I just saw the 2007 "in the flesh", so to speak. I see virtually no significant visual difference between the 2 models. MINI caught the first generation overall look to a "T". Better drivetrain, better cockpit finish and overall a tighter package. I think all the naysaysers are just praying and trying to BS everyone that their resale values don't start to plummett.

I think they are all wrong.

2007's in the showroom, my 2006 just took a multi thousand dollar hit in the wallet.

Looking at a base 2007 S as we speak...

 

CDMINI before you get all excited about that R56 MCS, read these threads:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/

Lots of issues with the clutch and flywheel for which MINI doesn't have a fix at the present time.

Buyer beware.

 

I'll take your bait and give my first "live" impression of the R56. I stopped by Mini of Sterling last Sunday and they had around 20 of the new breed on hand.

I do not like it, the high nose does not flow as nicely with the rest of the lines. Though it may be an optical dillusion, at some angles I swear it looks like the front lines go up rather than down towards the grill. The rear hatch bulges out which reminds me of my own beer gut (Hah) over my belt, the rear roof pillars are rather square, the headlights are huge with the funny looking turn signals inside, the s-lites have the lug cover, I prefer the lugs. The muffler on the S when viewed from a driver angle stands out way too much, almost appearing as a bad aftermarket hanging job.

On the good side, I like the interior options, the new yellow is a nice color, the lower grill and larger fogs look nice too. I would bet that the ride is better and that the new engine is smoother, there's always improvements with the next generation.

I'm sure it is a situation of "To each his/her own" Some will love it and others will not.

As for my Wensleydale, I'm not concerned with resale values, I just love her as she is.

Cheers

 

This post is SO bogus.

I would hope that anyone visiting that page would check out both of my posts there. One analyzes all posts relating to problems on the R56 prior to 2/7/07, and the other asks for input from people who got their cars after 2/1/07.

And CDMINI, it looks to me like you came in here just looking for a fight .. Looking to fan the R53 / R56 fire. I hope not too many people get sucked in by this.

 

To be fair, sounds like a few cars left the factory as the guy torquing things down was on a tea break with his buddy from QC.

They have suggested a fix: replace the clutch and flywheel.

What they don't have is parts. As the R56 is so new, it appears MINI is dedicating parts allocation to production. Not to dealers. So replacement stuff is hard to come by right now.

 

I went through the clutch problems with my 2001 Miata. It only took Mazda 4 years to fix the problem. Hopefully BMW won't have a chronic problem this time.

 

Not...deaf, dumb, or blind...I'm on-board!!!! Some of the details look quirky on their own, perhaps (or just different from R50/53) but step back and look at the whole car? Everything fits nicely. Kudos to the designers walking the fine line between creating a whole other MINI and creating one that still looks so much like the former.

 

Agreed.

 

I drove a 2007 S on Saturday. I followed it up with a drive in an ’06 S. The new model is, without a doubt, a vast improvement over the previous model in terms of comfort and refinement. The ride in the '07 S with sport susp. and 17" wheels was much more supple and smooth than even my '03 Cooper with regular susp. and 15" wheels. It was very quiet and the interior, ohh the interior. It was just as comfy as my Volvo! The new telescoping steering wheel and slimmer center console allowed me to stretch out my legs without having to reach too far for the steering wheel. My right calf gets fatigued from leaning against the center console in my ’03, but not so with the ’07.

The new body on the ’07 does look nice, especially with the chrome package, but it’s gotten fatter (like most cars these days). It’s very noticeable in the front, where the bonnet line is taller and the nose more squared off (I presume this is due to new European pedestrian safety laws).

The end result is a car that is better in just about every way, but also lacking in some of the key areas where the ’02-’06 shines (go-kart feel, etc.). The faults of the ’02-’06 models that the new one corrects are already easily forgiven because they are so darn much fun to drive and own. The new model is still a blast, but it feels watered down. IMO, the ’02-’06 model just about hit the nail on the head as far as recreating a modern (and viable) version of the original Mini. This new model takes that idea and twists it into something the original never was – an exceedingly nice automobile. I think it will do very well.

Go ahead, flood the market with used ’02-’06 Minis and drive the used market down. The resale value is already incredibly high. (of course, I say this as someone who has no plans to hand over his keys anytime soon.)

 

Actually, MINI UK has instructed dealers to not to fix any R56's that exhibit the transmission noise when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. One of the MINI2.com users (Popey) had the clutch and flywheel replaced to have the noise re-appear days later. Now MINI UK customer service tells him that MINI does not have a fix for the problem at this time If you read the threads carefully, some are already going thru the "rejection"process with varying degrees of success.

