[Paul]

Not on the cars that have already been made some time ago (dealer demos etc), it's a late/rolling addition. As with the first generation we can probably expect quite a few of those over the first few months, if the first generation is anything to go by.

[R1]

Quote: Originally Posted by JEFF10049 (original)

Hummmm I wonder what the opinions on the looks would be if .......BMW's first MINI'S came out looking like the r56....? and the brand new ones for 2007 looked like the ones we have now???

I bet it would go something like this.

GOOD
headlights look better
better dash and raido controls
has temp gauge
back of car looks smoother
has supercharger in place of turbo

Bad
headlghts don't stay adjusted
bumpers are no longer as streamlined dont look like they fit perfect
the split in the wheel moulding up front looks bad
we don't have a turbo anymore now its a supercharger..LOL

If it was that way round it wouldn't have matered to me because I wouldn't have posted because I wouldn't be on this forum!

I would probably have been in another car!

[ttocs]

Jeff10049,

You forgot to mention the press nightmare with the

BAD POINTS

Fuel consumption is worse
Slower car
More expensive to repair

[MINI T]

went and saw the new model yesterday and i like the inside but the outside i am not sure of at all. it sits too high now and the back just out too much.
prefer the old model from the outside but the inside is boss.

[R1]

IMHO I still think the best looking of the the MINI's is the Mk1, pre-facelift Cooper.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by R1 (original)

IMHO I still think the best looking of the the MINI's is the Mk1, pre-facelift Cooper.

Austin or Morris for me its the Austin

[*Vikki*]

agree with MINI T and R1 there

[Hobbe]

Most new customers won't be able to tell the difference between the "new" and "old" MINI.
It'll still be cute, and nicely put together.
The current MINI owners might not agree, but at the end of the day a MINI is a MINI is a MINI.

Personally I was disappointed since I was really interested in getting back into the MINI swamp..
Ended up buying a GP, but I think the R56 will grow on me.

[smartbomb]

Saw it over the weekend and totally love it !
It's not ugly, it's really rather smart.

[ru81]

I agree with smartbomb. Saw it on Saturday and thought it looked great. In fact i have booked a test drive for tomorrow!

[IH1]

I don't like the exterior except for the exhaust pipes, and the interior is OK but isn't great. I definitely prefer the Mk1 MINI!

[mini5lover]

Went to the launch but was not impressed too much. The bonnet looks to flat now and the headlights have only been done for safety reasons they looked better before. Back of the car looks odd but apart from that its not much different.
The interior has some good and bad points but the new dial is strange and its losing its mini look and becoming more golf-like with its switches changes.
Nice to have an ipod connection.
At least the cd changer isnt in the boot any more.
Nice new colours but Swiper is still the best colour!
Would not dream of changing him in for one! Well maybe when they get the works...... but I very much doubt it, hes just toooo lovely.

[SteveM3]

The exterior may be similar but the changes are negative. The bonnett has lost most of it
curves, the front of the cooper is a bit bland, the rear of the S a bit ugly. Don't get me started
on the new aerokit, lets stay polite and say it is not to my liking. The interior though is an
almost unqualified success especially as you have so much control of the final look. I had
to use the word almost as the centre console is naff. I except some of the exterior changes
as regulation has forced them on the designers but as the school report goes could do better.

[Shaun]

Funny thing I was thinking the other day Fiat Punto .....

There I said it I feel good early Punto clean fresh looking design like it or not its recognisable it has a look I had one in Greece it was brand new (bit of a hire car jackpot) I realy liked it and came to love it by the end of the week it did City, Urban and off road (long story) and then look what came next a car that looked like it was influenced by a 50 pence peice.
But now the new Grande Punto is all Maaerati swoops and curves still not on my shopping list but does not look like it fell from the ugly tree striking every branch good and proper on its fall to consumerville

The new new Mini is certainly no shocker I wrote lenghty tomes in my club magazine for the first "NEW MINI" damn them and their lack of a spare tyre how un Mini how dare they "invent" a car that does not stuuter at the first sign of rain or rust within 4 years of ownership (i have proof)
Its the same thing if you dont like it then by a second hand Vectra its cheap roomy quick and disposable.
I still get questioning looks from freinds who run classics, I miss my classic like an old relative but I need a car that starts goes and does not need two services a year plus ball joints and rear break cylinders. If you dont like the R56 sign off and set up a my power steering has caught fire/ gone pear shaped fourm instead
Enough people do like the new R56 the order books were on fire on Saturday in Manchester and your just going to be swallowed up its classic V MINI all over again and there was only one winner kerching.

