Today I took delivery of my long awaited F56. I drove it away with all of 4 miles on the clock and after driving it around all day I can safely say its the best MINI I have owned (this is my 4th!) The spec is: Cooper S Thunder Grey White Roof / Mirrors 18" Cone Spokes in White Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black / Carbon Black MINI Yours Off White Interior Pack - Interior trim (off white) - MINI Excitment Pack Media Pack XL - MINI Navigation System XL - Enhanced Bluetooth with USB audio - MINI Connected XL Chilli Pack - Multifunction controls for s'wheel - Floor mats - Passenger seat height adjustment - Storage compartment pack - MINI Driving modes - Rain sensor with auto headlight activation - Air conditioning, dual zone automatic - Interior lights pack - LED fog lights Sport Suspension JCW Steering Wheel Electric Folding Mirrors JCW Roof Spoiler Panoramic Electric Glass Sunroof Darkened Rear Glass Front Centre Armrest Anthracite Headlining Cruise Control with Brake Function LED Headlights with Cornering function Harman Kardon Hi-Fi I will update the thread as and when updates happen and also once I have had more time behind the wheel. My favourite bit at the moment is the ridiculously addictive turbo chatter when you have your foot planted (even better in sport mode!) The exhaust is popping nicely too - but I'm hoping it will get a little louder once things have been ran in. I've completed the first mod - colour coded front and rear lamp surrounds (I just couldn't resist so had the tools out this evening) I've spent the day driving it, and the pics so far are pony - but here are a few (very quick) pics I snapped of it this evening. IMG_5266 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5262 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5263 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5268 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5270 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5272 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5278 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr IMG_5273 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr
I really like that last picture. It looks "sleeker" (not as boxy), yet still looks like a MINI. Very nice.
I really like the coloring of the light trim. It makes them look a little smaller. What about coloring the black bumper bar too?
Yeh I'm thinking of CC'ing the bumper bar & maybe leaving the main grille trim & grille surround chrome?
A member of MT has done me a huge favour shopping the following onto the car: Speedlines CC'd large grille surround CC'd horizontal grille strip CC'd bumper bar (where the plate sits) I think this looks amazing
So I ordered the lower grille piece today from the dealer complete with the tow eye cover (part no's 3 & 4 on the diagram) - these will be going to the painters to be CC'd. I will be dropping off the black grille surround (part no 2 on diagram) off too that I've just had painted and this will be getting CC'd too! I'm collecting the parts on Wednesday and dropping them off at the body shop the same day. There is currently a sight snagging point with the horizontal chrome slat / Cooper S grille though. Its on back order from Germany with no expected replenishment date, so God knows how long I will be waiting. Also the dealer is not sure if the part number 1 of the diagram (51 13 7 335 529) is correct as the diagram shows a slatted grille rather than the honeycomb / chrome slat grille from the Cooper S - but my gut feeling is that the diagram is incorrect and is just showing a 'generic' grille and in actual fact the part number will be correct. Also, I thought I would upload a quick video of the turbo noise I've mentioned…. I've tried to make a video of the noise, however I can't get one of the engine under load as all I get is wind noise, so this is just revving the engine in neutral - with sport mode engaged (the engine was fully warmed up here, after a 40 min drive) The car has a very loud and noticeable 'induction' noise / whine when using WOT as the turbo sucks in air. Followed by the dump of the air as heard in the video. Very addictive sound, but its strange that others are not reporting hearing this noise & some are suggesting the noise I am describing is compressor surge??? [youtube]9El90MIgpws[/youtube]
Secondly, I decided to try one of the wheels against the car to get a rough idea of how they would look - this was the result: It just wasn't doing it for me, as I just couldn't visualise them properly - so out came the jack and I got one bolted up to the hub - here are the results of the test fitment: There doesn't seem to be much clearance on the F56 compared to the R56 - both on the outside and inside of the arch my wheels are 18x8 ET45 as this is VERY close to the strut tower! I would imagine that with coils, I will need a spacer to stop the wheels / tyres fouling the strut. I am also surprised at how close these seem to sit to the outside of the wheel arch. I think the F56 owners are going to have less clearance for rims that R56 owners currently have! I will no doubt be running some 205/40 18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports on these rims, which will give some stretch (although will be within Michelins recommended rim range - so I'm hoping it won't be too much!?) Thoughts guys?
I think the side of your car will be dirty from that tire sticking out there but it should look good overall. I like those rims
I like the white interior line. That option is not available here. Well, we did get a white color line option, but it is not at all like yours, which I really like. Wounder why there is such a difference in what they make available? Seems like your color line should be offered everyplace, as well as white wheels. Your car is looking very nice.