For all of my NJ VDC brothers and sisters... Keep the faith. My MCS came Friday. I checked it out over the weekend, test drove some cars, and left mine with the dealer for some mods to be added (primarily new 17-inch wheels).

I'll give you another review, for what it's worth. I guess you’d have to call this a “regular guy” review.

Here's a bit of background, so you understand a little more about my perspective. I am a former soccer player (best way to describe me because that’s practically all I did for the first part of my life), now in the software business, and just hit my forties. I'm a very regular guy at this point, with a wife and daughter, and spend my off family time working on my house and yard (in suburban DC), and being a fan of college and pro sports. I have three other vehicles, all with different utility. I decided to look at a Mini one day after test driving a Lotus Elise, and loving the zip and handling, but feeling impractical about it. I also tend to be a person who is self-conscious about looking like I’m trying to impress anyone. My wife drives a nice one she likes, but is not my style. I’ve had some sporty cars, but I’m certainly not a racer, or even a guy who understands much about the mechanics of cars (though it is beginning to interest me).

This automobile I was looking for is to drive around for work daily, and more than one person suggested that the nearest practical thing to the Lotus (which was fun, but silly to drive around every day), especially with regard to reactive handling, was the Mini. I test drove a 2006 (R53), loved it, and trusted BMW by deciding to put down a deposit for the 2007 (R56) sight unseen. I went with an all black MCS, chromeline in and out, and every performance option.

My first impression, seeing a number of new Coopers parked out front finally this weekend, alongside some R53s, is that the differences are extremely subtle. Unless I was looking for it, I didn’t really notice. Just looking at the lineup of cars, there were some that I loved of each version. Red with black stripes is just gorgeous, as is British racing green, etc. I just didn’t care what version they were when I saw all those cool Minis. It was only when I decided to look at them very carefully next to one another that I made these observations:

1) The front end of the R56 looks a bit more aggressive and masculine, while the R53 more racy and aerodynamic.
2) The side profile and the rear view of the R56 also look a bit more like the car had been lifting weights and taking its vitamins, while the R53 a bit leaner.
3) I actually preferred the orange headlights, much to my surprise, over the white/clear ones on the R56, but I still liked the look of the R53 ones better.
4) The rear fog lights on the R56 I think give it a little something I can’t explain – I like them.

Overall I feel that the new car exterior fits my style better, though I can definitely see why some might prefer the other.

Then I checked out the interiors. After seeing all the pictures here, the interior surprised me the most, in a very positive way. Believe it or not that center “speedo” looks pretty damned good. It certainly is unique. The controls are absolutely unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and nobody is going to be able to borrow your car and have a clue how to adjust anything, but I don’t want anyone else driving this car anyway. I will adapt. The black lounge leather seats were absolutely the nicest I have ever seen. Shaped a lot like Porsche seats, dare I say seemed to be that level of quality, and the cream trim looked excellent matched with my cream colorline. The wood dash was certainly real wood and looked excellent. The redwood red seats are pretty cool too. Not my choice, but very flashy, and it makes nearly the entire interior that redwood color. Everything else looked damned good as far as the interior options I saw, but as far as I am concerned, I did it right with the black lounge leather. I was very happy with the anthracite headliner also, because the light one wouldn’t have been right for this all dark car. (I actually think anthracite looked better in pretty much every car though.) Leg room was great. Head room was great. I think I like the sun roof, but we’ll see.

Though it was a brief ride, and I wasn’t able to drive my own yet (hadn’t been dealer prepped), I was very happy that it is indeed still a driver’s car – No doubt. I don’t want to act like I know enough about either car yet to be worth anything to you in discussing the differences, but the R56 definitely seemed a bit peppier, and certainly softer in the suspension than what I remembered about the earlier version Mini. It made me, again a pretty regular guy non-enthusiast (yet), happy. I’ve owned some pretty respectable sports cars, and this is a pretty respectable sports car.

When I got to look at and sit in my own car there were a few maybe relatively minor disappointments:

1) No wood steering wheel, **** or brake. (a shame, but they said it was a safety issue)
2) The color is black, and I wanted black, but it has kind of an eggplant tint to it. We’ll see if I can get used to that.
3) When the sunroof is open there is a weird screen thing that pops up, instead of a solid flap. (You won’t know what I’m talking about till you see it.)

As far as I am concerned, I did the right thing in ordering the R56 though because:

1) I like that it is a new model that will probably be current for the entire time that I own it.
2) The better fuel economy makes me feel more practical (one of the first things people ask me about seems to be estimated mpg)
3) I like the stronger look a little better.
4) I like the finer interior better.
5) I like the additional quickness and easier suspension.

Having said that, again I fully respect the opinions of those who prefer the earlier model, and it really looks so similar to all but the die hard types here, that if I were an R53 owner, I would not feel like I was driving something outdated at all. (unlike I do with BMW’s every time they restyle their models).

Anyway, there it is. My regular guy review, for what it’s worth to a bunch of more than regular Mini enthusiasts. I’ll share some pictures when I have a chance. Thanks for reading.

- R

 

Thanks for the review. I must be a regular guy too, because I see it the same way you do.

Enjoy your new car.

dean.

 

Very well done review! Not everyone is an experienced 'enthusiast' here, I'm certainly not, well except for in my head and my heart. I read a lot of my feelings oin what you wrote -- lots of validation in there for me.
Thanks and happy motorn'

 

Awesome review W84R56! I enjoyed the "regular guy" perspective. As a "hardcore" car nut, I know I sometimes get lost in over analyzing every detail and trying to squeeze every last pony. It's nice to take a step back and see a fresh perspective. I look forward to taking delivery of my R56 knowing it's a new experience.