2014 F56 MINI Detailed in 10 Videos
The F56 MINI debuted a week with with 250 photos and plenty of official information. However the one thing that we haven’t seen are the usual detailed official videos that help give us a full view of the car inside and out. Wait no more… they’ve arrived and in 1080 HD glory. Check out all 10 after the break.
<p>6:07 Terrified gold fish in Slo-mo!</p>
<p>I feel bad. This is a superior vehicle to its predecessors – probably the best mini yet . . . but I just can’t get over the nose. I think the F56 may go down in history as the Cyrano de Bergerac of MINI’s: well known, well regarded, and profuse.</p>
<p>No, the Pontiac Aztek of MINIs!</p>
<p>Actually I can’t get over the rear lights…</p>
<p>I’ve seen it in person and neither the front end or larger tail lights are as bad as many are complaining about</p>
<p>Agreed. Saw them at LA Autoshow. By themselves you would be hard pressed to tell there’s a size increase. They are still ridiculously tiny.
What I think “ruins” the S is the non-body colored paneling. It wasn’t until I saw it in person that I realized the front spoiler was one continuous, even piece. In every pic and vid it looks like that middle front portion is just hanging down by itself, which I didn’t like.</p>
<p>I agree. It makes me sad that this car is probably the best MINI ever made to drive, live with, and own, but the looks and loss of things that made it unique make it no longer desirable from my perspective. I’m sure it looks different in person, maybe even better, but it can’t look that good if it looks like this in pictures and videos.</p>
<p>Tell me of another car that looks awful in images yet wonderful in real life, and maybe you’ll change my mind.</p>
<p>This week’s whiteroofradio had an interview footage where MINI marketing guy admitting killing center speedo, window and door lock switches moving to door are all based new owner INITIAL survey. Although I knew that was the reason for the changes, it was very discouraging that’s coming from MINI officially. Very passive, tail-between-legs strategy to me.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand. MINI changed some features based on customer feedback and that’s somehow a negative?</p>
<p>It’s been said on the podcast, here n MF and other places that MINI scores low on initial survey, and high on longer term satisfaction. In other words, new owners are “confused” by non conventional UI and quirkiness first, then grow to love the car and its uniqueness.</p>
<p>Of course that’s just a speculation here, but I think it is reasonable to think, from what’s been said, that MINI is reacting to the voices of new owners and short-term reviewers (who, dare I say, don’t necessarily “get” MINI) and making the car more conventional to score high on the initial survey.</p>
<p>BMW/MINI could say they make changes to further push “NOT NORMAL” and make the car unique and fun (in the interview the guy tries to go there with center speedo but I didn’t think how he said was a strong argument), but hearing them basically saying “oh we wanna score high on initial survey” is not something I wanna hear from MINI.</p>
<p>Eventually we have to accept the fact that MINIs aren’t just niche market cars anymore. I can’t even tell you how many I pass without ever getting a returned wave. It makes sense for them to pander to the majority of their customers.</p>
<p>Plus, the interior on the new car is arguably the best design they’ve had yet.</p>
<p>It’s been said on the podcast, here n MF and other places that MINI scores low on initial survey, and high on longer term satisfaction. In other words, new owners are “confused” by non conventional UI and quirkiness first, then grow to love the car and its uniqueness.</p>
<p>Of course that’s just a speculation here, but I think it is reasonable to think, from what’s been said, that MINI is reacting to the voices of new owners and short-term reviewers (who, dare I say, don’t necessarily “get” MINI) and making the car more conventional to score high on the initial survey.</p>
<p>BMW/MINI could say they make changes to further push “NOT NORMAL” and make the car unique and fun (in the interview the guy tries to go there with center speedo but I didn’t think how he said was a strong argument), but hearing them basically saying “oh we wanna score high on initial survey” is not something I wanna hear from MINI.</p>
<p>What they’ve done is try to introduce new features that feel aligned with not normal and refined or removed those that simply confused owners</p>
<p>Diluting the product, I would say.</p>
<p>Or refining it and creating something compelling and modern. It’s easy to criticize something you haven’t experienced first hand.</p>
<p>Many of the things that changed are things that make the MINI unique like the center speedo or central lock and window switches. Since poor IQS scores haven’t actually hurt MINI sales that we can tell, I question the wisdom of chasing better scores at the expense of things that give the car some of its character. Feedback is good, but at the same time, the masses will generally only drive you more toward mainstream mediocrity.</p>
<p>Well said, Nathaniel. That’s really what I feel. I design UX, UI and software and physical products for living myself, and balancing feedbacks from various origins and maintaining the core design philosophy is extremely difficult, and I’m not quite sure if MINI/BMW is succeeding that in this particular iteration.</p>
<p>Speaking as a Motoring Advisor I’m totally stoked to see the changes happening in the new HT.
