3rd Gen F56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: I drove an F56 S Today

I'm still biting my tongue until I get a chance to drive one. I'd never buy one personally; it just doesn't do it for me, but I'd love to take one for a spin.

As for the back and forth about the generations, my gosh, it's just a car, don't take a negative comment about it personally. Everyone has an opinion. Mine is that the remaining R53 owners are probably as a group the most passionate about the car--the less passionate R53 owners have been weeded out over the years, leaving a small, but vocal, hardcore group. That's not to say that they're aren't R56 owners, or F56 owners in the future, that aren't just as passionate, there definitely are, but taken as a GROUP, the R53 holdouts, due to a process of elimination and attrition on the one hand, and changes to the newer model appealing to a broader base on the other, aren't as diluted. Go back to how contentiousness of some of the modding arguments were/are with the R53 versus the R56; THAT is what the R53 mentality is, for both better and worse.

There have been times I've written something tongue in cheek, only to have it taken seriously and used as yet another example of R56 or F56 bashing. Suffice it to say, some people take a joke better than others, and some take the back and forth better than others.
But at the end of the day, I respect (or disrespect, as the case may be), the person, not the car. Even if they chose the wrong one.

 

Unless you screw up & then it is all over the internet. :ihih:

 

I'm really sorry if you feel I have gotten "hot on this topic" or have misinterpreted your comments. It is not my intention to cram my opinion down anyone's throat. It is, after all, only an opinion. You can see, however, that I AM hot about the Gen 1 MINIs, though. Perhaps the R53 and the R50 are old MINIs now to you, but they are MY MINIs. I thoroughly enjoyed my original Mini Minor when I owned it at 17 years old, and I continue to love the Gen 1 MINIs I own now.

I'm open to change. After all, I DID change from the Mini Minor to a VW Bug in the mid-1960s [and on to other cars until 2003]. Thinking back, it almost drove me into a deep depression when, suffering from seller's remorse, I went back the next day to reclaim my Mini...only to find it had been snapped up off the lot right after I had traded it in for the Bug! The same thing WILL happen again whenever I sell my MINIs, because history DOES often repeat itself...unfortunately. We just never seem to learn to leave well enough alone!

So, the F56 is not for me...no big deal. I saw it, rode in it and didn't like it all that much. I stated my opinion and got blasted. So what? Are we not here to voice opinions and make comments? There is just NOTHING mini about that MINI anymore that would make me want to buy one, so I shall stick with what I have.

 

Very well said the new MINI is not for me either. :nonod:

 

people used to choke when they got repair bills for their Tritec and Prince powered minis...just wait till they get the out of warranty bills for what is basically a 328i.... Bring Money in Wallet= B.M.W.

 

"This car begs to be shod with sticky tires, put in sport mode and flogged about. You'll have one hell of a grin. "

The same can be said of a corvette--and a 335I --and several Audi models-and ....I could go on but my point is-being 8 inches longer than an R53 and 5 inches longer than an R56 and wider as well as HEAVIER-the new BIG MINIs are not working for me. I can buy any of the cars mentioned, as well as a slew of others and have a heavier, bigger NON MINI that sticks well, is fast and a hoot to drive. I didn't want or need a BIGGER MINI. With a playstation instrument panel. and no dipstick.

I always reserve judgement from photos, waiting until I see a car and drive it. I was lukewarm on the R56 and they have grown on me to the point of likingand owning them,but it is going to take some serious mid life changes in the F56 for me to consider them a MINI, instead of a FWD 3 series.

I am not bashing for the sake of bashing...this car does not even resemble the 2 generations of MINIs that came before it. I gotta go find a GP2 while there is still time to buy a real MINI.

 

oh yeah one more thing-moving the window switches to the door just because the mainstream automotive media bitched about them (since day one) being in the center stack just SUCKS!! one of the last truly individual and different items in a MINI is now the same as...EVERYTHING ELSE!!

ALSO--the start stop "switch" now IN the center stack is more playstation design s**t. What they have done to this car is actually starting to make me angry.

 

While it is true you can purchase any of the above and with the right set up get them to stick as well, BUT you will not get the family, friends that you get with a MINI..... Unfortunately for people that want to join us and our experience the F56 might be their only choice AND that's what really sucks!

Maybe, just maybe the F56 is a ploy to increase Roaster/Coupe sales????

 

Wow, you just explained the psychology of Dave O. in one paragraph :biggrin5: Now I get it !

 

It's like Vegas, what happens at Fontana stays at Fontana. :devil:

 

From the reviews I read, the F56 (both trims), seems like a great daily driver that you can still have fun with and whip it around. I get about 22mpg driving to and from school in my R53, having a F56 Cooper that could double that mpg figure or more and have a quieter/more comfortable ride would be really nice. Then I could use my R53 as a weekend fun car and on MINI Rallies to get my visceral driving experience fix.

But regardless of all the improvements in efficiency and technology, the biggest question that I ask is: will it make me smile every time I drive it, like my R53?

 

oh trust me i let the sales guy have it when he tried to "school" me on the history of mini and why this is more of a mini than the original...wooo boy did he get a shock

 

Hey..... That there's private property......

Git off my asphalt...:ihih:

 

Uh-ohhhhhhh, MM. You'd better watch that bashing and trolling, or rkw [late of the f56 MINI Police] will be after you, too. :devil:

 

naw-got nothing to do with business, this one is personal LOL! we even work on MINI owners brand x cars when they need it.
although this car kind of erases the current "Mines Longer" clubman t shirts!

 

Everything seems to be moving to "BIG" as the models evolve...
Keep the "standard" mini...

 

For those who do not know my car a quick bit here. It's an R53 that's been "slightly modded",

Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/21338-i-drove-f56-s-today.html#ixzz2y7mIuJ27

And the Pope might be a little religious, the President might be slightly political and this last winter could have been a mite chilly.

Thanks for the review!

 

This is a real life observation, the F56 has joined a couple of MINI5280 rides in the past week and half.

My observation, unless you were looked to see a difference, you really did not notice them. One was on a Mountain drive, it was spirited and it did very well with the group.

One was at our local C&C, it was newer and not modded like the R56 next to it, but it was a MINI.

Check out my FB album, I think it is open to all. FB C&C

Also see the FB page MINI5280 Drives...

Don