Car and Driver Long-term MINI Update
All good automotive press will at some point conduct long-term testing and provide updates. Car and Driver has an [update](http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-mini-cooper-s-hardtop-long-term-update-review) on their 2014 Cooper S.
The F56 arrived with much talk about its new interior and improved driving characteristics and the long-term review at Car and Driver seems to reinforce those conversations and indicates that it has been successful in achieving those goals. Car and Driver has been testing their 2014 Cooper S for a little over 15,000 miles and seem to love the way it drives and looks inside. They also have spent nothing on repairs yet. The minor issues they encountered were covered under warranty.
The most positive remarks seem to indicate a coming of age for the new MINI. Car and Driver states that the new MINI, “…reminds us of how much more refined the latest Mini is than previous generations. The feel is more akin to a small BMW than an eager runabout, with improved ergonomics and instrumentation.” They go on to say, “…while the go-kart feel has been somewhat watered down, the Mini can still deliver smiles when hitting an apex.”
For some MINI owners this may be a let down, as that go-cart feel is often considered a hallmark of MINI motoring. For others, the affiliation and comparison with a premium luxury brand like BMW can only be a good thing.
There aren’t really any surprises in this update. The car “creaks and rattles” a lot, which although greatly improved in the F56 shouldn’t come as a surprise to Motoring File readers as it’s something we’ve become accustomed to in previous generations of the MINI.
The update is pretty straightforward and you can read the entire update here. Whatever you do, don’t read the comments.
<p>Still the same story when reviewers comment the suspension, we don’t know the type of suspension
Here it is probably the normal suspension</p>
<p>While usually a valid complaint, this time it says right in the article it has the dynamic damper control .suspension.</p>
<p>Ok so just 10% more rigid only in sport mode and it sanitizes the road feeling
The dynamic suspension is the right choice for baby boomers who suffer from their back
But for the average Mini enthusiast it may not be the right choice…</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The car “creaks and rattles” a lot, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to Motoring File readers as it’s something we’ve become accustomed to since the rebirth of the MINI.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Aw, hell. I was really hoping the “refined interior” meant this wasn’t going to be nearly as bad as on previous generations. Doesn’t come as a surprise… but it definitely does come as a disappointment.</p>
<p>That’s interesting because while there are a couple of things we didn’t like about the interior, our take on it is different: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/08/25/5142-miles-aboard-the-2014-f56-s/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/08/25/5142-miles-aboard-the-2014-f56-s/</a></p>
<p>Well, now I’m just confused. =(</p>
<p>The F56 interior is hugely improved. I’ve drive a half dozen of them and have yet to hear any rattles.</p>
<p>Even on mine with a significantly stiffer suspension I have almost no rattles after 8,000 miles. There are just a couple and they’re off and on.</p>
<p>My F56S is my third MINI. My first two had a few rattles, but my “15 F56S does not have a rattle after 2200 miles. It is a better car in every aspect. If MINI had continued with the R3 series, the brand would have disappeared by now.</p>
<p>all else aside, just look at that mug shot. It’s positively beastly!</p>
<p><blockquote>Whatever you do, don’t read the comments.</blockquote></p>
<p>But that’s the best part! Just like with MotoringFile.</p>
<p>Get a dark color, like the new green, and it much less noticeable, to me at least. And it seem that people talk about MINIs rattles? What rattles? My R56 had virtually none, my R59 has none, what roads do people drive on that creates all these rattles. And, as all know, roadsters are suppose to rattle. My one rattle that I have occasionally is the damnable passenger side seat belt. Wrap it around a bit and that goes away.</p>
<p>My ’08 has no rattles but my ’03 had enough for both!</p>
<p>(Now grayghost, formerly SPICYJCWCouoe….Creeks & Rattles????? After 2 MINIs (’08 MCS hatch & ’12 JCWCoupe) 7 years & 80k miles, neither developed ANY creeks & rattles. In addition both were nearly trouble free (1 issue each covered under warranty).</p>
<p>I’ll be taking delivery of my 3rd MINI next week….an F55S 4 door in Thunder Gray (thus the name change to the Grayghost!!! The Coupe was great but I needed more usability. I feel the F55S will fit that bill along with continuing to be a fun drive.</p>