Sections: R50 (Coupe) | R53 (Coupe) Nov 3rd, 2006 24 Comments 
We’ve just learned that MINI USA has set a new end-time for R50 and R53 custom ordering: November 5th at 11:59pm. That means if you haven’t gotten your order in yet for a 2006 MINI Coupe, you may want to get on the phone with your MA asap (if they still have any allotment left).
For those that miss this cut-off datem, US MINI dealers should have a few pre-specced coupes on the lots but they will be relatively rare and going quickly. As reported previously on MF, the 2007 R56 Coupes will be showing up as early as late January for dealers in the eastern US and early February elsewhere. The official launch in the US is President’s Day weekend.
It’s not quite as big a moment as the last R50/R53 rolling off the assembly line but it probably deserves a moment of silence nonetheless.
Since we’ve had a couple people ask, you can buy the magnetic badge pictured above at Motoringbadges.com.
MINI Fireman Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
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”.
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drew Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
wow – that was quick!
i, for one, couldn’t be happier with my 2005 r53. i wish i could say i was in love with the r56, but it just hasn’t grabbed me in that immediate and nearly subconscious way the r53 did.
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.
as of today, the clock starts ticking…
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gokartride Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
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!!!
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bluzeke Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
gee . . . is the CONFIGURATOR for ‘06 Coupes just going to disappear in a few minutes? I guess I better go build just one more fantasy MINI. Kinda sad. :-(
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O(=^=)OCapn Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
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)
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Matt Gifford Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
O(=^=)OCapn, you had bad experience at Rasmussen? Welcome to the club.
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Jarid Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
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.
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rkw Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
in twenty years the 2005 and 2006 r53s are going to be saught after classics.
Here’s how it will happen. Twenty years from now, a certain number of balding, overweight men will seek to recapture their youth with the car they had so much fun with during their 20’s and 30’s. Now flushed with money from their successful careers, they spare no expense to seek out the ones in best condition (those without rusted door sills).
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Robert Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
“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.
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FrankInMiami Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
I also agree with Drew that the R50/53 generation will be a tough act to follow. It is the car that “started it all” in terms of bringing new enthusiasts to the MINI fold and raising incredible levels of awareness for the 1959-2000 Classic Mini.
I too, enjoy inmensely my R53 ‘05 MCS with 19,200 absolutely troublefree miles. Love my car and look forward to many more years of fun and reliable motoring.
The R56 appears to be a terrific car. There are aspects of the new model that I like and others that I am awaiting to “test for my self” once the cars become available next year.
However, I am not going to jump in the “first year” bandwagon again. Although our 2002 MC CVT has been extremely reliable (40K miles and counting) we did have some teething initial quality issues, specially with the engine ECU software. I do not care to do Beta testing for MINI all over again.
But the R56 is definetely in our future, more specifically, the R55 Clubman for which we sadly will have to wait another 15 months. Hopefully by then whatever issues the R56 will have in its first year will be taken care of by ‘08.
Last but not least, I am getting a little irritated with all the bashing from the press and others about the bullet proof 1.6L TRITEC engine. The new PSA engine looks good on paper and I really hope it will be as solid and reliable as the Chrysler unit of the MK1 cars. This PSA engine has HUGE shoes to fill. I love the TRITEC engine and ticks like the finest Swiss watch day in and day out.
ReplySomehow 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.
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rkw Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
in twenty years the 2005 and 2006 r53s are going to be saught after classics.
Here’s what will happen. Twenty years from now, some number of balding and overweight men will seek to relive their youth with the car thay had so much fun with during their 20’s or 30’s. Now flushed with money from their successful careers, they will spare no expense to acquire the ones in best condition (the ones without rusted out door sills).
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MINI Fireman Nov 3rd, 2006 Link
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.
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rkw Nov 4th, 2006 Link
Here’s the real reason why R50/R53 will become sought after. Twenty years from now, as the current owners become balding and overweight, they will hope to recapture their youth with the car they had so much fun with during their 20’s or 30’s. Flushed with money from their successful careers, they will spare no expense at acquiring the ones in best condition (those without rusted out door sills).
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Mini-Mine Nov 4th, 2006 Link
I agree that the ‘05-’06’s might be more sought after due to the bugs being fixed, etc. However, I’m sure the ‘02-’04’s will have their own collectors! Personally, I have a new ‘06 and I’m loving it. I am thinking I might ‘upgrade’ to an ‘09 depending on what they do for the “50th Anniversary Edition”. Also, I’m seriously considering the clubman if nothing else special is done for ‘09 since it will be the second year and hopefully the initial ‘08 bugs will be sorted out.
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Robert Nov 4th, 2006 Link
“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
ReplyIf the changes from 02-04 to 05-06 were “enormousâ€Â, how would you describe the changes from 05-06 to 07?
I’m talking about changes in the context of the same model cycle. The changes from the R50/R53 to the R56 are on a totally different level because it is a completely new car and a new model cycle.
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alpha-6 Nov 4th, 2006 Link
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.
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alpha-6 Nov 4th, 2006 Link
Errrr…ummmm……(enter nervous laugh here)….ummmm….NEVERMIND….found it.
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Craig Nov 5th, 2006 Link
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….:-)
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James Nov 6th, 2006 Link
The deadline just passed. We are now in the MK II era. I’ll keep my original design 2004 Cooper.
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Stephanie B Nov 6th, 2006 Link
Anybody know when I can order my new 2007 Mini online?? Waiting patiently in NM…..
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