It aint the meat, its the motion...

Southside Johnny

 

So your R53 on 16" tires handles better than the R56 MCS on 17s that you test drove? Wow. That's incredible to say the least.

 

Sorry but the R56 is a better looking car, to me of course.

 

Is not the tires. The car needs a sway bar in the rear. Lowering it should help as well

 

Perhaps when you were "sliding" you were understeering? Depending on your driving style the R56 may have a tendency to do that more with extra torque available at all RPMs. This may have made the car feel less neutral than your R53 and hence your feeling the car did not handle as well.

 

You know I was thinking that the weight distribution in the R56 tends to make it a little heavier towards the front than the R53. The extra torque can definetely be felt throught the power range, so it could well have an effect during cornering. I don't think my tester had LSD from factory.

The optional SS+ is firm but absorbs bumps and dips extremely well. I was also pleased with the lack of nose diving during hard braking. The brakes are very grippy. The remind me of the stock MINI brakes fitted back in early build 2002 cars.

 

Here's hoping the Sport Suspention helps with this. Supposed to (at least) come with a thicker rear bar.

DANG IT! Posted at the same time! Too slow on the draw.

From what MINI was saying during the long initial press release... center of gravity on the newer car has been lowered and shifted approximately 2-4 inches to the rear when compared to the R53.

So you drove the Sport Suspention? It helped? Or no?

 

Yeah but the car already had SS+ suspension and sport button active. Yep sway bar may be a wise thing to do, aside from lowering the car which for some reason sits too high for my taste.

 

To be fair, there are other reviewers out there that prefer the handling of the R53 too--there is a camp that thinks the R56 is a bit squirrely, and have issues with the loss of feedback in the steering. I haven't driven the R56 yet, so I can't tell from personal experience.

The bottom line is that most people--and virtually all people who look at the R56 as a daily driver will prefer it--but a substantial minority will still prefer the R53 (Go over to Mini2; there are plenty of people who have driven or owned both that prefer the R53's handling. Not the majority, but a substantial minority).

But who cares? Why do we keep arguing this--no one's going to change anyone's mind; there is plenty of bias on both sides here (although the R53 lovers are accused more of being biased, and the R56 users are portraying themselves as objective, I think the reverse is also true--many of the R56's are just as biased, but then again many of the R53's aren't being very objective either), so just let it go....

 

It has an anti-sway bar stock


I'm surious why you keep talking about the sliding "even with the sports button pushed". What do you think the button affects?

 

No doubt those would improve things, but many people who have driven both cars much more than you have are likely to know that the 16" tires on an R53 are not likely to give it any advantage over an R56 with 17s. If I were you I would question my data set and temper the tone of my conclusions in response, if I wanted to appear credible.

That's interesting. Let me guess - the MC was also on 16s, 15s maybe?

So by all means, go with your conclusions. Post your "review" at MotoringFile. Make sure to include all the details of the tires on both cars you are comparing, because I or somebody else who has read here will back you up if you don't. I would be very happy to point out the absurdity of your conclusion. Or you could be responsible and temper your opinions. Really, I'll be happy whatever you choose.

 

To the best of my knowledge, the sport button affects throttle response and steering firmness. I make an emphasis on the sport button to illustrate my point that the car was test driven at the "highest"possible setting of sportiness.

Here is the deal guys..... For most everyday driving this issue may never be of any relevance, but for those of you that like to drive a little harder and push the envelope a little further it may become more noticeable.

I have said many times already... This car blew me away in most respects. I still have reservations about the design, the interior center stack, the light clutch pedal, the electronic turning signal (annoying) and the steering feedback at higher rates of speed. Nothing that a few tweaks here and there can't fix.

The car is incredible and has so much more potential is mind blowing. What will get me in a R56 will be the JCW option.

 

The Cooper felt lighter up front. Felt more tossable. It was really fun.

