The "R56 Looks Bloated" thread has been up since yesterday. Not sure the totals mean squat.

That being said...one cannot deny that the R53 is Mini-er than the R56. The R56 is a touch bigger. I wish my R56 was the Mini-est, but it isn't.

 

But yours was post 72, Hope you don't gamble much.

 

The designer of the R56 must have been a "N!p-Tuck" fan.

 

The R53 complements my less then svelte self, flattering me.

 

Hey now, newer builds have open scoops... and those of use rocking CAIs!

 

The hood scoop is functional because the turbo gets very hot right under the scoop. Getting fresh air thru the opening makes a world of difference.

 

30% more wasted space

 

You damn right, you sexy beast you! Now, where are those speedo shots you promised?

 

I read this thread several hours ago and I'm still LMFAO!!!

 

I never have liked R53's bonnet...talk about bloated!! Now, having said that...I readily admit it's a personal thing, although one I've never gotten over. Heck, 3/4 (possibly more) of my MINI friends and my own daughter think this opinion is nuts!! I must admit, they're probably right, but that's just how I perceive it. I do like that the R56 Cooper and Cooper S bonnet are more similar in profile now and, although I have always loved the R50 Cooper bonnet, I must now admit that it's sloping profile, while quite nice, isn't "more Mini" than R56s, which, upon examination, seems just as (or more) Mini-esque as R50s.

Perceptions are funny things though. Through the whole R50/53 vs R56 debate, I learned one thing...some folks (including me), with a well-informed, and even highly-trained aesthetic sense, can still disagree. I really, REALLY try to see the plusses either way and just go with that. I may not like something, but when it comes to MINIs I've seen absolutely nothing worth actually hating.

 

why do you care how fast he's going?

 

Heh. I have the opposite opinion--the R53's bonnet is nicely curved with the hood scoop while the R50's scoopless bonnet is just... flat and skinny.

Oh, shoot, as an R53 owner I think I'm supposed to add a dig at the R56, right? Uh...

...

Damn. I can't think of anything other than Scarlett Johansson now. CURSE YOU ALL!

 

Whoa folks, all new minis are bloated, overgrown, blown up, juiced up fatsos compared to an original mini.

 

I know...that's what my daughter says!! I don't get it...but I definitely know I'm in the minority on this one.

You got that right!!!

 

And why I'd love to have a Classic some day...

 

uhh....last time I checked, this is the norm with all makes. look at a current Civic...same size as the late 80's Accord

 

I'm SOOOOOO glad I don't have a dog in this hunt... yet....

R52: Hayden Panetierre (thank the Lord she's 18 now so I can notice)

Except Blimey didn't grow a new tire when I hit that concrete block.

 

Don't go there. Cheerleaders are like crack. Try 'em once or twice, then you end up in jail.

The thing that freaks me out about the R56 (uh oh, should this be in the other thread?) is the 'hollow eyes' when the bonnet is up. Like a zombie, you know?

So I'll have to say
R53: Eyes like Benny Hill (the self leveling ones always give you the once-over)
R56: Eyes like a zombie

 

See, I think the fact that eyes disappear when the bonnet is up on the R50/2/3 is a heck of a lot more freaky! Then again, what do I know... I'm still dreaming of mine!

 

Get one quick. You'll want it to drive to the SC primaries so you can cast your vote for Steven Colbert...

 

Yeah but... neenerneenerneener you R56 folks can't go UFO spotting or night bird watching like us 1st Gen'ers can

 

It took 20 years, but all the japanese cars/trucks have gotten bigger, so I figure R52,53, or 56, what does it matter. Get one before it looks like this.

 

Point taken. I still think it's weird though.

Oh.

Wow.

I need to call my MA, TODAY, to order one before they turn into that... er... thing. Yikes!

 

+1

 

I've always thought the R53 had Droopy Eyes...



While the R56 has Marty Feldman eyes...