Do any other R53 (more or less, Cabrio here) owners not feel alienated from R56 owners? We both have the same car, even though there are different features and the newer Mini is, well, newer. That said, my attitude towards hood scoops and their functionality has nothing to do with whether mine is functional or not. I won't give my view here, but I will share that I don't put a banana in my levis when going out on a date. This is not a dig at the R56. Its not about YOU, you know.

 

Funny analogy with the bannana. I use a sock.

 

I'm not sure that will work . . . better get tested

 

Seriously Blue,
There have been isues with earlier threads (like this one) where some R56ers were defensive and overly sensitive -- maybe too much and some R53ers who were offensive and overly insensitive.
All is better now. Everyone gets along fine, although a sock would work just as good as a bananna and not get all mushy.
Why get tested? I've haven't got athletes foot?

 

Just a quick note -

I have been to many of the classic/new MINI events, and this stuff sounds like the same BS that happens between the "new" and "classic" Mini/MINI crowd. Downright silly. I have both (and both have their unique merits).

That aside, a couple of on topic points:

1. I will definitely be building an RAF SportBox for the R56 (already started).

2. You don't want to cool the turbo - heat is good for velocity. You do want to keep the heat generated by the turbo from heating the engine compartment (but blowing air on the turbo isn't the way to do that).

Hope that helps!

Randy

PS - Long live the MINI!

 

Just trying to be subtle enough not to violate NAM guidelines. I was implying that a sock is not a safe condom.

I've noticed the stress . . . it is odd because the "outward" model changes seem pretty mild. The real changes are intense but the engines are so different that they almost don't compete with each other. I love driving my '05, but I really want the new technology when they come out with the Cabrio. So I feel both like an "R53 and an almost R56." The apparent drivability of the new car worries me . . . I already have a Saab which is most comfortable and drivable . . . but some of the fun with the MINI is that I've got to reach for the power . . . and as I pull it up from the well it creates the most delightful sensations.

It worries me because I suspect I won't want to trade in the 05 but have them both.

 

I would have to agree... they really are two separate cars. Here's a suggestion, though:

Ditch the Saab and get two MINIs! From the looks of things, I'll be looking for a second MINI soon enough, too. Going the opposite way, though. After order the R56S and being treated so well by NW MINI and the local MINI club... my wife really wants a BRG Cooper. Funny, 'cause she's never shown ANY interest in any other cars we've ever purchased (and we've had some cool ones - She's driving a BEAUTIFIL Volvo S70R right now!). So after the first of the year I'll be in the market for a R50 BRG Cooper!

 

Hi I am new to this and this is my first post but i fealt i had to chime in. I am still in the process of trying to finalize my MCS and gosh i have not even ordered one yet. I enjoy most of the threads in these forums but i dont understand one thing and wish some of you could enlighten me.

If you dont and it seems a lot of R56 haters out there dont like them why do they even bother to read and post the hatred here????

Since they hate the new MINI so much why come to the pages devoted to the new Mini.

I have only ever been in one mini a 2006 MCS and i loves it am going to go tommorow and see a new 2007. I am going to buy a 2007 and pay cash for it.

yes it is not a 2006 or a 2005 so what it wont be a clasic one either.

the only thing i can say to all the haters is GET OVER IT !!!!!
you dont like the new mini (SO WHAT)
shortly it will be the only mini available new so then you are stuck with either buying a used one or something else, guess what time marches on and cars change with time stay stuck in the past.

I will be more than happy to pass you on the interstate

 

cant you just remove the black "grill" looking peice and problem solved? I guess you could say I have a "fake" scoop on my MC too. but im sure I get alot colder air to my intake

 

I personally, would not buy a 1st year car. These puppies seem to be having issues in the UK, but what do I know....

Second, I don't "hate"the R56 (I am on a waiting list for a R55 Clubman next year) but I am not overly happy with the design changes that this car has gone through. Those dislikes have been talked about ad naseum.

