MINI USA’s press launch of the US Spec 2007 Cooper and Cooper S is taking place in Arizona this weekend and I’ll be leaving the frozen tundra of Chicago to experience it. I’ll have hours of road and track time in the 2007 R56 MINI and should have a full review early next week. I also plan on having some small updates (including pictures on our MotoringFile Flickr Pool) throughout the weekend.
But before packing the bags I want to hear what you want to hear? Obviously I’ll be giving my take on the car’s the performance, design and how it relates to the R50 and R53 MINIs. But what do you want to know that hasn’t been covered in the European press? Performance related, spec related, now’s the chance to add your question to the list that I’ll be bringing this weekend.
I’d like to hear how the new Hi-Fi sound system is. How does it handle the highs and does it handle lows well? Also maybe see how easy to use the new Nav system is!?!? Thanks 🙂
Where in Phoenix is the launch going to be? I now live in Phoenix and would love to see this launch
I would like to know if there are structural safety improvements in the 07’s leading to higher safety ratings.
I’d like to know how much of a difference there is between the standard suspension and sport suspension on the S. Also, has the ride improved any with the suspension tuned more for runflats?
I’d like a hands-on assessment of the interior. We’ve seen plenty of pictures of the much maligned center stack, I want to know if the build and material quality help or hinder the cause.
Also, I’d like a track/auto-x take on how the turbos behave/power delivery goes compared to the R53. (I can see how that torque is going to be really noticeable off the line, but I’m curious if you really notice it at speed.)
Thanks for taking one for the team Gabe.
I’d like you to pin down somebody from Mini and ask them to be accountable about the multi-function sport steering wheel debacle that is brewing.
>I’d like you to pin down somebody from Mini and ask them to be accountable about the multi-function sport steering wheel debacle that is brewing.
Okay, I’ll bite: what multi-function sport steering wheel debacle?
>Where in Phoenix is the launch going to be? I now live in Phoenix and would love to see this launch
I’m guessing MINI would rather make this a low-key affair otherwise I’d be happy to tell you 🙂
MFSW Debacle:
<a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90688" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90688</a>
Photos: Tuscan Beige interior, please!
What is the hypersport package/Mini Aero going to look like?
What is the holdup with the audio package, specifically the Sirius? (I’d at least like to try to understand why I’m not going to be able to get it as a factory install.)
What phones will the BT definitively be working with?
What differences will there be between the UK models and the US models, aside from the flipping of driver/passenger sides?
If you get a chance to subjectively compare the sports suspension to the regular, both in terms of handling and roughness, that would be welcome information.
And ask them when I get a production number! (Theoretically a week 10 build) 🙂
Just kidding. Have a GREAT time Gabe. I’m so jealous!!
I look forward to your opinion of the R56, Gabe. I’ve enjoyed the many articles over the past few months, but the reviews of enthusiasts such as you and Paul at MINI2.com mean the most, because you drive the current R50/R53 on a daily basis and will better recognize the differences, whether they are good or bad.
I second the differences between regular and sports suspensions.
Also, if the fitting of interior bits is improved over the pre-production models they had in Detroit. The materials were good, the center stack nice, but not everything fit together well, and from the UK I’ve about abberant trim pieces and leaking hatches…
Give us your verdict Gabe- IS IT THAT MUCH BETTER THAN THE R50?
Could you measure the rear sway bar on the sport suspension? I read in a BMW magazine it was 23mm!
Comments on windshield–pit marks–I know they won’t have too many miles on them–but neither did my 05MCS when I noticed them driving towards the rising/setting sun. Also your opinion on MCS exhaust note. And, any info on Works MCS. Thanks.
<blockquote>
I’m guessing MINI would rather make this a low-key affair otherwise I’d be happy to tell you 🙂
</blockquote>
More innovative marketing from MINI – the world’s first ever low-key press event! Gabe, thanks for giving me a good laugh first thing in the morning.
How about more detail on the JCW and when I can order one. Also, details on the upcoming “hyper sport” package, especially the suspension upgrade it includes. Thanks.
Why the delay on the factory installed aero kit and Ipod connector? Thanks.
