Comments on: MF Exclusive: MINI’s Mid Life-Cycle Refresh

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:07:55 +0000

1)bring back a chrono gauge pack option( water,fuel,oil temp and oil pressure ...or boost gauge for the turbo) 2)offer at least a boost gauge for the Cooper S as a stand alone option 3)Make the hood scoop a functional cold air system on the S 4)Reduce the size of the speedo and take the radio out of it. 5) How about different colors for the roof (vs. just black or white or monotone). What about BRG, SIlver, Burgundy, Chrome, blue.... 6)New body colors such as lime,orange,teal,copper,ruby,steel blue metallic,purple 7)Give me back my water temp gauge and add an oil pressure gauge as standard 8) What about some different colored ---fabric--- sport seats (Red? Blue? similar to Corbeau's or Recaro's) 9) how about some hood vents to vent the hot air from the engine. 10)side molding as an option 11)a "Bulldog" hard core ,no frills Cooper or Cooper S priced well below a JCW version. 12)A version with no chrome (flat black trim)

Whacha think people?

oops excuse me I am drooling.sorry.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Is This The R56/R55 Facelift?

MotoringFile » Archive » Is This The R56/R55 Facelift? — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:36:15 +0000

[...] that MINI will be introducing the refreshed R56 and R55 either late this year or early next. And as we reported well over a year ago there will be some subtle changes to the front and rear facia, lighting and interior design. [...]

By: matt

matt — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:56:01 +0000

We have an 07 MCS and an 04 MCS. I love the way the 04 looks – it is nearly flawless in style, proportion, relationship to the ground, etc. Inside is appropriately spartan. The 07: can not make the same statements about the exterior (17′s may help but this is the wife’s car) but I have come to accept the interior, particularly the improved seats. The spedo is annoyingly large but I am usually looking at the road. The major difference, and why I am trying to sell the 04 and adopt the 07 as my own, is the fuel efficiency and the torque / acceleration. Even without the sport button engaged the 07 leaves the 04 in the dust. It is totally quick and has punch from 65-85. We switched cars last week – verdict: the 04 drives like a go-tank, and I am trying to find a way to get over the exterior. The avg 35/mpg helps.

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:16:43 +0000

You know I really dont know get what eveyone is complaining about when it comes to the R56 and its quality. I am very happy with it, the center stack, and the entire look of the car. Anyone who isnt- maybe a mini just isnt right for you?

By: JC

JC — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:52:32 +0000

Okay... seriously? the new mini's are beyond UGLY. maybe the outside isn't that bad, but the interior just looks plastic and feels plastic AND cheap. We have a 2006 MCS Parklane, which you can't buy anymore, which sucks. Unfortunately we had a crash a few days ago, and we might need to get a new car. we looked at the new minis but they are very.... unappealing. Why can't they just make the damn new one's as nice as the older ones??? is that not the point of a new design? to make it better? Our mini had the european leather trim, with chrome around all features and double dials infront of the steering wheel.

sigh

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:13:19 +0000

Bernie,

You need to get a LightInSight for your windshield. http://www.lightinsight.com/

I have the same problem as you in my MINI with seeing stop lights. The funny thing is I also have the same problem in my wife’s Tahoe.

-Scott

By: Bernie

Bernie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:34:52 +0000

I would like to see the roof raised by increasing the height of the windshield and all other windows.

It would make it easier for us taller drivers to see overhead signs, and make for better visibility allaround.

It would also be truer to the original Mini look and practicality. The current MINI has a much different ratio of glass to sheetmetal.

Not all that great, unless taking your styling cues from Toyota is the way to go. I hope they don't try to mimic Toyota handling next.

How about offering a sunroof option that gives you a sliding solid sunblocker, instead of glass over the backseat. If you cared much about the backseat passengers, why not get the Clubman?

By: R56 Facelift Information - MINI2 - MINI Forum

R56 Facelift Information - MINI2 - MINI Forum — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:27:07 +0000

[...] R56 Facelift Information Not sure if this has been posted already, but I saw this: MotoringFile Archive MF Exclusive: MINI’s Mid Life-Cycle Refresh [...]