 

Being your R53 is bone-stock I think I can understand your test drive perceptions. A stock R53 below the limits gives a great perception of greater grip and capability than it really has. The R56 doesn't have that magic-perception; it's less magic and more old-school in terms of suspension feedback. The R56 certainly bobs, sways and dips more than an R53 in stock form, however from my test drive the R56 [standard suspension] seemed quite balanced, and even when stabbing WOT at a corner apex, it refused to push, tracking through the corner very well. My test drive didn't include any high-speed on/off ramps, just surface roads, so I can't yet comment on the R56's high speed cornering capability. In the end, the on-track, on-Dragon, and autocrossing results will prove which platform handles better, regardless of perceived magic or "slide".

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Cool. That's the plan. Don't have the car, but I have the springs allready.

cct1: I didn't think a MINI could be "Too squirrley"...isn't that the go kart feeling everyone wants! ...and what the heck is a "substantial minority"!?! (kidding - of course)

 

Why let it die? What we need is a run off! Stock or sport suspension MCS on MCS with an identical set of wheels and tires by the same unbiased skilled FWD driver over the same course. As many runs as the driver needs to get a good run. They should do it at the next MINI get together in Las Vegas. Who can organize?

Run a non-MINI owner judged beauty contest too, so the R53 can win one.

 

I drove an R56 MCS at the weekend too.

My initial thoughts are.....

Its more comfortable - the seats are nicer and the telescoping wheel allowed me to get comfortable quickly.

The clutch is rather light - kind of Honda light - nice for commuting.

The gearbox was smoother that my (05) MCS - nicer gear change.

The engine is much quieter, not sure if this is the turbo effect or extra sound proofing.

On the road the engine felt slightly down on power compared to my MCS, but there where not many miles on the car, so I expect it would be better once it was looser.

The steering is lighter, but retains the connected feel. On the freeway, lane changes where not accompanied by the usual suspension 'crash/bang' noises and there is plenty of 'go' in 6th gear at 60mph.

In general the ride felt somewhere between my MCS and my wife's 325i. I attacked a few corners and it felt planted and stable too.

When we got back to the dealership we had a good look around it.

I can live with the electronic indicator switch - its pretty neat/cute.

I cannot however imagine living with that key - its HUGE - way too big and heavy, not to mention gimmicky.

All the rest of it was nice.

Then the shocker, the pricing.....

I recently sent off the last check for my MCS, its bought and paid for now. In order to 'upgrade' to the latest '07 with a similar group of options, I would need to drop something like $12K

The R56 is great, but not that great, at least not now.....

 

From the initial pictures it seemed like it was going to be the size of a hockey puck. I was surprized how small it was and how easy it was to use. The previous fob must have been extremely small. Maybe we can get a side by side picture soon.

 

I thought I saw a comparison of the FOB's on mini2 but I can't seem to find it now.

 

Didn't it go up a whopping $400 on the base price?

I think this would be the same say, if someone went to upgrade from an '03, to an '05. Just the nature of the car market. I would tend to agree with you, though. Keep the one that's paid for.

 

Well, its not like we are debating whether you would rather "dance" with say eva longoria -vs- charlize theron (both have nice proportions but diffrent apeal).....but rather more like rosanne barr -vs- _______(insert hot girl of choice).....I don't care how good the moves are her proportions are all wrong. Maybe you like big girls, and thats ok.... but you cant deny that a big girl is a big girl. So maybe you like the R56 but the styling is off a bit and it is off because of stupid pedestian regulations that forced a nearly perfect design out of proportion.

 

Planeguy - follow the usher, left field is right this way...

 

I do believe folks who out-and-out think R56 is "ugly" are in the minority based on everything I've seen and read. Not that this matters...is their right to think as they choose. Just don't be expecting many to be in agreement, that's all.

I test drove both Cooper and MCS yesterday and it will do very nicely for my running around the neighborhood, thank you.

 

You say "nearly perfect" because of the hood scoop, right? Whereas the MC bonnet actually was perfect, right?

I agree with you 100% on the flawed R56 styling, though I don't agree with your analogy. It's more of a change in shape than in size. Instead of a bulldog, now we have a manatee.

I only think it's ugly compared to the R50-53.

 

Nah, not a manatee - no big jowly cheeks. If you must have a sea life analogy, then a grouper (gruper?) - I'll buy that.