Comments on: MF One Week Review: 2007 Cooper S

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile Top 10 Stories of 2007

MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile Top 10 Stories of 2007 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:00:58 +0000

[...] 3: MF One Week Review: 2007 Cooper S [...]

By: Coo

Coo — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:48:36 +0000

I’m getting my R56 Cooper S soon and I’m thinking of keeping my OZ Ultraleggera 16″ as rims for winter tyres. It is apparent that 18″ Ultraleggeras go fine, but anyone have any knowledge if the 16″ fit the R56?

By: Dick

Dick — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:42:43 +0000

I took delivery of my 07 MCS w/sport and LSD in May. It is an absolute blast to drive. However, the ride is quite rough and I suspect once I wear out the run flats and put on regular tires that will dissipate. I also have a 335i which I use on weekends. I’m happy when Monday rolls around and I can get back in the Mini.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » From the Autoblog Garage: R56 MCS

MotoringFile » Archive » From the Autoblog Garage: R56 MCS — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:00:24 +0000

[...] MCS Long Term Review ] [...]

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:21:25 +0000

I bought my mini used (2003) the steering didn’t whine at all until about a week ago and it has continually gotten worse. I bought some power steering fluid but can’t find a place to put it into the car….so after reading here….is this normal? Should I take it back to the dealer to get it fixed?

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:54:01 +0000

What a great review. I work for Mini in PA and I often check this site for updated information and to hear what the masses are saying. Im glad you enjoyed your road trip Gabe! We look foward to welcoming you to the R56 fam one day! :)

By: Dick B

Dick B — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:01:20 +0000

Great review. I took delivery of my MCS in late May and have already done 5000 miles. My only complaint is the plastic flares on the wheel wells. Some oily stuff has dripped out of the hood and onto the plastic and when I clean it the plastic looks worse. I guess I should get it back to the dealer. Other than that, what a machine. I remember my first car was a ‘61 Volvo PV544 with 1600cc engine. I don’t remember much about it except the size. I’m truly amazed at the power of this Mini engine. 1600cc’s accelerating like I had a BMW six under the hood, wow. My other car is a BMW 335i which since I’ve owned the Mini doesn’t get much street time.

By: Dick B

Dick B — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:33:58 +0000

Great review. I took delivery of my MCS in late May and have already done 5000 miles. My only complaint is the plastic flares on the wheel wells. Some oily stuff has dripped out of the hood and onto the plastic and when I clean it the plastic looks worse. I guess I should get it back to the dealer. Other than that, what a machine. I remember my first car was a ‘61 Volvo PV544 with 1600cc engine. I’m truly amazed at the power of this engine. My other car is a BMW 335i which since I’ve owned the Mini doesn’t get much street time.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » 2007 MCS: One Week Review

MotoringFile » Archive » 2007 MCS: One Week Review — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:42:39 +0000

[...] also lived up to expectations. The same performance that I fell in love with on my press car at the Dragon earlier this year is there despite the extra pounds up high with the sunroof. The torque, the eagerness to rev and [...]

By: Avi

Avi — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:41:56 +0000

Great review Gabe. A month ago I took the wife out for a weekend getaway and on the way stopped at a mini dealership. Originally the plan was to get her a GTI. She test drove the car and loved it (as expected from a British girl who’s father owned mini’s for over 15 years and currently drives a 1999 mini S). The dealer asked me if I wanted to take it for a spin and when I was done…I could not take the stupid smile off my face. 2 days later I came to the dealership with cash in hand. I will pick up the car 4 days (took less then a month to build and ship to NY). The R56 is a no brainer!

By: Brad Fox

Brad Fox — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 00:10:23 +0000

Is it possible to get a temp gauge for my 2007? It seems strange that an enthusiast’s car lacks this basic instrument.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 24 May 2007 20:55:57 +0000

what does visceral drama mean?!?!?

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 20 May 2007 17:32:31 +0000

Great review, I'm 6'4" so I'm with you on the centre console.

I've had an R56 for a couple of months and an R53 for three years before that (I live in the UK so these are UK spec, I don't know what the differences are).

I know you real drivers out there might scoff, but the DSC option has vastly improved. It used to leave you with no power in a corner and took ages to recover. On the R56 you hardly ever notice it's there, just floor it and off it goes, as fast as physics allows, no dip, just a temporary plateau in the power. A definite recommendation for our slippery twisty country roads (natural Mini territory).

My R56 is also noticeably faster than the R53 and yet uses a lot less petrol (gas). Power is also delivered in more of a heady rush higher up, though torque is with you all the way and it does pull away faster as well. I miss the supercharger whine a bit, but I now have turbo pop to make up for it. Not a bad swap.

All in all I'm really pleased I updated.

By: Chilly

Chilly — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:26:46 +0000

Thanks for the review Gabe - fantastic as usual.

Everyone seems in agreement that LSD and Sports Suspension are a must with the MCS, what about 16" vs. 17" runflats though? I currently have a 2004 MC with the Sports Package and 16" runflats, I would want my 2007 (maybe 2008!) MCS to handle as well as this but not quite as harsh. Can anyone provide some comparisons?

Thanks!

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:11:37 +0000

GZ---thanks for your support! I am SURE I will enjoy the car when I return. BTW Props to Mary at MINI of Hawaii for handling all my paperwork for the deal over email and phone while I am over here.

Thanks for the input Drill and BillG. I think I agree with the fact that its just another 500 bucks.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:54:58 +0000

I am so glad to see this review. I have been thinking about ordering my first MINI for a while and while I love the geeky options on the 07 now, I was a little worried from the complaints. Now I think I am ready to order…I just hope I don’t make a mistake by not waiting for the 2008.

By: gz

gz — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:08:05 +0000

Bob in Iraq. Thank you for your service. May God bless and protect you. I hope you enjoy your Mini when you return.

By: Bill W.

Bill W. — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:51:00 +0000

A fantastic review Gabe and great video too from the Dragon! I held off on an end of the line R53 and am 99.9% there on pulling the R56 MCS trigger...in fact this review might've clinched it.

I just can't even fathon that you get all this performance and that amazing mileage!! More money for mods!

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:59:59 +0000

Edge, you beat me to it again. I would VERY seriously consider trading in my ‘06 full (suspension, brakes, motor) JCW MCS if I get into an R56 and get the same overall feeling and found it to be actually faster. Like Edge, I’ve yet to see one result of head to heads which is done in a conclusive objective way at the track, where the ‘06 R53 GP and full JCW’s both get to run against the R56 S for times w/ the same driver on the same day. That being said, if Gabe likes the R56, that’s mighty strong praise indeed!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 17 May 2007 07:05:04 +0000

Gabe,

Awesome review. I think you definitely summed up why I didn't buy the R53, but bought the R56. Now I have 2600+ miles on the car and I don't regret my purchase. I can definitely tear up the local twisties way more than I could with my old car. The R56 is very nimble, and almost 'dances' through the twisties. You just feel connected to the car. It's hard to explain, but you definitely experienced it. The cool thing is that I still get 27.6 mpg with my foot on the throttle constantly. It begs to be revved to redline, and it just rewards you for driving it hard. I agree 100% that LSD and Sport suspension is a must if you like driving.

Hopefully MINI usa will give you a discount. I think they definitely owe you. :-D