Just had an F56 loaner for a week while my R56 was getting a new key FOB and shifter assembly installed. Gotta love extended warranties. Anyway, after a week I'd say the F56 still handles and drives like a Mini. Now would I trade the JCW Coupe for a brand new F56 if they offered me an even trade? Nope, not a chance in hell. I was however appreciative of not having to put mileage on the Coupe for a week. Thanks Mini

 

Just so there is an alternative voice here, I'm waiting for the F57 to be released and will then replace my R59. The downsides of the R59 compared to the R57 I had before are too great (noise, lack of utility) to overcome its advantage of chassis stiffness, which I'm sure will be sorely missed. Other owners may not believe I left out appearance but I don't rate that as significant. If there was a F59 available, I would still go for a F57.

 

love my 2013 Coupe S! Still have shocks and spring to install when the weather gets warmer. It is my daily driver - I don't think I would want to get rid of it. But you never know

 

Interesting, I did the opposite and chose the R59 over the R57 for similar reasons.

Noise? They're both soft tops, wouldn't it be the same?

Utility? I would consider the hatch back/convertible at most a 3 seater, those rear seats are really unusable and the trunk of the R59 is significantly larger.

For me the larger trunk and stiffer chassis made the decision easy.

Choosing between the R59 and the F57 would be harder. The interior squeaks is a minor annoyance for me right now, mostly because it's finally been raining and the top has been up. The interior build quality of the Gen3s is light years beyond the Gen2s. And don't forget about that new engine.

That said the only car I could see replacing my Roadster, since for some reason PowerBall failed me, would be the Superlegerra we keep hearing rumors will make it to production.

 

Nope - the R57/F57 have interlined insulated roofs while the R59 has a single-layer roof. The difference is substantial with the roof up. With the roof down but side windows up, the R57 is much quieter because of the rear quarter windows - as I live in 'the north' (Britain is the same longitude as southern Alsaka), driving with all the windows down is a rarity.

 

Had to chuckle in regards to Angib's comment about utility. Definitely a point. My wife gave me such a ration of **** when I brought home the Coupe. "What its only got two seats?". I tried to explain we're empty nesters so it's her, me and an 11lb dog. Besides if we need more seats that's what we have her car for. Didn't matter what I said though, she would have preferred I got a JCW hatch. Fortunately, I'm stubborn as hell and my wife likes diamonds, so I won

 

My R52 felt pretty well insulated and about the same as the R57 when I dont it. The R57 does have a bit more sound insulation. The R59 felt like the same as my R52 , but when you have a JCW or something loud anyway , you can hear much more with a Convertible. Now my R58 feels much quieter then my R56, in general. Looking forward to drive the F57 to see what they did.

 

Let's put it this way...I've already put into my living will that if/when my demise comes...my niece (currently 14 years old) gets my car (under certain stipulations that she would need to take care of it and actually enjoy it.)

Needless to say...she's already plotting my demise as we speak.

 

We plan to keep our roadster for the long run

 

I keeping mine also. Too much fun. And I am keeping my R52 with 266K miles.

 

If you look at the somewhat similar 1960s Aston Martin DB5 (now worth a million). see pic. It is easy to see how the similarly rare mini R58 may someday be worth that also. The only concern is that if electric cars become the norm, and they do away with gasoline there may not be the same demand for old collector cars.

 

You have big expectations........I don't believe the Coupe will even reach the collector status.


The Aston Martin was a notch over the Jaguar back then and none are in the million range unless it is one of the 3 James Bond cars.

 

Dube53 has a really good point on collectibility of the R58. It's sales were so dismal that BMW killed the model. However, having said that I don't know how many times I've been stopped in the parking lot or at a light and been asked "What car is that?". Followed later after the explanation by "Wow, I really like that car.". Does that mean it will be a collectible? Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell, but speaking for myself I didn't buy an R58 as an investment. In fact I didn't buy a car at all. I bought an R58 suit that acts as an extension of my own will. And therein lies the reason the R58 may in fact become a collectible in time. Till then motor on and enjoy.

 

I could not say any better......I also bought a suit that fits me otherwise I would have never bought a Mini at all.


As for people stopping by, it is everyday I have to answer questions why the roof is short and low.


As far as a collectible status, maybe if it is a JCW in a very far distant future.

 

16 months later and I'll say the same thing. I'm actually looking forward to driving it for awhile without the need to make any car payments. That point arrives in 10 months!

 

So 3 years after the last reply... Who still has it?

I just joined the club back in January. I bought a 2012 Coupe S with 38,800 on it. LOVE the car. I was looking for a decent fuel mileage car last December. Due to COVID, the used market was HIGH! All the normal contenders where 100,000+ and wanting $15,000+ for them. I stumbled into my Coupe down in Dayton Ohio. Took it for a test drive and bought it, $12,400.

Crazy thing is, 5 previous owners on the CARFAX. I figured something had to be wrong. The other thing, the 1st three times it was titled as Silver, it is Lightning Blue with a Silver top. I used to work in a body shop and searched every spot I could think of and there is no way this car was Silver. Once I bought it, I brought it to my brothers garage (he has a two post lift, so nice) we looked underneath and he said the same thing, "No way this was painted", As a matter of fact, there was no rust on the underbody, not even white rust on the aluminum pieces. This was a good weather only car previously.

I am one of those that drive a vehicle till it drops (living proof is my wife's current vehicle 2013 Silver addition Avalanche with 143,000, my 2006 Avalanche with 220,000 and my Silverado dually 3500 with 465,000 on it. I will drive it till it drops or, as I will be retired by then, it will become my project car to tinker on.

 

Still have mine

 

I traded in my 2014 JCW Coupe 2 years ago for a 2020 JCW Clubman. They gave me $11k in trade. It was the best looking Mini for sure, just rode a little harsh.

 

Na, just a sportscar ride.

ECSTuning, I will have to do a road trip over to Wadsworth one of these days, it is about 3 hours away. I am on the NW side of Ohio. Always enjoy going to the different breweries up that way, just can't do that and drive ;-(

 

Here is the next Meet

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...th-2019-a.html




Please be there early as the lots fill up fast! This is the largest car show in Ohio for Foreign Cars!!

I wanted to make sure to let everyone know how the parking situation will be set up for Saturday.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be courteous of the businesses that are allowing us to use their space as overflow for the event. Also, keep in mind that most of them are under 24/7 surveillance so if you do anything stupid you will likely get caught.
Here is a map of the layout. All areas highlighted in red are NON PARKING areas and you will be towed if you park there.
All yellow highlighted areas are ECS parking and Overflow parking.

ECS Yellow is the main parking until it overflows.

 

Still have mine which I got January 2012 (N14 JCW). It's not my daily driver but love driving it in the weekends.

 

Got our roadster new in August 2013 and we still enjoy driving it. Man that's almost 9 years already. Time flies!
We drove round trip from western pa to South Florida twice. And took a northern road trip once into Canada and over Maine once.
Still plan to keep it for more years ahead...

 

Where did you get the wheel cover? I made a spare tire mount in my trunk and have been wanting to make a cover but haven't. That would look sweet!

I do almost a monthly trip to Ft. McCoy, WI and needed to have a spare along with a compressor and a can of fix a flat just in case, 472 miles one way.

 

It's a custom design I had custom fabricated for the spare tire hitch I design and made.
The place was called lxmboutique spare tire. Unfortunately I checked and they don't seem to be live online any more. So you'd have to find an other place to make it...

 

Thanks. Will have to do so.