THE EDITED "DISCLAIMER" VERSION.

DISCLAIMER:
This post is written in good faith and humor. The views expressed in this opinon piece are solely that of the author.
It's not inteded to be a real review but a "critique" from the perspective of the author. Any comments written or
implied seen as insults are not the intensions of the author, completely coincidental and should be ignored.
Opinons expressed in this post are not necessarily that of NAM, members, owners, drivers, small animals, most insects,
Ricky Martin, children adopted by Madonna or Angelina Jolee and persons presently deceased.

Important note:
(*) denotes humor
(**) sadly, denotes the truth


Okay, you've heard/read most of this before. However I thought I'd share this UN-expert* review of my 2007 R56
after having it for less than 24hrs.


The only “wieght” I think should be given to my opinion (<edited content> it’s ONLY my opinion) is the fact that I’ve
been a BMW loyalist since 2000 having owned a few of their vehicles including a 2002 and a 2004 MINI. So while I’m
no MINI expert*, I think it would be fair to say my opinion is (somewhat) insightful. However it's important to note my
"critique" is based only on my experience with MINI model years 2002 & 2004. I can't attest to any other years.

So,…….

I’ll begin with a controversial statement so hopefully by the time you finish reading this you’ll have forgotten I <edited content>
you off at the start*!.... As much as I LOVE the BMW brand my '02/'04 R50's felt like they were built and sold with the
integrity of a Ford Motor Company liquidation sale* when compared to the all new R56! The difference in quality alone is
enough to make you scratch a bald spot into your scalp*.

Keep in mind not only did I buy an R50, I bought TWO so I don’t need to be told how “great” it is… My only rebuttle
is that it WAS great for it’s time. I only had to sit behind the wheel of the R56 once to realize (almost) everything
about my '02/'04 was a “rush to production”. While the R56 isn’t the “Lexus”* of small cars the build quality, solid feel,
body integrity and overall engineering made my '02 & '04 feel like the Dodge Neon* of small cars… Doh, wait!... Silly me,…
I forgot, the engine in the R50 was from a Dodge Neon!*.... But I digress*….

As I drove my new R56 home last night after a pit stop to the Shark Tank (to see Ricky Martin** live – don’t ask!)
I realized this new R56 is finally on par with BMW’s interior feel and integrity. Say what you want about BMW “selling out”
or the R56 feels more “generic” or “main stream”, I’m telling you it’s all for the better*. I’d even say the interior quality
of the car feels better than the $25K I paid for it. Truly everything about my R56 is better than my R50's… is this to say
the R50 sucks, absolutely not. It’s just different and BMW can’t be faulted for trying to improve upon a good thing.

I think I know where the “resistance” to the R56 comes from – no one wants to feel like what they have is dated or
less than what someone else has. I can relate! I’ve seen spy pix of the all new 5-series (2009) and I’m already
<edited content> because I know once they appear on the road I’m going to HATE the fact that I still drive the
“old” one*… It will kill me to hear how much “better” it is and how the styling is “less controversial” and how “iDrive” is
better, blah, blah, blah*. Despite this I know it will be an improvement and I’ll be happy with my old, out-dated,
technologically challenged, sub-par 2006 E60 (that will be paid off!)

So for those R50 loyalist I support you! Enjoy your MINI and take care of it – make it last! Then you too can
enjoy your “out dated” car (that is most likely paid for) while we R56ers keep telling ourselves we did the right
thing each time we make that monthly car payment*!

To follow:

<edited content> Absolutely nothing - everything's tied up in legal*

P.S.The upper “secret” storage area above the glove box DOES open on my MC

 

Perhaps a bit gruff toward the "old" MINI owners. But, I was with you, until the Ricky Martin thing. Forget I ever read your post.

 

This thread should be called MINI R50 bashing!! Not really a review at all.

 

Lest we forget the context:



“I would like people to sit on nails – to be extremely uncomfortable all the time." -- Sir Alec Issigonis

 

Your review was indeed not boring, but it also made the error of supposing to understand the thought process of those who prefer the R50/R53. Your judgmental attitude about it simply being an "outdated" feeling is misplaced and not appreciated.

However, on a lighter note I do want to ask you if you have spent any reasonable amount of time with a 2005 or 2006 R50 or R53. The reason being... the "tech refresh" update they did for the 2005 model year improved on the original in MANY areas, notably build quality. For example, the change from a 5-piece to a 3-piece dash alone took care of most of the squeaking and rattling issues that plagued the 2002-2004 model years.

I'm not trying to suggest that even the updated R50/R53 will be as "refined" as the R56 is, only that the difference isn't quite as dramatic between those two as your post suggests.

 

As another current BMW owner waiting for the delivery of a new R56 MCS, I have to agree with the original poster. However, this would make a very interesting thread.

 

iDriveGuy, I couldn't agree more with all of your statements. I think people were way too quick to poo-poo the new R56 without even checking one out. So where are your pics?

 

As I mentioned above, some of his statements were judgemental and bordered on disrespectful... it came close to warranting an infraction. So I would hope that both of you would keep that in mind too, since you agree so readily with "all" of his post.

NAM Site Guidelines are clear on this:Bottom line: critique the cars, not their owners.

