Most liked posts in thread: What did you do with your MINI today?

Called the shop to check on ma MINI. The motor they ordered w/ 65,000 miles on it was already sold and they forgot to delete it from their stock. So had to wait for them to find another. They found one today w/ only 45,000 miles, Geico didn't want to pay for this one since it was more expensive, Shop told them to shove it and they forked over the money. They said they should be done by next Thursday. Can't wait to see how it feels to go from a motor w/ 127,000 miles to one with only 45K. Oh they sent me a picture too, looks to be part of the motor that broke off, not sure. Big chunk though.:eek6:

 

Today, we (me and my MINI) went to one of our local MINI dealers to have a look at the F56. Chris, the sales manager sent Curtis with me in a F56 Cooper 6 speed manual. I had a choice of any of the drive trains (Cooper S manual or auto, Cooper manual or auto). I chose the Cooper Manual as it would likely be the closest comparison to Beken.

Chris knows me and knows I am not buying, but also knows I have influence on people looking to purchase a MINI so he generally gives me whatever I ask for. I will post a review after I have a drive of the other cars also.

Some observations?

The F56 is noticeably bigger inside and out. But sitting inside feels smaller because the window sills and dash are higher up. My R53 feels airier inside with a sense of being bigger while being small. The footwell in the R53 is wider giving the impression that there is more leg space for the R53 driver.

I loved the sport seats with the adjustable thigh support. Right up there with the Recaro seats in the R56. I didn't care much for the relocation of window buttons and switches. Now you get two blanks unless you order the head-up display and parking sensors.



The 3 cylinder engine is pretty smooth and sounds like, well, a BMW motor, which is quite different than either the R56 or the R53 MINI motors. There was a bit of turbo lag, but power builds very smoothly. It is NOT as powerful as the R53 in feel. The R53 is more raw and frantic. The F56 is smooth and refined, especially for a 3 cylinder motor. The interior itself is much quieter.

Handling, the F56 (in sport mode, of course) leans a bit more than the R53 or R56. However, it feels like a better developed suspension and I feel I can corner faster.

Overall, I couldn't tell if the F56 Cooper is faster than the R53 Cooper S. The F56 is smoother and quieter and power build is less frantic. It felt more refined and "slower" but my eyes were telling me it was still pretty fast. However, climbing a hill, the R53 felt more powerful.

Fit n finish, is much nicer and more modern than the R53. The only fixed gauges are the Tach and the speedometer. Everything else is on a LED display. It reconfigures to different gauges depending on if you're in sport mode or eco mode.

Still a good car a lots to recommend.

Getting back into my car, first thing I noticed, the friction point on my clutch was much lower. There wasn't a lot of difference in the speed of the steering, road feel, and all the other things we like about driving a MINI. I like the airier feel of the R53. I like the supercharger whine and once I go back to my summer tires, I don't feel a need to change cars. However, those buying a MINI for the first time and getting an F56 probably won't feel like they are getting anything totally different than previous generations of MINIs. I would say BMW did a good job meeting all the new safety regulations without totally moving MINI in a different direction.

BTW, overall, there has been a price cut on MINIs by about $3000 if you ordered a comparatively equipped F56 vs an R56 MINI from last year.

 

Got these yesterday! Less than 24 hours from Tire Rack.

 

Yep, tiny sized. 10" tire.

 

Installed the Rennline pedals last night. Still have the dead pedal and the foot guard to go. Going to take a little getting use to.

 

My mirror caps will soon go from this colour....



To this colour.....



Hey Justa Jim....
I'll actually finish one of my mods...........

 

Mirror caps sprayed...... Needs wet sanding....

 

Really? It was there for sure.

 

Nope :arf: Akebono's euro ceramics!

 

It's 5 gallons, a pico reef.

ADA Cube Garden Pico Reef - A Journey - CUC has Arrived - Pico Reefs - Nano-Reef.com Forums

 

Today I took mine around town for a stretch the legs run to burn of some release coating on my new Summer tires.

Ahh new sticky Summer tire grip the road so good.

 

Stared at one on jack stands and the other keeping it company.

 

Drove it like I stole whilst running errands.

 

Mine is getting a gravity wash right now.

 

Done....
Many many coats of clear.... Buffed and ready to install...



Hey Justa Jim.... Take note... I actually finished a mod...

 

Another picture..

 

Next weekend is oil and trans fluid change time and a alignment on April 15th.

Is it dragon time yet?