R56 A few changes I've noticed on my 2011
#30
Just ask for them
When we picked ours up, my wife noticed that the nets were missing and mentioned to the salesman - he ran inside and came out with a brand new set of nets and installed them for her right there - at no charge
#32
#34
When we picked up my wife's 2011 S we were told the rear headrest had the plastic rings on them for "liability reasons" but that we could remove them by removing the small pin using a pair of needle nosed pliers. Which we did and they sit much lower and the rear vision is much better.
#35
Helps to bring females with you to get what you want sometimes lol. Im going this week to try and get a MCS hope all goes well. Reading all the comments about the 2011's has got me anxious.
#36
#37
No. I test drove my new car just hours after it arrived at the dealership and the nets were in packages in the boot, not attached. When I came to pick it up, they were in place but minus one side. The manager said he'd give me another but we got distracted, I'll follow up on that next time I'm near the store.
#38
So the stock exhaust is breaking in nicely. Definitely a different and slightly more aggressive sound than my 08 had. And I've starting to find the sweet spot for forcing the deceleration burbles and pops. Startled a few pedestrians yesterday
Anyone know if they changed the part number for the stock Cooper S exhaust? Or perhaps the 2011 engine changes is causing a different exhaust sound. dunno
Anyone know if they changed the part number for the stock Cooper S exhaust? Or perhaps the 2011 engine changes is causing a different exhaust sound. dunno
#40
Here's something I noticed about a 2011 Justa Cooper I got as a loaner car, and on a 2011 MCS I test drove. The OBC display, that is to say the square LCD display in the tach that sits above the rectangular one that shows the odometer, seems to always display a digital speedo now. In my '08 MCS, it'll either display time and outside temperature OR a digital speedo, which I can change by pressing the BC button on the turn signal stalk.
I have the factory nav system, so maybe this is a behavior you only see when the central display is installed.
I have the factory nav system, so maybe this is a behavior you only see when the central display is installed.
#41
Just found this thread. I've had my 2011 MCS 3 weeks now, along with an early R56 Cooper
- rear headrests - no change in Australian/Euro spec, so probably just a bit of plastic added to US-spec?
- single triangle net - really annoying - swapped one out of the Cooper as I'll use it more in the S - but really cheapskate!
- the standard sound system is a big improvement over the old one too - probably equivalent to the old extra-cost one
- Australian spec misses out on the pop & burble with the sport button
- interior mood lighting now adjusts for brightness (at last!!! ) as well having a full range of colours; pull it towards you for brightness, push away for colours
- computer display does default to speed (what I always used anyway); also shows "TRACTION" under the speed when you turn off the traction control, and "DSC OFF" when you turn - er, the DSC off.
The main changes I love are:
- smoother gearshift (they did something to the linkages I read)
- electronic diff is fabulous
- software eradication of torque steer - I'm still wondering how they did that!
- nicer steering feel
- brake cooling ducts
- and, of course, all the extra power after a Cooper
Things I'm not so keen on are:
- darker tint on the sunroof - I liked it clearer
- lighter, less distinct clutch
Overall: loving it!
- rear headrests - no change in Australian/Euro spec, so probably just a bit of plastic added to US-spec?
- single triangle net - really annoying - swapped one out of the Cooper as I'll use it more in the S - but really cheapskate!
- the standard sound system is a big improvement over the old one too - probably equivalent to the old extra-cost one
- Australian spec misses out on the pop & burble with the sport button
- interior mood lighting now adjusts for brightness (at last!!! ) as well having a full range of colours; pull it towards you for brightness, push away for colours
- computer display does default to speed (what I always used anyway); also shows "TRACTION" under the speed when you turn off the traction control, and "DSC OFF" when you turn - er, the DSC off.
The main changes I love are:
- smoother gearshift (they did something to the linkages I read)
- electronic diff is fabulous
- software eradication of torque steer - I'm still wondering how they did that!
- nicer steering feel
- brake cooling ducts
- and, of course, all the extra power after a Cooper
Things I'm not so keen on are:
- darker tint on the sunroof - I liked it clearer
- lighter, less distinct clutch
Overall: loving it!
#42
PW4- Great post and info. I am coming out of a 2010 MCS and my biggest issues were the torq streer and lack of a limited slip. In my 2010 if I jump on throttle in straight line you better be holding on with both hands. It will jump 3 ft if the road is a bit rough and depending how you have the wheels set.
In a corner you have to be easy on the throttle or the right front is going up in smoke. Roll it on slow is the only way or you are just losing TT. Time and tires. Please discribe how it feels now straight line and in a corner with the new diff. Does it feel like brake controling the wheels or do you not even notice it. very curious as i am still waitng for my JCW which is on the water.
In a corner you have to be easy on the throttle or the right front is going up in smoke. Roll it on slow is the only way or you are just losing TT. Time and tires. Please discribe how it feels now straight line and in a corner with the new diff. Does it feel like brake controling the wheels or do you not even notice it. very curious as i am still waitng for my JCW which is on the water.
#43
#44
Which is unfortunate as I've gotten used to having the time and OAT displayed there. Perhaps MINI got a bunch of feedback from drivers who never got used to glancing down and to the right to find out how fast they were going.
#45
Accelerating, it just feels - ordinary and smooth. No pulling or tugging or anything. So the software works to cut torque steer very well. Very occasionally I've felt a little pulling in the steering but I think it's only been as the diff is working to find the grip on an irregular surface (traction control off). I've read the diff is done via the brakes but I can't notice that. I think you'll love it!
I mostly run with the traction control off - according to MotoringFile it reduces the electronic nannies a bit too and I have a larger rear sway bar that I don't want the electronics to interfere with - but I need to experiment more to see if they do anyway.
#46
OAT is still shown, down in the odometer section. I think the time is only shown on the radio - but then again I thought it always was. I must check...
#47
True, but if I'm displaying it down there, then I don't see my average MPG like I normally have it set to do.
I agree it's a minor nit overall. I just find the presence of both a digital and analog speedo to be redundant.
I agree it's a minor nit overall. I just find the presence of both a digital and analog speedo to be redundant.
#48
I would love it if I could make one in kilometers and one in miles… without screwing up my overall mileage count (I know my warranty runs out at 50k miles… but I'd never remember 80,467.2 km).
#49
And I checked what the Traction/DSC Off display changes, and it's nothing - it just moves the speed up and fits the text underneath. So the temperature display has moved regardless.
#50
I think you can set the computer to miles or km can't you? If so, you could show km on the digital display and your analog speedo would still be in miles.