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

[GARY GP]

a friend of mine. has had a good look at a 07 cooper s just last week in Belgium it left him a bit cold , it just seams BMW have built a car for half the price its lost its mojo he said.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

this thread is so funny

I don't like it, its rubbish, blaa blaa blaa

Most of you sound like the classic owners when the out going car was launched

Yes there are differences, change always happens, but really, to just go on and on saying I hate it, very child like.

Anymore slating/flaming for hating something that most have not seen in the flesh yet and with no reason/detail about why it is not as good as the out going model will be removed, along with any users that persist in trolling this subject.

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

[*Vikki*]

yeah thaey r the same ones as i saw, and agree with him

[*Vikki*]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

feel 100% how you do!

[Ferroequine]

I don't like the R56, and I have an '06. I would have no qualms about upgrading to the R56 in a year or so, if I liked it. But I don't.

I feel that a lot of the character of the Mk 1 has been lost in the update. From the stand-alone indicators up front, to the dials in the centre of the dash, to the graceful waistline, the exposed wiper arms, the cowl vents, the short front overhang, the forward facing headlamps, etc etc. And how cool is a supercharger? A turbo gets a "meh, everybody has one" response from me...

The center dial in the R56 is just plain ugly.

Don't get me all wrong though, the R56 does have some nice features and updates. If the Mk 1 never existed, and the R56 was the "new MINI", I probably still would have bought one. But since I've seen the R53, I like it better.

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

If the Mk 1 never existed, and the R56 was the "new MINI", I probably still would have bought one. But since I've seen the R53, I like it better.

I think thats an important point you have made there. and something that everyone should think about before discarding the R56.

[CBCooper]

If we all liked the same things the world would be a boring place indeed. We all have our own opinions. Mr X likes the R56, Mr Y does not. Mr Y tells us all the bad things that he can clearly see in the new mini and offends Mr X. Mr X responds....and so on and so on. Threads like this serve no purpose whatsoever, because we all see things differently.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

this thread is so funny

I don't like it, its rubbish, blaa blaa blaa

Most of you sound like the classic owners when the out going car was launched

Yes there are differences, change always happens, but really, to just go on and on saying I hate it, very child like.

Anymore slating/flaming for hating something that most have not seen in the flesh yet and with no reason/detail about why it is not as good as the out going model will be removed, along with any users that persist in trolling this subject.

I think Rakey has a problem with anyone who wishes to express views whether positive and negative. Like the one I started the other day on the Suzuki Swift which was not a Suzuki V MINI thread but he felt it was not appropriate. There are MINI owners who happen to own a drive other makes of car and who just might like to bring their experiences onto MINI2. Its a shame the moderators have to spoil things.

I have been using this site for 3 years now and there are some great people on here and was as such great site to begin with, have received a lot of help. But unfortunately over time I have noticed things have changed for the want of a better word a *****iness and plain rudeness of some members towards others, this is something I simply haven't experienced on other car forums including Suzuki, Audi and Toyota. in the past. I'am not really sure what that says about MINI owners Like I said before the thread I started on the Suzuki Swift was meant to be light hearted banter and it soon like before where the Suzuki has been mentioned degenerated into a Sl*****g session of both the car and even worse its owners. I found that really sad and unfortunate. I also found it hard to believe that a MINI2er took the time to register onto the Suzuki4U site to have a go regarding their use of bonnet stripes and roof graphics.......OH DEAR!!......It really does for me put me off bothering to visit this site anymore or contribute to the threads.

Anyway back to point regarding the new model, personally I don't like it, but based purely on the looks as I'm sure it will drive better and the quality and refinement will be an improvement. I'am sure when there are plenty of the new models on the roads and we have driven them then we will wonder what all the fuss was about. There is nothing wrong in likeing or disliking it.....afterall it's personal choice............moderators......please take note!!!

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

Welcome back

You're response is great and very valid, and no one here is censoring anything - if we were this thread would have long gone However what we do want to ensure is that we maintain an atmosphere where owners of the new model also feel as comfortable visiting the site as those of the old model. A thread that just moans saying it's ugly without offering any constructive crticism is useless to all concerned - what is ugly, all of it, part of it - and to be honest just smacks of all those Classic owners who used to say of the current model .... it's ugly, not a real MINI. I'm sure we all remember that and remember how we as owners of the new MINI felt about that.

We don't want that alienation so to all of you posting, take a lesson from John's post above - constructive and fair, that is great. but please take away the "it's ugly" jibes, we don't want that type of posting here.

Thanks

[cct1]

Soggy, what you said makes perfect sense...But that's not how it was worded in the previous mods post. And that's the rub-- complaining about the tone/content /trolling of a post in the thread in a manner which is more inflammatory than the original post.

Lets be realistic here, it's not as bad as what happend with the classic owners--c'mon, do you think owners of the 2002/2006 MINI are going to be flipping off owners of the 2007's and on up? I seriously doubt it.

This is going to be debated add nauseam--it's what people do here, love it or hate it, the new MINI is by far the most exciting thing that's happend with regard to the car in since it was first reintroduced. It's a bit heavy handed to accuse people of being childlike for not liking the new car, or expressing such opinions. If someone came out and said I like the new MINI, would they have the same reaction, wether or not they gave ten reasons why they like it? I doubt it.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

much more like it, nice post Tigger

There is nothing wrong with not liking the R56, but it should be more than a flaming/slating post as I said earlier, it should be giving a reason for not liking something, explaining what points are not liked, or what is prefered about the out going model.

Too many threads get dragged down by some users that come here purely to cause trouble and pick fault or a fight over nothing, it happened with the GP last, and now they have moved onto the R56, but those users will not be tolerated on this site. They should take a note out of Tiggers post on how to communicate like a grown up.

