[~Marcus~]

Intro



Early speculation about the next generation MINI Cooper read like a horror story. It's going to be the same size as a Golf! It's going to get cheapened rear suspension! It's going to look like a Bangle BMW! Surely BMW wouldn't mess with a winning formula?

Sure enough, as details of the new engine range and spy shots appeared, so came a mounting sense of relief. And as early drive reports suggested that the MINI was much improved, yet still a MINI, I placed an order for a new R56 MINI Cooper without so much as a test drive. A real leap of faith, indeed.

First Impressions

MINI released a pretty lamentable set of publicity shots for the Cooper; in the flesh it is much better than the photos suggest. In Chili Red with a black roof and the JCW Aero kit, my new Cooper pretty much looked “the business” to quote my MINI sales rep as he handed me the keys.

The only visual let downs are the loss of the wrap around rear window glass, (a cost cutting measure) and the hollow black plastic fake vents on the wings. Although the beefier front end isn't as sharp as the original, it has more modern detailing and is kinder to pedestrians, and the higher waistline gives it a beefier, chunkier stance. But overall, it's still a MINI and very few bystanders seem to notice the difference.



Inside

Climb in and the doors shut with a far more reassuring BMW-like thunk. Look around and it's clear the MINI has retained one of its chief selling points: its fabulous interior. Except it's now even better. Dramatically and uniquely styled, exceptionally well built and furnished with high quality plastics down to the last detail, it's a triumph. The cabin ambience shames cars several classes above, and that includes BMW's own 3-series.

Customising your interior is part of the fun of buying a MINI, and I went down the luxury route, with Carbon black Leather Lounge seats, Cream Colour line, Sat Nav, and Piano Black dash inserts, which might be plastic but the high quality gloss finish gives pleasing reflections for a 3D effect.



Driving

Pushing the start button and moving off for the first time was something of a shock, simply because it looks similar yet feels so different to the previous MINI. There was the push button starter to get used to and the more complex Sat Nav and radio controls to negotiate, for a start.

The engine sounds almost diesel-like at tickover but soon settles down into a refined note, and it even has a characterful “burble” at 1500rpm. The BMW/PSA engine nominally has only 5bhp more than before but pulls much more strongly in all gears. You've still got stir the gears to make good progress, but it's all part of the fun and the new six-speed box makes changing gear a pleasure.

The steering is light at low speeds and doesn't whine as it did before, but weights up nicely at higher speeds, its darty responses making the new MINI as good a tool as any in the urban cut and thrust.

But most striking of all is the ride quality. My old Cooper, on standard suspension and 16inch wheels had a ride that never settled down, even on the smoothest of roads. In complete contrast, and despite running larger 17 inch wheels, the ride of the R56 is serene on freshly surfaced motorways and noticeably more absorbent on broken urban roads, making for less frenetic, more relaxed progress.

There is still quite a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds – blame the bluff front end for that – but the feeling is that here is a MINI that deserves its place storming down the outside lane with its BMW brethren.

My MINI is returning around 39mpg in its run in period, as opposed to 33mpg for my old Cooper, so it really is the better in every respect than the previous Tritec engine.



On the twisties

My first opportunity to try the new MINI out on some twisty country lanes, again left me surprised at the difference between old and new. Whereas in my first MINI I connected with it instantly, the R56 takes a little longer to get to know.

The first hurdle is getting over the feeling that a car that rides so well isn't going to fall flat on its face on the first corner. The second is trying to work out what's happening out at the back as there seems to be more of a cushion between you and the rear wheels. The R56 feels lighter on its feet and it takes a while to build confidence.

But take the time to do this and you soon realise what a great chassis the R56 has. You aren't knocked off course by bumps nearly as much so the MINI flows from bend to bend in a truly inspirational way. All in all, its still tremendous fun, even if there's a touch more body roll and maybe slightly less of a connection between you and the road. The trade off is that ride quality – and as 99% of my driving life is not spent on twisty country lanes, to me that's a good deal.