By: Sonny C.

Sonny C. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:45:42 +0000

c4 is definitely right: darn fix those headlights !!! The straight lights of the R53 were so much nicer to look at than the “dumb fish” ones of the new Mini2. The grille of the new Mini2 is horrible, a chrome option for the Cooper S would be a huge step going forward. If you also resize the the speedo and fix the center console then I’m gonna buy a new MCS right away after lifecycle refresh. If you don’t I’ll just stay with my current MCS or look elsewhere for a neat little racer.

By: Demon

Demon — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:31:11 +0000

Everyone is entitled to their opinion….

By: Michael Berliner

Michael Berliner — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:15:02 +0000

c4 and js sum up my feelings completely. The new MINI is a piece of @#$%, and I would not buy one in a million years. My ’08 MCS convertible was recently in the shop for a week to get its top repaired. I was given an ’08 MC as a loaner. It was a terrible car – I was so happy to get back into my ’08 MCS convertible, and will not buy a new MINI – BMW have ruined an icon with their corporate budgets and designers. Yuk!

By: Phillip

Phillip — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:58:20 +0000

I don’t see a problem at all with the center stack. It is better than the older model which looks like the 90′s black plastic and all the old german buttons. I think the finish and materials are cheap and need to be upgraded but not anything else. Plus I like the new headlights better the lower hood and the headlights on the R53 looks like the first neon.

By: Luke

Luke — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:54:27 +0000

I agree with "Ian F", the sideward headlights of the R56 are a step backwards. I can't get used to this dumb fish look! Unfortunately the headlights won't change, that's too much redesign for a facelift.

But I still hope the center stack design and radio WILL be redesigned. Yes, get back to the simple and functional design philosphy!

These two changes are reason enough for me to pass on a new R56 while my R53 still works fine - despite the nice new motors, increased comfort and other neat advances of the R56

By: swr

swr — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:17:34 +0000

why can’t mini bring the british green and saddle combo. Saddle convertiable top with british green is beautiful.

By: Steve Swytak

Steve Swytak — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:40:20 +0000

We need Chris Bangle design some sharp creases in the middle of the doors and side panels. O yeah!! Also, it needs to be maybe 2.5″ longer and an inch or two wider. Maybe 100 pounds heavier. Soften the shocks just a little please, so I don’t feel the botts dots and seams in the road. That is all I ask. Oh yeah, a little more leg and elbow room for rear passengers. A little more Camryesque.

By: B

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:10:58 +0000

Really not clear why the regenerative brakes and auto start/stop are not yet available on the US cars! Gives 15/20% better fuel economy (compare US with Euro mileage). We know the US is land of the gas guzzler but this is really a little mindless since its standard everywhere else.

By: knightowl71

knightowl71 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:22:41 +0000

pocket_rocket Jan 9th, 2008 Link I traded my 04S and have missed it ever since. Honestly, it is one of the worst decisions I have made regarding cars. I took it very hard the day of trade to say the least.

What did you trade your 04S for? I am thinking of trading my 03S but am having a hard time letting it go.

I definately do not want an R56.

By: SpeedPedal

SpeedPedal — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:37:41 +0000

Totally agree with those who dislike the center stack and radio controls. While the size of the new speedo is not objectionable per se, in all other respects it is overdone and poorly integrated. I would never consider giving up my ’05 R53 for an R56 for this reason alone — a major design flaw that never should have gotten past R & D.

By: greg

greg — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:35:45 +0000

PR. Go find an ’06 or a MCSC. I plan to order a new one in fall ’08 as to stay in a R53 as long as possible.

By: pocket_rocket

pocket_rocket — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:55:45 +0000

I traded my 04S and have missed it ever since. Honestly, it is one of the worst decisions I have made regarding cars. I took it very hard the day of trade to say the least.

I promised myself another but ONLY when they get the center stack right. That gaping space with a knob in the middle looks TERRIBLE.

I hope they address this and if not then who knows when my next MINI will appear.

Cheers!