[vintageb3]

For me to even contemplate a R56 or new cabrio...they will have to change the front lights so that it doesn't resemble a frog being squeezed and its eyes bulging out and to the side. Please don't take offense at this R56 owners...its just as I see the car when I look at it

They would also have to lose the big gap above the wheels that looks too 4X4 for me...sorry again R56 owners

Total wish-list would be the engine out of my R53 under the bonnet...but that ain't going to happen now is it?

Also would like to see the roof on the new cabrio not mark after a few operations (I'm on my second roof cloth on my R53)

Other than that...I have no complaints...

mark

[Streeters]

I hope BMW are listening, as most people seem to be hitting on a similar few points.

for me it has to be the whole centre console . we loaned a dooper the other week for 24hrs and overall it was good fun but that dash.......Please. and the stereo controls cheap and nasty plastics more akin to a french car than BMW/MINI.

And cover up that back section, no man likes to see a womans knickers tucked into her skirt and thats what you get behind an R56, deeper bumper or preferably drop the ride height a bit

[MINI_Chris]

here's my first go at a facelift, although my photoshop skills aren't good enough to do sportspack arches yet.

I prefered the previous models styling to the R56 but I think I'd buy this...

[Paul]

Looks kind of 4x4 ish, wheels way too big for me too.

[KPKalle]

Wasn't the last car built by consensus the Edsel?

BMW/MINI are never going to please everyone. I did own an R50 Cooper and loved it to bits. But I find the old shape dated now - inside and out. And BMW/MINI must be doing something right if year-on-year sales are up 18.5% (as recently reported)

[mikeythemini]

Is the sales increase due to new markets though?
Speaking to a dealer last week about March 1st sales (new reg)
2006 60+, 2007 34, 2008 - 19

[Joogle]

I would like to see the split on those Sales figures - my local dealer was saying the same thing......

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle (original)

I would like to see the split on those Sales figures - my local dealer was saying the same thing......

The figures quoted in the press release seem to confirm great growth in 2007, but the anecdotal information appears to suggest things are not so well in 2008 (although it's early yet). I agree, would definitely like to see a detailed breakdown of the sales into the different models, but where might that information be found?

(Meanwhile, back to the mid-life facelift topic this thread is about, there also seem to be less after-market styling accessories about for the R56 generation, or am I just not looking hard enough?)

Ian

[Paul]

UK year to date is up 5% on last year, sold 8,500 MINIs. That's from MINI UK press office, today.




Don't say I'm not good to you people...

[elsiesvg]

What do I want from a Gen 2 facelift? A new exhaust for the Cooper S! I've never been able to get on with the standard R56 S's "just hanging there in thin air" exhaust. I much prefer the R53's center-exit exhaust styling...

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Don't say I'm not good to you people...

Which is exactly why I have just renewed my Privilege Membership (or whatever you call it these days!)

[Matt FT]

Quote: Originally Posted by elsiesvg (original)

What do I want from a Gen 2 facelift? A new exhaust for the Cooper S! I've never been able to get on with the standard R56 S's "just hanging there in thin air" exhaust. I much prefer the R53's center-exit exhaust styling...

But don't touch the clubman exhaust! I love the burrble

[MINI T]

i remember when i got my first R53 mini. was really excited about waving at other mini drivers and being involved in that friendly environment. R53 drivers were keen (5 years ago) to wave but (many of ) the classics i would wave at would be less than cordial in their response.as if the R53 BMW mini was a traitor. reading through this thread it feels almost like the R56 is being given the same cold shoulder treatment. shame really. having owned a classic, two R53s and now an R56 they are all very different but all have extremely attractive features. the new mini is not to everyone's taste and the turbo charged s is noisy from start and yet conversely its quiet when cruising.the JCW upgrade does a lot to remedy that. it is also very very quick and yet far more cost effective and better for the environment even if that isn't particularly sexy or popular with lots of people. the competitive edge and strange sort of snobbery is odd and a shame.

anyway, one thing which has taken some getting used to is the electric hydraulic power steering in the 56. it renders the drive light and makes for a hairy experience when driving fast and suddently hitting a small hole in the road. i think on balance i miss the old power steering system and the comforting noise it made too.

