Ok, I've been gathering my thoughts about the R56 for quite some time and just decided to put it all down in one thread. First off, here are a few random thoughts for others to comment on and discuss further, then a couple of questions/requests from current owners, or those with a little more info.

Prediction: JCW cars will use a ram-air style intake, it will use the scoop and feature a plastic shroud connected to the underside of the bonnet that seals to an open top air box with a cone style filter element. *This will also be one of the first aftermarket mods available for performance*

Prediction: Exhaust prices for the R56 will be MUCH lower, due to the very simple system they now use. With it being a straight back design, welding in a high flow, single-in/dual-out muffler will probably gain a few HP on its own. Larger diameter piping should be roughly straight back (less bends=less$) also, so even full "cat-back" systems should be much more reasonably priced.

Prediction: R56 will be able to out-handle R53 when highly modded. The R56 will be much easier to get to a balanced weight distribution thanks to the all aluminum motor and the battery being located up front on the MCS. Installing a battery at the rear and lightening the car up will result in a better balance (marginally) than the R53 due to an overall weight loss of roughly 100lbs and less weight over the front wheels. The use of aluminum suspension parts will also greatly help here.

Prediction: BMW/MINI will make the ECU next to impossible to crack, so that the JCW tuned cars will be the easiest way to make power. ECU tuning in a turbo car is VERY important, and if BMW has engineered it so that tuning is difficult, the aftermarket won't be as strong, and people will turn to the JCW package for power. If the JCW cars carry a $6k premium over standard MCS's as they have in the past, this will mean much more profits for BMW/MINI.

Pic Request: Does anyone have a picture of the underside of an R56 yet? Press release, up on a lift, shop pics, whatever...

Also, are there any images of the new motor/trans/exhaust/intercooler, OUT of the car? Sort of a digital image of what it looks like before it is in the car... I'd like to see how the intercooler piping is run, what the exhaust manifold looks like, etc.

Overall, I am pretty impressed with the R56. I've been keeping up to date on it, and every week that passes I find out more about the car and like it that much more. I'm happy that I got an 06 when I did, but at least I now feel better about the cars of the future for MINI.

My final prediction: By this time next year, we'll be discussing R56 MCS's that weigh <2,400lbs, have more than 350WHP, and they'll be able to keep up in the straight aways with all of the cars that the R53 could only pass through the turns.

....Only time will tell.

Drew

 

In short... yes... I hope so... I believe they just about do that now... anybody can crack anything, it's all dependant on how much time, money and effort you want to spend getting it done.

No images (other than some during the plant/assembaly line tours out there-check Motoringfile)... but both of these two articles (posted on Motoringfile) show a number of computer generated pics with cut-away views of the R56:

http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/27/m...icial-preview/

http://motoringfile.com/2006/08/14/t...ini-in-detail/

 

It will handle well but weight distribution won't be the reason. Due to the alumium control arms lightening the rear of the car, the R56 actually is more front heavy than the R53.

 

Anywhere we could actually get the % figures on the weight distribution front/rear?

I heard (from WRR) that the engine... or at least the center of gravity was actually lowered and moved slightly back (possibly behind the front axle)? Can you confirm or deny this, Gabe?

 

I'm pretty sure I remember saying that on WRR Yes the engine is lower and that should help handling. It's also quite helpful to not have the intercooler sitting on the top front corner of the engine.

The source who told me this wouldn't go into numbers but lets just say the info is pretty definitive. The net is a slightly lighter car with more power earlier in the rev range. Good ingredients for a faster MINI.

 

Yes, having the battery up front should make it easy to get a significant rear weight shift, help balance out rear seat removal and adjust corner weights all at the same time just by relocating it. You could use a 15lbs battery too.

 

Gabe, thanks for chiming in. Is the reduced weight of the rear suspension parts really more of a weight loss than the front will recieve? Or do you think that locating the battery to the front is causing the heavier front distribution.

I like that the battery is in the front now, just for the fact stated above, that replacing it with a small, light battery in the boot will shift weight and help to shed a few pounds at the same time. It does also help with the weight transfer since it's easy to take 40lbs off the back by removing the seat.

Glad to hear that overall, my predictions are agreed on by others. The ECU deal is one that I know is more up in the air. Yes, with time and money anything can be done, but ECU's are becoming more and more difficult to bypass, and I wonder if this one will be the same way.

Drew

 

The aluminium suspensio on the R56 is basically the stuff off the GP.
If you are worried about front weight don't spec the Xenon headlights as they are over 7kg heavier than the halogen units.

 

Are they 7kg heavier each? If so that would be something like 30 lbs added to the whole car.

 

I think it's a combination of both.

I'd personally like to see the car closer to 50/50 and thus regret seeing the battery change. However the other net (beyond weight) is a simpler exhaust more free flowing exhaust.

Yeah - they're fun predictions. I've mentioned a couple of times (WRR or MotoringFile - I can't remember) that I thought the fake scoop might turn into a CAI on the JCW. This was hinted at by someone in the know awhile back but I haven't heard any other confirmation. Otherwise I'd agree the ECU will get harder to crack but I'm sure the fine folks in the aftermarket world will get around that.

Good stuff though - if you ever want to submit these thoughts (or others) for a story on MF let me know!

 

***drink!***

 

7 kg for the pair.

 

That's correct - each xenon adds 7.7 lbs. Nothing to seriously worry about unless you're at the track every weekend.