For better or worse, the R56 appears to be a very polarizing car in ways that the outgoing car and heck even the Classic Mini never was. No one seems to be unhappy with the new powertrain, rather with the overall looks and feel of the whole package.
I suspect that MINI will conduct a facelift of the R56 in less than 2 years. That will coincide with the end of the warranty coverage of my '05 R53. At that point I will hope for an even better R56. If the car then still fails to tickle my fancy, I will keep the R53 and add a full blown JCW kit to it and keep it for as long as I possibly can.

 

Hi Chainfire(sp), It's a mystery why this happens. I would suggest that since I had feelings very close to yours when I first got to NAM and it got to me too. Try to ignore the things you don't like about posts. There is certainly a difference offering an opinion and bashing. Sometimes an opinion seems like bashing when it really was not meant that way. On the other hand sometimes people post something that is a bash intentionaly. If you read something that strikes you as bashing try to ignore it. If you read something you think is an opinion that differs from yours and is expressed in a way that shows respect for differing opinions then it might be worth discussing in a respectful way.
I got caught up in trying to be a defender of the 'good name' of R56, R56 owners and the future of the MINI line in general.
In the end I realized that I was just ruining my time on this forum and MINI or the R56 does not need defending. Just try to take what you feel is useful and try to offer useful stuff. If you feel some posters are not doing this that's their loss.
Remember you get to pick what you pay attention to here. I found I need to choose the discussions that feel useful to me and that make me want to stick around. I've had a much better time here once I made that revelation.
Happy Posting and Happy Motoring!

 

C4,
I hope MINI makes changes down the road that is more pleasing to your aesthetic desires. Personnaly I hope they don't change the design too much, I find the design as a whole very pleasing. I could pick little bits here and there that I would like to change, I won't bother explaining which ones except to say that eliminating the scoop is not a change I would absolutely make. I appreciate your opinion though.

 

All good advise from designerMINI...and welcome to NAM, chainfire!! I will add that a good many MINI-related items have been discussed with similar passion and angst over the years. More the nature of a forum, I guess, and one has to step away from the fray now and again. Don't let it the discussions here dampen your enthusiasm for MINIs one bit. R56 is a winner, but I think we are in "the awkward stage" right at this moment!!!

 

Another really helpful idea to anyone getting irritated at posts is to put the offender on your ignore list. Works wonders and everyone is better off for it.

 

+1 to that and it does provide a little extra air, not directly to the air intake but still.

 

Ignore list -- hey I didn't know about that! What a useful tool. I thought that was only regarding PMs but general forum stuff is much more useful. GREAT!!!

 

Thanks Randy for that bit of info on cooling the turbo! And looking forward to seeing an R56 SportBox.


It does work wonders

 

Sorry if I missed a discussion about this, but, it looks to me (based on photos) that the air intake on the S hood scoop (2007) is blocked by a separate piece. Is this so, is it an integral part of the scoop (i.e., can it be taken off - just the part blocking air flow, not the whole scoop)?

 

LynnEI,
There will be mods that open up the scoop for some purpose other than an air popcorn maker. The Turbo's intake is below the front bumper so the Turbo in it's current configuration does not need the scoop.

 

Because they don't hate the R56? People have been vocal in their opposition of the R56 in hopes that MINI will listen, and rectify those concerns in a future model. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, after all.

 

This is obviously conjecture on my part, but I bet the R56 will handily outsell the R53 and BMW will merrily continue down its own path without giving us a second thought.

I could be wrong. I often am. But that's the way I see it playing out.

dean.

 

Up to a point, I agree with you. But then...look at how they diluted the bangle-ing of the 7-series, or of the 3-series Coupe. They're obviously listening.

 

Excellent point.

I think in the case of the 3 and 7-series coupes they were listening to the masses. I'm not sure our (enthusiasts) voices are as loud as the masses.

Time will tell.

dean.

 

Actually the air intake is located right next to the driver's side headlight, in the space behind the hood.

 

My MCS I picked up yesterday seems to have a revised hood scoop plate that is partially open:



I'm not sure if this helps anything technically, but it's certainly different than the fully-blocked plates I saw on the MCS's that were at the NAIAS two months ago!

Cheers,
Ryan