[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

My R53 is in for service and the dealer have loaned me an R56 Cooper for two days. When I saw "loaned", they charge an "admin fee" of £10 per day for the use of it

I know that comparisons have been done to death on here before, but does anyone else find the combination of smaller windows, that huge speedo/radio and bulkier dash board (I've measured it, it is bulkier; it's taller and reaches further back into the cabin) make the new car feel claustrophobic inside?

Is it just me?

Tigger.

Update: They didn't charge me for the use of the loaner after all, the car was returned in perfect condition, vacced out, with the outside left uncleaned just like I'd asked! Credit to Westerly Exeter!

[LizzyG]

I feel like I'm sitting in a cockpit

[eggtruck]

it does feel a bit 'early learning centre' but then the old dash looks a little bit dated now. (but I prefer old dash)

[eggtruck]

when I had my R56 people would burst out laughing when they saw my big speedo! It was know as 'the dinner plate'!!!!

[Beastmaster]

I was driving an R56 Cooper Diesel this weekend and I really liked the view and feel from the drivers seat. I noticed that in this one I could see the bonnet in the middle which I can't from the R53. For some reason I liked this.

[CC07ERS]

The speedo is huge , i liked the old style better.

[baskers]

The R56 feels more 'hugging' (I think that's the right term), than the R53, which is quite cool! Think the R53 interior is less likely to date so quickly... the new interior reminds me of a Renault/Fiat... very plasticy. Still much better than all the other tripe out there!

[Root Ginger]

I liked the interior but the speedo looked like it was for the visually impaired. It did also look like the black plastics were a step down from the first gen. I guess you'd get used to it but you shouldn't have too. It should be right to start with.

[Vinnies' Mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by LizzyG (original)

I feel like I'm sitting in a cockpit

I love that too..... .... especially the switches up high above mirror and the matching ones down lower.....

Doors sealed & Locked....check
Fogs on ....check
Interior lights set to blue ....check

Ready for take off

[Dawn]

No, its not just you... I had an R56 Cooper as a loaner for three days from the 14th, except they didn't charge me for petrol because, " You've had a few issues with your car Mrs C", Ooo thanks !. Anyway, i didn't like it one bit, each to their own, but it just looked, and sorry if i offend R56 owners, 'cheap' inside, give me mine any day, ive just been spoiled i think

[Paul]

I think the new interior is much better, visibility is fine, and with the rake/reach adjustments and better seating it's generally a nicer, more comfortable, and less plasticy place to be. I'm glad they reduced the hard plastic surfaces, and if you order an alloy dash, then that's even more the case.

The only downside for me is the centre column, and the illogical stereo layout, but both of those are improved with the satnav.

[Martin F]

As it happens I had an MCSC as a loan car yesterday whilst my R56 MCS was in to get the auto headlights fixed.

My main impression was how much better the ride is in my R56. They were both on 17" wheels although I have standard suspension and I don't know what was on the MCSC. I also liked the temperature gauge on the convertible but preferred the info display on the tacho in my R56.

[zyo]

The £10 you were charged will be for your insurance, I add the car to my Direct line insurance if I'm having a courtesy car, it doesn't cost me anything if it's the same model but if it's a higher group insurance they charge me £7. More often that not when I do have a courtesy car it's never the one they have given me the registration for , so they end up paying the £10.

[msh441]

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

Does anyone else find the combination of smaller windows, that huge speedo/radio and bulkier dash board (I've measured it, it is bulkier; it's taller and reaches further back into the cabin) make the new car feel claustrophobic inside?

Is it just me?

Tigger.

I don't know about the dash being bigger... and I don't really think the speedo has anything to do with the confined "feel"... but overall, yes. The MINI feels a little... enclosed.

I was chalking it up to the way-far-away front window, combined with the humongous rear view mirror, anthracite headliner and tinted windows in my car. Thank god I got the sunroof or it would really be unbearable.

It looks good, though!

[OttoMannS]

I never understood the complaints about the R53's interior being cheap.

The interior of the R56 is nice but I am not a fan of the pizza sized speedo and center console. The rear seat feels pretty claustrophobic in comparison to the previous car. I think the rear seat cushion is now lower than before adding to that "dive in"feeling.

[Trinity07S]

I understand what you mean about the interior feeling claustrophobic, Im small and it feels just right for me. Its the first car Ive had that feels like it fits. I had an R53 loaner for 7 days and thought the controls were plastic-y. I suppose its what you've gotten used to.

[mister.t]

After going out in an R50 earlier today and jumping back into and R56, the difference was huge. MUCH prefer the R56. IMO, doesn't feel any more claustrophobic, especially in the back, where the difference is very noticable - IE the R56 is much larger and seems airer.

[envy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ollie Tebbutt (original)

After going out in an R50 earlier today and jumping back into and R56, the difference was huge. MUCH prefer the R56. IMO, doesn't feel any more claustrophobic, especially in the back, where the difference is very noticable - IE the R56 is much larger and seems airer.

Well you do own one

Anyway we shouldnt bring another R56 vs R53 Debate. Must agree that Speedo is huge, maybe that had something to do with intregrated LCD Stereo Screen.

Interior Quality is better, not many rattles. Though must say the new auto air con controls look like a fisher price MINI badge, they are way to fiddly and mean you take your eyes off the road to mess about getting the right setting. Sure they changed the heater controls because 'they could' and didnt follow a normal setup.

In terms of R53 vs R56 they both have negatives, but the R56 is the 'now' so get used to it

By the way im a R53 Owner )

[JG.26]

I used to think the 1st gen dash was hard a plasticky coming from Audis and VW's, but thought it looked much better if you went for alloy effect, what used to bug me was when I gave lifts to work colleagues in my S and the first comment was "what a silly speedometer" it's a childs car lol, goodness knows what they would think on the R56 speedo. I would say when I first had my MINI the Speedo being where it was in the centre of the dash was novel but alas I tired of it, taking my eyes off the road all the while and still think all cars where they stick the dash display in the middle is dangerous.

With the R56, I think if your going from the previous gen it will seem more upmarket, but after test driving one and comparing it to other makes it is erring too much on the cheapo side. Glad I did test drive other manufacturers cars as it opened my eyes rather than just going from a 1st to 2nd gen automatically simply because it was a MINI.

[envy]

Oh and back on topic - I didnt pay the £10 Charge, i just replaced the fuel and they forgot to charge me. I drove off £10 in pocket

So has it made you want to upgrade then Tigger?