R50/R53 Orders Ending November 5th

A sad day. The end of an one era and the start of a new one. The 1st Gen MINI is a tough act to follow. I’m still glad I got my refined 2006 version of the 1st Gen model. Let’s hope they can avoid destroying the character displayed by its predecessors. Their mantra should be “It’s a MINI, not a BMW”.

Ah well, times change. R50/53, being first, will always be perceived as the purest, if only for that reason…sorta like a Mk1 classic. I have nothing but optimism and excitement about R56, but credit where credit is due…R50/53 was/is something special. Now onto the next iteration of MINI greatness!!!

Yep, I think that I might get credit for this. I had a bad experience at the oregon dealership and had to go to Utah to get it done. Oregon told me that my order got locked out and that I was too late. So I mentioned it to Gabe to Find out.

So, Gabe, you never did say which are the most comfy seats.

Utah was all too happy to help me though. (sighs at the thought at being MINI-less)

Sorry you had a “bad experience” capn. It boils down to MINIUSA not giving the dealers all the info they needed to assist clients with building their car on the last day to modify the 06 cars.

“a good friend of mine (one of the east coast’s top mini tuners) said it best to me and i have to agree with him: in twenty years the 2005 and 2006 r53s are going to be saught after classics.”

Somehow I doubt that very much………and if it were true, why would the 02-04 not be every much a “classic” as an 05 or 06?

I’m looking forward to driving an 07. Better gas mileage and more HP and torque, more comfortable seats, a telescoping steering wheel, 6-speed on the MC, more legroom, a sunroof that opens in the rear, a better ride without giving up the go-kart handling, etc., all sound good to me…I’m ready to more on up to an 07.

Somehow I doubt that very much………and if it were true, why would the 02-04 not be every much a “classic” as an 05 or 06?

The general consensus is that the 2005 and 2006 cars (with the enormous amount of changes inside and out) are much better made. And then there is the addition of LSD, increased power output and revised gearing that seems to suit the MCS much better than the initial set-up on the 02-04s. The ‘05-’06 models are commonly looked at the ones to get in the MINI community if you have a choice.

Yeah, what he said. Really, pointing out that the 2005-2006 MINI’s are more refined isn’t meant to slight the 2002-2004′s. Only acknowledging that in the model lifecycle, MINI had time to correct problems and eliminate actual or perceived deficiencies.

I have no doubt the R56 is going to be a fine car. My reservations are more due to my personal tastes and preferences rather than a feeling that the car is somehow substandard. Like most of us, I’d prefer MINI to continue to prosper as a brand.

thanks mini fireman – perfectly said on all counts.

“The general consensus is that the 2005 and 2006 cars (with the enormous amount of changes inside and out) are much better made. And then there is the addition of LSD, increased power output and revised gearing that seems to suit the MCS much better than the initial set-up on the 02-04s. The ‘05-’06 models are commonly looked at the ones to get in the MINI community if you have a choice.”

If the changes from 02-04 to 05-06 were “enormous”, how would you describe the changes from 05-06 to 07?

My observation is “refinement” rarely has anything to do with the “classic” status of an auto. First year of a new model is more likely to be a collectible than the later, more refined, models, especially if there are fewer of the first year models available. Also, the original unmodified Frank Stephenson design may attact some collectors. Twenty five years from now all the current MINIs will be so old that whether or not one had more rattles or “teething” problems than the other in the distant past will be a very insignificant point.

I’ll get back with you in twenty five years and we’ll discuss this more…..I’ll only be 88 then. LOL

OT: I know this is quite unrelated but is the image, posted next to the Topic/Title, the one that has R53 on it, available as a grill badge- I looked on toddsmods.com/badges and it’s not there. Know where I can get one??!?

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming….carry on.

As a once proud owner of a R50/2003 MINI COOPER and now a proud owner of a R53/2006 MCS/PS/BL/JCW/AIR INTAKE, as in all things good the next bend in the ROAD will be better. But, less we forget the re-birth of the R50/MINI COOPER and the R53/MINI COOPER “S” in the USA has been and continues to be a work of great wonder. I often wonder just how in the heck can they improve on what I know to be the best vehicle I have owned, bar none. SMILES abound and the wonder will continue, next up? Time will tell, but my best guess it will be a R56/MCS/JCW Maxed out..year?? So let’s MOTOR ON and be happy in the knowledge that we know something the folks driving the other vehicle’s don’t. Supreme driving happiness….:-)

Anybody know when I can order my new 2007 Mini online?? Waiting patiently in NM…..