 

Sure. I guess I should have qualified the statement. I agree with the percieved quality increase, and I agree that in my opinion the new car is better in many respects that are important to me. The critiques of the other owners I don't necessarily agree with. I would have taken delivery of the '06 Checkmate MCS I ordered if I didn't have to use the money elsewhere last year. So I'm not an R53 hater or R53 owner hater. Just to clarify.

I also must say there have been some pretty rabid R53 people on this board that made personal attacks on people for liking the R56. I've never seen a mod jump in on those threads.

 

I'd like to clarify this too: I agree with the original poster on my perception regarding the quality of the R53 vs R56.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a "hater". At this point I do not have any negative feelings toward the R56 (have only seen one in person so far, so I can't even comment on the interior, drive, etc.) other than I haven't quite warmed up to the new design yet.

However, I think it's quite flawed thinking to purchase a MINI expecting BMW quality. Regardless of what you may want to think about the association between BMW and MINI, the MINI brand is completely separate and in an entirely different category as BMW. Sorry to disappoint anyone, but MINI's are not BMW's, and to expect them to be is silly. If you really want a bimmer, fork over the $$ for it, just don't expect MINI to be a BMW bargain, because it's not meant to be.

Additionally, not everyone is an early adopter. Some people enjoy the thrill (and perceived status boost) of being the first person on the block to have something new. They (for some reason) feel inferior if they don't have something that's better and newer than they had before, and what most other people still have. That's wonderful, but not everyone has that desire. Call the R50/53 "dated" all you want - it may bruise some people's egos, but you're not hurting my feelings in the least.

I openly accept the R56 to the MINI family. It should be a better car than the first generation, after all, it's an entirely new design with six years of improvements in technology behind it! I just have to chuckle at the defensiveness of people who are so adamantly on both sides of this debate.

 

Hey. This seems like a pedullum swing to the other side. I ordered my 2007 MCS because I like it. Not because I will feel inferior if I don't have it.

 

If you (or anyone else for that matter) feels that personal attacks have occurred, then please report the post(s) concerned using the Report Post button (). What has to happen for moderation to occur is for a moderator to witness/observe the matter personally...

Note that post reports are completely confidential to everyone except Moderators. The poster being reported isn't even aware of the report or who made it.I don't care if people call the R53 dated either... it's just an honest opinion... however I do have issues with references to other owners. As I said earlier, critique the cars, not the owners.

 

There was a review Did I miss it Was it hidden somewhere in that long rambling bash
of the 1st generation MINI If anybody finds the "review part" of that review please let
me know because I have no desire to read thru it again

edit to add: I am not an R56 "hater" just an R52 lover

 

Well Said. doodlez, I agree.!!

 

Lmao i thought you were right most of the way and i 2 have a Bmw but its a 93 520I Euro but i sure do love my New R56 and yes where are your pics

 

Agreed. The difference between them in build quality, in my opinion, is negligible.

dean.

 

Having been a BMW owner for 35 years, I can tell you that much of BMW's preceived "quality" is actually that...perceived. With advances in technology, almost every car maker builds reliable vehicles these days. Lately, BMW has had more than its share of supplier problems (look at the new E70 X5), which many of, are due to BMW not willing to pay a fair price for subcontractor parts. Window regulators in the old E53 X5 are a good example of this, or how about front lower control arms?

I'm replacing my X5 with an R56 MCS, and not looking back. Pound for pound, and dollar for dollar, the Mini is a better buy. Out of the $70k for a new E70 X5, a good portion of those dollars are paying for the BMW roundel on the hood.

 

Can't we all just get along???


Hahha.. Well to sum up a MINI is a MINI. So there. I like MINIs.

 

On a lighter note: I can't wait for my MINI... sighs... wish it was here today then I could trade in my Ford

 

...I thought I was being funny (if not tongue-in-cheek). I mean, really, I
actually mentioned Ricky Martin in the post - what could be more humiliating!

My sincere apologies to anyone I may have offended. (Truly it was not
my intent) I hope you'll give me the benefit of the doubt when I say my
intention was only to entertain. Honestly, I'm a nice guy!

I can't however apologize for having an opinion (which I clarified early on) nor
should anyone else make apologies for theirs. My opinion wasn't intended to
be personal so please let’s not make it that way – it's not why I'm here.

Report me, remove me, ban me – so be it. I'm not going to engage in a battle I'm sure to lose.

Alright then,

Cheers!

 

Nobody was talking about removing or banning you, and the "report" comments were specifically to answer other people who complained that a moderator hadn't done anything in the past about other threads.

It was never a ban issue... I was simply asking you to be mindful of respect for other members here, regardless of whether they are 2nd Gen or 1st Gen owners.

Again, like I've said... critique the cars, not the owners. It's that simple!

 

I would sell the comfort of the interior short, either.

Opting for the Lounge Leather interior, I will definately say the R56 can be spec'd to the same luxurious feel of a Lexus or BMW, easily. It's easily on par with my dad's 5-series touring or M3 (both leather). You just have to shell out the dough to do it.

 

All I can say, is that though pre-R56 MCS owners love their SUPERCHARGER WHNE, I love my TURBO GROWL. The sound the R56 makes under load is wonderful - and I'm comparing this to nothing but itself.

But then again, I think "Livin' la Vida Loca" is hot. Does that discredit me?

 

Do you buy spares of ALL your cars?

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net