I’m thirding the request for details and thoughts regarding the sports suspension – seems it’s nothing more than larger anti-sway bars and reviews are already down on it, saying it isn’t actually improving handling at all, just degrading ride quality. Thanks Gabe.
Where is the AUX input?
AUX audio input std. equipment? I know it is in the euro spec cars; nobody managed to take a pic of it at the auto shows. Windows have auto-up function in addition to auto-down?
This is what I know from discussions on NAM. This affected people that ordered the MFSW independent of the packages it is included with. On the US configurator the only steering wheel options were the MFSW three spoke sports wheel in leather or wood – you could not order the three spoke sports wheel without the multi-function – it was a single choice for a $550 upcharge. Apparently that is not so in other markets. On the dealers ordering software this apparently required them to indicate two separate items – the three spoke sports steering wheel, and the multifunction option. As a result many orders went in with only the sports steering wheel checked. Mini did not error check this to coordinate with the offering via the configurator, and hence many orders were built out with the sports steering wheel minus the multifunction – an option not even offered on the US configurator. Of course these are all going to buyers expecting the MFSW. I’ve read rumors that the MFSW can not be swapped in by the dealer – something to do with the electronic throttle.
What I heard third party is the unfortunate purchasers are being offered the option to reorder – more waiting, everybody’s favorite Mini feature – or a deduct for the missing multi-function – I understand this means the buyers now must take the sports steering wheel as a $300 add – not a very desirable situation for a buyer who was more interested in the multifunction than the extra spoke..
I think Mini dropped the ball here. They have to offer some express on the rebuild of these cars, or just east the cost of the sports wheel – or at least swap it back to the standard wheel if they refuse to give away the botched steering wheel. Otherwise the affected buyers are expected to wait again, or swallow 300 dollar charge for a steering wheel missing the option they ordered.
These buyers are their early adopters – they need to treat them well.
After having driven it, would you trade your R53 for a R56?
the developing MFSW story on NAM
<a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90688" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90688</a>
They can make this right quickly, before it spreads like wildfire on the internet. Its a classic situation. Do the right thing – turn lemons into lemonade, be a hero, or – cop out to save some profit, build lots of bad will right on top of your new car intro, burn good will in the market and take a bigger hit than the steering wheels would ever cost.
When can we get a “JET BLACK” R56?
Ditto on the Aux. Input. I went to the car show and couldn’t find the thing. I know I read in the press releases/reviews that it came standard on all Coopers. It is such a common item these days, I can’t imagine it got left out.
>More innovative marketing from MINI – the world’s first ever low-key press event! Gabe, thanks for giving me a good laugh first thing in the morning.
Low-key as in they probably don’t want 500 MINI owners hanging around 🙂
Lavardera, to answer your comment above. There is no debacle with the Multi Function Steering wheel. I know there was confusion to people ordering the R56’s with the Multi Function as a stand alone option. In the earlier cars you have to choose both the Steering Wheel (Prod. Code 255) and the Multi Function (Prod. Code 249) together. Some dealers who ordered 255 without 249 didn’t possibly check all of the options on the list when the system asks you to confirm your order before it is fully placed. MINI realized this and wanted to alert dealers that if they ordered 255 without 249 that it would not automatically come with the 249 Multi Function. Multi Function is now $500 compared to the R50/R53’s costing $250.00. I believe this is where the confusion was. You cannot blame MINI for something that was clearly listed when whoever was ordering their R56’s. We never had any issues with this.
AMEN Roccorocket! Hopefully on the next convertible.
Mark Smith, ultimately the dealers and Mini will have to decide whose fault it is, and that is really not my concern. My concern is that buyers get the cars they ordered, and that the dealers and manufacturer take responsibility – not point fingers at each other.
The fact is that Mini did not offer the sports steering wheel as a stand alone without the MFSW on the configurator, and so a flag should have been raised for any car ordered to be built that way. That gaff lies with Mini, not the dealer.
The dealers you can suppose made the error in the order, but with these early orders it was not clear to the dealer network what options were or were not being offered. From all appearances there was no option for the sports steering wheel as a stand alone without the MFSW, and so the dealers often were not even aware that the order could be entered incorrectly.
If Mini wants to take orders before introduction, and take orders from a sales force that is not trained yet, it is up to them to carefully vet the orders and error check. That did not happen. They should have NEVER been building a car that you could not configure on the USA configurator. Again, to me, that looks like Mini’s error, not the dealers.