Oh and glad you came back

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

I think Rakey has a problem with anyone who wishes to express views whether positive and negative. Like the one I started the other day on the Suzuki Swift which was not a Suzuki V MINI thread but he felt it was not appropriate. There are MINI owners who happen to own a drive other makes of car and who just might like to bring their experiences onto MINI2. Its a shame the moderators have to spoil things.

No, I only have a problem with those that don't express themselves fully or with something more than just cheap attacks at something that other users are probably very happy about having paid out for such as an R56 or a GP etc...

The swift thread was started out as a good thread, but no fault of yours, got highjacked by a couple of users that did this before in the main Swift thread that already exists on here to try and drag it off as another Swift is a MINI rip off thread, so it was closed to prevent further deteriation of the thread.

Quote:

I have been using this site for 3 years now and there are some great people on here and was as such great site to begin with, have received a lot of help. But unfortunately over time I have noticed things have changed for the want of a better word a *****iness and plain rudeness of some members towards others, this is something I simply haven't experienced on other car forums including Suzuki, Audi and Toyota. in the past. I'am not really sure what that says about MINI owners Like I said before the thread I started on the Suzuki Swift was meant to be light hearted banter and it soon like before where the Suzuki has been mentioned degenerated into a Sl*****g session of both the car and even worse its owners. I found that really sad and unfortunate. I also found it hard to believe that a MINI2er took the time to register onto the Suzuki4U site to have a go regarding their use of bonnet stripes and roof graphics.......OH DEAR!!......It really does for me put me off bothering to visit this site anymore or contribute to the threads.

I agree, that was out of order, and that user was told not to go trolling on the Swift site, as we certainly don't stand for that behaviour on our site and would not like them to sign up and come here to cause trouble.

Quote:

Anyway back to point regarding the new model, personally I don't like it, but based purely on the looks as I'm sure it will drive better and the quality and refinement will be an improvement. I'am sure when there are plenty of the new models on the roads and we have driven them then we will wonder what all the fuss was about. There is nothing wrong in likeing or disliking it.....afterall it's personal choice............moderators......please take note!!!

Never said there wasn't anything wrong with not liking, just that its wrong for some of the posts that were made in here that were purely saying that they hate it with no back up on why.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

No, I only have a problem with those that don't express themselves fully or with something more than just cheap attacks at something that other users are probably very happy about having paid out for such as an R56 or a GP etc...

The swift thread was started out as a good thread, but no fault of yours, got highjacked by a couple of users that did this before in the main Swift thread that already exists on here to try and drag it off as another Swift is a MINI rip off thread, so it was closed to prevent further deteriation of the thread.

I agree, that was out of order, and that user was told not to go trolling on the Swift site, as we certainly don't stand for that behaviour on our site and would not like them to sign up and come here to cause trouble.


Never said there wasn't anything wrong with not liking, just that its wrong for some of the posts that were made in here that were purely saying that they hate it with no back up on why.

Fair points I can understand your view that it would be nice to have reasons why someone dislikes the new model rather than giving negatives without a view. I think you will always get the I hate it full stop scenario.

I would agree entirely with what Tigger said and was put very well. The reason I bought my MINI was it's uniqueness ie what other car had a clamshell bonnet?, what other car had a supercharger in a hatchback in that price range? what other car had the power steering whine that made pedestrians stare at you the list could go on. The new model has thankfully kept the overall styling que ie it still looks unmistakenly MINI and compared to any other hatch, still looks good BUT in my view in the watering down if thats the correct word of the design for whatever reason, pedestrian safety, cost etc it's losing that uniqueness. I guess when you look at most classic cars the earlier versions always seem to keep their desiribility as the later models became watered down in their looks the car lost that desiribility factor. I hope the MINI doesn't go the same way over the coming years.

I guess there is only one thing to do and keep my current S and trade the Swift in for the new model

[typpet5]

Interesting thread. Why does one have to better than the other? The R53 and R56 are different not better or worse. If you have an R53 and enjoy it then enjoy it. If you think the R56 works for you buy it. Both will be great rides because they are Mini's.

After many episodes of envy each time I saw a Mini cruising by me, I made up my mind to get one. My dilemna was which to order, an 06 now or wait for the 07? Both appealed to me, the 06 via test drives, the 07 via many hours of scouring the internet for pics, movies, available brochure. So I ordered the 06 two weeks ago. Why? After each test drive, I realized the R53 made me laugh because it is so fun to drive. With this as my visceral reaction then why wait? So, I plincked down the deposit, ordered my MCS, and am looking forward to late November when it should arrive. It will be stabled right next to my 1960 MGA roadster.

[KPKalle]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

Fair points I can understand your view that it would be nice to have reasons why someone dislikes the new model rather than giving negatives without a view. I think you will always get the I hate it full stop scenario.

I would agree entirely with what Tigger said and was put very well. The reason I bought my MINI was it's uniqueness ie what other car had a clamshell bonnet?, what other car had a supercharger in a hatchback in that price range? what other car had the power steering whine that made pedestrians stare at you the list could go on. The new model has thankfully kept the overall styling que ie it still looks unmistakenly MINI and compared to any other hatch, still looks good BUT in my view in the watering down if thats the correct word of the design for whatever reason, pedestrian safety, cost etc it's losing that uniqueness. I guess when you look at most classic cars the earlier versions always seem to keep their desiribility as the later models became watered down in their looks the car lost that desiribility factor. I hope the MINI doesn't go the same way over the coming years.

I guess there is only one thing to do and keep my current S and trade the Swift in for the new model

Fair comment, but each to his own. Myself, I don't think the design is watered down - just an evolution. I mean compare variations/developments on Astons, Ferraris, etc. They're all still desirable no matter what model. I see the MINI the same way.