take a good long look at a classic and then ask yourself which of the new models looks more like it . if i saw this 07 and hadn't seen an 04 i would not buy it as it really doesn't look at all like a classic .

 

who want a flexi=flier?

 

man this is soooo corporate remake a movie ; spend money to develope a beautiful product, build a cult following around the product; promote.promote,promote..... then when you got the interest up with onlookers ; whaaaaaaMM!!!!! cut production costs!

 

You can do so only if you continue to meet customer expectations and even offer improvements on the original package. R56 does this.

 

wow ... man the car's a hack job they coulda put a turbo in the currently styled car or very very near to it . but why do you suppose not . most all here say it's a pos style wise . why if not for greed would they risk loss in return customers?

 

herbie,
have you not heard about the new safety regulations? I dont think anyone at BMW said "what? we have to make it bigger? WOOOOOO!!!" they did their best to stay true and imho accomplished that

 

I've always said that it was my opinion that if the R56 was the car that was introduced in 2002, I would not have fallen in love with it. No more, no less.

I showed the series of R53/R56 side-by-sides in two above posts to my daughter who is a pretty hip 13 year old artist. She knows nothing of the new MINI for 2007. All I asked her is which of each two two she liked better, disregarding colors and trim, just her impressions of overall shape. Out of the eight (?) pairs, she only picked the R56 once, and she said it was because she couldn't get over the blue with the white bonnet stripes.

Yes, it's only one anecdote, but it's what it is.

 

LOL... I did the same thing with my wife and father-in-law, 'cause neither of them know anything of the 07 either. They BOTH picked the R56 every time! There's just no debating what individuals find aesthetically pleasing.

 

I would most respectfully and heartily disagree.Not so either. Many of us, all reviewers (thus far), and the most knowledgable other MINIacs around find much to like in R56. In any case....how could it possibly be a "hack job" or a "pos?" Based on everything I've read that's just not a viable option at this point. We we MINI enthusiasts or not?

 

Some people, unfortunately, confuse, 'It's bad,' with 'I don't like it.' There is a difference.

 

Because keeping it the same would likely result in a bigger loss of customers, everything changes, sometimes for the better, sometimes some may think not...but if it doesn't change, it dies.

As almost all the reviews have said, it's nearly impossible for most people to tell the difference in the new MINI and the new, new MINI from the external styling changes. As far as a smoother, more technologically advanced, slightly more powerful over a broader rpm range, lighter, more economical engine, it's likely most potential buyers can deal with that.

 

you are correct (about the senior "negative nellie" thing) and i won't post here any longer. i've done the same on other threads about the r56, and, i am getting monotonous. i would point out though, that a casual perusal of this thread, (and others), reveals that mine is not the only negative viewpoint here. its just an opinion, which i have and am passionate about the MINI, i did not see it as "histrionics," that seems too severe.

 

Make your own mind up , here are the two together ....spotted last week in the UK

 

None of the modern ones look like a classic unless you're very, very drunk. And if you're that drunk, don't rhrow up on the interior! And get a designated driver!

 

Newcomers won't notice or care about the differences. I prefer '02-'06 styling. It's definitely cuter and it's original. It's what I'm used to. Anything else would be unthinkable for now. Nevertheless, I already know that the fifth year version of the first New Mini is more of a delight than the first and I suspect that one day I'll own a turbomini.......and love it just as much.

 

PICTURES ARE NOT BAD BUT YOU MUST REALIZE THAT THERE IS PAINTED TAPE COVERING ALL THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THERE ARE DECENT PICS ON MINI.COM

 

What I'd like to know most, is how many of you have actually seen the R56??????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????

 

Oh probably very few...that's what's so interesting. Most of us have been following this well over a year (it seems), from the very first mules (bulge on the bonnet), to various spy shots, to the official publicity photos/videos, to the Paris Auto Show, to the most recent pics from the test drives....and everything in between. Must be hundereds of photos/images in all. It's quite a story if you're into that sort of thing.

No, we won't see the real thing for awhile...can't wait!! For now it suffices to hang on the words of those who have seen it and had a chance to poke around. Funny....so many say the cosmetic changes are harder to spot in person.

 

leave it to europe to screw up a nice car playin' stalin.

 

i'm a mini enthusiast. it's just well the 56 ain't a mini. it's a maxi. the 53 is already 2 ft' bigger than the classic. it's like the 78 t-bird .....please ;when will it stop? sure they coulda made the front taller and stubbier for that matter,but left some nice curves on the hood . with upright headlights . hell it'd probably look more like a cooper than the 53 . i just hope the bleeding stops here. or the amc pacer might have to get some stripes.....wait a minute.... any pictures with the pacer and 56 side by side?

 

WOW!!!!the vw's smaller?

 

operative words were more like it . it's clear who's buying one and who ain't . i for one will be buying a classic. it's just getting bigger. and less like a mini (hence the name) seeing the vw next to it did it for me. my 04's already right there with a gti. but whatever ... luck with the cars guys; really.. hope all is well . enjoy .

 

Not yet, but here's another R53/R56 siamese comparison.



Let's keep it civil, once we sample the R56, our judgement will be clearer...are they here yet?

 

I'm still amazed that there are such purists.

Comparing the R56 to an AMC Pacer?

To the never-ending growth of the Thunderbird?

GAFB!

If I were to start throwing around insults on the look of a car -- it'd be the Cabrio. I don't think they got the top right at all. It looks like a tent. And those big chrome tubes just look goofy.

Ooh, crap. I spoke evil about the R5x (where x< 4).

And I'm using too many smilies. Better stop now.

-W-

 

no do go on the cabrio's the biggest pos yet.