Ok, have been lurking for a while here. What's the general concensus among folks who've owned both generations of vehicles? Pluses and Minuses? Which has the better: performance (straight line acceleration), mileage, handling, interior room, fit/finish, etc.?

Just curious to get some real world, real people type feedback as opposed to magazine reviews.

 

My car is not here yet BUT my impressions are as follows after numerous test drives and dealer visits.
Better straight line perfomance. Handling appears the same or better
better ride, seats, finish. Does torque steer a bit.
Car is a bit bigger. More options available.

Still not crazy about giant speedo and look of heater controls but balance of interior has better materials and fit/finsh-especially doors. R56 feels more solidly built inside.

All said-- a better car that appears to be more user friendly on a daily basis which I was I opted to buy an R56 to replace my R 53.

 

I have had a 2004 MCS and a 2005 MC. i now have a 2007 MCS. honestly the 2007 is better (by far) in every category besides two.

all cars are just as fun to drive and the sound of the 2004 MCSs supercharger was AWESOME.

other than that the 2007 far exceeds the other cars on just about everything else especially quality. if i were you and it was not a specific money issue i would not even think about getting anything other than a 2007.

 

flav is right........R56 is improved on so many levels it's hard to deny it is a better MINI. And yet....

There is something still quite special about R50/53 that I cannot deny...truly a great car! It's got an edge to it that R56 softens, but then upon exploration, R56 is also edgy in a different way. Weird, huh?

I do think R56 is an easier car to live with....MINI seems to have gone to great lengths to make it so.

 

You have to drive both and decide which turns you on. You can't go wrong with either.

 

Try a Search theres only about 984958430958340985 threads out there about this.

 

I went through the same process ...as can be followed here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...light=darn+R53

Best of luck !

They are both great cars. Drive 'em both, study 'em both and then buy the one that floats your boat.

dean.

 

Anybody else cringe when they saw the title of this thread? In my head I was thinking "Noooooooooooooooooooooooo"

 

Yeah!!!!!!no fighting we grew up!

 

And YET you ask the one question that has been beat to death more than any other issue!!!!:impatient :impatient :impatient

How bout that internet forum skills test oh great NAM founder? These people keep getting in to the general population around here and someone is gonna get shanked

 

After a week or so, you never look at the speedo and the stereo controls, etc. start to make sense.

 

I agree completely!!! This is similar to folks who used to say they just could not fathom having a speedo in the center of the dash and that is would cause wrecks and all that. A little adjustment/experience was all it took to silence that argument!

As for the debate...I really think (through thick and thin) that we are working through our takes on the new model. A lot more info is out now, and a lot more actual motoring experience, and we're coming to grips w/ the fact that there are rightfully enthusiasts of both models....just as we did with the Cooper/MCS debate. As much as I love my R56 Cooper I can tell you outright that I still get a thrill out of my R50....I can't explain why, but it is so.

MINI enthusiasts (I think) are having to give credit where credit is due, and for many of us that means valuing (and promoting) the strengths of both cars. As uncomfortable as these debates are, I really think they have gotten us somewhere.

 

I drove both cars and I like the new Mini more. I don't really care for the interior, but overall, I think the new Mini is more refined and better built.

 

Both cars are very nice.

I have a 2006 MCS that I love, but if I was buying now I'd be spec'ing an R56. In 4 or 5 years I'll be buying one.

 

r56