Well, we just returned from our Christmas holidays in Ireland...of course my primary objective was to visit one of the local Mini dealership new Dublin to see the new '07s.
Im glad to see that there isn't much change (visually) in person as there is when you look at one in print. Of course, us Mini enthusiasts will quickly pick up the differences but they really are quite minute in the grand scheme of things.
Drive ability was pretty much the same. I was bootin' around the tiny streets no problem. That go-cart feeling is still there, no question about it. The handling changes at slower speeds and adjusts to a stiffer ride when you pick up the pace.
Turbo sound...not really. At idle and at slow speeds you may hear it slightly, but more so at the exhaust when you release the throttle and the burble-whine noise can be heard at the tip. Most definitely you will hear the turbo at higher speeds, not to mention the performance gain. (I wish I had the opportunity to try the MCS at high speeds!).
Im glad to see the engine compartment is not all covered up in plastic like some photos ive seen of the early released pics of the '07. Even the turbo is nicely accessible right at the front.
With the redesign of the higher front bonnet (pedestrian safety), there is quite an air gap in between. Plenty of room for aftermarket companies to utilize the 'non-functional' hood-scoop for something like a ram air intake...who knows.

All in all id definitely buy one once my lease it up. The new model looks great, better interior quality, more items shared across the all the platforms, ie. 6speed tranny in the MC, sweet!. The new 2007 is apparently cheaper to build (but still flippin' expensive over in the UK, yikes!). We truly are lucky here in North America! I can't wait to see how they will (or not at all), tweak our version for us.

Here is a link to my photos at the Mini Dealership that day. (Notice the side-by-side comparison pics of an '06 and the '07 at the end)
2007 Mini photos

Cheers.

 

Ace job on the pics Paul, thanks very much. The exterior is really begining to grow on me. Alas, the more I see of the dash, the greater the loathing. Strange, isn't it?

 

thanks for all the pics! I cant wait for them to be released here

 

Thanks for sharing all the pix! I like the blue and the yellow colors! Very nice!

 

Great pics. You must have looked like Mini paparazzi!

I was SO excited to see what I thought was Lightning Blue (what I'm getting) and then I noticed that it was a convertible and so it must be Hyper Blue. I'm hoping some good, high-quality shots of that color surface soon, preferably not having been taken in the rain!

Nice work. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the pix!

Is that the semi-elusive-in-the-R56 Dark Silver at the back, or slightly underexposed Pure Silver?

 

Heh. As the e-mail I just read from my dealer reminds me, the new Convertibles ARE in Lightning Blue now. In fact, I can go see the color in-the-flesh tomorrow if I want! Woo hoo!

 

thanks for the pics, i can't wait to test drive one!

 

Thanks for the pics and your thoughts. I'm waiting on a Yellow S with Blk. I was starting to rethink the Yellow but your pics are solidifying my original pick. I really do like the exterior and I like the interior in a different way. It's toyish to me and that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Thanks again.

 

LOL my wife was calling me the "Paul-parazzi"
The sales staff was pretty friendly and surprise that we don't have the new models in north America yet! So i think they really didn't mind me going to town on the photos. lol
I think my camera did an 'ok' job at picking up the true colours of the Laser Blue and the Mellow Yellow models...but they just looked that much sweeter in person.
I asked the salesman about the built-in radio and that some folks don't like the fact that you can't install an aftermarket deck. His response, basically the quality and the sound coming from the harmon-karmon-made deck is so good (from the Z3 i think he said), that there really isn't any reason why you would need to replace it. He mentioned he had a buddy down town that runs a car audio shop and he said that to get something of this quality and sound in an aftermarket deck you'd be looking at spending over €4000. I spent a good while fiddling with the radio settings and graphics, pretty sweet!
I too was pretty skeptical about the new dash, but just wait till you see it in person. It really does suit the whole new look of the car. I really liked how the air vents protrude from the dash.
I really liked the proximity-keyless entry and push-start!!! Felt like a high performance ignition startup.
I too felt the center temperature climate console looked alittle toyish, but at least the ***** and dials felt sturdy...
Dwdyer, i believe that was the Pure Silver R56 model. It was the fully loaded demo with the Nav system and "Lea Lounge Redwood leather" seats. Shoulda' heard the sound in that MCS!!! I didn't see the price tag on it, but im guessing the final cost was about €52,000 (do the conversion on xe.com)...yeah things are alitttttle expensive in the UK! It felt good coming home in that respect! lol
Below is a closer snapshot (i have the full size in my gallery) of the Laser Blue MCS pricing sheet in the showroom...

