[SonicTPA]

So some of the posts above are hinting that the changes will appear on the convertible when it appears at the end of this year, and that they will be added to the rest of the range from August 2009. Is that the consensus?

So are there any rumours on whether there will be any changes in August this year?? I'm thinking about upgrading from a mk1 S to a mk2 S this summer, and I don't want to buy it just before something changes!

As for what I'd like:

A chrome grill option for the Cooper S.
A nicer rear bumper for the Cooper S.
Dual exhausts for the Cooper S, like the Clubman.
A better centre console.
An engine that's not flawed - it's holding me back from buying one!

S

[Laza]

I agree with 99% of all comments here. We have also been rather put off by the R56, and we bought a 2nd hand R53 instead to replace our R50. After having become used to the lovely supercharger whine I couldn't imagine going back to a MINI without it!

What looks worst to my eyes are the bulging, weirdly sideways sloping headlights. They look OK from the front but not too fancy when viewed from the side. Maybe this has something to do with pedestrian safety, I hope not. And yes, the tail looks too high as well.

About the interior....just about everything around the dash is horrible!

Just my 0.0001€ :P

[jon vital]

Quote: Originally Posted by LMB (original)

Exterior - The hump at the back for a start. I hate it. Front needs working on as well. I still think the old Mini looks far better.

Interior......they should scrap the dash and start again.

Engine - BRING BACK THE SUPERCHARGER !!!

This is the biggest single reason I've shunned the new Mini. It was the heart and soul of the old Cooper S and was what made the car so special.

There's no way they will bring it back. It harms fuel consumption too much.

[fastismycopilot]

You have no hope of a supercharger with the new VED announced in the budget. All of Europe will be heading that way & BMW will want to keep the green loonies happy. Don't forget all manufacturers will be aiming for an overall reduction in emissions.

If it makes you feel any better, the diesel like clatter you get from the turbocharged Cooper S engines is one of the main complaints from GTI drivers, especially the Edition 30 big turbo versions.

[johnmichael]

I would like to see the rear wiper have a continuous setting and not just intermitent. The headlamp washers should be activated independently of the headlamp/screenwashers. The Sport button should be on the steering wheel and the 'set' light should be in the speedometer. Altenatively it should default to on, not off.

[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnmichael (original)

I would like to see the rear wiper have a continuous setting and not just intermitent.

Intermittent works fine on the Clubman though.

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by fastismycopilot (original)

You have no hope of a supercharger with the new VED announced in the budget. All of Europe will be heading that way & BMW will want to keep the green loonies happy. Don't forget all manufacturers will be aiming for an overall reduction in emissions.

If it makes you feel any better, the diesel like clatter you get from the turbocharged Cooper S engines is one of the main complaints from GTI drivers, especially the Edition 30 big turbo versions.

Why would a supercharger affect the VED bands, its Its still the same size displacement engine all the supercharger is doing is providing a cost effective power hike which can produce the performance of almost a 3 litre engine from just a 1.5 litre motor. Same situation with a turbo really. so they'll have to go too if your ideas are correct.

A well designed and efficient supercharged engine is more fuel efficient than a conventional fuel injected type, the cost of the supercharger adds to the manufacturing costs but thats about it.

I think if a well designed supercharger was fitted to the Prince engine you'd find that the mpg would be pretty similar to that of the current S with the turbo maybe even better

[Joogle]

I cannot see why the JCW S should not be supercharged - if it affects the VED or carbon figures so what - its your choice to buy the car, you know what your letting yourself in for cost/enviroment wise. As the JCW is not a major part of overall MINI sales then I cannot see that introducing it would adversley affect any enviromental targets set against MINI as the performance of the rest of the range would balance the figures out.

[MINI&MERCGUY]

Well, first things first - safely - HEATED MIRRORS SHOULD BE STANDARD ON ALL MODELS!

Actually, that's about the only thing I'd change about my R56 - the rest of it is great!

[akwaba]

Take the R53 model and spell it R56 and you'll get the best R56 ever made...

sorry ...


R52 sidewalk S addict

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by jon vital (original)

There's no way they will bring it back. It harms fuel consumption too much.

You're right but it's a shame. Just the experience of driving a Supercharged S is worth the extra it'll cost in fuel.

[baskers]

Agreed - as much as the new S is lower in tax, cheaper on petrol, and a more civilised ride, nothing can beat my supercharger in terms of grunt, exhilleration, sound and handling... the new S is nice, but the oldie is a bit special.

Maybe when I'm 30/40 odd I'll make the change.

Would be nice to see some cosmetic changes on the R56 though - straighten out the headlights and made the back end look lower, it'll look lovely then...

[Washy]

After 7000 miles the one thing I do like about my R56 is the power delivery, sure I miss the whine of the superchrger, but the old car feels a bit turgid in comparison.

To be honest thouigh I am just counting down the days till I can get rid of my car.....would take a lot of chnges to tempt me back into another MINI...

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

Why would a supercharger affect the VED bands, its Its still the same size displacement engine all the supercharger is doing is providing a cost effective power hike which can produce the performance of almost a 3 litre engine from just a 1.5 litre motor. Same situation with a turbo really. so they'll have to go too if your ideas are correct.

A well designed and efficient supercharged engine is more fuel efficient than a conventional fuel injected type, the cost of the supercharger adds to the manufacturing costs but thats about it.

I think if a well designed supercharger was fitted to the Prince engine you'd find that the mpg would be pretty similar to that of the current S with the turbo maybe even better

Am I right in thinking that VW have an engine that is both turbo- and supercharged? If so, then why can't BMW do the same? That way, everyone would be happy?

Ian

[mikeythemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

After 7000 miles the one thing I do like about my R56 is the power delivery, sure I miss the whine of the superchrger, but the old car feels a bit turgid in comparison.

To be honest thouigh I am just counting down the days till I can get rid of my car.....would take a lot of chnges to tempt me back into another MINI...

Two letters - GP

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini (original)

Two letters - GP

Actually semi on the look out for a nice one Weekend toy to replace the old motor bike......

[Fin]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Am I right in thinking that VW have an engine that is both turbo- and supercharged? If so, then why can't BMW do the same? That way, everyone would be happy?

Ian

The VW Golf GT. The supercharger works up until the turbo has spooled enough then automatically cuts out.

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini (original)

Two letters - GP

I'll second that

[ClarkyboyS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

The VW Golf GT. The supercharger works up until the turbo has spooled enough then automatically cuts out.



I'll second that

i agree, also,

i suggest - with the risk of sounding very rude that they scrap all ideas of any more mini's - there was enough damage done when the r56 was introduced!
i think they hit the nail on the the head with the 1st facelift, and in producing the r56 an altogether worse car was made?

just because half of our population consists of obese children it doesnt mean our cars have to be,

also what is with the ride hieght? and does anyone else think the tires look really skinny? and where is the performance inscrease on the new jcw compared with the S-charged?

bring back the Proper S any day! hehe,

sorry to offensd any R56 owners - its my opinion,

[OJM]

Put the interior back to how it was on the 1st gen! Don't like the 2nd gen interior, and it puts me off buying a 2nd gen

[Joema]

A center stack that doesn't look like it's designed by Playskool. Smaller speedo with radio controls removed and placed back into the center stack where that lonely volume knob is located. More gauges like traditional fuel and temp gauges that were offered in the prior generation's chrono package. Cloth seats without having to opt for the sports seats (US market has to buy them this way). Better build quality. Diesel model availability in the US. More non-metallic color choices like Pagent Blue offered on the MGs back in the late 70s. Tidy up the headlights a bit so they don't look so googly-eyed.