Comments on: MINI’s Official R56 Preview

By: slate grille

slate grille — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:49:34 +0000

[...] out a slat grill … I also dont like the non-slate grille. The chrome package on the current …http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/27/minis-r56-official-preview/BigJohnGrills: Vinyl Cover for 210-40M Gas Grill, SlateVinyl Cover for 210-40M Gas Grill, slate [...]

By: Kay Gleisner

Kay Gleisner — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:51:04 +0000

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By: MAD-MINI-MEDLER,

MAD-MINI-MEDLER, — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:47:07 +0000

CAN’T WAIT, JUST ORDER MY R56 COOPER S, ALTHOUGH IVE GOT TO WAIT TILL DECEMBER TO GET THE DARK SILVER (BUMMER I KNOW!) IM STILL DEAD EXCITED!!! LETS JUST HOPE ITS AS MUCH FUN AS MY 05 WAS WAHEY!

By: warren

warren — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:05:07 +0000

I also dont like the non-slate grille. The chrome package on the current mini looks fantastic?

By: MINI DRIVER

MINI DRIVER — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 22:10:36 +0000

aRRRH! It looks like all the people that have a mini already are slagging the R56 mini off – but clearly you must not be able to read – the new mini is a polished version of the older but still good mini. It has a better engine and gearbox – better fuel economy and better suspension. Yes the grill is a shame – but I’m sure that they will bring out a slat grill option, due to public demand. If not mini another company will. Mini on and enjoy the mini you have and don’t be afraid of change! :)

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Is the 2007 MCS Faster than JCW GP?

MotoringFile » Archive » Is the 2007 MCS Faster than JCW GP? — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:57:21 +0000

[...] On the face of it, with 175bhp vs. 218bhp it would seem that the R56 MCS should be nowhere near the GP in terms of lap-times. However with the new turbo engine, the power band is much more broad with 177 lb-ft available at just 1,600 rpms. Perfect for exiting corners. [...]

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 12:57:53 +0000

I just noticed, in the Mini2.com photo of the speedo with built in audio controls. One of the buttons in the audio controls is a button with an image of a phone...

As mentioned in the Next Generation Revealed Story from March of '05, the new MINI will have indentical functionality to the new 3 series in terms stock radio. That means optional bluetooth will be controlled via the radio's interface. If you want to see how it works head down to your local BMW dealer and take a look at a 3 series. It will be identical.

By: Geno

Geno — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 05:33:24 +0000

I just noticed, in the Mini2.com photo of the speedo with built in audio controls. One of the buttons in the audio controls is a button with an image of a phone...

hmmmm, interesting...

By: Timothy

Timothy — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:39:19 +0000

Are the quoted octane figures of 91-98 referring to RON or (R+M)/2? (In other words, was the release meant for European or North American consumption?)

Those are European octane numbers (RON). It's great news, because it means our MINIs will run on regular unleaded (i.e. 87 per the U.S. measurement). That saves about $0.20 per gallon in operating costs.

For someone driving 10,000 miles per year and getting 30 mpg that's about 333 gallons of gasoline each year, or about $66 per year in fuel cost savings -- a nice dinner for two at a decent restaurant.

By: pete

pete — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 23:32:20 +0000

-Ken The friction wheel i believe is ran off of the crankshaft much like a V-8 or any other big engine

By: laverne

laverne — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:44:37 +0000

Neon-like bonnet with an “afterthought” scoop. Front grill large enough to stop a swarm of killer bees. Booty-lift is, er, interesting. School bus yellow. Blech. Is that a Jaguar-like frost green? All in all, nothing a little paint and body kit can’t fix…….

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:51:18 +0000

So the R56 Convertible will show up a year later after the R55 Traveller?

By: Gabe

Gabe — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:38:02 +0000

BMW has been doing it for every 3 series generation since the E30. With a modern production techniques it's not that hard to do all in the same plant.

As the site has reported, expect the new convertible to debut as a 2009 model.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:27:47 +0000

To me it is kinda interesting and weird at the same time, to sell both new R56 hardtops and R50/53 convertibles on the same showroom floor for the next 2 years (At which time, the convertible will go over the R56 platform and engine).

So the choice will be...

R56 hardtop with Peugeot PSA N/A or Turbocharged engines

or R50/53 convertibles in the original 2002-2006 style with Tritec engines and ZF CVT's...

It doesn't get any weirder than that.

But BMW did the same when the all new 3 series sedan came out. It sold the new 4 door sedan along the older E46 Coupe/Convertible models.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:24:40 +0000

According to the reports, the R56 MINI has been designed to run well with second generation run flats from the ground up.

So if you still want factory 15" radials on a MINI, you have to order a '06 MC hardtop NOW, or completely bypass the new R56 Cooper and get a standard MCC which by the way will continue to share showroom space with the new car for the next 2 years...

By: eto

eto — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:59:58 +0000

Maybe that means the rest of us that like the car can go to the dealership and get one without markup and long wait lists.

I do wonder how many current MINI owners will trade in or purchase MINIs of the next generation. I see a lot of comments about owners being glad to have got theirs when they did and they will own it forever. I don't own a MINI, but plan to purchase one in the next two years. I intend to truly own the car until the engine dies, and even then it may get a new engine to get it running again. It will probably get a Mr. Fusion conversion. ;)

I don't have much concern about the manufacturing process. MINI learned a lot from the run of the first car - there may be slight issues in the first few months, but I'm sure they'll be sorted out as fast as possible. I look forward to going to a MINI dealer at the beginning of '08 to start the order process.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:11:44 +0000

I’m glad most of you seem to be hating the car already. Maybe that means the rest of us that like the car can go to the dealership and get one without markup and long wait lists.

By: Michael (Mayim)

Michael (Mayim) — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:51:47 +0000

Love the “key”. Absolutely hate the HVAC/stereo/center stack controls. Looks like the interior of a Power Wheels Bigfoot.

By: Jakob

Jakob — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:48:33 +0000

I’ve read reports saying that the cabin noise will be reduced which I was very muc looking forward to. That doesn’t seem very likely with the increased engine noise, right?

By: Crusoe

Crusoe — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:45:00 +0000

Doesn’t look like there’s a spare or room for one in the boot so the S buyers will still have run-flats forced upon them. With a little imagination the interior isn’t gonna be much different. I like the new overhead toggles. Um, where’s the intercooler? behind the grill and vertical? Nice boot fender, seems higher. Very Euro “MINI skirt” to show off a bit of the underside. I like it. Now give us some MPG specs!