[MINIRANDOLPH]

Are there any previous R53 MINI owners who have moved onto the new R56 sorry they didn't pick up an 06, or for the most part the new model far surpasses the old. If there was one mod you reget not ordering on the new model what would you add now after driving it a while.

[Taffcd]

The only thing I dislike about th R56 is the the fact that you cannot change the Stereo. Even with the HIFI option the sound at volume does not compare to to my old MCS. The two speakers on the window column seem to crackle at higher volume. I think I will be paying MIKE THE MINI a visit in the new year. Apart from that the car is great . Better build quality, just better refinement all round really.

[CC07ERS]

Thats the first complaint about the new hifi system ive heard tell me more

[Taffcd]

Just that at the higher volume the small tweeters have like a static interference sound. Will be talking to the dealers on their return to work 2nd Jan.

[CBCooper]

Well this is my third Mini now, One , Cooper and at last my first MCS, i have to say and i think im in the minority as i havent seen any other posts about rattles/problems etc, but my car is going back to the dealers next week for the front right suspension to be fixed. Whilst i was out with the mechanic so he could listen and feel the knocking from the front for himself, he commented on the dash rattle and said "That would do my head in! We'll take a look at that as well" Its booked in for 4days workshop time. Also the new Bi-Xenons on low beam are inferior to the Xenons on my Cooper, main beam its wow! daylight but switch back to low beam on an unlit road and it almost feels quite dangerous, very poor. And whilst im on about the Xenons, when you start the car they self level, but are they not also supposed to self level when you turn them on as well?
I guess what i'm trying to get at is, after my two previous Mini's which both rattled, i guess i was expecting too much, i know its just new car niggles but this was quite a significant purchase for me, needless to say im sure my dealer will sort everything out and i look forward to many happy miles as my previous cars.

CB

[smartbomb]

Love my 56 much more than my 53s. The fit and finish is a step up and the whole car feels rock solid. Am delighted with my spec and how it looks, no regrets here at all.

[astroarcadia]

Still cannot get my head round the gaps in the wheel arch. 17's look small.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by astroarcadia (original)

Still cannot get my head round the gaps in the wheel arch. 17's look small.

I was told it looks like its on stilts

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by CBCooper (original)

Well this is my third Mini now, One , Cooper and at last my first MCS, i have to say and i think im in the minority as i havent seen any other posts about rattles/problems etc, but my car is going back to the dealers next week for the front right suspension to be fixed. Whilst i was out with the mechanic so he could listen and feel the knocking from the front for himself, he commented on the dash rattle and said "That would do my head in! We'll take a look at that as well" Its booked in for 4days workshop time. Also the new Bi-Xenons on low beam are inferior to the Xenons on my Cooper, main beam its wow! daylight but switch back to low beam on an unlit road and it almost feels quite dangerous, very poor. And whilst im on about the Xenons, when you start the car they self level, but are they not also supposed to self level when you turn them on as well?
I guess what i'm trying to get at is, after my two previous Mini's which both rattled, i guess i was expecting too much, i know its just new car niggles but this was quite a significant purchase for me, needless to say im sure my dealer will sort everything out and i look forward to many happy miles as my previous cars.

CB

Hmmmmmm after all he hype of the new model being better built using higher quality materials over the past generation it's as I'm beginning to think just that........ hype and sales patter, inconsistant panel gaps, cheaper looking and feeling interior trim, cost cutting, I would have hoped the new model would have been cheaper to buy if it is cheaper to build. It's a shame as BMW have had 5 years to get their quality control act together

Lets hope as you say they are just new car niggles but I'm non too hopeful as the last models of the previous generation were still lacking in the quality control dep't.

Hope you get your probems fixed

[ScottieCoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Taffcd (original)

Just that at the higher volume the small tweeters have like a static interference sound. Will be talking to the dealers on their return to work 2nd Jan.

this does not happen in mines I would say the new hi-fi upgrade out preforms the old
h/k

[ScottieCoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIRANDOLPH (original)

Are there any previous R53 MINI owners who have moved onto the new R56 sorry they didn't pick up an 06, or for the most part the new model far surpasses the old. If there was one mod you reget not ordering on the new model what would you add now after driving it a while.

I've owned several Minis from the JCW to a Cooper. Infact we sold a 2 month old P/W cooper because husband sat in heard and drove the new S and just had to have it.

Regrets nope none.

IMO the R56 is a better car sure re styling some may not like but all round a much better drive.

[smartbomb]

I was tempted to get a Park Lane instead of waiting for the R56. So glad I waited it's a terrific car and the fit and finish are superb. The hi-fi upgrade is as good as the H/K system and the pillar tweeters look and sound great.
Not a cheap car to buy but comparable in quality to a BMW 1 series, so am happy there. My 1st Cooper cost a fair bit less back in 2002. But have gained air-con and some other extras and some inflation to account for, so overall I'm not grumbling.
I prefer the 56 over the 53 in terms of drving and appearance - well mine anyway !

[CC07ERS]

yes the feckin thing is delayed till march thats the biggest regret

[smartbomb]

Quote: Originally Posted by SC06GVK (original)

yes the feckin thing is delayed till march thats the biggest regret

That sucks !
It will be well worth the wait I can guarantee !

[rec]

everything is perfect with mine, else i wouldn't have specced it that way in the first place.

no rattles, stereo is brilliant, suspension is fine. and an unlowered 1st Gen Cooper is actually higher up than a 2nd gen Cooper when measured from the base of the bumper. just thought i might throw that in !

[CC07ERS]

i have a need for a turbo charger thats why iam getting an s oh yes the monthly repayments for 5 years or till i change again

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

an unlowered 1st Gen Cooper is actually higher up than a 2nd gen Cooper when measured from the base of the bumper.

That's because the bumpers on the 2nd Generation are deeper than those on the 1st.

Have you measured from the ground to the bottom edge of the wheel arches?

[rec]

no, but it's a bit hard to do cos the body panels are different so there is no base line to work from :/
i put a pic up on the Ride Height Disappointment thread.

[~Marcus~]

The R56 drives so differently to the R50 I wish I could have both!

[deanquartermaine]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb (original)

I was tempted to get a Park Lane instead of waiting for the R56. So glad I waited it's a terrific car and the fit and finish are superb. The hi-fi upgrade is as good as the H/K system and the pillar tweeters look and sound great.
Not a cheap car to buy but comparable in quality to a BMW 1 series, so am happy there. My 1st Cooper cost a fair bit less back in 2002. But have gained air-con and some other extras and some inflation to account for, so overall I'm not grumbling.
I prefer the 56 over the 53 in terms of drving and appearance - well mine anyway !

Well my Park Lane is better Mark.. only joking all depends on what you want. You car looks ace from the pics I have seen.