I might be a minority when I say this but I really do not like the new R56 front bumper. Anyone else?

 

+1

 

It is a little busy with the brake cooling intakes but it grew on me, I don't mind it anymore.

 

+1, it really was my reaction the first time I saw it. I do like the idea of the brake openings, but I think they made them too big...

OTOH I mean no foul thoughts to those buying 2011+ MINIs, you all get more HP!!!

 

So the "brake cooling" openings are more prominent - are they actually functional? If they're just cosmetic, I think I agree with the original post. Even so, I could get used to them - you can't see them from the driver's seat!

Spridget

 

The new front bumpers can definitely seem bulky from some angles. The functional brake ducts are nice, and the bumpers are growing on me, but I think they could have been executed a little more 'simply'.

 

-1

I love it!

 

There are only two things I don't like about it: (1) the four tiny pock-marks that are supposed to indicate where to drill for the license tag holder (not R56-specific); and (2) the fact that there are a few more nooks and crannies around the ducts and driving light grill work for water to hide after a wash.

These are minor nits. Overall I'm cool with the form and function. And yes, the brake ducts are functional.

 

I don't like it at all!

 

I think it is the best looking MINI design to date (with the exception of the GP).

The 2011 MCS is superior to the 07-10 models in every way!!

 

I absolutely love the look of the R56, and that is having owned two R53s.

 

I like busy. I like it

 

I don't like it. Too busy for me. I am planning on removing my fog lights on my MINI and running brake ducts through there.

 

I think the shape and design of the ducts are good, but I don't like the weird crease that's above them. IMO they should have done it like they did the ducts on the Countryman and made it more subtle.

 

Agreed, Drew. It could have easily been much simpler without the creases.

 

I agree with Drew, however I do like the appearance it has. I also agree with HomerJ!

Cheers!

 

I like it AND I got the exterior chromeline (which I know a lot of people don't like). I built my MINI to be more of luxomini rather than a hotrod). Nothing wrong with hotrod MINIs BTW...

 

I never noticed there was any difference. They all look fine to me...

 

The face lifted front is the reason I even considered the Mini in the first place. I always like the new Mini but did not like how it looked. It lacked that sort of menace or sporty appearance being that it was a pretty fast and sporty car.

Plus on a darker colored car the brake ducts don't stand out that much. Not like in the photo above^^.

 

As soon as I saw that the brake ducts appeared functional, my first thought was "thats cool!".

 

I agree with that... The offending creases are much lest noticeable on the dark colors.

 

I love the 2011 front end

......In fact I may buy the JCW color matched side panels in a while, but I see no reason to swap out the front. The black plastic trim on the bottom of sides is a dust magnet, unlike anything I have seen

Like my wifes t-shirt says "Its not cute...Its MEAN!"---from out motoring.com

 

I like the redesigned front fascia so much I nearly opted to pass on the JCW aero kit. Nearly

 

When I first saw the new lower grille, I thought it was a little busy - didn't really notice the crease until Drew's pic above.

I saw this little beauty at my dealer last fall - the Aero grille IS very nice.

 

well since I own one I gotta say I love the heck out of it