You decide for yourself. I think it behooves Mini to own this and make it right. But thats just the opinion of one buyer of an 07 that is now coming without a MFSW.
If, amidst all the excitement, you could get some nice, easily-comparable pics of the different interiors (I’m thinking “a la configurator” but more representative of how the interiors really look), I think you’d please a lot of people.
Thanks!
<blockquote>There is no debacle with the Multi Function Steering wheel.</blockquote>
I’m sorry, there is a debacle, on the eve of the intro.
debacle |diˈbakəl; -ˈbäkəl| noun a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco
<blockquote>I know there was confusion to people ordering the R56’s with the Multi Function as a stand alone option.</blockquote>
There was no confusion amoung “people”. There was confusion amoung the dealer network – lots of them – and the manufacturer. “People”, meaning customers, were clear as a bell – the configurator only offered one option – Multi-Function Sports Wheel $550. There was no other.
<blockquote>MINI realized this and wanted to alert dealers that if they ordered 255 without 249 that it would not automatically come with the 249 Multi Function.</blockquote>
Well? This did not happen until many cars were built and on their way. This alert was too late. Who is responsible? Mini caught it too late. Their order sheet did not match the configurator, they were building cars a customer could not configure. This spells disappointed customer.
I’d like to see a picture denoting scale. The new key fob looks huge … a pic of it next to the current (06) key would be helpful.
The acoustic of the exhaust of the 07 Mini S…vs..that of the 06…any backpressure sound effects on lifting the throttle?….thanks
A couple of questions …
What’s the smog index of the base and S models (it’s usually displayed on the window sticker)?
When will the EPA air pollution ratings be posted on the US EPA website? See …
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/allsmcar-07.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/allsmcar-07.htm</a>
Thanks!
Can the hood scoop be made to have some actual function other than design?
As an imminent MINI owner, I would like to know how the R56 stacks up to the R50 & 53. I am aware that almost everything published says its better, but I would like to know if it is sufficiently better to forego the character, and styling of the current model. In other words, after seeing it and driving it, I would like to know if Mr. Bridger prefers the R56 to his beloved R53.
Lots of good questions have already been listed; the only one I like to add is a minor one in regards to the quirky interior vibrations and rattles–simply, have they been noticeably reduced/rid-off? I realize it may be hard to tell on a new car … and thanks for the opportunity to give some input!
How does the fully electric power steering compare to previous model’s steering?
Curious on the fit and finish of the interior and the quality of the interior materials used.
Also, curious how the car sounds from the inside – as far as keeping out more outside nuisance noise to allow for more sounds from the engine and exhaust to resonate instead.
Are power seats going to be made available and if so, any memory options? I know it’s nit picky, but it’s something that would be a nice feature.
Question: Does the new steering wheel adjustment (in and out plus the old up and down) make it much easier to reach a comfortable driving position?
Any new info about the current standing of Mini’s trails and tibulations in reguards to the JCW would be great to hear.
I’d like to know when JCW tuning will be available for the MCS (not the GP version, but engine tuning as well as cosmetics). Thanks!
If you could tell us what it’s like to sit in the back seat (headroom, legroom, and so on) that would be nice. Mundane, perhaps, but nice.
And I’ll second O(=^=)O Capn’s question: after this, would you trade in your R53 for it?
I would just like to know if the sun shade on the sunroof models are now a solid piece of fabric or the same transparent fabric as the 2002-2006 models
Will the doorsills rust?
The two questions that have been causing me to lose sleep (figuratively speaking) are: Will the Mini S JCW be available with an automatic transmission? And is there any hope or are there any plans for Recaro sport seats (or something similar)? Thanks.
I’d like some real world mileage information on the Cooper and Cooper S. When with the diesel be available on the Cooper/Cooper S. Also, any info on engine choices for the Clubman if any data is available at the intro. I’d like to think about the diesel in the Clubman.
Sorry lavardera. Maybe I wasn’t clear but I really am not going to reflect on this anymore. All I was saying was don’t put the blame on someone if you’re not sure whose fault it is. It’s not MINI’s and humans are human. We all make mistakes. I’m not blaming your dealer either as I don’t know where the chain of errors started. We have a plethora of orders and not one problem with any cars ordered with MF. As what I want to know if how does that exhaust sound Gabe??? I have a customer that is dying to know!