Paul Mullet, owner of MINI2.com, is also in the rejection process. His new R56 MCS has a steering wheel creaking noise that his local has not been able to fix. The car has been 25 days out of service and counting. he also has a misaligned rear hatch that is allowing water to enter from the back

The R50/53 had many maladies during its first 2 years in production. I just don't see a different outlook for the R56.

If you currently own a fairly reliable R50/53 with factory warranty, hold on to it and keep it for another couple of years until MINI sorts out the issues these cars are having.

 

What is so bogus about when MINI UK tells R56 that there are no known fixes for their transmission/steering issues

I admire the fact that you have gone to great lengths to separate fact from fiction, but you have to admit that the initial batch of these cars exhibit less than stellar quality control, don't you?

This is not R56 bashing. This is the "other" side of the discussion where things are not exactly rosy and shiny as many would have you believe.

This is 2002 all over again, baby!

 

I can't believe your bashing the new car. What's the point?
Let the R56 owners have their day. The first gen days are over in the spotlight. Time to move on to the next generation. Out with the old ... in with the new. Time moves on.

 

I was informed that resalve values in local dealer's auctions here in South Florida for used MINIs remain strong in despite of the R56 debut.

 

Why does this sound like your desperate to make the older generation sound better than the new. Are you feeling vulnerable? The attention is moving away from the old.

Why not just let the new owners have their day in the SUN

 

Well, we are on the waiting list for a new '08 R55 so I am very closely following developments with the new car because this baby is in our immediate future.

I know you hate and despise the "old" car, Chows. Make no mistake But new is not always better and old is not always bad

My '02 MC CVT will be replaced with the R55 next year and 2-3 years down the road I'll either decide to keep my R53 or "upgrade" to a 50th anniversary 2009 R56 MCS JCW.

But you are right in one aspect..... This time around, I am letting my fellow early R56 adopters do all the beta testing work for me. Back in '02 that was my full time job for 8 months, I quite frankly, I do not care to repeat the experience.

 

See the first post:


I think all the naysaysers are just praying and trying to BS everyone that their resale values don't start to plummett.

I think they are all wrong.

2007's in the showroom, my 2006 just took a multi thousand dollar hit in the wallet.

No numbers no facts, just BS to start yet another flame war.

And Chows, why is it that every post of yours of late seems to be like a desperate attempt to discredit the previous car and its owners?

Care to elaborate about your little crusade?

 

Then you're the one who's blind.

Why is it so hard to believe that we just don't like the way the car looks? I don't care about resale, I have no plans to sell my '05.

I'd pay more for a '93 Saab 900 than I would for a '94, because I think that the '93 was the last attractive one that they made. For plenty of people, the '06 MINIs are going to become the most sought after model year, because they are the last year of the first generation, whose looks and character many prefer.

Why can't we just agree to disagree, or have a spirited debate, instead of accusing each other of dishonesty?

 

Well put Chris. Here is a dude "trading in" (first mistake) a car that probably is not even 1 year old (equals bit hit at the wallet), what does he expect???

People that get tired of their cars within one year of use, should lease, because changing cars often, like changing shirts is a mighty expensive habit. But to each his/her own.

Working at a dealership I saw my fair share of these types....

 

Isnt less than 1 week since the debut a bit early to make that claim?

 

Resale values change fairly quickly Dealer's only used car auctions are the true gauge regarding market values. Not Edmunds, Not Blue or black book, but the auctions..

 

This is just as dumb as the MC vs MCS debate.

People can prefer a less powerful, more efficient car.

People can prefer an older car.

People can prefer to drive Chevy Citations instead of MINIs.

 

Why the hell are these same people who are so full of criticism for the R56 spending so much time in the 07 forum?

For crying out loud - give it a rest and get lost already.

 

OK, I read through todays posts. The thread has been updated since I saw it last a day or two ago.

So it seems the problem you have described is effecting one owner on MINI 2... and one more on a Scottish board reporting the same thing.

Paul's issues are the wonky boot and a stearing wheel noise (that sounds just like what was happening to my dad's BMW 5).

My bad.

 

msh441, not at all your bad. Just wanted to point out today's update. I am afraid the clutch/flywheel problems are just the tip of an iceberg.

MINI claims they will have a "fix" at the end of March production. If I were to order, I would wait a few more months to see if the "fix" takes care of the tranny clatter noise.

 

Because we are here to stay, baby


What are you going to do about it? censor us?