Do you want to do lots of mods yourself in the near future? Get an '06 since there is an ample aftermarket for them.

Do you want to be the first with an 07? This is important to some people, and why shouldn't it be? We like to show off our new cars. If this is you, go with it (and be glad it has a warranty).

 

as the professor notes immediate mods would require aftermarket experience but also note that the new engine will be more moddable than the supercharger, and so if you can wait till the new mods come out then you will have more than enough to play with

 

I love my 06' mcs. It's a great car and has had only a handfull of issues the dealer has had to look at... So I would say that it is as close to issue free as a british car can get. :P

As for the 07... There will indeed be growing pains for the new platform. With every new version of many industries, (automobile, computer) there are problems that arise in a new generation. I think that some generational gaps between products can potentially be more dangerous then others.

That being said IMO the r56 is a totally different beast then the current mini. The 02-06 was a ground up project... where as the r56 is a second gen of the current mini. Providing them with a set of successes and failures... along with a working wiring harness and other systems tested and proven.

The current mini was the fruition of many years of work between several different design firms and manufacturers. You had the sorted relationship between rover and bmw, chrysler producing the engine, the gertrag gear box, etc etc. Basically imo it was amazing that the 02-06 mini came together and was as complete of a package as it was.

I think the 07 will have far less bugs then the 02-06 did. The 07 is far different then the 06 models but they definatly took the successes and failures of the previous model and took them into account. This mini is more of a bmw then the last. Is that a good thing? You'll have to ask the bmw owners that but I can't help but to think that with bmw having the production of the components of this car more under their control it has the possibility to be a more consistant car.

Any way... this car will have it's share of growing pains. I don't think they will be any where as significant as the last generations pains and those weren't so bad that people couldn't live with them. This is all subjective opinion but to be honest I think the 07 is a safe bet and clearly as many are learning with the previous gens turbo only is a good way to chase super high hp numbers.

I think the real decision to be made between the 06 and 07 is whichever styling you prefer and weather you like turbo v supercharger.

 

The 02-06 models can't be clumped together. I have owned both a first and last year version of the R53 and it's development over five years is quite evident. It can be anticipated that a similar evolution will occur with the R56. Why not end up with the best of both.

Bottom line..........the R53 and R56 are both fabulous. You have a fun decision to make. You're going to have a blast no matter which one you choose and no regrets.

 

I have not driven the new 07 but i have driven the 06 MCS. I recommend you go test drive one. bring your checkbook.

The new 07 will prob be faster + better mpg, but feel slower. a lot more comfortable inside with all the new suspension parts. It's lighter by ~100 lbs. But all indications point to less soul. less fun vs the current models but more fun than most other cars out there.

And can you say mod friendly??? you will prob be able to get a Giac chip for $200 that will net 60+ whp and 70+lb tq. upgrade the turbo and you will be in the 400whp territory.

But all 1st yr releases have problems/quirks. ALL car companies, even lexus.

The reason i chose the 06 was

a) as fun as my s2000 but more practical
b) all the quirks have been worked out
c) the instant on feeling of the supercharger vs turbo lag
d) most reliable sporty car by Consumer Reports
e) it will be a classic; last model yr of the 1st series cooper sold in USA

You cant really lose either way. why not take a trip to your dealer and test drive the 06, put your deposit for a 07 but if you decide you like the 06 you can prob still find an 06 in the spring.

 

Quick dumb question: how do we know that the '07 will be more moddable? I suppose if we look at the VW tuner crowd we would anticipate chip tuning to be a easy, reliable way to upgrade the horsepower. But do we know that BMW has enabled chip control of turbo pressure the way VW/Audi has?

If I were buying a new car I'd take a look at the current '06 prices and try and calculate the depreciation over 2 or 3 years, and then do the same with the '07. Then determine if the likely more expensive total cost of the '07 (though not certain since Mini's have a weird depreciation rate especially in first production years) is worth the potential for tuning upgrades and the generally softer feel.

 

Damned bean counters!

 

Sure, the R56 has a warranty, but I don't want to constantly bring my MINI back for stupid stuff all of the time. Some of our MINI brotheren don't have a dealership close to them and have to drive pretty far to get work done. I am not one to just make a list of problems and once I have enough, to get an appointment, I want it fix now, not later. That is why I am going to wait and see what happens and test drive an S to see if I like it.

 

It will be interesting to see if any pattern of problems does arise from the early adopters in the UK. But I don't think an '07 is the same roll of the dice as the '01. Although this is a new design, it still has a foundation of six years of refinement gained from the current car. There may still be problems that come from unproven components, and don't forget possible engine management issues. No matter how much testing is done, they cannot fully anticipate real-world living conditions.

