we were at a pre launch VIP night on Friday ,and here are a few photograph's .The cars looked stunning in the flesh ...however it sees that BMW have gone down the route like the Beemer ....you pay basic and add on all the goodies to make it look special .On the break lights ...when they light up it says Mini !!!!.
Fact; Its bigger , better and drives like a dream ,the exhaust noise is something else on the S . The seats are great to sit in as well,although soft compaired with my JCW seats .
the quality has improved no doubt about it.

You just need to go between the two cars the current R56 and the now older model and you can't help but notice the difference. Simple as that really I wouldn't say so if it wasn't so. The gap round the bonnet and wheel arch don't see a problem with that it's meant to be there afterall.

In short ...I like it , however one or two wee things did detract from making this acr 100% spot on ...but thats change I guess .
1. The petrol cap cover is cheap and nasty .
2. The gap around the wheels and arches .
3. The gap round the lights and bonnet .
4. The fittings that hold the "chrome" round the Bonnet are of poor quality (cheap)
5. There might be a bit too much plastic around the engine bay for the tradionalist .
Will that stop me getting one ...I dont think it will, and over all I think its a winner from what I saw ,"in the flesh".The Blue S with the aero kit is stunning . On the Cooper ,well I still think its bland looking and might need a bit of tarting up to make it look special for me .

Seats are much improved.

It is truely a enhanced version of the old model we should all embrace it and be thankful that BMW have got it right and as always moving the design forward.

you remember that old 5 series BMW and the current model you go look at both in the dealers fore courts and which one looks better?? the new one of course and the same can be said for every model car that goes about. Some people just need to time to adjust but I bet once they do they will realise what a cracking car this is and I guess the next one will be also.

 

 

Which color is that? Laser or Lightning?

You've specced it out, exterior wise, almost identically to how I plan to order mine: driving lights, aero kit, blue w/ white stripes/roof/wheels. Even the sunroof! If not for the autos not being out until March, I might suspect you have my car! :-)

Have any shots of the side?

Anyway, I am planning on Lightning Blue. Thanks for sharing the pics!

 

JCW210, thanks for the report. We'd be sunk (or else severely information deprived) w/o ya!!

 

Nice!

If you've got any more pix at all, please post.

I'm on a waiting list here in the states. I would do the aero kit for sure after seeing this, if I weren't concerned about the clearance, with my very uneven, long gravel driveway.

- R

 

A few more pictures here

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=80856&page=3

 

Well, the back of the Aero kit is still not doing anything for me.
BUT the front Aero kit with the driving lights is absolutely stunning! !

 

it will grow on you my friend ...it will .given time ,here are a couple more

 

 

I love pics!

 

yes me too! more pics please. Do you see any pepper white so far?

 

The "Cooper" with the black grill....is that a One???

 

OMG! I can't wait!!!

The rear for lights seem to fill in those holes in the rear aero kitted bumper a bit. Still think it'll look better in a darker color (dark silver, asto black etc.). The driving lights are great looking, too.

The huge speedo is even starting to grow on me (though everything below it still blows! Oh, well... eyes on the road and all!).

 

Thank you so much JCW210 for the pics of the R56!

I have to admit, the R56 with the Aero Kit looks very smart!

I know that this has already been asked, but what shade of blue is that on the MCS, Lightning or Laser?

I do like the looks of the CR Cooper's front, especially with the rallye lights! Sweet!

How about it gokart, an Oxygen Blue '08 Cooper in your future?

Thanks again JCW for the pics and if you've got any more, then by all means, please post! It's gonna be a long wait till "08 for me :impatient and I need all the support (pics to aid my MINI fantasies) to get me thru!!!!

 

I'm fairly certain that is a Laser Blue MCS. Beautiful color and the number one candidate for my 2008 MINI.

 

OK !!! here is a quote from my friend (female) who bought the Lazer Blue S in the pics ...she did have a 265bhp upgrade CS before so she knows what she's talking about !!!!
Ok picked up the Laser Blue S today.

150 miles travelled up home to Inverness.

Obviously was impressed with the MPG see other post. Not sure how much the V Power would effect the figures but not bad considering it's a brand new motor.

The design I'll leave alone it's been discused on other threads and as far as I can see it's all down to personal tastes no one person is right. or wrong.

The drive has improved 10 fold you just don't get long enough on a test drive to really appreciate by how much

I prefer the turbo version, power seems to be delivered smoother but again this one is all down to each individual some are going to love it some are going to miss the supercharger.

You can hear the exhaust but not at cruising speed which for me is a +

The sound system was good not brillant but better than I thought.

I found all controls easy to use.

Only one thing so far which has been a step backward is the access to the storage space in the door cards. you can't get you hand behind the door pull anymore which makes it very awkward to get at.

I could go into to a big what I think but your all going to make up your own minds some will love some will hate.

but I will say this.

When I was driving up the road past Blair Atholl I asked myself 1 question.

Was I still driving a MINI

the answer is YES take away all the design aspects the suspension gear box blah blah you still know your driving a MINI. Improved definately but still a MINI. Lets not forget that.

"41.4 no kidding that's what we got

filled with V Power running in speeds 150 miles.

 

The red is a cooper as is the black , the others are the S as you will know .

 

Huge speedo !!!!...its massive ,yes that big, and must be double the size of the original

 

A few more for you to drool over , notice the gap between the wheel and the arch !!! and sorry about my (_!_) in the photograph , its the only one I have of the silver cooper .It was a small show room and most of the other car were outside ,and as it was dark by the time I started taking pics nothing more worth showing ...I will see what I can do in the way of other colours later on , if my friends have any worth posting . Enjoy for now
Angus