[Paul c]

More colour options
Bring back Harman Kardon
Centre consol is cheap lookin and get rid of the stupid heater controls and go back to twist controls PLEASE
Keep the HUGE speedo (i can actually see it) ( Im blind in me left eye)
MINI hifi is crap bring back Harman Kardon
Sort engine ticking noise
Bring back Harman Kardon stereo
Lower the car standard so we cant see the exhaust back box and lower suspension arms
I want the supercharger noise too
And a Exhaust note that sounds worthy of a premium sporty car
Harman Kardon

[Rakey]

1) Lower it so it doesn't look to sitting on stilts
2) Thin down the arch trims which are excessive in size
3) sort out the centre consol and speedo
4) sort out the rear end so that bumper doesn't look like its too high up and you can see all the under gubbings of suspension
5) rear lights, move the indicator out of the brake light so it can be seen when people brake and indicate at the same time
6) Improve the bonnet release catch so that its easier to locate
7) position the washer bottle fill up point away from the car electrics and engine so that its easier to reach and if you do over fill or spill there is no problem
8) improve the wheel arches so they don't fall off
9) give option to have sport button on all the time via the OBC

Just a few for now, might pop back later on

[jamesbeaumont]

Like most of the things said before;

Fix the black trim on the wheel arches and skirts
Put the dashboard together more securely
Get rid of the runflats
Improve the stereo options
Maybe a slightly more agressive front end
Bit more torque on the cooper
An un-crunchy gearbox

[Tunster]

I'll comment after I get my new MINI Cooper S but I prefer the R56 in comparison to the R53. It's much more mature in terms of it's exterior styling especially! I've now got my head around the model versions so far. I can see the R50/R53's quirks and why some prefer it over the R56 model. However, the main thing that puts me off the R53s is the sudden bulge of the top of the bumper that meets the bottom of the bonnet looking at it at an angle. The R56 is far less bulgy and smoother (the joining of the grille is far better). Also, I prefer the intergration of lights rather than the seperate lights of the R53.

I must agree though with most here, the Harman Karma stuff needs to come back (or some high-profile sound system), mould a 1 RIN stereo into the centre circle console (so we can change it) rather than having it all intergrated. As much as this is clever, it stops people tweaking their interior to way they want it.

I'm sure I'll have more opinions several months into owning mine.

[Fredrik]

I am perfectly happy with my R56 S except for a few minor things.
As my good friend KPKalle I owned a Cooper R50 before this - a great car, but I wanted an S.
Since I have had an R50 I decided to go for an R56.

The wheel arches - why have they made them bigger? I decided to paint my wheel arches in the colour of my S (Laser Blue), and this looks so much better

The side mirror shape - almost looks like a small football, I prefer the shape of those on the R50/R53, who have got more race-look (think Vitaloni on a 70´s racecar of various marques).

The gearbox - first time I drove my new R56 I stopped at a redlight. When attempting to put the stick in first gear I ended up putting in reverse - not good - maybe you need to do something extra with the stick when going for reverse?

When it comes to the stereo and CD, the standard one (in Sweden it is CD Wave) is good enough for me - my seven year old son just wants to listen to Robbie Williams "King of the Bongo" anyway

Otherwise, I am a happy chappy with my R56 S

[ben__allen]

Can they simplify the OBC for the future too - it is way to confusing to use easily. For some reason the 3 flash indicator setting has reset to the 1 flash on my car, and trying to get it set it back to the three flash setting is proving somewhat of a challenge :-/

[baskers]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

The R56 is far less bulgy and smoother (the joining of the grille is far better).

???