Now that the F56 has been out for a couple of months, what is your opinion on the new body style and the direction MINI is going? Also, how does it compare with last years model?

 

I'm sitting in the dealership right now waiting for my R56S, and just finished checking out an F56S.

Overall, the front end doesn't bother me as much in person as it does in pictures. Still has a really big chin though. And the rear makes me think of Sir Mixalot - Baby's Got Back!

I like the Thunder Grey color.

I don't care for the interior. The new gauge cluster looks cheap, tiny little half moon tach and the steering wheel buttons look busy. The styling of the toggles on the headliner doesn't match with the toggles on the center console, the dash vents on the left and right are round but in the middle they are square, there's no consistency in the overall execution. It looks like it was designed by 6 different people who never talked to each other.

Opened the hood, there's nothing but black plastic visible. That's common across all cars these days, but still - there's supposed to be an engine in there, show it off! Turn it into a work of art instead of hiding everything behind bland plastic. The engine compartment with the 2.0 turbo looks even tighter than on the R56S, servicing it will be interesting.

For those who like the F56, I hope you get as much fun out of your car as I have with mine. I'm going to keep my R56S for a long, long time.