Hi,

I just wanted to find out among the different improvements done for the 2007+ models, was there a significant improvement on the interior fit / finish and quality? I'm especially interested in the small creek / crack / noise issue that seems to be regular on my gf's '05.

Thanks.

 

There were major changes in 2007. The interior was redesigned. Many have said that the interior fit & finish improved. I've not scrutinized the earlier models.

A few people have reported rattles, but most were fixed by the dealer or the owner. I'm not sure what a creek/crack/noise is. My MCS doesn't have running water.

 

It has been reported that the fit and finish has improved. My 07 has significant rattles in both door panels and the trim around the sunroof, which the dealer (Sterling) thinks are normal things that should not be repaired under warranty. My 04 was much less rattly.

 

LOL, sorry, I was doing a bad job of typing and talking with someone and creaking came out as creek.

But from previous post, I guess it's still there.

 

When I brought my 07 in for maintenance, they gave me an 05 cabrio just-a-cooper as a loaner. Call me spoiled, but next time, I'll use one of my back-up cars. Not that I'm bad-mouthing 1st-Gen mini's, I just got spoiled from driving my 07, what an improvement! As far as creeks, I only have the sunscreen for the sunroof give me an occasional crick.

 

All the R56's I've driven, including my '07 R56MCS was way more solid in terms of NVH and squeaks-n-rattles than all 3 of my R53's. MINI has definitely improved the cabin refinement with the R56.

 

Thanks, I'm just trying to find a reason to trade in my BMW and get a 2nd MINI, and was thinking if I should save $ and buy a used 05/06 S, or get brand new 08 S. I think R56 also gets better gas milage too, correct?

 

gas mileage is much improved as is power.

 

I'd say mileage and ride comfort are the two biggest reasons I'm going from an R53 to an R56 S.

After spending around 100 mi. behind the wheel of R56 MCS demos and around 26k mi. driving my R53, my opinion is that the R53 definitely feels more fun to me, but the R56 should wind up a better daily driver without sacrificing too much of the fun.

Things that I don't like quite as much about the R56 vs R53 at this point are:

Clutch engagement and weight - the R56 MCSs I've tested all seem to have a feather light clutch that doesn't begin engagement until it's >2/3 out. Probably won't bother me as much once I get used to it.

Layout of the stereo, toggle switches, and climate control - nothing seems quite as simple in the R56 and several of the controls seem harder to manipulate from the drivers seat (although the seats seem significantly nicer)

No SC whine or exhaust burble

The looks (kinda)- Mostly the higher beltline and slightly over inflated hood. The front and rear fascia/bumpers used to bug me too, but now I'm starting to like them. The R56 is definitely growing on me aesthetically.

.02

 

Picked up my '08 MC last week and so far it's surprised me by how solid it is. Still waiting to hear a rattle or creak or any other kind of unwanted interior noise. I don't expect that to last indefinitely, obviously, but first impressions regarding interior quality are very positive.

 

you should specify the wheels of every test drive or coments. it is a big difference if you test a car with 15inchs wheels than with 17inchs.

 

On my gf R53 (non-S) w/ CVT, we can get 30-32 MPG on mixed hwy+city driving. Can I expect approx. the same MPG on an R56 S with MT? If I'm to get the 2nd MINI it'd definitely be w/ MT. hehehehe

 

You'll probably get a bit worse mileage in the MCS with mixed city/highway driving, but it'll depend on how hard you push it. I usually average about 26mpg on all city driving and 32-34mpg on all highway.

 

The R53 is more VICERAL and more of wild animal. BMW TRULY took a BEAST and house trained it. I had a R50 and frequently drive a friends R52 MCSca. Both cars are harsher with run flats (haven't driven a R56 with Non Run Flats). BMW went a little too far softening up the car IMHO.

 

I don't know how much house-training they did. It does bark less, but still chews up the furniture and pees on the rug.

 

It certainly has more power, and is reportedly more difficult to control than the R53 (primarily due to torque steer), according to many on these forums. That certainly doesn't make it sound more civilized; if anything, quite the opposite.

 

The difference in ride quality is pretty significant between the two IMO. The demos I've driven w/ 17" crown spokes and AS run flats, felt a good deal less harsh than my R53 w/ relatively light 16" aftermarket rims and max perf non-run flats.

I honestly don't think the torque steer has felt all that bad in the R56, but I haven't exactly pushed one to 9/10ths yet either (probably more like 6 or 7/10ths).

The R56 seems much quieter to me (even with the valve train clatter), power delivery much smoother and comes on much earlier, and is overall a much smoother motoring experience than the R53 from my perspective. It's got a slightly lower fun/MPH quotient, and feels much less like a quirky Brit sports car and decidedly more German, but I'm willing to live with that for the gains in fuel economy and day to day drivability.

 

I got 30 ~ 31 mpg, now with a Home made Intake installed I get about 32 ~ 33 mpg.

 

I laugh at people who complain about torque steer.

Just go buy a car that doesn't have any torque.

 

+1
You get used to torque steer...that's why you have two hands to steer with!

BTW, are the R56's old enough to exhibit creaks and rattles? I certainly noticed the difference between an '04 R53 and a brand new R56. But I would expect that of a new vehicle.

 

Yes ...or maybe no ...depends on who you ask.

 

LOL -- Answer from my gf: "I don't care, I love it!"

 

Torque and torque-steer are mutually exclusive. My old 270wLb/Ft turbo R53 proves that.

That said, there are ways to curb the torque steer in the R56.

 

is the mushrooming problem fixed on the r56?

One thread i read it said it did, another one i read it said it didnt.

So ima just ask the question!

 

offtopic, Peanut-man, what kinda dog is in the front of your sig pic?

on topic, no one has talked about reliability. any big differences from the 53 to the 56?