Great questions, Ken. I, for one, am interested in what JCW, Dinan, and the tuners come up with to modify the R56. I am reserving judgment on the R56 until I have had a chance to drive one or two, pre-mods.

In the meantime, I am very happy for those of you awaiting your new MINIs. It's a wonderful adventure when one gets to spec out their dream MINI. I hope these debates haven't taken away from yours or anyone else's enjoyment of their great new cars.

And for those of you with your new R56s, happy motoring!

 

Great thread.. thanks

 

Hmmm. I got the same impression withe the mcs I demo'd, it was like driving an Integra/RSX type S or GTI or some other hot FWD car with all that ANNOYING torque steer barely evident in R53. Of course there are those on this forum that say "it's no biggie," or "I didnt notice," but 9 times out of 10 they're coming from heavily modded or JCW MCSs.

I really hope that when the JCW version comes out in a couple years that BMW considers awd (according to my MA, this could be a reality) because fwd with a 230 hp+ car and equal (or more) torque, to me, would be undriveable. If not, well then I see a V-8 M3 in my future....

 

I'm thinking about it, but there may be no point. Even if I liked the driving feel better, the differences in engines would probably stop me from switching to an R53. Is yours an S? What mileage do you get? The EPA numbers are something like 25 mpg city, 32 hwy. Real world use usually gets lower than EPA numbers. Compare that to a more powerful engine getting 28-31 mpg (based on user reports here). Most of my cars have been decent handling, but under powered. It would be fun to have something that is more of a pocket rocket for a change. And to be able to have that without eco-guilt inducing mpg is very appealing.

It isn't that the R56 handles badly. It handles very well. With the coaching of the MA I took a circular on-ramp at a fairly high speed and was very impressed with how the R56 handled it. My friend who drives an $85K Porsche and has raced the small formula cars at Sears Point and Laguna Seca was quite impressed. The R56 didn't seem to compromise much in ultimate handling, it just seemed less go-cart like than I expected.

If I drive an R53 and find it does have considerably more of that go-cart feel to the handling, I'll be very torn between the two. There are a lot of things I like about the R56 I would probably have to give up to go with an R53.

 

think of it this way: R53 has it's rough edges and charms with its Rover roots, while R56 is more "refined" and all-BMW. I didn't notice any difference in the "go-kart" handling because I was too busy dealing with the torque steer And if you find you like R53 better, now's the time to try and get one because dealers are discounting them anywhere for $600-$1,500 to move 'em off their lots.

Then U could join the exclusive "I got a nice discount off MSRP on my new MSC" club. And don't let the "You're buying a year-old car" naysayers discourage you because with the MCSs outstanding resale value, this is moot, and might save you a few $$ on registration and plates.

 

The R50/53's at below MRSP right now are a once in a lifetime opportunity. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there has never been a chance to get one like this before.

 

Generally, you are right. The only time I've ever seen a new, non-demo, stock (not heavy with JCW or dealer accessories) R50/53 discounted off MSRP is when my dealer celebrated 65 years in the business last year, and then it was only $500 off MSRP. I've heard of cabrios being discounted some in colder climes as winter approached, but that's about it.

One guarantee: The 2006s will be gone shortly, because the end of the month--and quarter--is approaching, and they might get some further discounts (or be more willing to negotiate) to move them out! Now is the chance, if one doesn't mind a pre-specc'd car.

 

Robin, I agree with MINIclo, you owe it to yourself to drive the R53 and make an informed decision. I did exactly that and bought an R53 ...it suits me better than the R56.

What the others have said about discounts is true ...they are out there.

Of course, savings are meaningless unless its the car you want. I suggest you drive an R53 ...whether you like it or not it will help you decide which of the two cars is right for you. Its a win-win situation.

And if you want a DS/B MCS R56 with Sports Package, sunroof, upgrade sound system, etc ...I know where you can get one without having to wait !

Best of luck to you. I'll tell you the same thing a lot of folks told me when I was struggling with the decision ...either way, you can't got wrong and either way you will always question your decision.

dean.

 

(deleted)

 

That seems to bother you a lot, doesn't it Kenny ?

 

Just for the record ...I am not trying to sway anyone one way or the other. I just think everyone should make an informed decision.

dean.

 

Yeah. But to divert the possibility of this really good string turning into another flamer I'll modify my post.

 

Way to go.

 

Amen.

 

Different strokes for different folks. I test drive both and liked the 07 Cooper better. I keep hearing about it being a new car and that in of itself is reason to be cautious, but I bought a ground-up redesign Lexus IS within 30 days of it starting to ship.

Had one recall in the last 15 months, for the seat belts. Other than that the car has been wonderful. I figure if Lexus can do it, why not BMW/Mini?

 

It's fun to read the different takes on the R53 v R56. If the full JCW option had been available on the R56, I would have waited to hear from some folks re: performance between the two. The only thing which could have made me wait would have been a considerable horsepower upgrade in a JCW R56 and having it available before '08. Otherwise, for what I paid, I could have gotten a slightly used M3- too smooth a ride for me. I'm not sorry in the least, and regardless of the steep ticket of a full JCW R53, there simply isn't another car w/ the performance, flexibility and options available at that price.

 

There are precious few new R53's left. For enthusiast that are in the market, now is the time to jump. Once these are gone, I suspect the used R53 market to stay high, as folks realize the terrific and unique value these cars offer...

 

THANKS mbcoops

 

Nah - no conspiracy. I just think its a rare moment when you can actually get a brand new cooper for under MRSP. 50~53~56 - you could not go wrong.

 

2009 R56 "Facelift"



* Agressive
* Masculine
* Complies with EU Pedestrian safety regulations
* Looks mad all the time
* Sexy roof curving at the back

Anytakers?

 

Guess what?



The R56 taken to new hights of.....

 

It might make a nice little car, but it has lost a lot of the Mini charm. The roofline of the Mini is signature. Mess with that and it loses its Mininess.

 

That's...ugly.

At least they've finally figured out that to have an 'aggressive' looking car, you need to keep the headlights pointing forward, and away from the outside edges.

 

No thanks. Not yet, at least. Too much change. Maybe in 20015-17? That's even MORE overhang in the front. More un-MINI than the mild changes in the R56...and the sloping back. No. You'd have even more people dis-liking the radical departure from the current car. I think MINI has a plan to make more subtle changes keeping the small box concept in tact. So the regular person just really can't tell much difference each year. Ya know?

The next pic looks to FJ-ish. I guess if MINI wants a crossover market vehicle it would be possible. If it was small enough it could be interesting, though.

 

More like a 2004 design student's clay model, not an official concept from MINI. Given the timeframe, it had nothing to do with the R56.