So what are your overall impressions Rivet, taken a test drive yet?

 

As soon as I see one I will get pictures.

 

IMHO:

Exterior - The R56 appears to be "inflated" - meaning that it looks like features are puffed up. The hood is higher and more vertical in the front. The fog lights are bigger; the wheel arch trim is larger (this may not be an issue if you paint the trim); etc. It is not necessarily a bad look, but just takes some time to get used to. The exterior features are livable in my opinion with the exception of the hood scoop. While I know they kept it for model distinction, it just seems a bit chintzy to me.

Interior - One word - bad. Everything looks like it was made by Tyco. I won't even start on the speedo, but the entire center column looks cheap. It is just not to my liking. Others may love it and I don't want to take anything away from that. This is only my opinion.

I have not had the pleasure of a test drive but am scheduling one soon.

Bottom line: I think the exterior will grow on you, but you don't see that when you are sitting behind the wheel. I am not sure if what you do see from behind the wheel will grow on you or not.

I am glad to have an '06.

 

Thanks for the pics. And hey – the turn signal / windshielf whiper stalks are black!!

Retrofit time...

 

That's my impression, too. The new nose with the "wall eyed" headlights doesn't look right. That along with the fake hood scoop and switch from delightful screaming supercharger to the uninspiring turbocharger makes me glad I grabbed a 2006 JCW just before they stopped making them.

The only thing that could get me excited about the 2007 is if Cooper Works were to offer a replacement hood with a real scoop and a supercharger cranking out 250HP. Until that happens, I'll snicker as my 2006 JCW zips past the 2007s I encounter.

 

I'll bet the fake hood scoop will quickly become an intake modding opportunity!

 

maybe it so a copper following you will not have to use his radar or his own speedo

Anyone selling a kit yet to convert it to the R53 interior??

 

I find it absolutely amazing how may folks who detest R56 are "so glad they have an '06." Fine...super!! But let's not get carried away. Many of the gripes seem only exercises in locating what is different and then denigrating that. One is entitled to one's opinion, but the overwhelming sense after many weeks of scrutiny is that R56 is 1) a true MINI and 2) a total redesign from R50/53. Nuff said, imo...let's just let R56 be.

 

After reading some of your other posts, it is clear that you are R56 through and through. Congratulations. I am sure you will really like it; however, new models are always compared to their predecessor. Some like the new and some like the old, neither is bad, just personal opinion.

As you spoke in your post of people denigrating the R56, you have done the same to the current generation.

Glass houses.

 

I have read many posts by gokartide and found most of them to be an attempt at peacemaking. I think gokart is just trying to keep peace in the MINI family.

 

Not so, friend....I, too, love my '03 R50.

 

gokartride is probably the most peacekeeping person between the last generation and new generation owners. Hes an avid lover of his 03 Cooper and he shows it daily. He also isn't someone who loves every little feature on the 06 either.. He has gripes and he has posted them before.

Of course new models are always compared to the old, but I can tell you we do have a handful of people that are willing to absolutley shun a new R56 owner from anything MINI related if they had the choice. I've always wondered what those people would do at the MINI Club meets in there local area when a R56 pulls up :P

 

My apologies then, I must have misread some of your posts in the Official List of Praises thread.

This thread was intended for people who wanted specific pictures of the R56, if they want to comment positively or negatively, great. Everyone should be allowed to present their opinion.

I'm not one of them. I can honestly say that I like the exterior of the R56 in person much better than I did in pictures.

 

Well since you've seen one (R56)...AND photographed one in person you do have a lot more to go on than most of us have. The reports from "across the pond" have been most helpful. I admit, I still have my own likes and dislikes about R56, but overall I am pleased. Keep in mind, I am watching this solely from the Cooper side, and I now find things about my own '03 Cooper that actually make more sense (to me) in the R56 interation.

 

What is with that headliner shot? Not sure what the switches are for... one looks like its for opening the sunroof, but how could there be a sunroof with all those switched in the way?

 

From left to right (I believe): Drivers reading light... ALL interior (white) lights... sunroof... interior (colored) ambient light... passenger reading light.

 

Thought I would throw my bits in about the '56, these previous opinions and disagreements seem to head in the direction of "Original" Mini owners disliking our "new" Minis. Does it really matter ? It looks like a Mini, says "Mini" on it, drives like a mini, then it must be a Mini.

Personally, I purchased my late '06 because I saw the '07 and heard about the Turbo. I do think the 50,52,53 look more like the original as they were supposed to and I find that more appealing, just my opinion and one of my reasons for ordering my baby - felt it was now or never.

On the other side of the coin, it'll be fun watching the roads for the "new" guys and the new paint schemes, wheels and such.....

I have loved Minis since I was a little lad, once I recall a club stopped by the local shopping center with the "Original" when I was about 10. They had several wonderful machines and even a wagon and one made into a small pick-up.

You can't help but love them all....

Mike

 

Flame Spokes

 

R56 Cooper S engine bay

 

Thanks ever so much!

 

I'd call them "horse shoe" wheels!

 

Yeah, many people do

JCW do a simliar design with thinner spoke.

 

My pleasure

 

What about the sunroof? Has the opening been trimmed? I went to the build-your-own and that photo shows a sunroof not fully open, or another reason I'm so glad I got an '06.

 

I don't have a sunroof in mine, however both the front and rear of the sunroof now tilt. As far as I am aware it is the same size as the previous model.