R50/53 R53 vs R56 interior opinion
#26
07-06-2008 | 12:53 AM
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
When it comes down to it we all love what we own.
Personally, however, I think the later design does not look as good as my 2006 sixties "original" style speedo and switches.
At least to me, the newer center console looks like a seventies and eighties boom box. I think that the sixties retro speedo has the cooler look and sticks to the original idea for it [so the co-pilot in rallies could see it.]
Here is a pic of the newer speedo/console so that members know what the thread is talking about.
Personally, however, I think the later design does not look as good as my 2006 sixties "original" style speedo and switches.
At least to me, the newer center console looks like a seventies and eighties boom box. I think that the sixties retro speedo has the cooler look and sticks to the original idea for it [so the co-pilot in rallies could see it.]
Here is a pic of the newer speedo/console so that members know what the thread is talking about.
Last edited by MichaelSF; 07-07-2008 at 11:58 AM.
#27
07-06-2008 | 01:00 AM
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Back at Bragg
Personally, I don't like the new interior nor do I like the loss of supercharger whine. My Maggie is an 06R53. 
However, whenever I'm speaking to someone about MINIs, who is not "in the family" or a MINI owner, I never bad mouth any MINIs. Family problems stay in the Family!! Even then, I don't express my opinion unless asked! Most of the Americans around here are really interested in the Clubman and I push the positive aspects: larger trunk, larger rear leg room, go cart-ability. Guess I should be an MA!!
And that is absolutely the coolest thing about the MINI community: To each their own without rancor or acrimony. Thank ya'll very much!
Cheers!!
However, whenever I'm speaking to someone about MINIs, who is not "in the family" or a MINI owner, I never bad mouth any MINIs. Family problems stay in the Family!! Even then, I don't express my opinion unless asked! Most of the Americans around here are really interested in the Clubman and I push the positive aspects: larger trunk, larger rear leg room, go cart-ability. Guess I should be an MA!!
And that is absolutely the coolest thing about the MINI community: To each their own without rancor or acrimony. Thank ya'll very much!
Cheers!!
#28
07-06-2008 | 05:18 PM
Thank you all for your opinions. I knew this would open up a can of worms and I have to say, I love things about both cars. I have ridden and driven in all models, s and non-s of all of the new and old MINI's (MINUS THE NEW JCW) and I love different things about all of the cars. I must say, i will be in the market very soon to get a 2006 GP. I know there are only 415 in the US and I have a friend in the UK who might be able to get me a Right Hand Drive GP. I know it is going to cost a bunch extra, but it would be the first in the USA. Thank god for our troops overseas huh? I will keep you all posted. At the very least, I am going to own a US version of the GP and keep it forever. I cannot wait to get my hands on one. Keep the posts coming, all opinions are welcome!
#29
07-07-2008 | 12:57 AM
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
Yes that is true, but we still have a cubby under the toggle switches that is missing on the R56.
I'm not bashing R56's just pointing out the somewhat odd to me differences. I hope in a few years that they make a few changes to ease complaints that folks have.
One more thing....
No supercharger whine on an R56.
I'm not bashing R56's just pointing out the somewhat odd to me differences. I hope in a few years that they make a few changes to ease complaints that folks have.
One more thing....
No supercharger whine on an R56.
The Supercharger Whine and Exhaust pops is what switched me for the R53 over the R56. The ride is bumpy, but I'm already used to that with my FTO.
#30
07-07-2008 | 04:20 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
#32
07-07-2008 | 05:42 AM
#33
07-07-2008 | 06:04 AM
I just drive my 06 for 3 months, and I really like the interior. May be I am an old school. When I compared the gen2 with the gen1 from the showroom, I feel strange inside the R56, radio is on the speedo & the CD is seperated on the console, the mesh-like wind deflector on the sunroof looks to me very filmzy & actually the one in the showroom was broken already. The contour from the exterior is not as sharp defined like the gen1, you can tell from the bonett... the contour from the headlight to the middle hood. I am not saying R56 is no good, for performance & gas mileage it is better, and the gen2 looks like more modern than classic.
For me, I see two brothers standing together, always the young one get spoiled & beefup. Next Mini I am going to buy will be the gen3 or at least not the 07/08. But I am sure you drive gen1 then you like the gen1 better or you driving a gen2 you definitely happy with your car then the gen1.
