Automobile Magazine drives the R56

Sections: MF Feature Dec 6th, 2006 24 Comments

A review of the R56 that is not quite like the others from a writing standpoint.

But then, why fiddle for the sake of fiddling? If Mini sales have dipped over the past twelve months, it’s because people became aware of a revised model on the horizon. Of Mini’s half-million customers, I wonder how many would question the styling of their beloved car? Perhaps a handful.

This is some of the first negative comments I have seen about the steering.

The Mini isn’t intended to be an especially relaxing cruiser, and this 172-hp Cooper S is true to form. It has a slightly confusing set of ambling attributes, most notably a chassis and steering mechanism a bit at odds with the character of the powertrain. The new Mini, just like its predecessor, has a very fast steering rack–but it makes for an irritatingly responsive multilane tool.

Or the speedometer.

It’s still too dark to enjoy any scenery, so we aim southwest on the C25, cursing the colossal, centrally mounted speedometer that, even with its lighting dimmed, still looks like a 1970s electric fire at night and proves to be an unwanted distraction.

It would appear the reviewer is also not a fan of the new center stack.

Then there’s the new center console: the heater controls work well enough, but the remaining switchgear appears to have been placed in a small bag, attached to a small incendiary device, detonated, and then glued in place where the pieces landed. There are fiddly little buttons everywhere. I found a few more each time I looked. The volume control for the radio is nowhere near the tuning knob.

At least they end on a high note.

Outside the eatery, among all this fiscal madness, the Mini still looks relaxed and confident. It has universal appeal. It is a better car than its predecessor, even if the differences are incremental.

[ 2007 MINI Cooper S ] Automobilemag.com

Written By: DB

24 Comments

Bud Dec 6th, 2006 Link

With BMW at the helm there is no reason for hodge podge interior design. It must be recognized that although the MINI is unique in many of its design attributes, a cleaner, form follows function/BMW isspired aesthetic would be greatly appreciated by many of us who take issue with Big Ben speedos and the profusion of confusion.

MiniMatt Dec 6th, 2006 Link

Yet again its clear that you cant please everyone… It appears that the reviewer is no fan of fun sporty drives… that’s obviously not going help much when driving a Cooper S… ‘irritatingly responsive multilane tool’ lol… But to claim that the steering mechanism is at odds with the drivetrain seems a very strange comment… On the contrary in my opinion!

FrankInMiami Dec 6th, 2006 Link

If I am interpreting his comments correctly, I think the author is saying that the new electric power steering system is “too darty” and also a little devoid of road feel and precision.

I have read about this complaint elsewhere too regarding the R56. It seems that the hybrid electric-hydraulic power steering system in the old cars is much better and provides better road feedback and sharper turn in precision.

R56LVR Dec 6th, 2006 Link

Steering that seemed overenthusiastic on the autostrada is right on the money through these searching, mountainous passes. But its real achievement is the level of feedback it manages despite being electrically assisted.

This is the first positive thing I have read about the R56’s steering, which is a core competency of the R53, imo.

Wessy Dec 6th, 2006 Link

I’ve yet to drive the R56, but when I read this review for the first time a couple weeks ago, I too interpreted the author’s criticism of the new steering as too “darty” for his tastes — but I also took it with a grain of salt, because 1) I haven’t gotten the impression from other reviews I’ve read that others also found the steering too hair-triggerish, and 2) that’s been a criticism of mine regarding the steering of some other cars I’ve driven — the Miata comes to mind — but I personally haven’t found the R50/52/53’s steering to be too darty, and I’d be surprised if MINI went in that direction with their new steering unit, so it makes me wonder if this reviewer is just hypersensitive about that issue in the cars he drives.

(And perhaps the new electric steering unit doesn’t deliver quite the amount of feel that the old hydraulic steering does — again, I don’t have a personal opinion on this, not having driven the new generation yet — but most reviews I’ve read have emphasized how remarkably close the new electric steering comes to delivering the feel of the old hydraulic system, so my expectations are definitely different from FranklinMiami’s, whose impression is that the old steering system is “much better” than the new.)

Overall, I thought the Automobile magazine review was positive, although a bit eccentric. For instance, the one thing that most bothered me about this particular review was this comment by the author:

“And it’s when you’re indulging in these delights, leaning on the 11.6-inch front discs, wondering why all performance hatchbacks don’t benefit from a 2492-pound curb weight, that you forget the crummy packaging.”

Yet neither prior to this statement nor thereafter does he really explain what he finds “crummy” about the “packaging.” Yes, he criticizes the lack of utility the car offers because of its size multiple paragraphs before that statement (and, dude? it’s a MINI!), and he complains about his dislike of the large speedometer and the ergonomics of the HVAC and audio controls, but I’d describe those latter aspects as appointments or details more than “packaging,” a word that to me sums up the entirety of a vehicle more than just a couple of its component parts. Bizarre.

FrankInMiami Dec 6th, 2006 Link

Wessy, some reviewers get the MINI, others simply do not.

Theo Dec 6th, 2006 Link

I found the article’s main thrust to be a travelogue rather that an appraisal of the pro’s and con’s of the MINI’s design and performance. Perhaps that was what it was meant to be: a little car, a lot of scenery.

IMHO, it’s too easy to pass judgment on knobs, toggle switches and boot space; much harder to analyze the subtleties of vehicle dynamics. I’m still waiting to drive one before I form ANY opinions about the R56 performance aspects.

Theo

FrankInMiami Dec 6th, 2006 Link

Too bad we still have to wait another 2-3 months before anyone can test drive it.

Brendan Dec 6th, 2006 Link

To me it sounds like this guy is a poor automotive journalist. It’s pretty obvious he doesn’t care about the car at all. He’s more interested in observing and writing about the scenery. Anyone who calls themselves a car enthusiast would be really excited to drive the mini, and pick it apart in a technical sense. I just don’t think automobile magazine is targeted at enthusiast drivers. I doubt they consider autocrossers and hardcore enthusiasts as part of their reader base. I envision people who buy cars for status reading this magazine more. If you look at the ads you’ll clearly see that it’s targeted for a different audience. (expensive watches etc…)

GZ Dec 6th, 2006 Link

True story Theo. I notice than in many if not most reviews regardless of the car the writers flexe their artistic license with boring rhetoric that has nothing to do with the car.

The “crummy” comment was weird. All I’ve heard was that the quality of the interior materials and design was much improved (comparable to a BMW). I for one am impressed with the new look. If this was the original R53 interior and the R56 interior was changed to that of the original(2001) people would be moaning “the speedo is so SMALL!”

A change every five years is welcome to keep any car from getting redundant. Embrace it people, it’s here to stay untill 2012.

giacomo Dec 6th, 2006 Link

2012??? But I already long for it facelifted! I get R50 and R53, but I don’t get this one. Why they have to exaggerated on the interior center console and instrumentation? What happened to the word “simplicity of design” in the brief? On exterior, why the big reer end? Is the trunk bigger? Is the car significantly more aerodynamic? Is the swelled motor hood really swelled just over the engine? No. Look underneath and see that there is TOO much not necessary height increase of the hood for pedestrian hits. Facelift soon? Simple!