When the first Mini was re launhed I just hoped it sold yes this meant it would become popular and as Stphen Morrissey once said we hate it when our freinds become successfull but if it didnt the end would have been swift the car industry does not suffer fools ...
Merceds creatde the first great low powered sports car for years it did not sell in enough volumes so.... the end it made sense just not economic sense....

and that my freinds (ooh cliche) is what makes our Minis have lights ttat dont come up with the bonnet, and idiot defecltor bonnets simple really.

[franky]

[ sorry r56s but the r50s a design classic . i for one am staying put, and who can blame me. ain't she pretty.

[Drewski]

after seeing it in the flesh i'm definitely not a fan. The interior looked good but there wasn't anything i liked about the exterior, nothing was an improvement more a step back . The new Works would need to be significantly quicker, have lowered suspension and colour coded wheel arches coupled with the aero kit (which i think improves it) to change my mind and even then i'm not sure.

[Fin]

I have a feeling this post may cause a few heated responses, so first off let me explain what I mean.

Firstly, I have not driven the new Cooper S. Two reasons: 1) I haven't had the time, but more importantly 2) If I do I'm scared I'm going to like it so much that I won't like my current Cooper S anymore and I'll have to go out and buy a new one, when I should really be saving the money for other things. Ergo, my musings are based solely on its performance on paper.

There are many new hot hatches out there these days to rival the beloved new Cooper S; Renault Clio 197, Peugeot 207 GTi (soon), Vauxhall Corsa VXR (soon, and rumoured to have 200BHp ). Specifically I've chosen to mention those of around the same size and price as standard as the new Cooper S. Now I know last time around there were similar contenders, and when I was looking myself I was choosing between the Cooper S and the Clio 182. But it seems this time the contenders have upped their game, and the Cooper S has not quite kept the pace.

I know people will say, you don't buy the Cooper S for outright speed, its better built than the others, handles exceptionally, has much more options to personalise, it has the icon factor etc, which is great! The issue I have is that the Cooper S to me is the definitive Hot Hatch. So when others are coming out with around 200 horses pulling at the reigns, I want MINI to open up their stables a bit more (excuse the metaphor). I would still choose the Cooper S over the others I have mentioned. On paper the Clio 197 and Cooper S are pretty much as fast as each other, with the Cooper S making up for its lower horsepower with much higher torque throughout the rev range. However, if Renault bring out a leaner Cup version, the tables will probably turn as as much as you can fault Renault, they do make great handling cars. And as for the Corsa, even if it is 200BHp its not worth buying it. Because its a Vauxhall, no matter how many badges you put on it. However we should still sit up and take notice.

I've kind of answered my own question here, and the reader will probably think that I'm quite mad as even though I have questioned the Cooper S's ability, I've still chosen it over the competition I have mentioned. However, lets say I go to MINI and choose a Cooper S. By the time I've chosen a nice metallic colour, whacked on a CHILLI pack, some nice alloys I'm over £18,000. Now I've entered a different arena. Now I need to consider the new Civic Type R, Mazda 3 MPS, Ford Focus ASBO, new Seat Leon CupraR. They are all sub-7 seconds. If I wait for the JCW new MCS that will push me into an even higher price bracket.

What I'm basically getting at is, we MINI owners are used to paying that little extra. But I wish that MINI had come out with the new MCS on the same footing as the previous JCW MCS, or certainly close to it. Then we can shove our options on and still have everything that is great about owning a Cooper S, with an increased power that we deserve.

I apologise if by purely going by torque/BHp and performance figures I have missed out on the charm and excitement of the new MCS. Thats just the impression I have got from looking at figures and reading reviews. What do you all think? (and please don't shout )

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

What I'm basically getting at is, we MINI owners are used to paying that little extra. But I wish that MINI had come out with the new MCS on the same footing as the previous JCW MCS, or certainly close to it. Then we can shove our options on and still have everything that is great about owning a Cooper S, with an increased power that we deserve.

Recommend you go drive it, as the new R56 MCS is as fast as the old JCW

Yes it might only be 175bhp compared to the 210bhp, but having done a comparision between both the R56 had no problem keeping up on the straights and corners with a JCW, infact it might have been able to pull away from the JCW if it had been in front of it

But don't expect to be blown away or to suddenly feel the need to get rid of your MCS, as they are both totally different to drive, and I'm still undecided as to which I prefer the most at the moment and if I should order myself one or hold onto my JCW for now

[inomis]

I don't think MINI wants the MCS to be The Hot Hatch(THH) and it isn't. THH is the car that won't be THH next model year. THH is a bit uncomfortable in ride and noise. THH fuel milage is not so good. Many can not afford to buy a car with the single purpose nature of THH. Most people really don't want THH.

MINI wants the JCW to be THH. The MCS is a great base to start from. Everything that is bad about Hot Hatches is good on the JCW. They will probably tweak the power often enough to keep it in THH competition until the R66(?) is ready. It all makes sense.

[pappillon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

Can the new Cooper S really cut it?

No



IMHO