For me, I see two brothers standing together, always the young one get spoiled & beefup. Next Mini I am going to buy will be the gen3 or at least not the 07/08. But I am sure you drive gen1 then you like the gen1 better or you driving a gen2 you definitely happy with your car then the gen1.
#34
07-07-2008 | 06:09 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
The R56 center console makes perfect sense if you use it every day as it's very functional and everything is right where you need it. The integration of radio/CD/bluetooth, OBC and other stuff in the speedo puts that all info right where it needs to be in a very tight little package. All those buttons function differently depending on what mode you are in.
One can get all up-tight on the look of this or that, but I think that's kinda silly....using and having easy access to all this stuff while motoring is what it's all about....and when they can do all that and free up some significant legroom.....well, we really should be thankin' those MINI guys.
Honestly, this reminds me of the blokes who whined about the rearview mirror being too small.
One can get all up-tight on the look of this or that, but I think that's kinda silly....using and having easy access to all this stuff while motoring is what it's all about....and when they can do all that and free up some significant legroom.....well, we really should be thankin' those MINI guys.
Honestly, this reminds me of the blokes who whined about the rearview mirror being too small.
#35
07-07-2008 | 06:14 AM
The R56 center console makes perfect sense if you use it every day as it's very functional and everything is right where you need it. The integration of radio/CD/bluetooth, OBC and other stuff in the speedo puts that all info right where it needs to be in a very tight little package. All those buttons function differently depending on what mode you are in.
One can get all up-tight on the look of this or that, but I think that's kinda silly....using and having easy access to all this stuff while motoring is what it's all about....and when they can do all that and free up some significant legroom.....well, we really should be thankin' those MINI guys.
Honestly, this reminds me of the blokes who whined about the rearview mirror being too small.
One can get all up-tight on the look of this or that, but I think that's kinda silly....using and having easy access to all this stuff while motoring is what it's all about....and when they can do all that and free up some significant legroom.....well, we really should be thankin' those MINI guys.
Honestly, this reminds me of the blokes who whined about the rearview mirror being too small.
Yep love the look with navi if i can only get my hands on it.....
#37
07-07-2008 | 10:30 AM
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
There are a lot of defining elements of R50/53 that I do like, and moving to R56 took some re-understanding of things. Yes, the downtubes are cool, but since all those bits are supposed to give a roll-cage feel (and scratched easily), I came to consider them faux-ish and non-essential, especially in light of the added legroom in R56...it's a good trade-off.
Same w/ the new radio position. Yes, R56's layout is different, but I too love having OBC and other info available in the speedo and use it all the time. I also like the extra set of toggles up above. I don't have a sunroof, so mine are all for interior lighting. We said we loved toggles, and MINI gave us a whole other set.
The left and right manual climate controls seem odd in R56 as they are mounted as a 90 degree angle to the console, but then again that helps make that added legroom possible, so to me, I see that as a pretty clever thing.
Don't get me wrong, I am still a big fan of both interiors, each for different sets of reasons, and I do not even consider anything particularly a problem. I just had to reconsider things to make room for a different way of understanding the interior design, and in doing so I find that the benefits justify the change.
If I look at all the various car interiors out there, both first and second gen interiors are all extremely recognizable as MINI and very distinct to the marque. The differences are there, but they are not worth getting too dogmatic over.
Same w/ the new radio position. Yes, R56's layout is different, but I too love having OBC and other info available in the speedo and use it all the time. I also like the extra set of toggles up above. I don't have a sunroof, so mine are all for interior lighting. We said we loved toggles, and MINI gave us a whole other set.
The left and right manual climate controls seem odd in R56 as they are mounted as a 90 degree angle to the console, but then again that helps make that added legroom possible, so to me, I see that as a pretty clever thing.
Don't get me wrong, I am still a big fan of both interiors, each for different sets of reasons, and I do not even consider anything particularly a problem. I just had to reconsider things to make room for a different way of understanding the interior design, and in doing so I find that the benefits justify the change.
If I look at all the various car interiors out there, both first and second gen interiors are all extremely recognizable as MINI and very distinct to the marque. The differences are there, but they are not worth getting too dogmatic over.
And yes, in the end we are all MINIs, from the same "gene pool" or fruit from one set of loins.