We (MINI) have the highest sales satisfaction and ownership satisfaction in the industry according to JD Power & Associates. THE WHOLE INDUSTRY. Do you know where we are dead last? The same JD Power survey for Initial Quality. When folks are looking at vehicles to purchase (even enthusiasts of the brand) they look towards that information in making their purchasing decision.
Every dealership has had 2 training events in the last 6 months to train and drive in the point of giving the perfect delivery to the customer and follow-up. Why? To combat the scores we’ve received from JD Power. Can you imagine us sitting at the top of all 3 surveys!!! The more people that adopt the MINI way only leads to cooler MINI models and advancements for the brand in the future.
And for the record because this has been thrown around far too long; MINI wasn’t original in having the centrally located window controls. BMW had them throughout the 90’s on basically ever model. It is not original or MINI, we just happened to steal from our parent company.</p>
<p>Happy Thanksgiving and hug your Mothers if you’ve got them.</p>
<p>My 91 VW had center window switches as well, which I liked, but I think you get my point. I have no family anywhere close but happy thanksgiving to you.</p>
<p>Unwatchable! MINI is S%#T at putting together a video.</p>
<p>BMW*</p>
<p>This is B-roll guys. It’s meant generally to be the raw material for an edited piece. We post it all typically so you the MINI fans get a raw and full look at the car.</p>
<p>Thanks for the B-roll. I’ve seen all the final cuts that I can find and there is so much more here, especially the factory shots that were a lot of fun. When I had the opportunity to go to London a year ago, I got on a wait list for a factory tour 2 months in advance and still could not get a spot during the week I was there, so I quite enjoyed this presentation. I agree the repetitive back and forth on the same road was a bit monotonous but it’s better than nothing.</p>
<p>Great production video: it would be even better with occasional monologue, explaining procedures and their impact upon the final product.</p>
<p>Still a no for me. Goodbye MINI.</p>
<p>GoodBye Ulrichd..</p>
<p>Looks like rood rails on the F56 are going to be optional from the factory. That’s going to make it interesting for dealers to stock based on how many customer they think might want a roof rack, and in which color and options spec, at some point in time. Wish they could have incorporated a system universal to all MINIs.</p>
<ol>
<li>I have a question from the Woofcast #492 interview, they mention that when you
change the driving modes the engine consumption/power changes, also the
transmission, and the suspension. But the variable damper control is an
extra it’s not standard correct? So cars without the variable damper
control won’t change the suspension setting when changing the driving
modes? </li>
</ol>
<p>Or does the optional variable damper control give you more control
over the suspension beyond the fixed + or – 10% stiffness from the “mid”
mode?</p>
<p>The driving modes don’t affect the steering at all?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What is that black button on the door handle for? Is it a sensor for keyless entry?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a place to insert the “key” in the cabin or do you have to keep it in your pocket?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the armrest now standard or extra?</p></li>
<li><p>What are the indicators above the fuel level?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>To address a few of your questions:
The black button on the door handle is the “comfort access” button for vehicle so equipped, otherwise the handle has no black button. The door handles themselves are now a pivot type like most BMWs have and pull away from the door instead of the squeeze trigger of the previous generations. Again, like BMW models, inserting the metal lazer cut key into the underside of the driver door handle releases a cover which exposes the mechanical door lock keyhole.
