Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)
Fair points
I can understand your view that it would be nice to have reasons why someone dislikes the new model rather than giving negatives without a view. I think you will always get the I hate it full stop scenario.
I would agree entirely with what Tigger said and was put very well. The reason I bought my MINI was it's uniqueness ie what other car had a clamshell bonnet?, what other car had a supercharger in a hatchback in that price range? what other car had the power steering whine that made pedestrians stare at you
the list could go on. The new model has thankfully kept the overall styling que ie it still looks unmistakenly MINI and compared to any other hatch, still looks good BUT in my view in the watering down if thats the correct word of the design for whatever reason, pedestrian safety, cost etc it's losing that uniqueness. I guess when you look at most classic cars the earlier versions always seem to keep their desiribility as the later models became watered down in their looks the car lost that desiribility factor. I hope the MINI doesn't go the same way over the coming years.
I guess there is only one thing to do and keep my current S and trade the Swift in for the new model
At the moment my personal views are very mixed about the R56, its grown on me more and more, and I dare say I shall order one at some point to replace mine, but I'm not saying I prefer it or that I dislike it.
I agree there is something about the current car that I doubt can be captured in the R56, it was original in the way it looks, drives, and the whole buzz of owning it. There is the whole kudos of it been Frank Stephensons design, the supercharger whine of the
MCS . Yes its had issues, but what car doesn't, especially those with Rover design in it
But those flaws are things we didn't let detract from the ownership experience, if anything some of the rattles and bugs are what we class as its character.
But we have to look at the R56 as the next evolution, not sure I'd use watered down, but I see where you are coming from on a like for like comparison between the two. If we look at the design on its own though of the R56 I have to admit it has some things I feel are better and a step forwards, or even a step back to the original mini in styling.
My real final feelings about the car I guess I can't say what they will be until I see one in the metal, drive one, or live with it. We are going to finalise the spec on Sunday of my GF's R56 that replaces her
MCC in December, its proving hard to decide with the amount of options and choices to make, but still its exciting
But no matter what I decide about the R56, it certainly isn't going to be a hate it, and it certainly isn't going to make me ever look back on the R53 as a poor relation, as I have had too many happy experiences with the ones I have owned
