I may be able to get a new R53 a lot cheaper than a new R56. To those who have owned both, what are the major advantages of the R56 that you notice? I realize the engine is revamped but with same HP, but what do you like better about the new model (other than the fact it is new)? Thanks for you comments, this is a great informative forum !

 

You may find this an interesting read: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95158

 

They only have the same HP on paper...that's where it ends. 170 hp and 200 ft/lbs torque at the wheel is the norm we are seeing for the R56 (that equates to roughly 190 HP in comparison to the R53). This car is truely amazing.

 

I like both versions of the MINI. But driving my Cooper for five years, I was ready for some updates. Heated seats, a better stereo with aux input, updated suspension, new turbo engine with more torque yet higher economy, more advanced brakes all sold me on the new style. The engineer in me said buy an 06 mcs and wait till MINI sorted the new cars out. The adventurist in me won, and I bought the new model and haven't looked back. Listen to your heart, make a decision and go with it. Either way, I think you'll be happy.

 

Massive torque off idel.

 

Just a quick comment in response to z3bum: MINIs have had the heated-seat option since 2002. Please, continue the discussion.

 

Aux input isn't really a differentiating factor either... and for better stereos... the DPSM blows away ALL of the OEM R56 stereo options currently available or announced. (as expensive as it is)

 

Haemish, what is the DPSM?

 

It is an OEM sound system upgrade (dealer or self installed). It is not well known or popular because it carries a $1600 MSRP pricetag, plus installation.
MotoringFile review
Ian Cull's installation
There are scattered mini-reviews on NAM and MINI2 if you search.

 

I love my R56! The ride is much smoother than that of the R53 I had before, not to mention faster! The seats are MUCH more comfortable and the interior is much nicer IMHO. I have the anthracite headliner, which looks so much better than the grey in the R53. Don't get me wrong, I loved the R53 for the year that I had it, but I wouldn't trade the R56 for anything! (ok, maybe a porsche 911 twin turbo...but that's it!)

 

You all are correct, save for my particular MINI. To get any of the new features, I would have had to spend thousands. When my car was built in early 2002, the radios weren't updateable, heated seats weren't an option and lots of other stuff like fog lights and suspension mods simply didn't exist. MINI made alot of changes to the cars around April or June of 2002, my car was built in February of 2002. It didn't make financial sense to spend alot of goodie money on a five year old car when the manufacturer was done making them. Mostly of course, I wanted the turbo!!

 

Of course the DPSM have to be better than any R56 Stereo, it cost two times more than the Hi-Fi upgrade on the R56...

By the way, I own an 03 MCS and an 07 MCS, trying to sell the R53 right now. Just saying so you all know that I am not just supporting the R56, I love both MINIs.
The R53 is a great car, but the R56 is better in many ways.
Looks: I just love how the R56 looks soooooo beefed up compare to the R53, put them side by side and you'll see the R56 is the newer of the two. Time moves on, things change and improve including the MINI.

Power: The engine is way underrated, ppl already have their R56 dynoed at 170/200 WHP/WTQ (just as another post said). The new engine produce wicked power with improved fuel economy, what else can you ask for?

Lots of people complain about the "feel" of the R56, saying how it doesn't match up to the R53's. I guess it's just that most of us (including me) are too used to the R53, it will take some time for us to get used to the R56 and also to learn its limits on the track/autoX.

 

Both are fun to drive. The older models have slightly better styling,but the 2007 overall is a far superior car in almost every way. I have no regrets.

 

Actually, Mike, heated seats were available from the beginning, as well as fog lights. Your original post in this thread made it seem like the options you wanted weren't available for R53s, which was definitely not the case. Glad you like your new baby!

 

Not only were heated seats always an option on the R50/R53, but for the very early '02's, a heated windshield was also an option!

I've owned two R53's and now have an R56 MCS. To me they are similar in terms of handling and quaint quirkiness, but their powertrains are worlds apart. The R53 is tough and linear feeling, the R56's turbo engine is very perky and very willing to lunge away at your command. The two cars are different in sensory experience; the R53 being visceral, the R56 more luxury oriented at the expense of chassis-to-driver communication. In terms of quickness from point A to B, I feel the R56 does win out, despite feeling slightly disconnected in comparison to the R53. They are two different takes on doing the same thing. I feel the R56 is a good evolution of the R53, and I'm confident the R56 will earn respect in the coming years as the R53 did.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

rkw is correct, but didn't state what it stood for (although you can see it in the links). It's the Digital POWER SoundModul, a very high-end OEM upgrade to the standard Boost system. Think of it as the JCW of OEM stereo options. It isn't an option for those who have the factory H/K though, unless you're crazy like me. Yep... and as I understand it, they were still available, right up to the end... in Canada. When I recently got a new windshield installed, I considered ordering a heated one from a Canadian vendor, but I wasn't sure it would be worth it... I'd expect it requires a special wiring harness to power it.