2007 MINI Reader Reviews

The fastest until the ’08 JCW comes out. An inside source (MINI employee)told me the JCW will come in three stages. 200hp available in the fall with two more 25hp upgrades coming withing six months after. If there in any truth in this then apologies to Gabe for stealing his thunder as he stated he would have JCW news this week. I hope this is legit!

Hey all. I posted a pretty extensive review up on http://www.thecarlounge.net

http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zerothread?id=3086881

I took delivery of my 2007 R56 MCS DS on 2/21/07, 6-speed manual, LSD, Sport Susp., Premium, Sports + Cold Weather Pkgs,Hi-Fi, Black/Grey Leatherette, Center Arm Rest,.

Drove 110 miles home – a WONDERFUL ride. Great at touring speed on the freeway, FANTASTIC on the twisties.

IMO the negative comments on this vehicle are unwarranted regarding Quality, Fit/Finish and Performance. (FYI – one of my other vehicles is a 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 6-speed manual w/19” Wheels).

I have driven the 2006 R53 MCS, and IMHO, the R56 is a more complete (finished/finessed) vehicle. While the photos and reviews are helpful, you really need to DRIVE the R56 before issuing comments on this car. So far, my only significant hurdle has been the complexity of the radio programming, which should be acccomplished in a short amount of time.

However, it is great to know that our road systems can adequately accomodate all of the Mini series.

Go Motor!

Okay, so here is my late take on the new R56… I took an extensive test drive yesterday at Bob Smith in a sparkling silver, lounge leather MCS. HATE THE SUNROOF! Way too loud for everyday driving and yes it was closed and closed as tightly as the car would allow. As this was the bane of my existence (sp?) with my ’02 MCS, I am slightly more attuned to the noise this device creates. Wait to get one until they fix this. FWIW my ’06 does not have one.

I went to Starbucks with my MA and a Venti cup fits in the front cupholders YEAH! Just remember to turn the opening away from the center stack and center consol. I will get used to the radio controls over time. I do like (almost love) the i-Drive in my 650. The downposts on the center stack should match the color line interior. This would carry the color theme to its proper conclusion.

The seats are just plain fantastic. I cannot wait until the aftermarket world makes the adapters to fit these seats in the R53. The ride is much improved over the R53 as well. I love a car with a stiff ride and the aftermarket world will no doubt make parts that will enhance the handling of the r56.

Designwise… meh… I understand the need for the changes but the car looks a bit porky now.

I saved the best for last… this powerplant is awesome. I loved everything about it. The shfter action, the sound, the POWER (oh boy the power). Tuners are going to have a great time tuning this motor. I will likely get one in ’08 or ’09. A really nice car overall.

Thoughts…

Exterior: Sparkling Silver looks really good, new Mellow Yellow is different but grew on me the longer I looked at it. New blues are both nice. Cant wait to see one with lowering springs. Like the new sunroof, rear lights look cool with the little MINI badge on them. Really don’t like the blacked out hood scoop. Will be interesting to see what the after market guys can do with this and the intake. After looking at the engine for about an hour, the air intake on the car is about 2″x3″ and is next to the headlights, covered up by the hood! When someone comes up with a new intake that can use the scoop you will get some good hp gains I think. New battery placement is interesting. (anyone notice where it was?)

Interior: Looks much more put together than the R53s, everything is in the right spot. New seats are soooo much better. Still hoping they bring the Recaros over though. Love the telescoping steering wheel. Only minus about the interior to me is the dead peddle placement. Much closer to the seat than before, really bugged me, I would have to take it out if I bought an 07.

Drive: Don’t know why you would ever turn the sport button off. Steering is pretty good but a bit different than before. Power band is different, there is a little turbo lag but not like the old turbo days. The car will get up and go but there is something missing without the exhaust burble and the supercharger whine.

Overall, really liked the car though I wont be trading in the 04 any time soon. I am really excited to see what the new JCW will be and what the aftermarket guys can do with this car.

I was out west in Victoria BC visiting family and thought I’d stop into Victoria MINI to drive the R56 (the weather was much better than icy/snowy Toronto!). They had already sold 4 out of the 5 they received, the remaining one being a Mellow Yellow MCS. I have already spent a lot of time looking at the car at the Detroit and Toronto auto shows so this was primarily a driving test. Fantastic! My grandfather came with me, and he was quiet comfortable in the back seat, remarking how great the visibility was. He also mentioned he didn’t know I drive THAT fast. Hehe. I have an 2006 Jetta 2.0T now, and I’d have to say the R56 matches the refinement of the Jetta while adding about 10x as much excitement. Brilliant! I wants one! I thought the turbo lag in my Jetta was minimal, but I definitely notice it now after the MCS, there is just none on the MINI.

The only additional comment/question I have is regarding the upper dash cubby. The one I drove, and one I saw at Downtown MINI in Toronto, had the optional aluminum interior trim. And on both the cubby wasn’t there! Yet on the Silver Checkered examples it was. I’ve looked around and haven’t found any other comments regarding this. Maybe an issue with the Al trim? Kind of disappointing since I would definitely want the Al trim, yet I would miss having that cubby.

i dont know if anyone has brought this up but, i had a question with the auto transmission. good buy? i know if you go mini, you MUST get the six speed manual, but living in los angeles, ca.(traffic capital of the world), getting an auto might not be such a bad thing… i really like the idea of having paddle shifters behind the steering wheel though…planning to get a mini s soon so any comments would be greatly appreciated!

The manual for my non-turbo ’07 Mini states that the fuel tank holds 10.6 gallons including 2.1 gallons reserve. Since I was having a fuel gage problem, the service department decided to drain and refill the tank. It took 13.6 gallons. As a result, I have no idea what the fuel gage is measuring and I am disappointed at this inaccuracy that even the service departmint was unaware of.

Irecently bought an AstroBlack/redwood Cooper S 07 car and am loving lots about it. aAI had an 04 S and loved it too. ZThe new car seems to be more Americanized than the old one, for one thing when do you know if the car is going into a melt down (NO TEMP GUAGE) and whats the deal with the turn signals duck noises. The car hops around turns and torque steer is much more pronounced than in the old car, maybe it needs some more breaking in. Would the strut bar help? The A/C controls look a little toyish but they work just fine. Are there any upgrades for performance yet and if so who sells them. Thanks for listening

First Mini… took delivery on 7/7/07 : ) Most stylish and fun car I have ever owned. We got it fully loaded so the cost was 35k before taxes but it was worth every penny. My husband has longed for his old Mustang for years but the MCS has taken his mind off of it. The car is like a little rocket, fast, fun and wonderful in the city.

Had 05 S and loved it, now have a 07 S with a few more options. 05 was a auto, 07 is a six speed and it is more fun. I have parked my truck not over the gas but for fun. When I retire in 5 more years I will have a convertable to tool around at the beach in Florida. My wife drives a 07 335i hard tp conv. but the mini is more fun to drive down the coast between Dayton Beach and St Augustine Beach. JUST PLAN FUN TO DRIVE.