Finally!
Got some seat time in an R56. Lightning Blue with that rediculous Hammer & Coop bolt thing down the side. But, a test drive is a test drive. The car wasn’t even close to what I am getting, so there are somethings I’m excited to see/experience.
My thoughts…
- NOTHING about the exterior of this car bothers me (unless the arches are painted, more on that later). The door handles, under the bonnet, the boot, the belt line. All good.
- The interior is good. I really like the center stack (I don’t get how the rest of you think it looks ‘cheap’), the feel of the materials and overall layout.
- The car I drove had blue tooth and I can say I don’t like the factory armrest.
- The placement of the sport and ASC buttons suck. Especially since I feel that sport button will be getting quite a bit of use (more on that later).
- The seats are awesome, as is the telescoping steering wheel
- Did someone say torque steer? Wow. That’s going to take some getting used to.
- upper toggles = very cool
I started my drive with the Sport Button off and thought it was odd the way the car surged when I got on the gas. Not to mention not being used to all of that torque steer. After I hit the sport button, I noticed that overall driveability improved, with smoother throttle response and better steering. I will be hitting that button a lot.
I have been asking everyone; Where did all of that torque steer come from. Now, it’s been awhile since I’ve driven an R53, but the last one I drove was lightly modded and it didn’t have near as much as the R56. I found it quite distracting and it really degraded the driving experience for me. I’m sure it’s because I’m not used to the extra power or torque the R56 has over my 150K mile R50, so we’ll see. I’m hoping the limited slip helps with some of it, although I have a feeling it won’t.
Just normal driving I really enjoyed. It’s much quieter than what I am used to (Roxy has a very noisy cabin) and I’m sure I will get used to that quickly. I also noticed the steering lacked the ever present whine. That really didn’t bother me that it wasn’t there.
Ride quality and handling where what I was expecting. The ride was more forgiving on rough surfaces (or, the lack of rattles made it seem that way) and handling is a sharp as it should be. I can imagine things will roughen up a bit with the sport suspension and 17" wheels (neither of which my tester had).
Overall I’m very happy that I have ordered this car and might be just a little bit excited for AMVIV to be over. It’s due in CA on the 20th and I expect to have it the following week.
A few more notes from today.
- Painted arches on an R56 doesn’t look good. Well, it does unless you mind staring at a big gap between the bonnet and the body. It’s very noticiable when the arches are painted.
- As far as my MA knew, the cold weather package still includes outside mirrors, eventhough they are no longer showing on miniusa.com.
- I keep hearing great things about the Cooper too! But all with the automatic.
- yea, not diggin’ the lightning bolt so much. Sorry Todd
There is a pretty good chance this will be discussed at lenght on next weeks show. I’ll be sure to post a link when that goes up.
Nice to hear db. Very much looking forward to the day I can get an all new MINI.
Hey DB
Congrats on the test drive. We are now a 2 MINI family — I have an 06 s JCW[engine, suspension and brakes — thanks to Gabe’s review on MF and she has an ’07 MC. I couldn’t figure out the steering deal with her car … it will take some getting used to — but she loves it [and with the auto trans she’ll be the one driving it — same reason I have the manual [no one in the house but me knows how to drive it]. So I guess the torque steer won’t bother me too much. Can’t wait for next weeks Podcast. Thanks for all you guys do for all of us MINIacs…if we can’t be at an event, you do a great job of letting us feel like we are there anyhow.
It’s better than saying “oh no, what have I done!” ;)
Interesting review, glad you liked it! I had the same thought as you when I drove the ’07 MC loaner I had – the sport button is in a horrid position and feels a lot like it will break off after the continuous use it is bound to suffer.
I loved the huge speedo but everything below was too tacky looking and feeling for me. Where do you buy your furntiure! lol
db- I FINALLY saw a new cooper (yeah, nowhere near as cool as actually driving one)- saw it in Savannah. Blue with white roof, creme/tan interior…absolutely gorgeous. The center stack still looked good but a little much black space- might be a good space to velcro the nano.
Very jealous of your upcoming new ride!
On another note, my 05 mcs hit 20,000 miles during my trip this weekend.
DB – I have to agree with you regarding the torque steer of the R56 – holy cow. On a test drive, I pushed the gas going straight and the car changed lanes without me trying…. (not cool).
My ’06 MINI has intake, exhaust and pulley and is pushing about 188hp at the wheels and, while others have told me my car has wicked torque steer as well, I have to say the R56 is WAY more apparent and happens much lower in the RPM range.
I am sure once you get used to it – it will be fine.
Good luck on the new MINI!!
So the R56 is supposed to have equal length shafts, yet it exhibits the same torque steer that plagued the 1989 Ford Probe GT (That car had a Turbo)?
That was not even acceptable 18 years ago, much less so today.
I find that lousy, IMO.