R56 That darn R53...
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
If it were me debating between two cars I'd take another test drive back to back, sit in and stare at them to see if I find either more comfortable and which is more visually and tactile-y appealing, and if I wanted the 06 I'd work the sales manager for more of a discount and/or included installed accessories, clearbra/tint or an extended warranty. I think that if you want the 06 and go in ready to buy you can get more $ off or get free stuff thrown in especially considering the miles on it already - after all it is basically costing them money to have it sitting on the lot.
Best of luck, I'm sure you'll be happy with either
Best of luck, I'm sure you'll be happy with either
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
My R56 is due to hit NY next week ...and I am pretty excited about that. So, excited that while passing a MINI dealer yesterday I stopped in to look over the new cars again.
While I was there I found a zero-mileage '06 MCS that is very similar to my spec (all DS instead of DS/B). It has all of the options my R56 will have and adds the premium package and the cold weather package. It's $2,000 less than my car ...it even has the h/k sound system.
Both cars have so much going for them ...they are so similar, yet they are so different. I'd like to put them both into a big blender and create my own version of the MCS.
I didn't sleep much last night ...I am truly torn.
I'd imagine that everyone that prefers the R56 will tell me to get the R56 and everyone that prefers the R53 will tell me to get an R53 ...problem is, I'm not sure which one I prefer.
I like different aspects of them both and styling is more important to me than performance ...here I give the edge to the R53, which is a reversal of my previous position. I spent a lot of time looking at them both yesterday and came away with a renewed respect for the styling of the R53. Since they both go faster and handle better than anything I've ever owned, performance is a non-issue. I like that the R56 gets better gas mileage and the interior seems more comfortable.
Reliability will be of major importance as the car will be my daily driver and I will put about 18K miles on it a year. Any issues the R53 has are all known at this point, whereas issues with the R56 are yet to be discovered ...but it could very well turn out to be the more reliable of the two.
Isn't it funny how much emphasis we place on the looks of our cars? Think about the heated debates we have had over which one looks better. Of course, neither one unequivocally looks better, its all a matter of personal opinion ...and it is that opinion that's gotten me into this mess.
My wife thinks I'm crazy not to get the newer model and my daughter thinks I'd be nuts not to get the one that I think looks better. I asked two of my car-guy pals and they were a split-decision as well.
In the end, I am going to follow my heart ...and at the moment I'm not sure where its taking me.
Please don't post anything like "buy the R5X, the R5Y sucks" ...I prefer to think they are both wonderful cars, hence the difficulty with the decision.
Thanks for reading.
dean.
While I was there I found a zero-mileage '06 MCS that is very similar to my spec (all DS instead of DS/B). It has all of the options my R56 will have and adds the premium package and the cold weather package. It's $2,000 less than my car ...it even has the h/k sound system.
Both cars have so much going for them ...they are so similar, yet they are so different. I'd like to put them both into a big blender and create my own version of the MCS.
I didn't sleep much last night ...I am truly torn.
I'd imagine that everyone that prefers the R56 will tell me to get the R56 and everyone that prefers the R53 will tell me to get an R53 ...problem is, I'm not sure which one I prefer.
I like different aspects of them both and styling is more important to me than performance ...here I give the edge to the R53, which is a reversal of my previous position. I spent a lot of time looking at them both yesterday and came away with a renewed respect for the styling of the R53. Since they both go faster and handle better than anything I've ever owned, performance is a non-issue. I like that the R56 gets better gas mileage and the interior seems more comfortable.
Reliability will be of major importance as the car will be my daily driver and I will put about 18K miles on it a year. Any issues the R53 has are all known at this point, whereas issues with the R56 are yet to be discovered ...but it could very well turn out to be the more reliable of the two.
Isn't it funny how much emphasis we place on the looks of our cars? Think about the heated debates we have had over which one looks better. Of course, neither one unequivocally looks better, its all a matter of personal opinion ...and it is that opinion that's gotten me into this mess.
My wife thinks I'm crazy not to get the newer model and my daughter thinks I'd be nuts not to get the one that I think looks better. I asked two of my car-guy pals and they were a split-decision as well.
In the end, I am going to follow my heart ...and at the moment I'm not sure where its taking me.
Please don't post anything like "buy the R5X, the R5Y sucks" ...I prefer to think they are both wonderful cars, hence the difficulty with the decision.
Thanks for reading.
dean.
