had ordered in January and was soon to be delivered.

I got lucky and found an '06 MCS very close to my spec (all DS instead of DS/B) with only 47 miles on it. The main difference, other than the roof, was it added the premium package, the cold weather package and was still $2K less than the R56 was going to be.

I had seen the car, but did not have time to drive it. I had driven R53s before, hence my interest. I was able to drive it today and at the risk of sounding hokey, it was a more emotional experience than when I drove the R56, which is a car that a like a lot. The whine of the supercharger, the burble of the exhaust, that direct tactile feedback from the road ...it just felt more sports car-like. I took it up to 70 MPH and there was no wind noise from the sunroof and not a rattle or squeak anywhere ...maybe those come later.

There were other things that swayed my decision; the styling of the R53, the interior, the normal key (call me old fashioned), the superior sound system (h/k) and the fact that the drive train is a known entity. I admit the R56 was giving me first-generation-jitters ...which may in the end be unfounded. But, I can't change the way I feel.

Best of all, I had never seen an all DS MCS before and I personally prefer it to the black roof. How cool is that !

The configuration is:

'06 MCS
Dark silver
Black mirrors
Black bonnet stripes with white tipping
Panther black leatherette
Anthracite interior
Sports package with 17" S-lites
Premium package
Cold weather package
h/k sound system

I'll be replacing the wheels with the ASA AR1 right away and will mount Blizzaks on the S-lites for winter use.

I pick it up on Saturday. Wish me luck and enroll me in the Dark Silver Owners Club !

dean.

 

Congrats - your other thread and the responses kept me entertained for hours (I'm a sloooow reader). Glad you are happy with your choice and wish you the best with it.

 

Dean, once again welcome to the MINI family and the "R53"subdivision of irreverent owners.

I am glad that everything worked out so well and I am sure you'll love this car. You pretty much have the same interior color I have in my '05. I also have the H/K which is a really good stereo.

Let me know if you have any questions. I am going to look up the link for the Harmon kardon tutorial. A must for every new H/K stereo owner!

PS: Saturday I went with some close friends of ours to the MINI dealership, because they are looking to trade in their '06 Pontiac Solstice for a new Cooper S Convertible (either '06 or '07). My dealer has gotten more new R56 shipments since but man oh man, there are design details of the new car that I can not stand the more I look at them. The huge gaps around the bonnet shutlines were alarming in some of the lot samples. The car in Mellow Yellow looks very bloated to my eye and the higher ride height does not help.

While the R56 engine appears to be very quick and smooth, the exterior wrapper just isn't doing it for me. I am hoping that the Clubman will make the new design work better in terms of the taller roof line, taller windows and squared off back end.

Don't forget the photos!

I can't wait to read about your driving experiences behind the wheel of your new R53.

 

Either way you would have been happy. But I think ya got what made YOU happy! Three, four...years ya can get the new one when everything is worked out, even maybe that butt-ugly center dial and the dime store look of the controls under it. Those alone keep me away from it, just couldn't stand to look at that everyday..

 

WOO HOOO ! Happy Motoring in your new 06

 

The great Greatbear's Earl Grey is all-Dark Silver...very attractive MINI! Your comment about the emotional response says it all: you chose the right MINI for you! Be sure to record the delivery with plenty of pix for us!

 

that car has about the same exact options as mine!!
mine is pepper white tho. x] and you have sports.
but GOODLUCK!! and share photos!!

 

sounds very cool
glad to see you were able to find the car you wanted without the long wait

 

Congrats Dean! Im looking forward to seeing the pics of your new car

Amy