[b4mmy]

ust been on a 200 mile round trip, and I'm sorry to say that the car just doesn't handle as well as my '53 MCS. It's honestly much cheaper inside, and the feel of the car isn't as tough. And the seats are uncomfortable as welL! I drove my old MCS 300 miles at a time no trouble, and never got irritated, and the pedals feel a bit weird....

My old MCS never had a single rattle, but I'm half expecting this one to start falling to bits... I absolutely HATE myself for saying this because my '53 MCS was a true god amongst cars... other people loved it, I loved it. If the 3rd gen MCS isn't startlingly better than this one I'll be looking around in 3 years. I love owning this MCS, but I'm disappointed.

The plus sides are that the response is much better, it has so much more torque at the lower end, and I'm trying to compensate my feelings with options I didn't have before... sunroof, sat nav etc...

Maybe I'll feel better in a few months but I doubt it... and I almost feel a bit duped by the reporting on it because there are a multitude of obvious failings compared to 1st gen... not to mention very cheap plastics inside, and an uninspiring central console which looks stuck together and added on, the 1st gen centre console was a bloody brilliant piece of design, why change it? And I've felt around with my legs and I donmt reckon there is any more width in the footwell...

I'm sorry if this upsets new owners, but if you have a 1st gen MCS, think and choose very carefully... or wait a bit longer for a facelift in a year or so... sorry folks, as I say I hate myself for this but someone has to say it. I loved my 1st gen MCS and I honestly wish Id hung on to it now.

[caesar]

It's early days yet you will hopefully get to like it better......on paper the specification is a lot better, mainly the newly developed engine and twin scroll turbocharger etc.

I don't have a MCS, but own a Honda Type-R and am thinking of changing it for the new MCS....similar performance but the Mini would be cheaper to run!

Please keep us informed of your love/hate relationship with your new car!

[Fin]

It's a huge shame you don't like it, but over time you will probably change your mind.

Personally, I can't quite get used to the new front. The grille like a huge mouth, like what Peugeot did with their fish-mouthed new series of cars. I'm hoping with the introduction of an aero kit, it will improve the aesthetics somewhat. Still, if the performance is as good as everyone says I could live with it!

[Ryephile]

--->b4mmy: did you have any suspension mods on your R53? I would put big money that an R53 with balanced coilovers would run circles around a stock suspension R56, both subjectively and objectively.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryephile (original)

--->b4mmy: did you have any suspension mods on your R53? I would put big money that an R53 with balanced coilovers would run circles around a stock suspension R56, both subjectively and objectively.

...no I just had the sports suspension and the run flat tyres, but I believe you.

I've just been out in it again for a long drive around the lanes to Warrington and back (cos' the M6 was gridlocked), and my main concern is how detached you feel, compared with the R53MCS. By pressing the 'sports mode' switch it gets even worse, because you almost feel out of control. That little bit extra oomph you get is almost like the feeling you get when your horse suddenly takes off... (horsey types will know what I mean ;-) )

On a positive note, I prefer the exterior design, it's very well tricked out and the softening of the bonnet isn't bothering me as much as I thought it would, although there is a rather alarming gap between the wheel arch and bonnet. The panels dont feel as tough though.

The in-house entertainment system is far far better, the sound is full and rich and excellent, amongst the best I've ever heard. And the sat-nav is excellent as well.

At the moment I am thinking this is going to be a better car on the motorway than it will be on the back streets.... lets see what happens.

[JG02JSG]

Well iam yet to get my new s yet alone do 200miles, only been on a test drive and comparing the two i much prefer the r56 the ride was much smoother more relaxing, interior made u feel at home and in felt in control and the sport button when turned on reminded me off drving my md m3 it felt like you where riding rita at alton towers.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by b4mmy

...Maybe I'll feel better in a few months but I doubt it... and I almost feel a bit duped by the reporting on it because there are a multitude of obvious failings compared to 1st gen... not to mention very cheap plastics inside, and an uninspiring central console which looks stuck together and added on, the 1st gen centre console was a bloody brilliant piece of design, why change it?

My thoughts exactly .. I take it, you made the slight mistake of ordering one before you test drove it. From all the reports I`d read on it, I was also ready to place the order .
After the test drive, I thought why bother !!

Quote:

I'm sorry if this upsets new owners, but if you have a 1st gen MCS, think and choose very carefully... or wait a bit longer for a facelift in a year or so... sorry folks, as I say I hate myself for this but someone has to say it. I loved my 1st gen MCS and I honestly wish Id hung on to it now.

I look at like this -
The previous MINI cost too much to build as it was designed & built with Quality as the prime mover
The New R56 MINI was designed from the outset to save money.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle (original)

My thoughts exactly .. I take it, you made the slight mistake of ordering one before you test drove it. From all the reports I`d read on it, I was also ready to place the order. After the test drive, I thought why bother !!

I look at like this - The previous MINI cost too much to build as it was designed & built with Quality as the prime mover The New R56 MINI was designed from the outset to save money.

Yes I bought it without a test drive. To be honest I needed to trade up... and now was the best time to do it. Given the options in my price bracket there was only a 2nd hand Boxter, or a new Audi TT... and I could see knob written all over both of em...

I'm not trying to put anyone off a new one, but I just wish the journalists/reviewers had been more honest, instead of **** licking BMW/Mini. I had massive expectations of this car... everyone says it is better than the old one. But it ain't.

[JG02JSG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle (original)

The New R56 MINI was designed from the outset to save money.

In which asepct do u think the mini was designed to save money ?

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG02JSG (original)

In which asepct do u think the mini was designed to save money ?

...over the last one you mean?

[JG02JSG]

Yeah sorry in all aspects

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG02JSG (original)

In which asepct do u think the mini was designed to save money ?

As I said earlier I had my old MCS from new for 3 years, so I reckon I'm in a good posiion to comment. I'm not going to turn this thread into a ***** fest as I just spent a load of dosh, and I'll want some of it back in 3 years. I'll have a look round the car tomorrow and let you know, but if the beautifully crafted metal petrol cap on the old one (now a cheap crap plastic one) is anything to go by, I think there will be more than a few aspects....

[JG02JSG]

I understand what u mean i have had my s coming up 3 years as well and before that i had the cooper which i had for 2 years. I look forward to reading this 2moro, at the end of the day everyone has different opions, and you will never found 2 people which agree on the same things.

[caesar]

BMW in common with all manufacturers are out to make a profit, a lot of money was spent on the development of the new MCS especially the engine and the new turbo. The fact that the petrol cap is plastic is irrelevant.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG02JSG (original)

In which asepct do u think the mini was designed to save money ?

There are plenty of posts concerning where BMW have cut corners throughout the R56 Forums.
Personally, even though I was dissatisfied with the performance of the Turbocharger, this was purely when comparing it to that of the Supercharged engine, & I`ve not got any real gripes with the new drivetrain, & anyone new to MINI will quickly grow to love it.
But ... If I had to point out 1 thing that stopped me spending 20k, it would be the childish design of the centre console controls.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar

The fact that the petrol cap is plastic is irrelevant.

There are always things one can turn a blind-eye to when accepting a new design.
Problem is, you`d have to poke mine out with sticks to accomodate all of them here.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

The fact that the petrol cap is plastic is irrelevant.

mmm... lets say you had two watches. Both cost the same, and with exactly the same mechanism. One was plastic, the other was ... well, you get the idea....