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

Someone is going to come out with an Aftermarket Body Kit for the front that will take care of the "Stick Out" look and make tons of money.

 

Probably. Interesting "fact": The guys from my local dealer who went to training last week said the black bumper bar is there specifically to meet the European safety rules and is an integral part of the front structure. They also said it's kind of "squishy" - you can't push in on it and deform it with one finger, but you can with two fingers.

 

Thus said Mr Toyota and Mr Honda...........

 

I took out an F56 Cooper manual yesterday for a test drive and I would concur with Jen on her assessment.

Love the sport seats.

In the end, MINIs are for driving. For the enthusiast, it really doesn't matter what it looks like inside. Those who whined about the ergonomics in the R53 need to get a life. If anything, putting the controls where they are for other cars make the MINI less MINI and more generic. Once you drive the car a bit and get used to where all the controls are, it's a non-issue. Every car is a little different. The car is bigger, but driving it feels like it's the same size as the previous MINI. It's not as small on the outside and general consensus has been, it's a bit uglier. But on the other hand, I've been told I own a "cute girly" car a few times in the past too. Design is just too subjective to please everybody.

I also am not a big fan of electronics in the interior controls. However, having multi-mode displays has allowed MINI to keep the gauges in front of the drive relatively easy to read. Why one needs multi modes is beyond me. Just give me a MINI with one mode, being sport mode, cut the crap with eco mode and lop $2000 off the price of the car. I feel it's a waste, but this allows the display to be configured to all things to all people without getting it overly cluttered with buttons.

If I follow the MINI Motoring creed of Get in, shut-up and drive, then the F56 is a worthy successor to the discontinued R56. But then, I'm still having too much fun with my R53 so I won't be buying one, at least for now. But it is a car I can recommend to my friends who are asking if they should consider getting a MINI....provide the new engines turn out to be relatively reliable.

 

They took away the dinner plate speedo and thems is fightin' words :mad5:

 

So, don't hold back, tell us you how you really feel?

 

AMEN!

 

Yeah, just seems more vehement.
I'm a long time Jeep owner. Each succeeding generation it teased by the old heads that their Jeep isn't a real Jeep and in turn teases back about Stone Age technology of the previous generation. I'm struggling to recall anyone being this mean spirited.

 

should be more like "looks like snot"...and with nostrils that big on that car you can blow some really big snot rockets

and yes classic mini owners in some regards hate the Rxx BMW built minis though technically any mini from the mid 90's on is BMW since they bought the rover group then

hell there are classic mini owners who hate other classic owners...some who think the only true Mini's are the Mk1/2 with sliding windows...some who think anything more than 10" wheels is a blasphemy and if you ditch the Lucas electrical (what i did) its a sin...

 

Yes, with all the traits of a teenager: gawky awkwardness and acne.....

I liked this creature better when it was younger: playful, exuberant, attractive in a quirky way, always doing things to make you smile, and eager to please.....

I know, I know, sour grapes, resistant to change....but the C6 had 9 years to grow up and it never ever appealed to me. I really don't see time healing my wound here either :cryin:

 

Saw a Cooper and an S in person last evening. No driving though as it was raining like the filming of Noah was about to start.
IMHO: While not stunningly beautiful, they aren’t a face that only a mother could love either.
As I read somewhere, there is nothing wrong with the front that a few fog/driving lights won’t hide/cure.
I really liked the interior.
The bottom outside corners of the hatch concern me as I suspect that the corners are just sharp enough and sculpted just enough to really snag someone who isn’t paying attention.
Understand it is to each their own, but am glad I’ve seen it in person. In three or so years when I’m ready to trade my current MINI, I can safely see the F56 as a contender to keep me in the MINI fold.