Comments on: MINI’s Official R56 Preview Photos

By: Quickchick

Quickchick — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:36:33 +0000

I will keep my MCS 05 until I also run it into the ground. I am not sure I like the new styling. I had been considering buying another Mini and have come to the conclusion that I am going to dump alot of money into the one I have right now to make it even better! Very pleased with the styling of my Mini, not sure about the 07…

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:03:06 +0000

I'm no "MINIfile", just a car guy.

I can tell right away... not what is different, but that it is blatantly obvious overall that it is different: And the previous MINI looks way better.

By: Bavarian Racing Green

Bavarian Racing Green — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 23:32:56 +0000

...for me, i'll take a Dark Silver '07MCS with a sunroof , black rims, and Cordoba beige interior...

...i will place it next to my BRG '03MC...

...then my wife and i will cruise around aimlessly debating the merits of each gereration...

...as a solution, we will enjoy both...

By: Enzo

Enzo — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:41:09 +0000

I really stopped caring about car looks and that is why I traded my 05 MCS for an 06 STI. The things is that you get used to the performance and start wishing the looks were a little better.

I'm liking the new mini so much that i might just trade in my STI for the newer new mini

By: rb

rb — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 20:34:34 +0000

Evolution -- can you stop it? I like the R56 MCS, especially in that yellow or blue. But I am still quite smitten by my '02 MCS in chili red & white accents, 17" S-Lites... ahhh

One thing I noticed (especially in the MINI2 photo comparo) that I really would miss -- where are the Mini badges on the bonnet & boot of the R56?

Couldn't live without those ...

By: BUD

BUD — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 02:00:54 +0000

Aside from the controversial design issues discussed –I think MINI should strongly consider bringing the diesel version to NA. Given the current fuel fiasco that we are all confronted with on a daily basis what could be a better time than now to bring this baby to the USA.Moreover, with the DC SmartCar scheduled for intro. in ‘07 by Penske et al, the MINI will be “out-mini-ized” by this 8 foot hyper-scooter. The initial version will be gas, but a diesel is planned to follow. The VW TDI PD has become a phenomenal “cult” car. I think the time is right for MINI to bring us the MINI One D. Many of us (enthusiast types) would welcome the challenge of turning frugality into performance. Bentley even has a LeMans diesel-powered race car which incorporates the engineering genius of the parent company VAG/AUDI. The One D would become a “practical” sensation for many enthusiasts like myself sans the complexity of hybrid technology.

By: dickdavid

dickdavid — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 01:37:22 +0000

I have a sick feeling in my stomach. The last time I felt this way is when the BMW 320i came out and the 2002 went away.

True, but now they're both classics. The 2002 will always be my favorite, but I wouldn't mind a nice E21 in my garage as well.

By: ChrisW

ChrisW — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 23:22:23 +0000

Ugh, something else I just noticed that displeases me: although there is a big new well for the windshield wipers, the sprayers (AKA streamers/dribblers) are still on the bonnet? Aargh! I hate those stupid little sprayer nubs. Why can’t MINI incorporate a nice sprayer (like my Passat had) into the windshield base? Not only did the Passat have a nice, clean hood with no nubs, but the sprayers gave a nice, even misting.

By: BzzzBom

BzzzBom — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:00:45 +0000

I have a sick feeling in my stomach. The last time I felt this way is when the BMW 320i came out and the 2002 went away.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 11:05:03 +0000

Those side by side pictures posted on MINI2 by Paul Mullet really show the differences very clearly. I think even non-obsessed MINI people will see the changes at first glance. Did MINI have to pay Jimmy Durante’s estate for the use of his nose as a model for the new front end?

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 04:16:31 +0000

I don’t know if anyone else mentioned it, but it’s nice to see a one-ball exhaust. This should make aftermarket exhaust options a bit less expensive.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 03:11:07 +0000

Sits awfully high due to the raised bonnet line. This one’s going to take some time to get used to…

By: GrFa

GrFa — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 21:17:02 +0000

I am just glad that when I go to the dealer to pick up my car, its an 06 and is just there for service. So far I’m not a big fan of the new ones.

By: Nikos

Nikos — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 17:52:25 +0000

I am so glad i bought my 2006 MCS.The interior is awfull.

By: rkw

rkw — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:30:33 +0000

Paul Mullett at MINI2 has assembled a fascinating set of photos that compare the new and current models, shot at the same distance and angle: CLICK HERE

By: Paul C.

Paul C. — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:19:31 +0000

OH DEAR GOD!!! What the hell is this? It’s a good thing they don’t offer indi blue anymore because it wouldn’t stick to a car/”mini” like this.

By: AlwaysOpenCharlie05

AlwaysOpenCharlie05 — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:13:20 +0000

Dude...

I have to say, as photos of the new car keep emerging, it's growing on me. A lot.

Am I the only one who thinks the interior rocks?? I like and appreciate the new design elements, and I think the new materials and soon-to-be color combinations will be a refreshing, killer update.

I guess I'm just hardcore MINI. I've got a BRG Austin Mini (Right Drive) and a BRG (sort-of) '05 Cooper Convertible, and, while I was considering buying a Hyper Blue '06 MCS to finish it off, the light blue R56 MCS is looking very appealing to me. I love the old car, adore the current car, and really like the new car, especially after these new photos. Plus, the videos on MINI2 make it look pretty nimble, and the exhaust notes are very pleasant and MINI-esque.

The imposter bonnet scoop is my only turn off, and I'm sure the aftermarket guys will put it to good use, if the new JCW package doesn't.

Cheers, MINI, for winning me over again.

By: drew

drew — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 14:14:08 +0000

couldn’t have said it better myself eelke!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 11:44:20 +0000

Thanks, MINI, for making the decision to hold on to my 02 Cooper very easy.

By: Eelke

Eelke — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:21:59 +0000

Engine: absolutely excited about state of the art technology as opposed to low-tech stuff in current car.

Exterior: rather pleased about the good job they did of preserving the current car's charm, if a little put off by the fake hood scoop on the S. (Maybe the JCW kit will include an intercooler to be mounted behind it? And/or the option list will have a zero-price option of fitting a Cooper bonnet to the S). I think it's a shame they found it necesarry to hide the S-spoke wheelnuts behind a cover plate. It doesn't look right to me.

Interior: absolutely despise the center part of the dash, with the stereo controls integrated in the speedo, no needle gauges for temp and fuel, but tacky led indicators, and horrendous fisher price climate control. Other than that center bit, my sentiments about the interior are simmilar to those about the exterior, just a shame there's apparently even less storage space.

WRT to the gap between the wheel well and the hood, keep in mind these are pre-production cars. I think the gap is most noticeable on the Laser Blue car, might just be a bad example. WRT the mesh grill: I quite like it (at least I like it a lot better than the color-coded grill that comes as standard on the current S), but, like others, I'm sure it will be possible to replace it with something more classic looking.