Yes Recaros?!
Gabe,
I write for a local paper and would like to know where the event will be.
Email me @ <a href="mailto:camass123@yahoo.com">camass123@yahoo.com</a> with info.
Thanks,
camass
Gabe – here’s a question that is keeping me up at night: the US gets the leathe/cloth seats in pacific blue or red, while the UK also get them in black or white. Any chance we’ll see the black leather/cloth seats here, just as a delayed introduction? Thanks.
We don’t get them in white?! That was my plan B if no Recaros!
I’d like to know what’s going on with the Sports Leather Steering wheel w/Multifunction order mixup. It looks like a lot of people that ordered the wheel with the multifunction options might be getting just the regular leather sport steering wheel which is a huge issue.
Mark Smith – I’m glad your dealership performed so well through this, but before you question why I am blaming Mini perhaps you should do more research yourself. One individual on NAM reported that their dealership ordered 95 cars incorrectly. They were able to correct most of them, but never the less several were in route with incorrect builds. Its also been revealed that MFSW which were part of packages such as the Bluetooth option, were not included the order when the option was chosen. These are not isolated incidents – it appears to be very widespread.
I am not blaming anyone before I know whose fault it is. Its clear whose fault it is. The chain of errors began with the design of the ordering software provided by Mini, not operator error. The software has no error checking and allows the dealers to enter erroneous orders. This is not the only place to catch these errors. At the factory Mini had no error checking of erroneous orders, and put these into production. And finally Mini had no Quality Control on erroneous builds for the destination market – how could these ever leave the factory? If Mini is going to build and ship cars without any error checking of the orders, then they better have bulletproof software on the front end. Obviously they did not, and they have erred spectacularly.
So I am quite sure whose fault it is, and it is clearly Mini’s fault. And so far they have made no move to accommodate the buyers whose orders they have miss-built. That is my gripe. Everybody makes mistakes, no doubt. The responsible thing to do is take ownership of them and make them right – not push them off on your dealers.
lavardera: I hear you. I might have to re-order my mini and now wait even longer. It doesn’t matter if the steering wheel debacle is a fault of the dealer or of Mini – what can either now do to make up for this mixup? What can customers do to hold them responsible?
This could be “low-key” announcement, or…Mini of Phoenix is right by the TPC. This weekend will be packed with people at the big TPC Golf Tournament. They could roll a brand new 2007 into a vendor tent and thousands could see it.
My opinion – when they realized what had happened they should have offered to rebuild the orders immediately. That messes up their production schedule, no doubt. So an alternative would be to commit to an engineered solution – a harness patch that could be installed at the VDC before delivery, or by the dealer as a recall for affected vehicles.
What can we do to pressure them to act? Well, we can rain on their intro parade.
Guys,
I ordered a new Mini. I ordered it with the six speed. The car has automatic. Will Mini give me the auto option at no charge or will they add it to the cost of the car?
Let me Know,
camass
MFSW Debacle: I checked with MINI USA and also a couple of dealers and it appears that the wheel can’t be changed at the dealerships. So, it looks like either we will have to accept the car as is, or place a new order and waiting another 8ish weeks. What should be a reasonable thing for Mini to do to make up for customers pain?
I agree with Lavardera 100%. As you can clearly see on the MINIUSA.com configurator, there are only three options: The base 2-spoke wheel, then the wood or leather sport multifunction wheels. There is no provision for MFSW 2-spoke for $250, or “bare” 3-spoke wheel for $300.
My build is affected by this debacle. My dealership is doing everything in their ability to rectify the issue. In the R53, you can retrofit the MFSW with a BCM reflash and replacing the steering wheel inserts and adding the wiring harness. This should be offered as a solution AT NO COST to the owners whos orders have been messed up by MINI. I feel sorry for the dealerships and salespeople that have been given the shaft by MINI.
$0.02,
Ryan
First sneak peak at this on NAM:
<a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108</a>
I hope somebody is counting 3 spoke wheels w/o MF – I wonder how many Mini USA miss-ordered for the launch.