Verdict

The new MINI is much improved in many ways. While it's certainly much more mature than before, it's still got the capacity to throoughly entertain you, albeit in a appreciably different way to the previous MINI. In short, the new MINI has turned out to be less of a horror story - and more of a thriller.

[Olly.]

Good write up, and your sales rep is right it does look the business

[profyaffle]

A great review and a fantastic looking mini!

[DeadCanDanceR]

Excellent, thorough and very honest and entertaining review! Very nice photos too! And what a gorgeous interior!

Congratulations!

[astroarcadia]

For me, yours is the nicest looking r56 I have seen. I have said it before that in many ways your cooper looks better than an S. Hard for some to take but it just looks cleaner around the bonnet. Cant think what I would change if it was mine! maybe additional lights? but thats it

Thanks for taking the time to do a write up with some great photos.

[popey]

Fantastic....... you wont see many better looking Mini's than that. Almost wish I'd gone for colour combo now. (but dont tell the mrs, she wanted red )

[extigy]

I got my cooper saturday, and i agree with everything you said. Compared to my last mini (r53 'one) the ride is SO much smoother, gear changes are precise and not notchy, the interior on the old mini i thought was outstanding, but the new is just amazing. The interior lighting package is brilliant, i often find my self wishing it was night time when i drive. The exterior looks so much more masculine and beefed up i think as well compared to the last car, and like you i went for the chili red with black roof and stripes, it's such a classy combination.

Then the upgraded Hi-Fi sound system is superb (i only had boost on my old car) Turn the bass and treble all the way up, set the fader slightly to the back and prepare to be amazed. I am a huge Muse fan and playing tracks like hysteria and plug in baby are spine tingling good, and even without a proper sub, the bass is kicking.

[mister.t]

Fantastic!!! What a Mini!!! I love the leather lounge and the piano black/cream colour line, and dont get me started on the wheels and body kit...

[minicabrio]

Great post Marcus, very well detailed.

We must get together for some photos

[Rob PLCPR]

What a beaut she is. I would agree with all the commenst above, one of the best R56's i've seen so far. Love the combo, the interior has that luxury look you mentioned, that's why i went for a PL. As ollie says ''don't get me started on the wheels and body kit....''

[astroarcadia]

Marcus, you have got to be happy with these replies. Worth every penny when you get comments like this. I love the finish of the aero grill against the chilli red.

[Snowie]

Marcus
It looks absolutely Fab.

Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh on Wednesday night on the Wey valley invades London run

Snowie

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Good little write up there, your MINI looks (although im still not convinced about the aero bumpers)

I would agree about the ride quality! My ONE with 16"s is totally different compared to the S i test drove with 17"s!

[jeffers]

Truly stunning motor - made me want to see what price it would be to spec it up, but couldn't see the aero kit on the mini configurator site.

[AidenL]

Great review and the car is a beauty

[KenL]

Car is gorgeous, congrats.

Can't wait to get my red/black Cooper.

[~Marcus~]

Thanks for all the comments folks. I am over the moon with my MINI and for those that have ordered one you will not regret it!

I have very few mods planned - Cooper S fuel cap and the JCW Alcantara steering wheel, and the official ipod connector, as the sound quality with the aux input jack is terrible.

The Hi Fi System is awesome - if you like music, GET IT! Especially as the standard Boost is getting bad reviews.

Discovered last night that the MINI loves winding motorway slip roads - it feels like a roller skate.

Glitches at the moment include the mirrors don't adjust (though the folding mechanism works), and very minor - the floor mat won't stick down and the chrome trim fell off the key!

A few more pics:


That's my brother's Z4 3.0 in the last pic - the MINI I think is more fun as you don't have to be doing ridiculous speeds to enjoy yourself - and the MINI has a better interior.

[rec]

how much is the JCW wheel Marcus ? I've come into a bit of money, so am getting naughty thoughts with aftermarket stuff :]

[118]

great review Marcus - your car looks ace

[~Marcus~]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

how much is the JCW wheel Marcus ? I've come into a bit of money, so am getting naughty thoughts with aftermarket stuff :]

£245 + fitting apparently. Going to see if I can keep the silver inserts though. Looks fab though & nice to have a mod you can fondle!