Well maybe that's overstating it a bit, but the conclusion of their comparison between the first and second generation S is lukewarm at best about the R56, at least in terms of driving dynamics. You don't have to read very deeply between the lines to see which car this reviewer prefers.

"Mid-corner bumps don't faze it, and you can squeal around a hairpin with the same confidence as a long 80mph sweeper. The old car moves around more, sways a little more from the rear when you lift. Personally I liked the old car's more cheeky handling balance, but there's no doubt that the new version is the more accomplished, mature performer of the two...

It's a weird one, this. The Mini, bastion of funk and cheek, has grown up a bit. The new car is 30 per cent better in nearly every respect. It's better balanced, has more mature handling, and the quality is better. But it's lost a little of the pugnacious attitude that made it feel so young and vibrant in the first place.

It might not look much different, but the Mini has evolved into a car that maintains its place as the number one motor in the sector. But there's a part of me that drives the old Cooper S and thinks that a little bit of the old-school attitude has been sacrificed on the altar of empirical improvement."

This mirrors other reviews I've read, which read as the writers feel a significant amount of soul has been drained from the car. Reviewers uniformly agree on the "empirical" superiority of the R56, and praise it's "refinement" and "maturity," but they all seem to regret the loss of an intangible "attitude" that made the R53 stand out so clearly from the crowd on its debut.

I'm hopeful that a future Works version may strip away enough of the "refinement" and "maturity" to get back to what makes the R53 such an absolute, unapologetic blast to drive. But it sounds like the orginal JCW formula of just adding HP will not be enough. We'll see.

 

I guess some people will just like the old car, and some people will enjoy the new one. Then there are some people that will like both. In my opinion as long as it still performs and is sporting enough to carry the mini badge it is still a win.

 

As someone who is planning on ordering an R56 in January, I find it very reassuring that all the negative R56 reviews come across as adolescent whining.

 

While most of the R56 MCS tests we read about have been based on cars with the standard "Sport Package", I don't think any of them have been equipped with the "Hyper Sport Package" (firmer suspension [springs/shocks?] and thicker sway bars). Thus, I am waiting for 03/07 (HS Pkg availability) before I test drive an 07 and judge it against my 04.

Perhaps some of the conclusions that have been reached by these early write-ups may be adjusted once a Hyper Sport S is driven. And then there is the forthcoming JCW...

FWIW,

Theo

 

Of the cars at the Barcelona press day, there were two R56 Cooper S variants: the chili red cars had the standard suspension and the laser blue cars had the Sports Suspension. Top Gear had a red car, and therefore had the standard suspension.

The HyperSport package is a bundle of the Sports Suspension available a la carte for $500 and the MINI Aero kit available for $1300 priced together for a low, low price of $1400 (A $400 savings!!).

 

That's a funny comment. I find myself looking for jabs or stabs to take at the R56, then I think about it and wonder why.

Say what you want about the intangibles of cars in general; people who are passionate about driving know they exist and that cars have personalities. I think the "negative R56 reviews" are not that at all; rather, they're continued praise for the "it" that the R53 has. I bet 5 years from now there will be a whole new crowd of MINI crazies in love with their unique R56s, just like we are in love with our R53s.

Bottom line is that the R56 will probably attract a slightly different crowd who is more in to "refinement" and "improved statistics" and "quality". Some of us R53 owners just don't get down with those things.

It sounds like the R56 is going to be a better car, but to many it will probably not be a better MINI. Think e30 vs. e36 here, and you'll catch my drift.

mb

 

I agree...but agitating wee bit can be fun!!!

 

well Top Gear reviews everything from an enthusiasts point of view so it is understandable ...

I still don't have a real problem with the more refined "ride" of the new gen, but rather with the mish mosh "look" of it

 

Well said The criticism of the R56 is far from adolescent whining. New cars today are far superior by the numbers than cars of the past. They have better suspensions, more effiencient and powerful engines, they're safer, etc, etc... But just because they are superior numerically in almost every way, that doesn't mean that as more technology is implemented that new cars are more desirable to everyone. Ultimately the differences technologically between the R53 and R56 will be minimal, however with each subsequent generation the MINI will "improve" but that doesn't mean the newer models will be more desirable to everyone. As MINI tries to out do the last model, some changes won't necessarily be welcomed by enthusiasts(EDIT: enthusiasts of the R53). This does not make the new car inferior nor does it mean critics of the new MINI should be accused of "adolescent whining" or subject to any other ad hominem attacks. Everyone should be able to express their opinion and debate the R56's merits and deficiencies without being called names or being unfairly labelled.