Anyway, pm me if anyone wants the full size of any of the photos i posted.

Cheers!

 

Nice PICS

in the last few, is that the Sparkling Silver?

looks like fun

 

Wow! Awesome pics! What did you think of the redwood red leather interior? I don't suppose you have any more interior shots, do you?

 

The redwood leather was very comfortable. Im not a big fan of leather but if i had the cash, id definitely consider it. It suited the interior of that Pure silver very nicely. Imagine redwood leather in a Astro Black!
Unfortunately those are all the pics i took.

 

Thanks for the report, Paul, and taking the time to do it. These really are a big help for those ordering sight unseen right now.

 

WOW....great photos...thanks for all of the work....cant' wait to see them in person.

 

very affirming for me - thank you.

 

great job on the pics, just got a question:
in the picture titled DSC02140 is that MINI on the right lightning blue or something else?
I ordered lightning blue but wasn't expecting it to be that dark.

 

Those are 15" wheels so its an MC. So if its blue that would be lightning blue. The lighter blue is the Laser Blue, only on the MCS. But I think that picture looks like it could be black?

 

Drrn... I really would have loved to seen some detail of the Redwood Red leather. I've spess'd it to a Dark Silver/White car and would love to re-affirm my choice a bit... From what you've said, though... encouraging, for sure.

 

I just came from my dealer, he had gotten in an 07 convertible in Lightning Blue. If you are interested in the color, it might be worth stopping by to see if your dealership got some in.

I gotta say, it's an amazing color. Very glad I ordered it. I took photos, but it's really a difficult color to capture. It has a very very subtle violet/purple aspect to it, but only in certain angles of light. It's a bit darker than the Hyper Blue, and a much richer color. I can promise that ANY photo you've seen online does not quite capture the real color.

 

Hey Paul - thanks for all the great photographs.. :-)

 

Hey thanks for the feedback on my pics. Yeah I just couldn't pass up the chance to take as many photos as i could while i was there. I allllmost had a chance to visit another dealership near Lancaster England but of course due to the Christmas break, it was closed...
Nolamini, that picture i took there is the rear end of the Astro Black MC.
msh441, that photo you have of the red leather in your sig (atleast on my monitor anyway) is pretty close to what i was sitting in.

One of the many "cool" features you can get on the new Mini (but didn't notice it on the '07 models they had instock) is the ambient lighting behind the door handle...It's part of the 'Lighting Package' you can add.
I was fortunate enough to grab the new, just shipped that day, full brochure (about 3/8" thick!) that features all the add-ons and packages available to the new Mini. They just got them in that day but he couldn't give me more than one, sadly. Apparently was only shipped a couple boxes (being so thick, not many in a box). Expensive no doubt.
Tons of new options, like standard built in aux-in, hidden storage compartment in the passanger dashboard (above the glove box)...I hope these options stick when it's time to ship our versions.

I can't wait to bring it along at our next Mini meet this month.

 

That lighting is standard for U.S. production cars.

 

I have the new brochure in german as well as the MINI International magazine. I was at the German dealer looking at 'things' before ordering the us spec

I thinking of renting a MINI here soon, tired of walking everywhere or bussin it. Next weeekend I'm busy, but the next one I think its time for a dirve.....

 

[quote=jmelrose;1305175]I just came from my dealer, he had gotten in an 07 convertible in Lightning Blue. quote]

I tkae it that this was an R53 convertible not an R56? As far as I am aware the R56 convertible is not yet available.