So no one should be dissing the brand or other MINIs. Top secret sidenote: Since we are all in the same MINI family, permit me to say, however, you all are not as handsome or beautiful as I turned out. And I heard dad say to his buddies on the manufacturing floor that I am the favorite of all the sons.
#38
07-07-2008 | 10:45 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
I have a 2005 MCS and from day 1 ive HATED the dash downtubes and how they get in the way when the foot is on the gas. that was the numero uno complaint that I had. Im dumping this nightmare for an R56 and although it's not perfect, I still prefer it to R53. Why?
no steenkin downtubes. better seats. ambient lighting. tighter feel and better fit and finish. toggles for everything. English oak. Programability. tilt and tele steering wheel. secret compartment. just more refined across the board.
no steenkin downtubes. better seats. ambient lighting. tighter feel and better fit and finish. toggles for everything. English oak. Programability. tilt and tele steering wheel. secret compartment. just more refined across the board.
#39
07-07-2008 | 10:46 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 0
From: Planet CROC
#40
07-07-2008 | 11:29 AM
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 11
From: Ridgefield, CT
...whenever I'm speaking to someone about MINIs, who is not "in the family" or a MINI owner, I never bad mouth any MINIs. Family problems stay in the Family!! Even then, I don't express my opinion unless asked! Most of the Americans around here are really interested in the Clubman and I push the positive aspects: larger trunk, larger rear leg room, go cart-ability. Guess I should be an MA!!
And that is absolutely the coolest thing about the MINI community: To each their own without rancor or acrimony. Thank ya'll very much!
Cheers!!
And that is absolutely the coolest thing about the MINI community: To each their own without rancor or acrimony. Thank ya'll very much!
Cheers!!
A neighbor that had admired MINIs for years took mine around the block when I got it and subsequently bought an '02 with only 25K miles on it! She loved it, but was often toting 3 kids about and getting them in and out of the back was a pain. So, she sold it and bought a Clubman off the lot. She test drove it, but apparently didn't really pay much attention to details.
I saw her yesterday and asked her how she liked the new car and her first comment was "What the ****** is up with the dash?"
Oh well. She'll get used to it.
Dean.
#41
07-07-2008 | 12:08 PM
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
+1
A neighbor that had admired MINIs for years took mine around the block when I got it and subsequently bought an '02 with only 25K miles on it! She loved it, but was often toting 3 kids about and getting them in and out of the back was a pain. So, she sold it and bought a Clubman off the lot. She test drove it, but apparently didn't really pay much attention to details.
I saw her yesterday and asked her how she liked the new car and her first comment was "What the ****** is up with the dash?"
Oh well. She'll get used to it.
Dean.
A neighbor that had admired MINIs for years took mine around the block when I got it and subsequently bought an '02 with only 25K miles on it! She loved it, but was often toting 3 kids about and getting them in and out of the back was a pain. So, she sold it and bought a Clubman off the lot. She test drove it, but apparently didn't really pay much attention to details.
I saw her yesterday and asked her how she liked the new car and her first comment was "What the ****** is up with the dash?"
Oh well. She'll get used to it.
Dean.
At least to me, your post confirms what I have always said.
Not that she did a bad thing [buy the MINI without really looking at it in detail]. She had a main need, space requirements, and the Clubman filled that need.
I wonder if she carted the family on the test drive to see how everyone fit inside.
#42
07-07-2008 | 07:55 PM
+1
A neighbor that had admired MINIs for years took mine around the block when I got it and subsequently bought an '02 with only 25K miles on it! She loved it, but was often toting 3 kids about and getting them in and out of the back was a pain. So, she sold it and bought a Clubman off the lot. She test drove it, but apparently didn't really pay much attention to details.
I saw her yesterday and asked her how she liked the new car and her first comment was "What the ****** is up with the dash?"
Oh well. She'll get used to it.
Dean.
A neighbor that had admired MINIs for years took mine around the block when I got it and subsequently bought an '02 with only 25K miles on it! She loved it, but was often toting 3 kids about and getting them in and out of the back was a pain. So, she sold it and bought a Clubman off the lot. She test drove it, but apparently didn't really pay much attention to details.
I saw her yesterday and asked her how she liked the new car and her first comment was "What the ****** is up with the dash?"
Oh well. She'll get used to it.
Dean.
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