I believe the Top Gear article did a great job of praising the improvements of the R56 while also recognizing that the car may not have quite the same "old-school attitude" as the R53. However, overall I believe it was equally complimentary to and critical of both the old and the new. Also, it is important to recognize that the author of the article has owned a MINI himself which IMO lends greater credibility to the review.

 

Drift caught. As a driver's car, the E30 M3 blows the E36 version away, imo. It's not just about the numbers.

 

So if you welcome the improvements in the R56 you can't be a driving enthusiast?

Darn it... I think I've been unfairly labeled... the UN-ENTHUSIAST!!!

(kidding, of course)

 

You are still a driving enthusiast, but your MINI doesn't have a soul and won't go to heaven when it dies.

 

This car wouldn't have been on my radar if it weren't for the improvements, most notably the Turbo over the SC. It sounds like it might be pretty good for long trips as well. I hope the performance improvements won't bump this car into an uncompetitive class for SCCA.

Mini owners are lucky now in that there is a new version, so people who owned the "original" can opine about how much better it was. I've been seeing this on the Miata forum for years and years. Great cars will always be great cars. I just think this new model will expand the club and have a broader appeal.

 

You completely missed the point of my post. No, I didn't say that. When I said enthusiasts I meant enthusiasts of previous MINIs. Even though there are some people who like the R56 IMO I don't think you can truly be an enthusiast of a car you haven't driven nor even seen in person. Therefore I was speaking of people who are enthusiasts of the R53. But this is exactly what I'm talking about, people getting defensive about every hint of criticism (even though my post in no way criticized the R56). You may not like it, but not everyone will like the R56, so deal with it.

 

I agree. Our angst at this point in the game is probably typical.

 

If you "welcome the improvements" before actually driving the car, it seems like you're just jumping the gun (or drinking the Koolaid).

 

But if someone "criticizes the changes" before actually driving or seeing the new model that's okay?

 

If they are critizing the visual changes (which we've all seen by now), or are affiliated with a media outlet and HAVE driven the car, yes, it's fine. It's all OPINIONS. "I think this" or "I feel that". You don't have to agree, in fact, life would be pretty boring if everyone agreed on everything.

 

is how do they compare once put under the wrench! I really don't care that the car is a bit softer out of the box, as the stock suspension will stay on all of 15 min or so! (Bit of an exageration, but you get the idea).

While the stock comparisons will matter to most of the buyers, all that don't mod, those that can't wait to break out the tools won't be quite as concerned.

As all those twin-charge guys are finding, the SC just sucks for high end power development due to it's efficiency, and the "turbo only" is the key that unlocks that door. There will be so many new things to do to tweak the new platform, and who knows what we'll find! (Other than the ECU is a biatch!)

But this did get me thinking about two things.... Why hasn't a commercial turbo only hit the mainstream, and who's got the time, effort and tube bending skills to plumb the twincharge not as a serial system, but as a high boost SC for low RPM torque in parallel with the massive turbo with all that plumbing, like the Lancia Grouppe B ralley cars and that new VW 1.4l.....

Matt

 

Oh, OK:

So clarkdr81, you can't be a true enthusiast of the R53 and also like the R56? I get it now.

AND XAlpha, you can't be welcome improvements (ie. be excited about them), or be an enthusiast of a new vehicle before you actually own/drive it? Then how do you explain all the enthusiastic posts online concerning the R56?

Generally, if anyone took it as defensive, you apparently didn't read my full post (...and would be reading into this one, too). Please lighten up and sence the sarcasim guys.

 

Hmm, ,I'd say that of course you can be enthusiastic about something you've never seen or driven, but as a driving/car enthusiast I'd think it would be paradoxical to really be an enthusiast of a car before firsthand experience. Perhaps zealot would be a better term

I'm just messing with you - I'm feeling a bit ornery today

 

Marketing-induced mass hysteria.

 

I'm pretty sure the poster that said the Chili red version had the stock suspension is wrong. I think over on mini2 Paul drove the red one which had the upgraded suspension. The blue ones did not.

As for myself I have a deposit down for a R56, but if I drive it and think it sucks I'll just buy a used R53 from someone that babied it.

 

"Mass hysteria" pretty well defines this string!

 

Yes, and...in the end...the Top Gear article was a far cry from a pan anyway.