[Paul]

First generation was 2001 to 2004 for facelift (2002 to 2004 for some markets), this time around it will be similar, if not slightly longer (3-4 years after launch).

[Robot Features]

- Bring back the HK Sound System. This new so called 'Premium Sound' system is not premium at all.

- Fix the dash rattles, squeaks and rattles

Apart from that i truly believe this car is the best thing ever!

[SILVA]

Like to have the "Nightfire Red" colour option available. Really annoyed that I couldn't have this for my R56 Cooper S. I agree with the comments about the engine noise which on my car seems to be completely random! Even occurs in mild weather .

[batou]

A supercharger

Sorry.... couldn't resist

[dlpruk]

I wouldn't want it myself but I suspect tin-work changes to Ds will be needed to make room for a Urea Injection tank and stuff so that they meet so-called "California" NOX emission standards.

(I think BMW need to get the Ds into the States asap in order to offset the huge pollution generated by Spartanburg's X3s and the forthcoming X1 and X6.)

[baskers]

A face-lift after only being out for 1.5 years... whoa... The car has grown on me, I won't lie, but it's not a prized beauty.

Again - lower the car a little (lower rear bumper?) - Are they thinking of giving the Cooper/S a slightly different bonnet... that seems like the only logical shape that they would need/want to change, all the others are pretty much flat surfaces. So, will they add more curvature to the bonnet/correct the googley-eyes of the 1st edition of the R56?

I had a dream about a year ago that they did this... who knows! LOL

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by baskers (original)

A face-lift after only being out for 1.5 years... whoa...

The facelift will probbaly come along with the convertible in 2009, and will flow onto to the hatch some time later, so it will end up being nearer 3 years after launch - which is fairly normal

I'm not sure what I'd change - interior must be the easiest to do... a new design console and speedo using the existing shape. The rest of the interior works well IMO.

Perhaps add more of a curve between the headlamp and grille, more akin to the 1st gen, my only criticism of the R56 front end is the bonnet could use more features.....

[Mejy Poo]

Having KPH on the speedo!

[minicabrio]

Just a quick funny thought..... remember all the complaints surrounding the 2004 facelift? Perhaps just to tease us, MINI will do it all in reverse

Move the clock from the speedo to the headlining, put big chrome strips into the front and rear bumpers, split the dash up into five pieces, move the passenger airbag down a bit, simplify the tail light design and move the reverse light to the back bumper?

[murattaner]

A two-door Clubman?

This was hard to resist, too.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by murattaner (original)

A two-door Clubman?

This was hard to resist, too.

what no back doors at all

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

Just a quick funny thought..... remember all the complaints surrounding the 2004 facelift? Perhaps just to tease us, MINI will do it all in reverse

Move the clock from the speedo to the headlining, put big chrome strips into the front and rear bumpers, split the dash up into five pieces, move the passenger airbag down a bit, simplify the tail light design and move the reverse light to the back bumper?

I still miss the clock in the headlining......

[murattaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

what no back doors at all

I just couldn't bring myself to saying "four-door". How then would one mean four-plus-two doors? A six-door Clubman?

[mister.t]

A bonus for prospective Dooper owners would be to bring emissions down below 100 grams per km - No road tax and that would please many people I believe. I know its not a huge jump back from £35, but theres something pyscological about paying nothing compared to something. Car wise what would I like to see changed? TBH, very little, I love the R56. Perhaps sort out the rear bumper - Just a little plain, but this is sorted with the JCW kit. Squeeze more power out of the Cooper and One is the only real suggestion I can think of

[adams]

I thin i might be alone on this one, but i dont like the slats on the areo kit at the back where the ?fog? lights are, doesnt fit the lines of the car IMHO. Perhaps sort the headlights out to stop making it look bong eyed if you dont choose the white indicator lenses?

I agree with mister.t, more power from the cooper to go with its name, perhaps 140-150 BHP and make the one a 110 1.6? Not going to change the engines i know just how i think i t should line up

[PGN-1]

I wonder if the roof edges could be made take more rainwater, so I wouldn't get water on the seat when entering in rain. That roof line in Clubman is partly for this I assume? That wouldn't work aesthetically with Cooper, so deeper edge rubber would be the only possible place to better the design.

I agree on interior plastics being poor looking compared to the rest of the car. I like the speedo though, the speakers look ok too, they just sound crap. Engine sound at idle is pathetic, do something for that too...

[Zack]

Nicer radio and aircon controls, with more standard equipment like alloys on the MINI one and aircon especially on the cooper and S models.

[Lawrothegreat]

I wouldn't change too much exterior-wise, but:

• A better range of alloy wheels would be nice, there was a better selection for the R50/R52/R53.
• The front of the new R56 MCS looks good, but I think the fog lights of the R56 One and Cooper models look too big.
• The Cooper S looks too high at the back.
• I wanted the 1st generation aero bodykit and couldn't afford it. I can now afford the aero bodykit of the 2nd generation but I don't want it. Please change the bumpers!

As for the interior, I was initially disappointed as it felt like a step down from the 1st generation car, but:

• The centre console needs to be redesigned and remanufactured to a higher standard. Stop arranging all buttons to resemble the MINI badge. The radio controls in the standard speedometer look cheap (non sat nav versions), as do the air con and toggle switches.
• The seat fabrics could be improved. The stitching of the cloth seat versions of the R56 models could be a lot better (it bunches the material up).
• I'm sure the roof lining feels cheaper.
• Please please please stop producing those cheap rubber handle grips for the handbrake, especially after the lovely feel of the gearknob.
• With the driver's seat in the lowest position I cannot (at 5'8") cannot see the display in the rev counter properly without bending forwards. This was never a problem in the 1st generation car.

In terms of car mechanicals:

• Can the Cooper S engine gain a bit more character? Sure its torquey but it doesn't growl/sound like a hot hatch should. I never had a R53 with the supercharger, but I do miss the cat screaming under the bonnet of my R50 when parking.
• Improve the feel of the brakes.
• Improve the sound quality of the standard radio boost system.

That's it for now!

[Joogle]

When I was in the dealers last week they were saying sales were droping off & they were not getting enough return customers - all with the same issue - the looks of the R56. Any real hope for a facelift was lost when the JCW did not come out with the "Unique" front end that was rumored. And the Clubman has not taken off anywhere near what they were expecting. The dealers were hinting that something has got to be done to get existing customers to change from the R53's and with the competition from the Fiat 500 im not surprised its on the cards.

Exterior - change the front end - make it more like the previous generation, its just too bug eyed at the front...... Also put the indicators back into the bumper - the arrangement that clearly identified the car as a Mini at night. Replace the oversize indicator surrounds on the A panels with something better proportioned. Agree with the comments about the Grille on the S - bring back the slatted option. And colour options.... Please bring back some of the Classic colours - I would love to see Almond Green join the range. Clubman - loose the suicide, Sorry Club door... Have it as an option.

Interior - reduce the size of the Speedo, simplify the center console & bring standard head units back. (I love the new interior trims though!!! Dont change them!!!)

Mechanicals - Supercharger, please.....

Dont get me wrong I think the R56 is a great car, but with a few tweaks it could be something really special.

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mejy Poo (original)

Having KPH on the speedo!

Too right - make it user-switchable?