They made over 1 million r50-r53, correct? I think we're OK.

mb

 

I've decided just to hang on to mine and keep it running indefinitely. I refuse to put up with the annoying (to me) R56 design changes but maybe Mini marketing will come up with a so-called "classic" version one of these years. Otherwise, my R53 will be replaced with another brand when the time comes. I'm certainly not interested in any other car BMW sells these days...

 

I'm sorry but the only response to this is you're nuts!

 

I disagree. My R56 has nowhere the body roll of my wife's SUV. Granted, it does have more than the R53, but It's nothing some springs and a sway bar can't fix.

My brother-in-law's Ford Mustang has WAY more body roll than any other car I have ever driven (including the afforementioned SUV) and they call that an enthusiast car.

 

I admit, having driven an R56 Cooper for 9 months, it is pretty painful to climb back into my early R50 (that my daughter drives and loves). R56 is a very nice, balanced overall MINI. Some folks may want a more raucous ride...their choices are to get an R53 or tune an R56. Daffolildeb is right...as time moves on, those who want a full-on warranty will increasingly need to look to R56 tuning (via aftermarket of JCW from the factory). I think any hopes for a return to some form of R53 model are only wishful thinking. As I said though, there are so many little ways R56 is dialed in, it'd be hard for me to go back to a first gen car and be totally happy with it....I'd definitely be joining those tweaking R56.

 

Not so sure about that. If something happens to my R53, I'll be changing marques I'm sure others will do the same. I'm in the same boat as 911fan above - the R53 has been relagated to weekend/track/fun duty in an effort to keep miles off (already 60k in 3 years).

I'm also not sure about your statement because I'm not sure if BMW will ever start to CPO these things. Although if they were, I guess they'd have done it by now, no?

mb

 

the problem with tweaking an R56 is that i don't have to do it to my R53. bone stock she's great. the R56 rolls too much for me and i don't want to have to buy a sway bar or springs. the radio is ridiculous. i like my large speedo but any bigger is too much. the connectedness to the car is what i enjoy and the utility of the hatch. thats why the lotus was not a real choice. as much as i appreciate the new clubman the new S is not a contender for my next purchase. more likely is the mazdaspeed3 or the new GTI.

 

Unless the upcoming factory JCW really knocks me off my feet, I'm sure that I will stick with my R53 and possibly consider going to a Mitsubishi Evo IX for my next purchase, or if the funds are available, an Audi RS4.

 

Interesting thread. I'll bet a bunch that a stock R56 will beat a stock R53 on a racetrack anywhere, even though it doesn't feel the same to drivers of both cars. There aren't a lot of owners who just use their Mini as a "fun car" and drive something else everyday (including me). Personally if I ever get a fun car it will be a convertable 2 seater like a Boxter or BMW, or maybe even a Mini. I bet the R53 has a somewhat different feel and sound to it than the R56, and that because it's more widely owned and revered I'm personally glad there are so many enthusiasts out there. But I'd bet a lot that if every R53/50 suddenly disappeared from earth R56 sales would pick up in a hurry.

 

My r56 rolls too much for me too even with the alta swaybar. But the handling is neutral. BTW, it is now averaging 34.8 mpg as of yesterday on the current tank of gas.

 

EXACTLY!
That howl is the juggernaut of 1000 angry hornets,summons to plague all nearby cars,pedestrians,and wildlife with it's shrieking presence!
It's reason enough,without adressing the other points.Buy one while you can.

 

The power, the seats, the fuel efficiency.... On paper r56 is superior in every aspect. Even the size.
However, the subjective judgement on the feel of the car is up to the individual driver.



averaging 34.8mpg.

 

Not to change the subject, but where are you buying your gas from? I'm in the same city, been averaging 28mpg for a while now. Mosty shell gas.

 

I go to Union 76 most of the time because it is convenient for me.

 

Thanks! I'll have to try that, maybe I can up my average, I just kinda figured I'd be getting below 30mpg until the winter gas goes away.

 

OT... I doubt the brand of gas you use will make a noticeable difference in your mileage, assuming it's the correct octane. It's the way you're driving!

 

Did the swaybar do anything for the roll, did it improve it a little, or none at all?

I am thinking about picking one up and was curious.

 

I test drove a 2005 MCS in May of 2007 and fell in love with MINI all-together. It was at a Chevy dealership, and they wanted too much for it, even being loaded to the hilt. When I realized I could customize and buy my very own brand new R56 for, actually, about $2,000 less, I did.

I love both models. Differences abound, but the heart is the same.

 

What do you mean by the way you drive? What way should the car be driven (manual) so as to get the best mileage?

 

I feel the roll quite a bit as well when making turns. I didnt feel it drivign the R53 loaner car. How much does the sway bar and springs cost? I like radio much better than the R53.

 

You might be disappointed. A friend of mine sold his R53 when he went away to college, and bought a new R32. He returned home during an autocross weekend. He'd always been quite competitive, and expected to show up his old buds. Long story short, he didn't. He was visibly unhappy.

 

Nothing mysterious really. No sudden rapid accelerations. Don't rev it to the redline for each shift. Slow down well before you know you are going to have to stop instead of staying on the gas until the last second and then slamming on the brakes. Just typical good road driving habits.

Shift into higher gears sooner(short shifting) instead of driving at a higher rpm. Around town you could stay between 2,000 and 3,000 rpms for most of it. Shift between 3,000 and 4,000 rpms. This will allow you to move with traffic or slightly faster and not suck down the fuel.

Also, do not let your car sit for any length of time idling to warm up. Even on cold days it is best to start it, and once you have full oil pressure, drive away slowly. No hard full throttle accelerations, or high rpms, until the temp gauge is in it's normal range.

fullymooned said; "I feel the roll quite a bit as well when making turns. I didnt feel it drivign the R53 loaner car. How much does the sway bar and springs cost? I like radio much better than the R53."

Does your R56 have the "Sport Suspension" option? All of the R53 MCS come stock with "Sport Suspension Plus". I do not think that the sport suspension is a dealer installable item, but you could have them install the JCW suspension modifications and that might help a little with the roll.

The "Sport" button in the R56 modifies the throttle response and steering feel. It sharpens the throttle application. Some had complained that the throttle was too sensitive, too jerky, in the R53 so for the R56 they made it less sensitive but added the option of getting some of the throttle feel back with the "Sport" button.

The steering in the R53 also had some complaining about the feel, the quickness, so that was also addressed in the R56 with the option of almost getting back to the feel of the R53 with the "Sport" button.

I hope that this was helpful

 

I highly doubt that my driving style is causing a 6mpg discrepancy between my car and R56mini. I usually shift shift around 3-4k but sometimes higher. Yes, I like to drive my car agressively, but not always, so maybe it factors in a little. It could be the brand of gas, as I've never used 76 in my car, but it also seems that out of the box some R56's just do better on gas than others. could be a mix of both.

 

Talked with a dude at the carwash who just got a GTI and he wants to dump it for an MCS. Says it handles nothing like his prior car (Audi I think) and the gas mileage stinks.

 

I had an R53 for 4 years and i absolutely loved it. It was like the car was an extension of my body. I think i loved it so much i was in love with it

But an unfortunate accident took my beloved R53 away from me, and now, because of a very generous insurance check, i am getting an R56. I must say, i liked it at first, but i haven't had a chance to live day to day with it yet. I'm sure ill like it. But its going to be difficult to say goodbye to the R53 that I loved so dearly. I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind a harsh ride, so as funds dictate i will be modding my R56 upon arrival.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm excited to get my R56, as i know it'll be nice, but the R53 will always have a special place in my heart.