If you are talking to me, I had an 04 before I had my 07, and I loved it, too. I just know from experience that this kind of "comparo" thread results in more uniformative and antagonistic comments than useful information.

 

well, actually i think we had a pretty good start on relevent info. No one (but me i guess) was really bashing the r56, and for that i applogize. So far i have seen some good comparisons between the ergonomics between the two, and the brakes. Thats good info for someone deciding between the two if they havnt had time behind the wheel of either (short of test drives). Then you start accusing us of not having relevent info, when there was. I have a warped sense of humour, which is why some of things i said would be bashing i guess, but it is an opinion based thread, things you like /dont like. We are proud of our r50s and r53s. We will defend them to the hilt. you, your a traitor, hahahah.

Beecher

 

I think what Lynn is trying to say is that everyone on NAM has heard this all before. It just gets tiring because it seems like Pre-r56 owners talk about how theirs are better than the R-56 for whatever reasons and the R56 owners like either and don't like feeling like their car isn't good enough or something because its a different model or year. When either way, they are all MINIs. I can't own one, so everyone should just be happy they can have a MINI and thats it. (not trying to bash R53 or R56 owners or anyone else, just making an observation.)

 

I think it's funny that LynnEl is also in all of those threads he/she is talking about and sees it fit to come into this one which wasn't taking anything near the tenor of the threads that have been posted based on the R53/R56 comparison. Maybe he/she should look in the mirror.

And our deepest apologies, BRONTOBUFFY, if you're tired of people talking about the cars that this site is based upon. Hmm.

Anyhoozle - MEB - When I used to get R50 automatic coopers for loaners, I really didn't like them very much at all. Not until I got a manual did I really understand the positives of that car, so I think the comparison, for you, coming from an R53 JCW which is very much modified for the track probably puts the (yes I'm defending it, LynnEl) R56 in a no-win situation.

That could be wrong; you might be more able to get used to a car quickly to be able to judge it more fairly than I can.

I really don't think meb was trying to make an "R53 is better" thread. I think he drove a car and had impressions of it.

mb

 

Look in the mirror about what? Looks like this thread is doing exactly what the other comparo threads have done, which was my point.

 

R56 is better....

 

exactly what the other threads have done.....

 

Yeah but who daily drives on R6s?

My experiences mirror meb's for the most part. I liked the overall feel, but the R56 reminded me more of a new GTI than my R53. Take what you will with dat!

 

Tell you what, I own an R53 and an e90. I've been thinking about ditching the e90 and picking up a Clubman. The r56 is not a Clubman, but I'm guessing there are more similarities there than between the Clubman and the r53.

Reading this thread has been very informative and helpful. It's funny how it was all good until LynnEl came in and started thread-crapping.

I don't see any war being started here by anyone other than you, LynnEl. Get over it. These guys are sharing their opinions in a fair and "professional" manner. They should be allowed to do so.

Now, by all means, if the come out with a new Mini and YOU go drive that one and are not impressed with it based on x and y factors, by all means please start a thread in the r56 forum to share your opinion.

Anyway, to everyone else, thanks for the info. At least I'll know more of what to expect when I finally do drive one, after which I will form my OWN opinion and possibly post about it here.

 

im not tired of people talking about MINIs, I said im tired of comparisons on here. Its like R53's are better than R56's or MCS's are better than MC's. Im just saying we should all just get along that we are all enthusiastic about MINIs and let these posts rest.Geez, read what my point is before being all sarcastic

 

i personally believe anything meb says would be very technically based and not just opinions based on him owning an r53 vs56. He has built a race mini after all, i think he knows a whole lot more on the subject of handeling than the rest of us probably do. And with that i quit, im leaving this thread before it really starts getting ugly hahaha.

Beecher

 

Are you all in the third grade? Why would you get insulted because someone doesn't like your car? I love my R53 and if the whole world thought it was the biggest pile of sh#t, who gives two fu#*s?

 

Have to agreee with meb too. I was thinking of trading in the lesser tuned of my minis for an r56. during the test drive I thought to myself, what is this thing, it is not a mini. It felt heavy and floaty. Road feel? The interior makes the r53 look refined. That climate control, designed by tyco?

Not to mention all the e90 electronics and creature comforts. They may seem neat-o when new, but wait until one breaks out of warranty. then will see how much you need it.

That was one of the big things for me. I'm a tech and know what is behind those features. To me they are not worth the weight, time or money. Good luck fixing it yourself. you can't disconnect the battery without needing to connect to a computer.

Don't even get me started on the looks. The best way I can describe it is the difference between a beautifull woman and a barfly. they may both have blond hair, high heels and tight clothes adn look alike when you squint your eyes, but they are NOT the same thing. Yeah I know it's awfull to compare women to cars, but it gets the point across.

