[l1uke000]

which is quicker overall tuned and untuned? only just found out the new 1 is turbo so just wondered what people's views are on which 1 is better?

[Ant FR]

overall tuned the old MCS is quicker,

Although the turbo may feel quicker sometimes due to how it delivers its power.

my personal opionion is that the phase 1 is better, looks better, sounds better. but that just my opinion. but of course mine is well played with now

i won't be changing mine for a new one thats for sure

[KPKalle]

Is this the right room for an argument?

[3rdpillar]

Different cars, different personalities. If you want to mod, then go for the R53, common sence says that as its been around longer so there are more options for you to try. If you want a very nice BMW, then go for a R56

[Roadrunner_1]

Agreed, in a tuned state the R53 is faster however to due it's linear power delivery it doesn't deliver the dump of power like the r56 mcs. To get the best out the r53 you need to work the gears, where as in gear acceleration is better in the r56 mcs, it depends on your driving style. I think the interior of the r56 is better than that of the r53.

The turbo engine does not quite have the involvement of the supercharged one...or the whine, and where as the r53 will pull all the way to the red line, it tends to tail off in the r56.

[lucachiarelli]

I agree with ant fr. The r53 all day wins it for me. It just has way more character and it doesnt share its supercharged engine with any other car. Therefore the sound your gen 1 mcs makes is unique. The new r56 mcs has the same engine as peugeot 207 gti and i think the vauxhall corsa vxr aswell.

[MINI-Morgan]

Wow.... I feel a big debate/heated debate coming on......

I vote the R53 just because it just feels more alive and less smooth if that makes any sense. A tuned R53 feels exciting to drive and so less chance of getting bored and a much more enjoyable experience. But give the R56 its due, it is a good car and with the right mods is very quick.

[Ant FR]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

Wow.... I feel a big debate/heated debate coming on......

I vote the R53 just because it just feels more alive and less smooth if that makes any sense. A tuned R53 feels exciting to drive and so less chance of getting bored and a much more enjoyable experience. But give the R56 its due, it is a good car and with the right mods is very quick.

to sum that up, the R56 is just a little too mature when compared to the R53

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

to sum that up, the R56 is just a little too mature when compared to the R53

Too sensible id say.....Its a good car but just feels like you are driving a BMW instead. Just the feeling I get when driving one.

[uncle albert]

In my (controversial) opinion, the R56 is a compromise.

[DaFlake]

Give the tuners time and I am sure that we will see some very nice mods for the R56. After driving both, I prefer the R53 as I felt more grounded with it. That, however, is my opinion and everyone is entitled.

As for the thread? Well, it remains open as long as the civility stays.

[k m s]

As another tuned, R53 owner I'm of course biased but for me the R56 is more civilised whereas the R53 is rawer experience, both great in their own way so it depends what you're after. If you want a tuned MINI that'll knock your socks off then I'd say go for an R53 everytime

[Rakey]

I'm on my third R53 myself personally, but I'd have to say a standard MCS in each model, the R56 is faster, more rapid, due to the torque.

An R56 MCS is just as fast as an R53 JCW, with a friends help we took them both about for a run, and the R56 had no problems keeping up with the R53 JCW, it was effortless, but maybe the effort is part of the fun factor

But then if you compare them the GP, well that is still the premium MINI even when compared against our R56 it still is faster and mile more grins than an R56

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by KPKalle (original)

Is this the right room for an argument?

Is it just 5 minutes, or the full half hour?

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by l1uke000 (original)

which is quicker overall tuned and untuned? only just found out the new 1 is turbo so just wondered what people's views are on which 1 is better?

The new turbo R56 has a much flatter and wider torque curve than the supercharged R53 and, in it's standard state of tune, is going to be quicker, smoother and easier to drive quickly. As an aside it also uses significantly less fuel and is cheaper to tax.

The flip side is that there are far fewer options to tune it. This is partially because it has only been around for about a year and a half and partly because the engine doesn't really have as many possibilities for tuning (only engine management upgrades seem to be available do far) and also that the engine and gearbox don't have as much "headroom" in their basic engineering to cope with really significant increases in power.

And, as you asked for an opinion, personally I prefer the supercharged R53 - but each to to their own.

[specky 1]

OK... Here i go..... I have the best of both worlds cos my Mrs has R53 MCS and i have R56 MCS JCW and i can honestly say that after driving mine full time and then driving my Mrs's, its hard work!!!!! BUT.....before you all start sendin abusive PM's...LMAO....I absolutely love both cars for different reasons and still miss my 2002 silver cooper. Love drivin em, moddin em, washin em and fixin em. Its what you as a person gets out of it. So get out in yr mini and DRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!

PS.... my mini dont feel like a BMW.......NOW THEY ARE DULL....(in base models)

[DaFlake]

I have to agree with the above comments. They are different cars thus provide different experiences. You have to love that for sure...