Dave, I haven't been able to find "good" pics of the black/gray leatherette - do you happen to have any good ones?

 

Any idea of the physical differences between the sport and normal suspension.

 

We were told it was primarily a spring change, the sway bars are apparently the same. I believe the dampers are also a little different, but I may be mistaken on that last point.

 

now i'm completely confused as that is exactly opposite of what I've heard from a few places including the MINIUSA configurator (which has been known to make mistakes)


I wonder if anyone knows for sure what the exact differences are

 

EDIT: the following is word for word from the press kit

 

A convert? ok, lost me on that one..
As for the beer.. Ill 100% dissagree with ya.. YOU obviously have never tried OVAL beer. $25.00 a bottle.... damn near it up on the first drink.. Monks do not know how to brew beer

 

Your Picture should be in the MINI hall of fame!
You can send them to me...lol

 

cool!! That's the story I want to hear!



unrelated to suspension:

That mellow yellow "S" pic above has the same tread pattern as the tires that come on jcw 18" rims

 

Dave,

It requires repeating, GREAT PICTURES. Thanks for being there to be the eyes for those of us who couldn't be there. The last shot you posted there, with the hotel in the background is really special.

 

Thanks guys. I'm glad everyone likes the photos. Believe me there was a lot to take in during a concentrated period of time. As a long time MINI owner I felt very fortunate to be able to see all of this first hand. I love the MINI brand, and for all of the talk on the internet about the R56, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I tried my best to keep an open mind with regard to the car and let impressions form based on actual experience with the cars on and off the road.

I'll be posting a review of my R56 experience tomorrow morning.

Here's one from the front

 

Dual Sunroof with both panes open.

 

So, does the front pane still slide back "open"? And if so, does it automatically close the rear pane to do so?

 

Yes and Yes.

 

Has anyone heard/seen if the new iPod adapter will be available here with the launch cars? i know in the UK they are having software issues but the hard ware is out. I'm hoping here it will be a smoooth as buttah install, especially by mid-April when I expect my MCS. On the downside, it'll be one of the first to get it installed with the SatNav, which will likely complicate things.

Anyway, anyone heard?

 

I pick up my Laser Blue Cooper S next Friday and have the ipod adapter speced.. (Also I have Sat Nav speced)

My dealer said that MINI stopped them ordering the parts for a while but now they can again, so they are assuming the software update issue has been solved. I'll let you know next week..

And yes it is a big job w/Sat Nav, here is a pic of someones MINI having it installed:

 

It looks like something that should be offered from the factory!

 

Thanks for the writeup! I think I will be ordering a R56 in a year or two .

 

I'll wait for all the "beta"testers to do the QC for MINI during the first year. I'll gladly order a R56 come 2009-2010. I will be interested in a 50th year anniversary MCS.

In the mean time, we are shooting for a R55 Clubman to replace the wife's '02 MC.

 

Soomething I haven't seen commented on anywhere...


I love (errm.. like) the sound the blinkers make now. Much better than the usual noise.