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 11
From: Ridgefield, CT
By the way, it is partially your signature picture that has made this so difficult. I see it every day and both of those cars are so slick!
dean.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Dean I think youre in love with this car, and C4 is your enabler...
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
OK Dean, I think you have your Friday evening plans set. Grab the family, head to the dealer, grab the R53, motor down the street towards a nice restaurant and close the day with a nice dinner to celebrate the new addition.
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 11
From: Ridgefield, CT
I wonder why it is I thought you'd be all over this thread like white on rice.
dean.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Bear-chetta! I heard the new song. It's growing on me. I hope the rest is more of a throwback to their prog past and we get some instrumentals and real guitar solos. I also hope the sound quality is up to snuff. Vapor Trails was an overdriven clip-fest that makes listening a chore. In this age of 24-bit 192k/s digital recording, is there any excuse for making a recording that sounds like it was recorded with a SoundDesign cassette deck from 1979? I guess I am old and set in my ways. :impatient
I heard the new song. It's growing on me. I hope the rest is more of a throwback to their prog past and we get some instrumentals and real guitar solos. I also hope the sound quality is up to snuff. Vapor Trails was an overdriven clip-fest that makes listening a chore. In this age of 24-bit 192k/s digital recording, is there any excuse for making a recording that sounds like it was recorded with a SoundDesign cassette deck from 1979? I guess I am old and set in my ways. :impatientI've also heard that Geddy Lee owns a MINI named "By-Tor," but this may be an urban myth.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
And don't fall victim to "My MINI analysis paralysis."
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
Right now is 75F and the heavy rain already passed over us this morning.
What the heck is snow??
OK I'll cut ya some slack tonight!
But your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to reserve that R53 TOMORROW before it is too late. Someone somewhere is reading this thread and already is gotten a headsup on what appears to be one of the very last R53s remaining in the good óle USA.
J/K Dean. Do what your heart tells you and best of luck on your decision.
What the heck is snow??
OK I'll cut ya some slack tonight!
But your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to reserve that R53 TOMORROW before it is too late. Someone somewhere is reading this thread and already is gotten a headsup on what appears to be one of the very last R53s remaining in the good óle USA.
J/K Dean. Do what your heart tells you and best of luck on your decision.
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 11
From: Ridgefield, CT
We have a gentleman's deal. The car has my name on it.
dean.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
If I read that right... Congratulations!
Welcome to the dark side of irreverent R53 owners 
.You are gonna love that sucker! S/C whine, burble and the H/K mmmmm
Man I am so happy for you. I feel like the day I picked up my R53 almost 2 years ago
Dude,
C4 is perfectly on the money here........buy the KNOWN quantity, a proven,
kick-*** grin creator with all the bugs worked out........then wait 2 or 3 yrs and revisit the r56, which will have many kinks worked out. You could also possibly have the choice of AWD or maybe even diesel power at that time, plus any special editions....hmmmm.
Good luck, you win either way!!
C4 is perfectly on the money here........buy the KNOWN quantity, a proven,
kick-*** grin creator with all the bugs worked out........then wait 2 or 3 yrs and revisit the r56, which will have many kinks worked out. You could also possibly have the choice of AWD or maybe even diesel power at that time, plus any special editions....hmmmm.
Good luck, you win either way!!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I own an '06 R53. I came away from crawling all over the '07 R56 feeling glad I bought in '06. But, had I not, I'd be the first in line for the R56. Seize the opportunity (the last such opportunity) to have an R53 -- the R56 will be there for your next go...
Although the decision may be made, I will add my vote for the R53, for one and only one overpowering reason... if you decide made a mistake in getting the R53, it's fixable. If you decide you made a mistake in getting the R56, it's not fixable.
It's a win-win situation. Start with the R53, and your options will still be open to you.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, CA
hahaha. goodluck with your choice in your car :P
i was in the same situation. but being that i'm not as financially well of as i thougth i might be, i've decided with the r53. not much of a difference but for my parents who are supporting me in buying this car(seeing that i'm still a student)
lifts the burdeon of the wallet a little :P
goodluck with your choice :D hahha (good points pointed out :D)
i was in the same situation. but being that i'm not as financially well of as i thougth i might be, i've decided with the r53. not much of a difference but for my parents who are supporting me in buying this car(seeing that i'm still a student)
lifts the burdeon of the wallet a little :P
goodluck with your choice :D hahha (good points pointed out :D)