Get over it people they are two different cars!!!! (Hey isn't that why they have seperate forums) Each car has it pluses and minuses. Many of the pluses of the 53 were removed and replace with something different. Its different so its not for everybody, but different for some people its all the world better. Its called personal preferance everybody has one, having a different opionion and not liking a change in features is not saying the other is a piece of crap. I've got 2k words of opinions and observations on my experiance with the R56 going over pluses and minuses that I won't share because I have preferances different than some people. And some of my opinions are even a lack of fixing minuses in the 53. Neither car is perfect. But one will consequently make one person more happy than the next person. Thats life move on.

See its comments like these that make me keep my opinions to myself, and do nothing that lead to division.:(

 

Looking at the R56 from an industial design standpoint (contrast, concinnity and novelty), I think a lot of peoples' opinions of the R56 will change (for better or worse) as the novelty of the changes wears off.

Remember the "monochrome" look of the 80's? The one where all of the paint, the trim, emblems and wheels were the same colour? From an industrial design standpoint, the loss of contrast made for a poorer design, but the novelty initially outweighed the loss of contrast in the design, tipping the overall design into the positive.

As time went by and the novelty of the monochrome look wore off, it was no longer able to overcome the loss of contrast, and the look became less popular.

Other designs (like the '58 Edsel) also had a lot of novelty, but in the case of the Edsel, the novelty was received poorly, and so the overall design was perceived as negative. Decades later, the novelty has worn off, along with its negative effects, and the Edsel is better regarded among collectors than it initially was among purchasers.

So right now, the novelty of the changes in the R56 has a great influence on peoples' overall perception of the car, for good or for bad. As time goes by and the novelty wears off, some of the people that were initially put off by the changes will be bothered less and less, while other people that were initially enamored of the changes will be less thrilled by them once the "newness" wears off.

 

Not sure I've heard bashing.

I have heard that the R56-S has smoother torque over a braoder range, but I've also heard that driving the R53-S is a more visceral experience, providing more aural and tactile excitement. It's win-win.

I've heard that the R56 drives smoother over rough surfaces. I've also heard that the R53 doesn't and that the rougher ride results in a more exciting drive. It's win-win

I've heard that the graduated steering on the R56 results in best possible steering ratio for the speed being driven. I've also heard that the R53 steering provides more feel for the road. It's win-win

I've heard lot's of comments on the exterior and interior design but that's just a matter of personal taste. What great book was it that said, "We don't see things the way they are, we see things the way we are". And who was that long ago would-be poet that said, "Everybody loves change, as long as it's to something they're used to.

Seriously, from the perspective of someone new to this forum, I haven't read any of these posts as bashing posts, to me they just seem to state differences. I can see though how some of the posts might be perceived as bashing.

 

A MINI is a MINI.
I really don't think I or anyone else in this forum has the supernatural powers to look into the minds of the engineers, designers, marketing people and janitors at BMW/MINI and tell everyone they represent the "truth" about what has made the current version the way it is. That's what has caused much of the heat in these debates, in my opinion.

IMO both generations (plus the original incarnation) are unique cars and reflect the times they were designed and both current generations pay homage to the Classic in different ways.
I think I'm going to start all my posts with "IMO" from now on.

 

IMO, Very well said

 

I think the R56 is so lousy i'm going to buy one,by the way I have a R53.Q

 

That'll teach ya.

 

...

Um I stated that both parties do it but since there are obviously more R53 posters/owners on this board its pretty common to see it more from 1 side then the other..

Both sides though are quite retarded when they do argue.. But thanks for reading that out of context and not thinking about it!