3rd Gen F56 Cooper You're not going to like this review if you've already decided you hate the F56

Going by the thread title I expected to read something that should have been posted in 'Scott's funny saying of the day' but reading all the comments it seems to me that like anything else in life, you can get used to just about anything over time.

 

Yes they have been moving away from the car crowd as they are trying to expand their market.

But more towards the Apple crowd? That's always been there. MINI has been crafting its image as a hip lifestyle product since 2002. Just look at MINI marketing material through the years.

 

What most magazines are saying is that it does what it does well. Better looking interior etc etc. Most like the new base turbo 3 engine. They do all mention that it is 4.5" longer then last model which was longer then the model that preceded it. Most of us are b-$&%# about the exterior and the growing size of it all.
It may run better, handle better etc. But it looks like $#&+ to most of us. Those headlights look hedious. The European front bumper grille just doesn't work for me. Why not have a US bumper and a euro bumper. Glad they did finally change the rear spoiler for the better. Is the new Base Turbo 3 going to be in all models this year or phased in with each new Gen model?

 

Actually, I have never felt the JCW interior is cheap and plastic looking. I think the brushed surfaces in both our cars have a great look and when I treat them with Formula 303, they give off a very dark, matte appearance..

No, they aren't cowhide surfaces like you would find in a 911, but I like the interiors myself.

 

I agree and its been done before. When Lambo exported the Countach here, they hae to put a different front end on it that included these hideous body colored bumpers and totally screwed up the look. The European models did not require it....

wow, I just realized that front impact standards have completely reversed :biggrin5:

 

Amazing what a couple of decades can do....
I just remember the Porsche's of the early 80's with the extra bumper thinggys added due to US RULES...looked goofy...heck...think most folks unbolted them...was pretty easy to do.

 

Oh yea! they actually had a name for them...."bumperettes"....I kid you not....

 

By apple crowd I was referring to the demographics of that crowd....very much sought after... Not using that term as a slight in the least. The demographics of the typical apple customer makes most marketers drool.....

 

Yeah the R53 did and still do suck but I took them out in put in a nice set of Recaro's. I have sat in the JCW ones and I still like mine better. :devil:

Good luck with your new F series Jim and at least the JUSTA looks better than the S.

 

Thanks Dave, but I'm gong with an "S" this time. Always behind the "in crowd" (that being you) but what can I say? :lol::lol:

 

Top Gear Magazine just reviewed the F56 Cooper S versus a Ford ST. The winner did have an "S",but also a "T". The ST that is....Basically they felt the MINI has gotten more civilized at the expense of the sportiness and especially the road feel of the earlier models, and the ST is more direct and engaging. They did NOT like the rev matching, which does not blip enough, and can cause the car to lurch. That's going to be a deal breaker on the track, where things like that cause sphincter puckering and other general unpleasantness; they're going to have to get that one sorted out quickly.


What really looked interesting is the new Civic R...they're going after the front wheel drive production car 'ring record with that one, could be interesting.