Hey I truly enjoyed your article from Roundel magazine. I can't believe people gave you a hard time over such well written and balanced opinion.

 

Both statements are highly subjective and vague. Is his comment about an R56 Cooper and an MCS? I ask because it's hard to deny the Cooper took a big leap forward.

 

Just a little story to share... I sold my R50 '02 MC CVT to a fellow NAM member a month or so ago. He currently owns a new '07 R56 S automatic. He bought the Cooper for his daughter. Fast forward one month later.... His wife is no longer interested in driving the R56 S Auto (He compromised on the auto so she could drive his car). She wants to drive the R50 Cooper all the time. In conversations with my friend that bought the car from me, he tells me that the R50 feels very solid and he loves the steering feel and the classic looks. He also said that he loves how snuggle and well connected you feel behind the wheel of the R50. His wife loves the R50 (And his daughter too). Long story short, he is looking at either trading or selling his R56 S auto and getting a new (Or slightly used) R56 S manual or even considering a '06 JCW GP or a '06 R53 S factory JCW. He has not driven a R53 S yet, but I encouraged him to do so. I have a feeling he will be another R56 to R53 convert!

 

Ok, as an unabashed R53 lover, that one has me scratching my head--the auto Cooper in its current R56 setup is a much, much better transmission than the CVT it replaced. I'll give you the steering feel is better in the R53, but I'd think the CVT would be enough of an issue that most people would pick the R56. I hate to come out in favor of the R56 but in this case....

 

LOL, actually my ex-R50 was pretty lightweight... 15" 8-spoke wheels and only 2 options...MFSW and CVT. The car is a hoot to drive. The dealer and MINI really nailed down the software programming of the CVT and the car is very peppy and responsive. While their comments were not really focused on it being a CVT, they both like the steering feeling, the tossable nature of the Cooper, the classic looks and the cockpit feel. The R50 Cooper is not about go fast but having fun driving a "slow"car fast on the turns! This anecdote is very interesting to me because it ties into what has been discussed in this and other threads. People that are new to MINI but never driven the 1st generation model before, seem to really like the car once they are exposed to it. He may end up keeping his R56 S auto (He only has like 4K miles on it) but may go the way of a R56 S manual or even a R53. There is no doubt in my mind there is a pattern developing here. At least "Enthusiasts" seem to favor the visceral and direct steering characteristics of the 1st generation cars. I am not bashing, simply relying a little anecdote that seems to go hand in hand with what has been discussed here so far.

 

First - I think "Jen" might be a lady, not sure though. Second - Automotive journalism is a subjective task on most fronts, and these journalists made no attempt to say or show that their impressions weren't subjective. To say that impressions are subjective is, I think, obvious.

Thanks, ClubmanS!

mb

 

While I don't disagree with you, I shudder at the huge can opener you just attacked that monstrous can of worms with....

 

Don't worry, I have my armor and heat deflector shield in place!

 

Well, I'm content to leave it at that...a subjective observation of a writer, nothing more. "Genuine" and "contrived" leave lots of room for discussion, doesn't it.

I will agree the first gen car has something really going on in the steering department. R56 seems to have slightly more weight (in sport mode) but that's just weight...the first gen car seems slightly more direct (my R50 has holeys so it's very tossable). I've always been intrigued by the little anecdote about John and Mike Cooper driving an early R50 mule and making specific recommendations on steering and suspension...I'd love to know what those recommendations were, how they were implemented in the new MINI, and how or if that has been tweaked, even in the first gen car. Just a curiosity.

In any case, I know driving enthusiasts who don't use sport mode in their R56s...they like the car better without and they have lots of reasons why. I do use it for my own reasons. When we talk about it all in detail it makes sense...different needs, different expectations...all focussed on the desired driver connection.

 

Gokartride: Order this book from Amazon: The New MINI (Second Edition - August '05) Graham Robson. To me personally, one of the best compilations about the history and development of the R50/53. In there you'll find many answers and surprising facts written from a totally unbiased perspective. Graham Robson is a well known auto journalist in the UK. I have read that book, twice. In there you'll find why the 1st gen car is so special and the difficulties the car experienced due to the sour Rover/BMW marriage of the 1990's. A must read for any MINIphile.

 

In the Clubman I have driven it with and without sport mode. Prefer the throttle response and steering feel of the car with it on (There should be an user selectable default option for either ON or OFF). The only instance when I like it without the sport button on is when I have to park it as the steering effort is very, very light.

 

+1

 

Got it and I totally agree w/ your evaluation of the book...first rate!!!! Although I was not initially familar w/ the author, I have become a big fan!!! Since the book was written fairly early on ('02?), it would be interesting to see a similarly in-depth view on the on-going evolution of the car. For this I thoroughly and utterly enjoyed the MotoringFile interviews at MINI United!!!!

 

I agree...it is funny how either mode is useful in different applications. For example, I like the sport mode throttle map for launching and general city driving (although my friends prefer non) but I often switch if off for cruising. The non-sport map, by rounding off throttle inputs to a greater extent, does yield somewhat better mpg results.

 

I just purchased it from Amazon--"like new" for the Princely sum of $.41 (yes, pun intended--too bad it doesn't cover the R56), plus $3.99 shipping. I love their used book listings, and rarely buy anything new anymore.

 

I'm gonna pick one up, too; thanks for the tip!

mb

 

If you get the second edition of the book, you will see updates including the 2005 mid-cycle refresh of the R53, the R52 convertibles and there is a small section talking about the "upcoming" (at the time) R56 and the Prince engine which were still being developed in those days. Anyone getting this book, make sure you get the SECOND EDITION or the latest edition available on print.

 

OOO!!! I'm mad--the price has dropped to $.38! The one I bought for the sum of 41 cents IS the second edition, and so are the lower priced ones. Mb--buy the one for the extra penny. He's got better feedback.

 

Interesting point...I didn't know there was a second edition!!!

 

Yeah, it was released August 2005.

 

Don't feel bad.... I paid almost $25 for my copy when it first came out!!!

 

Nothing more than an opinion ...but at least its one I agree with.

Dean.

 

There's the rub! It's a fickle business indeed...

mb