I remember back in the pre-R56 days when I could come on NAM & biatch about anything I wanted in regards to my MINI. Nobody ever jumped on me & told me to SHUT UP & GO BUY A HONDA. They either joined in the biatchfest because they had the same problems or pointed out why they disagreed. If the OP has gripes about his R56 it is his right. Just because he has a few gripes doesn't mean he should immediately rush to the nearest MINI dealership & unload his R56 for an R53. I don't believe he totally dogged the car out. It's just silly that he can't be allowed to say he doesn't like the seats or the rearview mirror without being pounced on & practically told to get rid of it or shut up. I shudder to think of the backlash that would have come had I said these things.

I wish more people would realize that a criticism of a component on the car you own isn't an all out attack on a family member... just sayin

 

It can display many other useful bits of info.

You're entitled to your preference, but saying R56's dash is rediculous is....well, that!!

 

So you have never been inside an R56 then and used the controls?
Some of the initial complaints were toggle felt cheaper which is something I don't notice from my R50.
The speedo isn't really that much bigger than the R50/53 when you get down to it and the vents are better than I was used to in my R50.
The tach now has a multiline display giving you speed, mileage, trip mileage and temp all at once. The center console can also be set to give you data on mpg, range etc unlike the OBC on the R50/53.
My interior rattles less than my 05 R50 did/does and feels better to me.
As for lighting and storage, I was referring to the fact that I like the way the R56 lights the interior and has more storage via the secret compartment and better access to the door pockets. I don't need an SUV but I would like somewhere to stash my wallet

 

If you have quibbles about things that were not obvious until you lived in the car a bit, party on. I just think it's silly to complain about the one thing you should not have been surprised by - the outward appearance. And flame-baiting is pretty boring too.

 

Every car enthusiast knows that just about every single car model redesign is bigger than the last, usually by about 4 inches in length. Without knowing I bet the R56 was about the same. They get heavier too (duh). That's part safety regs and part comfort. Americans are oversize people (look around Italy if you don't beleive me, I bet their cars aren't getting bigger). Those are the reasons for the "bloat". I never drove an R53 but after reading many posts here I'm glad I got an R56. (I still don't understand the rearview mirrow "problem" mine seems fine).

 

R56 isn't even remotely close to 4 inches longer than an R50/53. The changes have everything to do with safety and nothing to do with larger US comsumers.

 

I liked the front of the regular r53 MC, but not on the MCS. IN certain angles it looked like it had dents in its nose like people used to get wearing heavy eyeglasses all their lives. That really looked weird.

 

2" longer and lighter

 

Get over it.. so what if someone does not like the same subjective things that you do.. take a pill.

If its choking you up so badly (anothers opinion), go for a drive or something.. that should help. R50,R53 or R56.

 

As they would say in England, "Having a little moan today, are we?"

The MINI does seem to have been influenced by the SUV gigantism syndrome. It is only mini compared to the monsters on the road today. Its length is the only thing that keeps it from being an ordinary size car.

My big surprise was how tall it is. My previous car was a 1990 Acura Integra. Compared to a MINI, the Integra seems like a butt-scraping-the-road low-slung race car. It was a shock when I first test drove an MCS. I thought I had climbed into an SUV. I was expecting a sports car, and that has always meant low-slung in my experience. However, it handles so nicely, I overlook that aspect.

I'm 6' 3/4" tall and while the rearview mirror could be better, it doesn't bother me that much. I did like the overall visibility of the Integra better, but high-waisted cars seem to be in style now. In comparison to the Integra, the MINI does seem like you are looking out the slit of a tank.

I've never found a perfect car. One just has to accept the rough with the smooth. Or, have a custom car built from scratch. Given the research and skills required, I imagine you could have that done for around $5,000,000.

 

A tachometer is, by definition, a gauge to show the revolutions of the crankshaft. Other functions in the tach face are part of the on board computer. (Which I find completely useless)

I believe I stated that the dash of the R56 is comical, again my opinion, of which many automotive journalists share.

 

Yes, an automotive journalists are alway right! We all have opinions as well as other things.

There is an interesting thread started by Lotsie which should be required reading for today's NAM users.

You will find it HERE...

Enjoy your R56, your R53, R50 and your Classic, they are all great modes of transport and fun.

 

Yikes, sometimes I just have to wonder...MINI's feeling like SUVs, tanks, and they're bloated and bigger? I dunno guys, sorry, but you're losing me on just about everything. Guess this is why I bought the car based on my opinions and nobody else's. I do find it funny how R53 guys have to come into 56 threads and talk up their cars. That's great, kudos, cookies for you. I haven't set one foot in any R53 threads, I just don't see the point. I don't own one so what could I possibly contribute to them? Oh yeah, that's right, nothing.

 

Auto journalists aren't always right, but they do hit the nail on the head sometimes. Yup, we all have opinions (as well as eyes and ears, that is what you were referring to right? ) and sometimes they don't sit well with others, no reason not to voice them. I really hope that the thread reference wasn't directed to me, I am only voicing an opinion , didn't mean to get you riled up.

With much respect.

 

how can people miss that point? New, slightly longer model with heightened hood/belt line to meet pedestrian safety requirements and STILL about 10lbs lighter.

blind spots aside, I assume the high waist is done mostly for safety reasons. However, I do share your gripe that cars are too tall nowadays.



There's a reason why the MINI is setting huge sales records this year.

 

Uhhh you do realize that the person who started this bloated thread owns an R56 don't ya

 

The differences never bothered me much since I never had an older mini, but my wife feels that the R56 styling is less "Mr. Bean" looking. I am more of a Mr. Bean kinda person, but not her.

 

It's big-boned...umkay?

 

Now that is a good answer!

 

...gotta love those fat-bottomed girls...

 

I lub my chubby little lady.

 

There's just more to love, that's all.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hp/photo/53460

Just thought this was a neat comparison between my MCS and a friend's MC. Mine is and 07, and his is, I think, an 03. Love 'em both!

 

I thought this debate ended last year. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

No, it was taken as I noted (gentle sarcasm). Your right, they do hit the nail on the head sometimes.

Only directed at the thread, which is a fun read since I like all the various MINIs and minis.

Sometimes my humor is mistaken for a serious comment. Oh my. :impatient