3rd Gen F56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Drove the F56 Today

Keepting the with the OP thread, just because...

MINI of Loveland handed me the keys to two automatic F56s today and said go make the tires squeal. I did and so did Rich C, current MINI5280 President.

So I don't have to retype here is my commentary on a posting on the G+ MINI Community.


One of our local dealers (MINI of Loveland) rolled out a Cooper and a Cooper S for some spirited testing today by myself and our current MINI5280 Club president. On my FB page this was my comment about my experience driving both new F56 Turbos 3cyl and 4cyl.

"The 3cyl Turbo Cooper was a surprise, you can get a lot of MINI with VG power and great low end for under 30K, this test MINI Cooper was loaded up. Needed a bit more tire and a little less wallow (fatter rear bar or stiffer springs/shocks), this was one had standard MINI setup. The F56 S was a stunner, went like snot and sounded very good, even with the enhanced sound output, it burbled rather nicely. Put 4 Driving lights across the front bumper and go enjoy. My initial review is a double thumbs UP, they are all MINI and have some really nice sport seats and interior features across the line up. Look for an article in the next MINI5280 newsletter for details."

One of my commentors felt the new MINI catch phrase for the F56 S, should be "Goes like snot", it does rather well. I managed triple digits with the Cooper on a controlled road. I actually could own one.

Don

I will post a picture or two once I upload them, maybe by this weekend or not.

 

Well now. Old81 gives us another favorable F56 report.

BREAKING NEWS: Meeke Leaves Citroen.

Kris stated to the press, that the new Citroen is very fast, handles fantastically, but he hates the front bumper.

 

As sales keep dropping maybe BMiniW will figure it out. BMW as also lost a huge amount of true M3 fans with the new M4.

At least the M4 looks like a BMW because it is a BMW.

 

I really have to drive one. But virtually every review I've read has said it's lost a little bit more of the directness; test it's become even more civilized. That'll be great for the popularity of the brand, but not my cup of tea. Yes, people like me and Dave are in the minority; the MINI has gone from quirky to mainstream and has broadened its appeal at the expense of losing many of the initial enthusiasts (the F56 is about as appealing to me as an Aztec), but it is what it is.

Nice review though, glad you got some time in one.

 

I do not like the inside either. :nonod:

 

Very nice review and thanks. Some of us will move on and some will remain in the past, but that is OK, too each their own.....or is that "cut off your nose to spite your face?". Whatever...............

 

Jenlane--I don't disagree with that, it's just that the original R53 was a totally different beast, and the current beast is a completely different animal that frankly doesn't have the appeal of what got me into the dealership in the first place. We all get that for the brand to continue, it's got to be profitable, but something has been lost along the way. Some people get that (and I think you fall into that category), some people don't, and accuse us of nasal self-mutilation, but whatever....:wink:

But when everyone is clamoring for aftermarket bumpers before the car is even on the street, I can't help but think that somewhere something has gone horribly wrong...A large part of the MINI's appeal is its simplistic, understated lines and looks, and this has been completely lost on the new S.

The community will be fine--main streamers buying the F56 to be trendy aren't going to be active on these forums anyway; they'll be on Edmunds asking where to find the dipstick. There will be plenty of F56 buyers who are goofballs like the rest of us to keep things interesting, and buy reasonable looking fascia to make the F56 presentable.

 

Have you been drinking....:lol::lol::lol::lol:

You have a better chance see monkeys fly out my butt before I buy an F'ed 56.:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

Another thought: "Dave-O and the Butt Monkeys" would be a pretty cool name for a band. There could be some big bucks here, my friend! :idea::lol:

 

I knew someone would take advantage of that opening. You're welcome! :lol:

 

They'd spell F56 wrong if you spotted them the "F" and the "6".

 

The tow hook is actually in the weird black bar.

I drove an autotragic S F56 today and liked it more than I thought I would. Not saying that I'd trade in my R53 for one but given the other options on the market, I might consider one in a year or so. Gotta give MINI time to workout all the bugs. In the meantime, I'll continue shopping for a properly configured 128.

 

^^^ouch! But true

 

Got to wonder whether or not the owners of the classics hated the new MINI this much way back in 2001/2002...

 

Yup I have been told by classic owners I have a MINI cooper name plate only and not a true Mini.

I was told its kind of like Ford using the Aston Martin grill on the Fusion because they owned Aston for a while. Does that make a Ford Fusion and Aston Martin, NO.

I was told I have a BMW with a MINI badge that's all I have. My only reply was yup but I don't have LUCAS problems but I still like the classics.

 

Well....
At least we cannot be called Luddites.... Most of us love tech....and when used in the right places, it can make things so much better many different levels....
Overtime, the car may grow on us...the huge tail-lights and odd nose might begin to look less odd...and MAYBE (let's hope) the reliability and extra mpg makes the car a winner....
Hate to say it...but looking at the gen2 "lifestyle" cars, the bar was set embarrassingly low...
Gen1 mini's allowed the MINI to make a comeback..... Gen2, while fun for many, IMO, will quickly become a rare beast due to matainabilty issues.....we can only hope that gen3 does well....
Sad thing is many MINI diehards seem to moved on to cars like hotrodded ford compacts (focus st/rs)...or bought brz's...
Only time will tell if MINI has lost its way....or just taken a bumppy road while trying to find its way....after all....MINI ( the bmw owned version) is about to become a teenager!!

 

I get the negative commentary when I take my '03 Silk Green Justa to British Car Shows. My reply to them is that even today's MINI would still be all British, if Rover had been able to keep its head above the water and not go under. I tell them that they should thank their lucky stars that BMW stepped in and re-presented the MINI in its NOW form. And then, I remind them that our BMW MINI is at least STILL assembled in England. My dry reply pretty much shuts them up...and then I go on to win my class at the show! :devil:

 

I guess you say that about the Classic owners, too...huh? I have 3 Gen 1"New" MINIs and will stay with them, TYVM...just like the Classic owners. If "remaining in the past" appears so bad to you then why do so many people still buy, restore and maintain the Classics? Why do so many first time owners choose the Gen 1 MINIs [aka the NEW Classics] over the newer ones?

Like you said, "whatever...". Just make it a Mini/MINI, though!

 

I agree, Dave. But once behind the wheel you don't see the outside. I loved my R53. I love my R56. I didn't think that I could love the F56, but after a bit of time behind the wheel I can see buying one in 5 or 6 years when I need a new car. Hopefully by them they'll have a LCI model with a better looking snout.