EVERY manufacturer has more problems in the first year(s). You have to be prepared for that and decide if the potential hassle is worth cutting short the wait.

 

If I were faced with this choice I'd probably get an '07. As good as the '06s are, you never really know if a car is going to have problems. The '06 could have problems and the '07 be great or visa versa...anything could happen. That's why the warranty is there. So, bottom line, I just think it'd be more fun having the latest model. Then again, my MINI dealer is very close.

 

remember R53 was a Rover holdover inherited and perfected to the best extent possible by BMW, with all the asssoicated liabilities (fit/finish, build quality, etc.), whereas R56 is BMW's car, 100%. Still, I wonder about the first batch of 2007s, since the only body component carried over from R53 is the floorpan--everything else is new.

Guess i'm critical of R53 because I've had my 05 S in the shop 11 days since I first bought it two years ago for minor, but unacceptable, fit/finish, body integrity, and mostly interior issues, plus to remedy--twice--those GOOFY hydrau-electric power steering rack seal issues. This kind of stuff just screams "Rover," and because of this, I am excited about R56.

Oh and if I didnt have a dealer so close, I seriously doubt I wouldve purchased a MINI. Dunno tho.

 

Everything should be well sorted by the time the Works version is introduced. Why would you even consider buying before then anyway?

 

I'd take the '06. First year of a new model is usually a nightmare. Besides, this is the first year that Consumer Reports gave the MINI a "recommended" rating!

 

Personally, I think that either way you are still winning. Based on the amount of problems and recalls faced by the first gen MINIs in 2002, I would say that MINI is most likely doing more testing this time around and ensuring that there are minimal quality issues. As was mentioned by other people, BMW does take great care of their customers so you'll be in good hands if you decide to get an 07.

That said, I love the design of the 06. I ran out to buy an 06 before it was too late and I love it. The 06 is my favourite model year thus far because the kinks are worked out (for the most part) and I am partial to the headlights and interior design.

If you want more options for interior combinations and the sort, definitely go for the 07. I've been looking at the Euro build-your-own sites and have been suprised at the options! The start and stop button is extremely cool!

You'll also get a better deal on an 06, if money is a concern for you.

Either way you choose, choose fast so your choices for an 06 don't run out! Be sure to let us know how it goes!!

 

Ok, pardon me if I'm repeating anyone else's thoughts, but if the choice is that difficult, perhaps one should get an '06 and keep it for a year. Meanwhile, monitor the success of the '07 and then either keep the '06 or trade in for a late '07 or early '08. Of course, the number crunchers would freak at this notion as we all know you take the huge depreciation hit 20 minutes after the deal closes... but consider it the opportunity cost for freedom of choice.

 

Lame duck president in bed with the Saudis and big oil.
$9.00/gal - that's why.

 

Please, no politics here.

 

Well if you're worried about that, then you want an 05 Jetta TDI that you can run on B100.

 

Hello, I'm new here. I'm Looking to buy a 2007 R56 S. Why not the 2006? I'm tall. I have to tilt the seat back to fit. The 2007 has a telescoping steering wheel so I won't have to maintain that Frankenstein like arms outstretched position all the time.

It looks like the mileage on this car won't be all that much different from my Prius considering what I hear about the improvements in the new engine. I do love the turbo feel and I surely miss having a car that's fun on the mountain twisties (past experience with Saabs and Audis).

Quick question: Does the speaker upgrade improve the audio all that much?

Also: Do any of you have any comments or suggestions for a total Mini Cooper newbie?

So far from what I can see, going through the posts here, you folks are pretty bright. I think I'll enjoy it here.

 

Welcome to NAM, Ken!!! There'll probably be lots of good suggestions offered, but off the top of my head I'd suggest that you make yourself at home here, familiarize yourself with MotoringFile (for the latest MINI news of relevance to U.S. audiences) and with the MINI2 forums. Why MINI2? Buyers in the U.K. are ordering and working through options a bit ahead of us and you may find that helpful. In time we'll have more info here in the States, but for now the lion's share comes from abroad. Fortunately, it's pretty good news!! Not many here have even seen the car, but thanks to the above mentioned resources, one can get a pretty good read on R56 even this early on. You'll even find a lot of cross discussions across these communities...an extremely valuable resource.

As for sound...yes, folks seem to be quite pleased with the upgraded systems, so if it were me (and I wasn't half deaf...) I would not hesitate to add it as an option. It seems that since the head unit is now part of the speedo assembly, aftermarket options will be tricky (if possible at all). I'd definitely upgrade from the factory at this point in the game.

Best of luck...hope you've got a good dealer and Motoring Advisor lined up and that you have a blast in your new R56 MCS!!!