I noticed all the R56's @ the Detroit show sat unusually high compared to their euro spec counterparts. I never recalled this being an issue w/ the R53???? Can anyone give an explanation for this??? It seems you can always expect a U.S. spec Euro car to get screwed up by distributors one way or another.

Another thing; Is the black bumper trim (wheel arches, etc.) of higher grade plastic than the R53??? I've heard there to be problems with discoloration on the R53. This may be just a general wear issue with all black plastic trim in general.

 

Not heard anything to suggest the usa version is any taller than the euro. I thought the specs indicated it was slightly shorter than the R53? Just a fraction of an inch or something - what was it?

 

It's not what I've heard, but what I see.

 

The Europeans also complain about the R56 ride height. The conclusion on MINI2 was that it looks higher than R50/R53 but physically it is not:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-w...apointing.html

 

it might sit higher for a better crash test rating. I'm pretty sure this is why the US spec mk5 GTI sits like 7 feet off the ground compared to the euro spec one.

 

I have not heard or seen this at all yet. Granted it is an issue over time regardless of grade because uv degrades plastics over time. and I see a bunch of Z71's around that look like crap but this has not been the case on the R53

 

Nope. Not sure when, but the factory is switching over to a tighter spring setup similar to that of the Euro spec GTI. This is noted on VWVortex in the MKV GTI forum.

 

I couldn't find it on vwvortex. But is it going to be shorter? I hope so b/c the GTI sits way too high for me.


Anyway, I think even if they did raised the r56 it would be because a lot of people (mostly non-enthusiast) think that the r53 sits too low (in my experience, in the USA).

 

I read a discussion on MINI2 which indicated that it "settles down" after driving some. ????
I'll try to find the thread and drop a link here.

 

From the specs, the ride heights are virtually identical--I think it's more of an unfortunate optical illusion created by the larger plastic trim (a mistake I'm afraid), and from the back, a more exposed supension.

 

The other option is that the travel locks on the suspension were still in this makes the car appear higher, these are removed (obviously) before delivery.

 

The car is also higher at the bonnet (0.8") for pedestrican NCAP ratings, the waistline is also higher, but with smaller windows to keep the roof height the same, this gives a look that the car sits higher.

 

Nothing that $800 worth of sport springs/shocks can't fix, although I bet they did leave the travel blocks in the springs.

Use 303 Aerospace protectant or other UV protectant on the wheel arches and you'll never have a problem.

 

nothing a lil back to black cant fix

 

the MIni2 forum has already been linked by RKW. here is a shot from said forum, and again the suspension should take about a year to settle. H&R already has a set of lowering springs available so you are not without options

 

uuhhhhhh... foreshortening

with the perspective distortion the marked up photo does not prove much. The slope of the reference lines makes it appear that the R56 is taller. At the same time it makes it appear that the R53 is on higher ground, which it is not.

 

Yeah, but that would be about the Euro spec cars, not US right? I've also heard about the US spec GTIs being sprung higher then others (although I *think* they might have changed that for 07).

(Of course there will be aftermarket options if you are of the mind of doing that and handling the dealers when it comes to potential warranty work issues after you've swapped out the stock parts.)

 

what the picture is showing is that the R56 actually rides lower to the ground (true, i will search for the numbers) and the apparent height of the R56 is simply the fact that it has a higher beltline, the R56 is actually shorter (again will search for numbers) but you are right with so many comparison lines it can be distracting

 

Eval, that would be correct, but i dont believe anything will be changing when shipped. I could be wrong.

 

FWIW, the specs on the MINIUSA website list the R56 S with a height of 4' 7.4". On the UK site the spec shows 1407 mm, which is the same thing.

 

i like it

 

Thanks RKW. due to the fact that the R56 is already closer to the ground will that mean that people will not be lowering them as drastically? anyone across the pond planning on some H&R springs?

 

the wheel gap on some of the R56 show cars looks ridiculous. it doesn't matter if it actually rides lower or not compared to the R53. wheel gap is wheel gap, nothing a nice set of coil-overs won't fix though, and some nice looking 17-18" wheels

 

Yep. Under those new/larger wheel arches, anything smaller than 17" wheels looks odd in stock trim.

Some H&Rs (or equivalant) and a move up to 18's would do much for the overall looks.

 

16, 17, or 18, they should not be changing your overall wheel+tire diameter - makes no difference to the wheel gap. A lot of people seem to like this lowered look with low profile tires. I think the R56 looks better with the meatier tires, 16s, perhaps wider than stock. Looks like a rally car, rather than a touring car.