My MA assures me that there will be three new Minis on display at the Houston Auto Show starting this weekend. He is looking forward to seeing them for the first time as well.

 

Crap, now I'm thinking of driving to Houston. Is that one of those "put 'em on platforms" shows, or is that a "let you sit in 'em" show?

 

You can definitely climb all over them in Houston. I go every year.

 

Checked out the new 07 MCS. So psyched to get mine in a few weeks. My dad and I looked it over stem to stern. Caused a line to form waiting on us to finish sitting in it. Looks great. My only regret is that Mini didn't supply it with an external input for MP3. I will be getting a hookup for my iPod, but it would be nice to have just the standard jack already available. Those are so common on head units. Other than that, the seats were great and I love all the toggle switches. Not sure that the arm rest is worth the cost, but I got mine as part of the bluetooth prep.

 

Did you listen to the audio system? If so, how was it?

Can any R56 owners comment on the standard radio/CD sound?

Thanks.

dean.

 

I thought the new MINI has the aux input as standard? Anyways, did you guys take any pics? I'm dying to see what leatherette looks like.

 

The word from those in the U.K. who have taken delivery of their new R56s is that the standard stereo is terrbile. To a person, they have recommended upgrading to the 10-speaker setup.

 

I'm sure the standard stereo blows my current one out of the water :P

 

My understanding is that in the UK there is a third radio system which is not available in the US. This is the "standard" there, and the system which is "standard" in the US is an upgrade option. Don't remember where I read it, but its here on NAM somewhere - some discussion about the difference in the status display of the radio.

 

If it was there, I didn't see it. I hope I'm wrong. Couldn't try out the stereo since the car was powered up, just had auxillary power to it to run the lights and toggles.

 

I didn't see it either. Here are my pictures.

 

AUX input is hidden under the center stack in front of the cup holders. There are pics on MINI2.

 

and disappointed......they had convertibles and you could compare the two....original nose looked sooo much better. Also the rear quater glass being flat and not wrapping around with black plastic filler panel looked cheap......and the no retro stereo option. Glad I have an 06.

Course I'd kill for a 6 speed in my cooper with cooresponding improvements in power.....so not all bad.

 

I looked on MINI2, but couldn't find a pic. Someone else went to the Houston show after I mentioned it and they couldn't find the AUX Input either. Can you find a link to a pic with it visible?

 

I found the threads at mini2 but the picture links were broken. It's right under the toggle switch area.

 

I'm glad this thread was posted, because I probably wasn't going to this show unless the R56 was there. Now that I know, I can try to get away from work for long enough to go see them and maybe get some photos, too.

Alpine

 

Nice, that will be neat to see!

 

I just got back from the auto show. The Aux jack was tucked away behind the cup holder as mentioned above. I liked the car, large speedo and all. I can fit in the back seat (I'm 5' 11") which hopefully means my young kids can too on the rare occasion I need to put them back there.

I asked the guy about the multi-function steering wheel deal and he didn't really know what I was talking about. The yellow MCS at the auto show has the 3 spoke leather wheel w/o multifunction. The blue MCS has the multi-function wheel.

I also got in the Civic Si since that's one of the cars I was considering too. I like the feel of the Mini better.

-JL