I think Evo has it spot on myself, have heard many fellow owners say the same and quite a few magazines...quality feels better but there seems to have been as many people taking there cars back on here as they did when the original BMW Mini came out...dont get me wrong it does have quite a few plus points over the R53. But after driving and seeing there are more minus points for the R56 than there are for the R53..in particular the S.
To much Torque steer, that awful view of the rear axle/exhaust, 4x4 looks, lack of supercharger (particulary kills the character of the S) fake bonnet scoop, fiddley new key, over assisted power steering and to refined in comparisson with R53..not the drivers car it was.
The extra torque/performance and better MPG are good points but dont do it for me....but if I had to replace my S at the moment it would go on a GP...if I couldnt decide on a differnt car though I would take the R56 into consideration over alot of its rivals
Does that include the misaligned panel gaps on the Bonnet
Sorry Ollie, I do like your car, especially the interior colour scheme, & I hate to go on about this ... no Really, but your gallery pics do show that a little work is rqd on the bonnet alignment before it could really be called Superb.
I've heard this comment about the R56 many times before, but I don't understand what evidence it's based on
I've looked very carefully at many R56's in the showroom, but the quality seems either "equal to the R50/53" or "worse than the R50/53" in every aspect. For instance, I find the fussy and flimsy roof lining, the interior roof lamp and plastic S filler cap cover particularly depressing
Can someone please point out any item of bodywork or trim on the R56 that is higher quality in the new car? I'd genuinely interested to know....
Tigger.
PS: To be fair, I can think of just a few; the display for the radio and the digital display on the rev counter are both bigger and clearer than before and the optional (and £110 more expensive than before) Xenons are better. Can't think of anything else though
I think most of the interior is better than before. True the headlining isn't, and the centre column isn't great quality but the previous one wasn't either, in fact they're both pretty poor. The dash in general is better, the seats are more comfortable, but the "1/2 leather" have much less leather. The steering column is better.
I can think of other "worse" bits, but that's not what you asked for.
Thanks for the answer Paul, but I was particularly interested in specific examples.
Taking the dash, for instance, the coloured rigid plastic section that runs from side to side of the dash on the old car is completely rigid and firmly fixed to the dash; on the new car it is very flimsy and, next to the speedo, can be moved in and out by about 5 mm using light finger pressure only. On the old car the section above the drivers knees needs extreme force to overcome the clips to hinge it down to hide extra wires behind it; in the example that I tried, the clips were unable to even hold the weight of the plastic panel itself (even though the plastic panel itself was a lot thinner and lighter).
What parts of the dash actually include improved plastics or better fasteners?
Tigger.
PS: I shall check out the steering column next time I get a chance...
Elimination of hard plastic to hard plastic joins, removing many "joins" or mating surfaces in general.
The feel and quality of the air vents.
The direction of air flow from said vents.
The indicator/steering column stalks look and feel more solid, more in keeping with non-silver dash finishes.
The dial surrounds I feel are more in keeping with the overall design, although "less MINI". The tacho display, the information, and the on board computer system in general (basically nicked from the BMWs).
Steering column in terms of being reach and rake adjustable.
The way the tacho is attached to the steering column.
I know it's optional, but the new Sat Nav looks SO much better than the previous. Sadly though at the expense of the non-Sat Nav systems. This car was clearly designed with Sat Nav, like a lot of cars are clearly designed with the colour coded bumpers/body kit which they then offer as extras, making the standard vehicles appear compromised.
Other areas I think are improved are the grab handles on the door, but the door ellipse and door pockets are poorer (the door elipse is better as long as it's NOT the standard bobbly black/grey finish on the lower end models, which is terrible).
I think the glovebox operation, although a bit of gimmick is very cool, and feels nicer, but the storage in there is dreadful, and it's rattly in terms of the hard plastic inside of the door.
The front seats grab/push handle being high up, so you pull the handle up and seat forward all in one go for rear access is VERY good and makes a lot more sense than the original system.
Seats in general feel more supportive and comfortable (although, as said before, loss of leather in the 1/2 leather is very poor).
Strange one maybe, but the rear seats being wider and less sculpted make child seat fitment much easier.
Interior noise levels are dramatically improved, so that's a plus. Cant be put down to an individual "thing" being improved, but the real world difference is brilliant.
The sides of the centre stack (soft as opposed to easy scratch, exposed screws hard finish on 1st gen).
The passenger side grab handle (roof mounted) not folds out of the way, I used to hit my head on that almost every time I was a passenger, that's a big plus from me.
For me it's a strange one, pros and cons either way. The "old" model had many nice, delicate touches that impress and make it very "mini" like. The new one has many nice, clever touches that make it a more sophisticated /modern/advanced vehicle.
Sure I could find more if mine hadn't been rejected!
I'll agree with you on that wretched passenger side grab handle. However, although the new one is much less dangerous, it could have been more substantial and air damped.
I know, from previous reviews, that you don't like the side sun visor, although we do. Consequently we managed to order the side sun visor for a LHD car and fitted that in its place It only cost £20 and we much prefer it. We just need to work out what to do with the holes left by removing the rear ones Does anyone have any good ideas?
(If anyone else has been involved in a really nasty roll over accident, like we have, they'll probably appreciate the desirability of not killing yourself, or any of your passengers, from head injuries incurred by smashing your skull open on one of these liabilities )
Tigger.
PS: If anyone would like the part number for the LHD sun visor it's M51.16.7.134.440 at £17.11+VAT.
There are loads of companies that do cosmetic repairs to tears in fabric/upholstery/interior trim that should be able to make these go away Tigger.
I've had carpets, seats and roof linings repaired over the years and the really good companies will make an almost invisible repair.
Obviously I don't know anyone in Kernow, but Chips Away are usually a good start, as they will know someone that does if they don't do that sort of repair in your area.
Where the hell are you getting this from, i cant find it in my evo . The only part they slated was the way it looked in the rear view mirror, and it looked as if it was trying too hard in terms of styling when they went for a photoshoot. But then they say it happened to fit the turbocharger and meet pedestrian safety standards, that is about as far as it went i wouldnt call it a *****fest per se .
I kind of agree with them, its a mix and match though, i prefer the bodyshape of the old one im not completely won over by my mcs's looks. The engine is a hell of a lot better, the interior is much better put together not one rattle yet despite all the speedbumps i go over. Basically the r56 engine and interior in the old body and it would have been a hell of a car.
I do not like the sight of the rear axle at all, id have loved brembos like on the 197, and i still dont like the seats. Ive sat in all of them and hate every single one, even the jcw ones. None offer good support, the best ive sat personally are the standard clio 197 ones. If you have ever sat in one you will know what i mean, they are leagues ahead of the minis. I got the chili sport seats and i dont particularly like the fabric or the lack of support.
It is so far ahead of the old new mini for me but it is not the best it can be. Hopefully some aftermarket bits and bobs will sort it out for me. There is still so much to love about it, dont get blinded by the small issues.
At least the mini is the best of the 'small' hot hatches.
The current EVO of wich they have sent me two (compitent subscription department?) does a good honest review of the R56 it comes out best of a not bad bunch really.
I've just been to pick up a copy of April's EVO to read this. Unfortunately, only May's issue is available now I imagine that's why Wooly couldn't find the article, because I couldn't and then found it was already next month's issue
It's a shame, because I'll never get to read the original article now
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Does anyone have any good ideas?
)
.
