Holy cow! 25 posts and not one "It's the ugliest thing I"ve ever seen" post. Things are looking up. (Either that or the R56 haters are getting worn down in the face of the inevitable.)

I was worrying we'd need to codify an R56 version of Godwin's law.

-W-

 

I'm hoping lower rpms at freeway speeds, resulting in lower noise, less engine wear, and better gas mileage than my current MC..

 

Anyone know anything yet about what the Automatic transmission will be looking like, both in availability and performance/specs?

 

The only part of the car I have a problem with is the stack, as others said. It looks so incomplete. I also dont like the integrated radio into the speedo.

I love the engine though, that should make the car alot more fun!

medic

 

Ughh...that's got to be the ugliest thing I've ever seen! (sorry dwdyer...just couldn't let that one slide! )

Okay, so it's NOT the ugliest car or thing I've ever seen. Like others, I'm very happy to have the older style Mini. But having said that, I've got to grudgingly admit that I'm looking forward to a test drive of the new 07...Okay Jayde (my MA), if you're listening I'm laying my cards on the table...I'm not going to be BUYING a new MC, but I really want to see how they drive! It might turn out to be a great vehicle after all.

I love my cargo van, but if I could ever get away with replacing it with a Traveller, well, I might just do that...I look forward to hearing from the new MC owners over the next year.

And yes...definitely they need to produce a Moke!

Chuck

 

It's bigger in one dimension - length. It has grown approx. 2.3 inches longer. However, not only is it lighter, but it's actually a few millimeters shorter. Width, I believe, is the same.

The slightly higher beltline and shorter glass may be giving the illusion that it's beefier. Personally, I kind of like the "chopped" look.

 

I was pleased to find that the controversial center stack is actually slimmer, allowing more foot/leg room up front. It's one a plus, at least...enough for me to overlook the whole matter in favor of the new dash which I think is awesome!!

 

I've had my MINI for about 3 months now and already I'm dying to test drive the 07' MINI and maybe trade in my 05' for an 07'

But I'm not making any conclusions now. I'll wait until next spring.

 

I don't like the BIG boot or the "dinner plate" thing they came up with. The boot looks so like an after thought. The black trim going across the bottom is just hideous. I like what they did with the front grill area, but will miss the lights in the bonnet. I guess no more lighting the rock wall @ the Dragon. I hope they fix the exterior issues with the JCW aero kit.

 

Not to fond of that myself. I think the Cooper was the big winner w/ it's simple, clean rear bumper and MCS side skirts, while retaining a chrome grill. The faux scoop isn't my fave either.

 

Just saw pics of the JCW Aero Kit and I like that much better. If I get an '08, I will get the JCW just because of the better looks. I am still not sure if I will like the '07. I am going to test drive one when it comes in.

 

I admit I'm having trouble spotting a set of OEM wheels I like.

 

http://www.newminiclub.nl/gallery.php?id=5317 Full set here see for yourself
I'm not sure about the option to have your name or logo on the door sill is for me though.

 

I don't hate the R56. It just doesn't do it for me. I'm moved by aesthetics, not absolute performance. My '05 Cooper is basically stock. It does what I want it to do. It still knocks me out just to look at it these 16 months later. Hell, 16 months? How about 3 years, 16 months, from the first time I saw one?! The R56, visually, to me, is just another car. No doubt, performance-wise it will be superior to the R50/53s, and that's good. But I won't lust after an R56.

I wonder how many threads we will see on here that will all talk about this same exact thing? ;o)

 

I like the higher belt line, but the reason i bought a mini is because its so small and because the handling is so good you do not need that much power to have fun. Not saying the 06 cooper s is low on power but with cars like the mazda three speed and new gti, it ,the 06, is lagging behind and that does not bother me. The biggest turn off for me, in fact it ruins the whole 07-s for me is the FAKE hood scoop..... come on designers,that is like having a fake dual exhaust..... it may seem a small thing but it is just a stupid design:(

 

Yeah, until they give us something else to talk about.....anything!!

Me, too...but then I personally dislike faux in general. The rear plastic on the MCS doesn't do it for me either. IMO, the Cooper came out much better....unless someone can find some practical use for that scoop. Then I'd think it was great!!!

Either way, I've been listening to some more clips and the car sounds great!!! If I really wanted an MCS, I think I could overlook the scoop in favor of the turbo. I'll be going the Cooper route though.

BTW, I was looking at some pics the other day and noticed a cool oddity...it seemed like the line from the headlights back along the beltline leads right into that slightly more pronounced "hump" above at the back taillights. It really accentuates the beltline and gives it more force...quite aggressive looking. I like it...if I'm reading it right. Who knows w/o an R56 to look at in person. I'm really just finding things to chatter on about.

 

The center stack alone is enough for me to dislike it. Maybe that will be fixed in '08. If not, I'm sure there are aftermarket manufacturers working on it.

 

I agree, we'll either have to get used to, or find ways to fix, the center stack. Seems to invoke an almost universal "hmmmmm..." I'm prepared to overlook it completely in favor of the upper dash and more legroom.

BTW, I've noticed in some pics the "coffee-creamer" volume **** (imagine, we used to say the volume **** was way too small ) is replaced by another audio unit of some sort. Is this part of the 6-CD changer?? If so, it looks better than having the **** hanging out there all my it's lonesome. On the other hand, the **** may be in the perfect spot and be the perfect size. If so...super...just going on pics for now.

It's funny how some things just don't matter all that much once you're motoring. I used to freak out over a full set of toggles...now I could care less. Oh, and remember how the early rearview mirror was way too small. Scandalous!!! Turned out to be perfect.

 

I dislike new Side rear Windows & the Center Console. Other than those the
New Mini looks good. For now i am happy with my 03 MC. Will wait to see
what changes might be made for the 08/09 models.

 

Whenever I see exterior pictures of the new MINI, I get reminded of saline/silicone implants...not a fan of that look especially when the original looks really good to begin with. I do realize others may prefer that look. The large speedo does take this theme inside the car. I just remembered that the hood scoop is fake (too)....hmmmmm....

 

These comments remind me of the phrase, "Everybody loves change as long as it's to something they're used to."

By the way, I found this review showing a split photo from the front that makes obvious the external differences:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mini/mi...r-ar12647.html

 

Sadly, we've analyzed that pic to death and they are taken from different camera angles and so are highly deceptive. Check where the rear window lines up w/ the seats...they're way off.

Frankly, we must admit that MINIs are oddly queer looking little cars, and I find R56 no more odd than R50/53. I think we risk picking nits at this point in the game....all the basics are the same.

 

Just about to post about the same thing, but looked ahead at page #2.

The nose on pic is pretty misleading... but on page #2 there is a shot of the red R56 with the blue R50 "reflection" below it. Pretty cool. Hadn't seen that one before. Seems like a great comarison (though, other than the general slope of the beltline - noticable only in the hood-they look pretty close).

 

Ah yes...I missed that one!!! It is darn cool. In the end, I'm not sure how to take side-by-side comparisons anymore...maybe I've got too many R56 and R50/53 images swimming in my head. One thing I do know...when I watch that video of the R56 Cooper I like it and, differences aside, I'd be as glad to drive one of those as I am to drive my R50. If fuel economy really does improve substantially, it'll be no contest.