I just picked up MINI number four last week, previously I had an '06 MCS, an '08 MCS, and an '09 JCW. Along with the obvious facelift stuff inside and out, there's a few more subtle differences.
First off, the Harmon Kardon is MUCH better than the MINI HiFi. I don't claim to be an audiophile, but it's got a lot more bass, and the whole range is richer, happy I ordered that.
Secondly, they've fixed the rearseat headrests in the up position with a little hard plastic locating ring. Presumably they weren't doing their full job pushed down so MINI made them essentially non-adjustable. They are blocking more of the rear vision, I'm not sure how much it bothers me yet. Dealer told me you can break off those collars and then they are adjustable again.
Third thing, they've done away with the lighter and cubby in the front, aka smoker's package. I don't smoke and would never let anyone fire one up near my car, so I don't care much about the lighter, but I do miss having the ashtray for a key/change holder. I'm sure I can still pick one up.
Lastly, MINI cheaped out and took away one of the cargo net "uprights" in the boot, it only comes with one now. Pretty silly I think, that must be saving them a buck per car.
That's all I've noticed so far, anything else I'm missing?

 

We have our 2011 for 2 weeks now coming from a 2006MCS. I agree 100% on the improvements in the HK..sound (the bass in particular) is much better than in the HK in the 06.

As for the rear headrests...we actually have removed them and tossed them in the boot because they sit so high and block rear visibility (breaking off the plastic rings may be an option).

One thing I was suprised to notice is that my 2011 did not come with a jack or a lugwrench? Is this correct? Dealer said it was because the car comes with RunFlats...but my 06 had runflats and it still came with a jack.

I never did use that jack on the old car so I am not overly concerned, but I still find it a rather odd item to be missing.

 

I have a 07mcs. One thing I noticed about the 2011 that I think looks cool Is the brake ducts.

 

Where in the heck would you plug in your GPS ETC. without a cigarette lighter???? I have never seen a car without a lighter socket. It has to be in the car someware!!!!!!

 

It's still got the power port Ronnie, it's just capped with a plastic plug instead of a lighter element.

 

Thanks for easing my brain. I don't smoke and I don't allow smoking or food or drinks in my JCW but I do have a Garmin and I do have a 12 volt air pump in the back for if I ever need it. I would never want them to not put that plug in.

 

My 2010 also came with a single triangle net only. Bought another on eBay.

How about listing the features you like that are new on 2011, rather than the negatory stuff.......

 

Sorry I wasn't trying to be negative...there's lots to like on the car

As mentioned before the HK really sounds great, and some of my other likes are:

1. I like the black finish on the interior plastic controls (matches my Piano Black surfaces well)
2. I like that audio ***** are side by side rather than on top of eachother
3. I like the integrated bluetooth feature (works well with my wife's phone even though it is not on the "approved/Tested" list from Mini)
4. I LOVE the Sirius integration and the free year subscription
5. I like the Leather/Cloth seats (Option)
6. I like the redesigned 2011 Front & Rear Fascia's - everybody mentions the fronts with the Brake Ducts (that I like too), but I also like the subtle changes made to the rear.
7. I also like the changes made to the rear taillights (reverse lights now in the bumper and the lens is now all red)
8. Coming from an R53...I like the dual opening sunroof (front & back)

This list is just off the top of my head...I am sure there is more.

Probably my biggest possible like will be if the changes made to the 2011 Engine (AKA the new valve cover design) will prove to be effective in reducing carbon buildup. Only time will tell on that one.

 

The 'bong' is different. That's the first thing I noticed in the 2011 loaner I was in.

 

1. I like the updated interior. I didn't dislike the old one, but the subtle changes do make it a bit more upscale looking.
2. Along those lines, I really like the option of Chili Red door/dash pieces, it offers up a couple of possibilities, my combo of satellite gray color line (pale) along with the CR and dark parts, make for a cool contrast.
3. Like the updated bumper fascias also. Still wish they would just make the JCW Aero Kit standard and unique to the factory JCW, but it's obvious that's not going to happen anymore with the R56 in its waning years.
4. Each MINI I've gotten seems to be built better than the last. This one is tight, quiet, and sounds like a vault when you close the door. Those that don't "get" the MINI will never understand its value.
5. Glad for the various JCW only cosmetic options. The red roof might not appeal to everyone, but it looks like so far, just about everyone on here who's bought or ordered one got it.

 

I must be one of the few who ordered a JCW without a red roof. Did add red mirror caps to break up the all black. Just wasn't sure about a permanent red roof. Could always vinyl it! As for the rear headrests, the is a small silver pin that pushes out to remove the stopper.

 

When you press the "SPORT" button you get the "POP and BURBLE" in the exhaust!!!

 

1. Picked up my 2011 MCS 2 weeks ago. I cannot comment about the differences because this is my first Cooper, in fact the first one I've ever even driven but I can say mine did most certainly come with a jack and toolkit even though it has the runflats. You need to talk to your dealer.

Oh, and I'm loving the thing more and more every day

 

i previously had a 2008.
On the 2011 I've noticed:

Intake pipe is now plastic and not rubber.
Interior mood lights adjust differently and have new color options
Exhaust seems a tad louder especially after it warms up.
Yes the burple/pop is awesome.
New sport contact 3 runflats.
Something changes in the computer display on the tach but I can't remember what is is now.
The striped aluminum option uses real aluminum on dash and on door panel.

 

Hmm... my wife's 2010 MCS come with two triangle nets. But now you have both that's good

 

"As for the rear headrests...we actually have removed them and tossed them in the boot because they sit so high and block rear visibility"

Do they come out fairly easily? In my 2011 Clubman S, I have to admit, they do block a lot of the limited view real estate! One holds a mirror onto the baby, or at the baby, etc. But I'd love to try and engineer something else...

I came from on 06 MCS and I miss the suspension and the burble from that one. But overall my 2011 Clubman S is much better built...or seems so...

 

There's a rubber surface in the center stack cubbie in front of the shifter instead of just hard plastic.

 

We took ours off at the dealership within 2 minutes of the walkaround and they're sitting in the garage. The dealer did mention that you can break the plastic rings off.

 

What car in the past 20+ years comes standard with an actual lighter?
Since '89 I have owned 5 new cars... 2 Nissans, 1 Ford and 1 Honda, + '10 Clubman... all of them did not have a lighter.

 

I also have a new 2011 MCS (have had her for 5 days) and while it is my first Mini...I too am in love with it. Not having much to compare it to (I test drove an '05, but that's it) - I LOVE the stereo system and the fact that it sounds great even with the top down, love the roomy interior, the seats (awesome) and the center console. I agree that it would be nice to have a little tray area to put a key or my sunglasses, but that is okay. The neatest "small" thing that I love showing people is the "James Bond" compartment in the dashboard....always gets a "Hey! That is COOL!"

 

My '96 Miata did but my '07 and '09 Miata did not. My '91 Lexus did, but my '01 Lexus did not. My '93 and '96 Dodge Rams did, but my '03 Dodge Ram did not. My '93 Camry did, but my '02 4Runner did not. None of my Hondas ('00, '03, '06 and '08) did.

 

My early 09 build MINI came with a lighter and ashtray.

 

So did mine… build month Jan 2009, took delivery in March 09.
Lighter and cupholder ashtray insert for the front… plastic cover for the rear.

Part # 61346969134 (printed on the side)

 

I've had some 20ish new cars in since '89 is this is the first that did not have a lighter element. That includes most recently 4 MINI's, 3 BMW's, 3 Audi's, couple of VW's, and a Porsche.

 

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.