Inside, there is no mechanical key slot either – you keep the key in your pocket and flip the glowing center toggle switch with your foot on the brake to start the vehicle.
The armest is an extra cost option, and thankfully so, because in vehicles equipped with either MINI Connected or Navigation have the MINI Controller or Touchpad Controller (Nav) located ahead of the shifter and to the right of the mechanical e-brake handle. The armrest is a bit in the way and requires you to rest your arm on the armrest and curve your your hand down and to the back to reach the controller which I personally found uncomfortable. I guess you could lift up the armrest, but not sure it would be completely out of the way (I did not get a chance to try that while I was in the vehicle). In addition, the armrest gets lifted upward when the e-brake is pulled up all the way and when it is released, the armrest has to be lowered back to its original positon. A bit of a pain, in my opinion. I would probably choose not to have the armrest at all.
Not sure what indicators above the fuel level you are referring to … It is two sections of horizontal bars which are divided by circular lights indicating empty (bottom), half and full (top).
Cheers!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your detailed reply!</p>
<p>The 3 cylinder sounds like a beast</p>
<p>It definitely looks better without the bonnet stripes which come across as angry eyebrows.</p>
<p>F56 ordered! (in the UK) – very excited!</p>
<p>Welcome to the club! What did you get?</p>
<p>Thanks – Cooper S in classic pepper white/black combo. Specced CHILI pack, media XL, heads up display, LED headlights and variable damper control. Couldn’t afford to add full leather, harmon kardon or 18″ alloys unfortunately…… I still have to wait until March though!</p>
<p>Club makes it sound like I’m not the only one?!</p>
<p>Correct – ordered an Iced Chocolate / Black Cooper with Chili, 17″ black cosmos spoke , Media XL, Satellite grey leather lounge, Harmon Kardon, head up display – March is a long time away isn’t it?!</p>
<p>Indeed, but it will soon go. I’ve just seen your other post – I’ve also ordered the dark cottonwood. I actually thought about iced chocolate very closely too – good choice!</p>
<p>Thanks – having a play on MINI.co.uk configurator now and happy with my selections :)</p>
<p>I can’t find the F56 configurator on the mini.co.uk site where is it?</p>
<p>If you go to quick links bottom right and click on ‘Design Your Mini’ configurator comes up. Although pic is of a R56, if you choose ‘MINI’ as the model (for the hardtop) it’s F56 configurator</p>
<p>Thanks, run through it and need to save up £30k lol.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why European MINI configurators are so terrible. When l lived in France, I had to use MINI USA’s to do anything. The UK configurator is as bad as the one in France. I’d like to know why it is so complicated for a large company like BMW/MINI to offer a consistent and great online experience across all local subsidiaries and computing platforms…</p>
<p>Agreed. It is shocking to me that this is on the internet in 2013.</p>
<p>Congrats!</p>
<p>Ok, on the Mini Connected XL there is a button on the left that looks like two cars with an aerial next to it – what is that for? Perhaps the Mini E/Assist thingy?</p>
<p>I could watch these factory videos for hours. Robotics are so fascinating.</p>
<p>I agree. Kind of funny, but it seems so easy to personify them.</p>
<p>Same here. I wonder how many years from now before a car is manufactured without a human hand touching it.</p>
<p>“Misuse will be Disciplined” — Sign seen on some sort of equipment about 1 minute into the last video. 🙂 I wonder what sort of fun the employees were having?</p>
<p>Help me out, everyone. I’ve never owned a MINI before. I’ve got a Honda Civic that I bought 16 years ago. It’s been a great car, but I need a change. I heard MINIs are fickle, needing a lot of attention under the hood. Not so with my last two Hondas.
What do you think?</p>
<p>I would suggest you head over to MotoringAlliance.com and ask on the forum. This post isn’t really the venue for that discussion.</p>
<p>Thank you, Nathaniel. I’m new to the forums too. :-)</p>