Obviously I have issues with the new mini, so I'll let it go...

 

from my experience between R53 and R56 cooper-s test drives,
the R56 felt more like a finished product... it took out all the flaws
of the R53's drivetrain and fixed it. that was the impression i got.

other then that, styling and interior wise... i'll take the R53.
just a preference thing.

 

I'm sure people will love them just as much as we do r53's. I was kinda thinking, wow people actually bought a mini, now mini can make one even more mini like. smaller, lighter, more nimble, fewer options...wrong! I remember how fun it was to be apart of mini in 2002, seeing advanced viewings of the italian job, etc... It almost seemed like things were changing.

Now I can understand why original mini owners hated the r53 so much. It doesn't represent what mini meant to them. Now when I see minis I think the mall and starbucks and other consumer pacifiers.

One positive note, I think mini succeeded in getting vw to make a cool golf again.

For my money, nothing beats a cheap, strong, single cam, less than half a dozen senors having, can this be any easier to dissassemble engine.

 

I feel like the thread is less of a "which is better" and more of a "here's a comparison of impressions" with opinions based on that. We are a sensitive bunch, aren't we?

mb

 

So we're all in agreement then that the R53 is far superior to the R56 in all the ways that really matter. Glad we could finally clear that up.

 

Exactly!

mb

 

Yes, and that just means the '08 has not yet been improved to address the shortcommings of the '07. I do like my '02 R53 (with '05 tranny) alot more than the R56S cars I have driven but will be buying one for my wife who will be oblivious to the difference between the two. (She may take exception to the interior or actually like it better) Perhaps I can tweak the suspension and engine tuning enough to like it better than my tweaked R53.

 

Could you clarify for me which criteria those are? Cause it seems to me it's only appearance (in and out) and handling(but only slightly). The R56 has a better engine in regards to torque/fuel economy/power, and ride comfort.

For a person who drives long distances and tracks the car, the R56 sounds like a winner.

 

Well all I can add to this thread,is that I own an 05 MCS with paddle shifters for the Automatic transmission, and find this car to be much easier on the eyes then any of the newest models to come out since 07, this also includes the Clubman which sadly, I was really looking forward to,(disapointed to say the least). Performance in the 05 is all I could ask for when this car came out.

I will admit that an equally equiped 07 MCS performed very well too. The only thing that bothered me about this car was the visual changes.

Now can you tell, that I also own a Classic Mini?

For the life of me, I still don't understand why BMW felt the need to do so many visual changes so soon. Performance is obviously No.1 in this thread, so my point is this......If the Classic Minis appearance went practically unchanged for nearly FOURTY YEARS, whats the rush to start changing this obviously, going to be another ICON type of car, so quickly? Seems to me that looks are alot more important then everyone here is letting on(so it seems to me).

Just my .02 cents. I'm fairly new here so please don't beat me up too much if I seem to be out of line. Thanks for letting me bend your ears.

 

Aside of been a R53 owner, I test drove an R56 3 months ago. I was not impressed by the R56, no "wow" factor, but to be fair I cannot compare my R53 after all the mods I have done with a non modded R56. Simply not fair.
Maybe I will change my opinion if a drive an R56 with the same/comparable mods.
Although no mod will make me like R56's interior.
Finally, despite the fact this is an R53 thread all of us are "MC lovers" regardless of it's batch and try to be as objective as possible when commenting on any of them.

 

The appearance change was caused by the new European pedestrian safety standards, which required increased distance between the engine and the hood as well as the front bumper to provide more of a "crumple zone" between a body and the really hard parts of the car. In order to keep the proportions similar to that of the R53, Mini had to raise the height of the beltline as well as the height of the wheel wells (thus dramatically increasing wheelgap ).

The size of the new speedo was dictated by the size of the factory Nav. As for the rest of the center stack, I have no explanation. I don't know what the fudge was going on there.

 

If you are tired of the comparisons... might I suggest that you refrain from entering a thread what is clearly titled as a comparison thread. Also might I suggest that you put all NAM members on ignore who dare to make such comparisons. That should make your NAM experience a whole lot more enjoyable & at the same time allow those of us who do wish to compare, contrast, trash, & praise whichever MINI to have a more enjoyable experience. I get so tired of the preaching & censorship attempts. I so long for the days when I could freely bee-yotch about my MINI & have no one jump on me for daring to do so .

 

Agreed

I have driven a handfull of mini coopers (from one of the first r50's in the country (swedish import), to early r53 in stock and modded form. to my present r53 and a slightly modded r56. The r56 is far more civalized. It has a better fit and Finish, It is faster and easier to drive. And the seats are 10 times better than that of an r53. I just prefer the look of my R53 over the r56, but with the write wheels, and lowered the r56 does look good (but never as good as an r50/r53 in my eyes).

yeah for Mini's