the BIG new MINI v's old MINI comparison thread - AKA R56 is ugly, my R56 review.....

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by matt.morrow (original)

Too much to argue with in there - This thread is about as pathetic as the 'Am I the youngest Cooper S driver' thread!!!

People can have different opinions!

So, can I assume that I am allowed my opinion as others are their own?

It may be too much for you to argue with, but if you don't even try then you certainly won't change my mind

Anyway, in the interests of harmony, I think I'll move on to another subject AND that makes 2,500 posts

Tigger.

[Haggi]

put it this way compared to ALL the other hatches out there atm the mini R56 is the only one i would consider byuing new i think its time we stoppped this bikkering im not the r56's biggest fan (and yes befoure the same mod deletes this as my last one I HAVE SEEN A FEW IN THE FLESH) but its head and sholders above what any other car company can come up with so its not all bad for us mini owners

[Bing]

Let's wait and see what the new MINI will be like when it really hits the streets. I think it looks great but it needs more beans. I wouldn't be surprised in a couple of years that BMW will provide a
bump in HP to 220 or 250 to remain competitive with the other cars in it's class.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by <vonstig> (original)

put it this way compared to ALL the other hatches out there atm the mini R56 is the only one i would consider byuing new i think its time we stoppped this bikkering im not the r56's biggest fan (and yes befoure the same mod deletes this as my last one I HAVE SEEN A FEW IN THE FLESH) but its head and sholders above what any other car company can come up with so its not all bad for us mini owners

That is the very reason I bought a Mini One in 2002 and still Drive a Mini to this day I have always driven Minis but what else after a classic Mini can you drive?

[ParkLaneCooper]

Going on the pictures we have all seen of the R56, I personally prefer the original and that's why I decided to get a Park Lane on a 56-plate. I paid full price for my car, so that definately wasn't a decider in ordering it pre-R56!

I personally don't like the huge centre dial and also many of the features look very plastic, so would have to agree about the Halfords look! It seems that many of the changes have been affected due to cost cutting and I don't think this is the way forward as they are charging more money for the car! MINI will end up losing potential customers to the likes of Suzuki Swifts, which have already been mentioned in these forums which offer quality at a much cheaper price.

I must admit, I have not seen the car in the flesh yet, so hoping to go into the dealers as soon as they come in! It may end up growing on me.......

[GoodFinder]

I bet the new MINI will look better to most people in person than it does in pictures. It may be similar to the concerns I had about the GP before taking delivery in August. From the pics, I was concerned about how the red mirrors, wheels, and wing would all really come together. Then when I saw them at Laguna Seca in Monterey, everything was great. In the flesh, the GP looks really good (to me, at least) and that was an interesting experience to compare my "what do I think based on pictures" impression versus my "now that I've seen it I love it" reality. Just a thought!

[Iamamini]

Hi, I have been thinking about why I am not so happy about the new MINI (2007). One of the things is probably that MINI have changed some things making it cheaper to build (like the head lamps not integrated in the hood for example). That makes it feel cheap I guess, but maybe MINI has put more money on other areas instead, the interior maybe, the front seats and engine seems more expensive on the new MINI. Integration of the CD/radio seems like a bad move though, another thing that makes it feel cheap. Any thoughts from other members?

[smartbomb]

Having seen more pics at my dealer I am even more hooked on the R56 than ever ! It looks awesome and I love the design and the fluidity the Cooper has.
IMHO it's far from ugly and is a neat and smooth re-interpretation of the 2001 model.
I first saw the final MINI design in 1999 in full size so to me it's 7 years old already ! OK so only 5 of those in production, but the changes are sublte.
I think MINI have done a fantastic job and come Decemeber when mine arrives I'll be as wired as the next guy to get one.
That's my take on it, at least we have all got something to argue over til we actually see one in the flesh.
Til then I love the R56, once I've seen one I'll be sending invitations !

[baskers]

In case some of you guys have not seen the review of the R56:

YouTube - fifth gear tests the new Mini Cooper 16/10/06

Personally, having seen one in the flesh, I'm not completely sold. The interior is OK, the exterior, from some angles - is fine... however the bonnet and front of the car at times looks very suspect.

Also what suprises me is the gaps in the wheel arches, and the lack of decent wheels on selection at launch...

Ho-hum! I still look forward to the launch part thingy on 18/11/06 at my local dealer.

jay

[smartbomb]

Saw the clip and it looks and sounds superb. I do find that the certain colour/wheel combos can either make the car look good or awesome. I know it's all down to a matter of personal taste, but having seen a Cooper S on 16" 5 spokes it lacks the muscled look of the 17s. Not struck on BRG/black roof - sorry !

[Spectre]

Wow, it's a dang shme what has happened to the MINI. Wh did they change the car? The MINI should have never succumb to the standard 4-5 year body life cycle that every other car goes through. Heck, wh do you think Honda hasn't changd the S2000. The MINI is one of those rare cars that on't fit the proverbial mold. And what the heck are you supposed to do if you want to install an after market radio/head unit? Rip out the speedometer?

I'm sure the car still performs well (although I've read it doesn't quitestack up). I'm just glad I got in on the first MINI. I'd be very disapointed with that new one.

[humph]

I'm not totally against the MINI been tastfully redesigned every now and again. What I don't understand is why they've had to BMW it to within an inch of it's life, on the inside at least.

Let's not forget what really killed off the first MINI, it was outdated and impracticle. So some change is essential and some forced upon the manufacturers.

[rec]

as someone who has ordered an R56, along with a lot of people, i am shocked that this kind of post has appeared.

yes it's your opinion, but it could have been worded in a better way. declaring my car decision as "crap" doesn't put you in a good light really. not in my eyes anyway. if you dont like it, dont buy one - simple as that.

and for the reasons they changed the car, read up on European Pedestrian Leglislation.

[Robert Stancliff]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spectre (original)

Wow, it's a dang shme what has happened to the MINI. Wh did they change the car? The MINI should have never succumb to the standard 4-5 year body life cycle that every other car goes through. Heck, wh do you think Honda hasn't changd the S2000. The MINI is one of those rare cars that on't fit the proverbial mold. And what the heck are you supposed to do if you want to install an after market radio/head unit? Rip out the speedometer?

I'm sure the car still performs well (although I've read it doesn't quitestack up). I'm just glad I got in on the first MINI. I'd be very disapointed with that new one.

Honda is about to make major changes to the S2000 because sales, which were never very good, have just about dried up completely.. Some of the changes to the MINI were mandated by pedestrian requirements, others were just to make it a better car, and hopefully keep sales and demand high well into the future. IMO if it had not changed it would have been on a downward slide that would have caused BMW to cease making it within a few years. It's simple, if you sit still while the competition moves forward, you quickly wind up in last place.

Enjoy your MINI..

[humph]

Calm down dear it's only a car.

I personally bought a September 06 Cooper as I didn't want a new model, yet. Let them iron out the niggles first, but I can virtually guarantee that my next car will be an R56. Once the styling has had time to sink in I think it will win most over.

As for anyone being surprised that this thread has appeared I don't understand why. Just because it's a MINI forum doesn't mean everyone has to like the R56 or stay silent if they don't. Forums are voicing opinions, having healthy discussion and debate and hopefully helping people with techy problems. So this thread has as much right to be here as any other. Oh and I can't see anyone using the word "crap" in any other post than yours .