R56 The R56... a tall man's perspective
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,208
Likes: 0
I don't think so but I bet you wouldn't have trouble swapping them with an MC owner.
Seems the MINI is the affordable sports car for us tall folks. I didn't know the MINI sunroof took up that much space but I didn't want one in any case. I would have bought an MX-5 last summer if the top were a few inches higher and an S2000 many times if it were larger.
Seems the MINI is the affordable sports car for us tall folks. I didn't know the MINI sunroof took up that much space but I didn't want one in any case. I would have bought an MX-5 last summer if the top were a few inches higher and an S2000 many times if it were larger.
The R56 has masses of space in comparison.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
So yesterday I finally got a chance to drive an 07 MC Auto. Went to the dealer to pick up some parts from Service, but a friend who is an MA, happened to be there so I took one out for a spin.
I currently have an 03 MC CVT so an 07 MC Auto was something I wanted to try, even though I would not consider one, just to compare apples to apples.
Right of the bat, the car feels bigger inside and out. Sitting in it with my head less than an inch from the sunroof, I can clearly see the higher bonnet hump over the drivers side. Much bulkier looking from my view.
The interior while more comfy and super quiet, not to mention just better put together (and when I say this, I am talking about rattle, noise free,etc NOT asthetically) ... it just doesn't feel "sporty" anymore. The dreaded "refined" word kept creeping up and even my MA friend spoke of it. Now this is not necesarilly a bad thing ... especially compared to the rattles and creakiness of my 03 but some magic is lost in the translation.
The interior on the new one is still overwhelming visually. The speedo is outrageously big. When I got back into my car minutes after the test drive, my speedo felt downright normal size. It was like the difference between Flavor Flav's neck clock and a wristwatch
ok, not that drastic but you get the point. The dash colors, the seat colors, the dash trim colors ... this car can go from classy looking to clown car in a matter of a few check box clicks on the configurator ... and it just makes the cabin look busy to the eye.
Onto the test drive. The car feels more ballsy right off the bat. Almost R53 stock MCS ballsy ... hit the SPORT button and its even more so.
The steering wheel however is much more disconnected from the road than the R53, not sure if this is because of the quietness of the cabin or the far cushier suspension ... but it is very apparent. Still handles corners and anything that you throw at it with ease ... but there is something missing.
the Auto tranny, while supposedelly the same as on the R53 MCS, feels far superior to it. Smooth, almost CVT smooth, at points I did not feel it switching gears. Do I like it better than the CVT? Not sure, I could live with it ... but I love the jerkiness and weirdness of the CVT at low speeds ... 99% of people hate it, but I dig it.
The car, I feel is a logical progression for the MINI, without a doubt more geared towards the Average Joe more so than the enthusiast, but really not once did I get that grin or inner "holy s**t" like when I drove the R53 for the first time. I can imagine however a whole new slew of customers that never drove an R53 will most likely experience this ... although I have yet to see a review anywhere online or off that I felt the reviewer freak out over the car.
I currently have an 03 MC CVT so an 07 MC Auto was something I wanted to try, even though I would not consider one, just to compare apples to apples.
Right of the bat, the car feels bigger inside and out. Sitting in it with my head less than an inch from the sunroof, I can clearly see the higher bonnet hump over the drivers side. Much bulkier looking from my view.
The interior while more comfy and super quiet, not to mention just better put together (and when I say this, I am talking about rattle, noise free,etc NOT asthetically) ... it just doesn't feel "sporty" anymore. The dreaded "refined" word kept creeping up and even my MA friend spoke of it. Now this is not necesarilly a bad thing ... especially compared to the rattles and creakiness of my 03 but some magic is lost in the translation.
The interior on the new one is still overwhelming visually. The speedo is outrageously big. When I got back into my car minutes after the test drive, my speedo felt downright normal size. It was like the difference between Flavor Flav's neck clock and a wristwatch
ok, not that drastic but you get the point. The dash colors, the seat colors, the dash trim colors ... this car can go from classy looking to clown car in a matter of a few check box clicks on the configurator ... and it just makes the cabin look busy to the eye.Onto the test drive. The car feels more ballsy right off the bat. Almost R53 stock MCS ballsy ... hit the SPORT button and its even more so.
The steering wheel however is much more disconnected from the road than the R53, not sure if this is because of the quietness of the cabin or the far cushier suspension ... but it is very apparent. Still handles corners and anything that you throw at it with ease ... but there is something missing.
the Auto tranny, while supposedelly the same as on the R53 MCS, feels far superior to it. Smooth, almost CVT smooth, at points I did not feel it switching gears. Do I like it better than the CVT? Not sure, I could live with it ... but I love the jerkiness and weirdness of the CVT at low speeds ... 99% of people hate it, but I dig it.
The car, I feel is a logical progression for the MINI, without a doubt more geared towards the Average Joe more so than the enthusiast, but really not once did I get that grin or inner "holy s**t" like when I drove the R53 for the first time. I can imagine however a whole new slew of customers that never drove an R53 will most likely experience this ... although I have yet to see a review anywhere online or off that I felt the reviewer freak out over the car.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
My 2 cents... Yesterday, I let a buddy of mine drive my MCS. He is 6'4" something and after adjusting the driver's seat, had no problem finding a comfortable position to take advantage of the Mini 
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 651
Likes: 9
From: Chicago
I'm 6'5" and have plenty of room in the front. In fact, I don't need to put the seat all the way back. The MCS is very comfortable and a blast to drive!!
The back seats are more Porsche rear seat sized - more for looks than anything else in my view. If back seat room is a priority, keep on looking.
The back seats are more Porsche rear seat sized - more for looks than anything else in my view. If back seat room is a priority, keep on looking.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Navigation & Audio HK Replacement With New Components
Filmy
Navigation & Audio
15
Jun 6, 2023 06:27 AM
Khai
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
8
Feb 10, 2016 07:43 PM