1st vs 2nd gen quality

[Christoffer]

: Regarding Cooper S ( R53/R56)

Hi,

Can you help me learn about the quality differences of the two cars? Is the second generation Cooper S better quality than the first?

I know the second has better fuel efficendy.

What about running costs of the two cars, servicing?

Thank you very much.

[RKDE]

The R56 is cheap in every way to own but the R53 is more fun in every way. Build is about the same though the R56 is more plastic.

If I was to buy either it would be the R53 every time, I love the sound and feel of the R53 the R56 is too soft and a bit bmw 1 series where as the R53 has a lot of real mini characteristics. You need to drive both as they are miles apart from each other. if you want a soft drive R56 or a harsh ride with better handling and the awesome supercharge noise R53

Drive them both and see what you thing but cost wise the R53 will be higher for everything

[jack_st]

couldnt agree more with the above.. Also the R56 engine is alot weaker engine than the R53 and the r53 is more problem free. some people say to me that they wished they never upgraded to the r56 from the r53. But in another way the r56 has got more gizmos.

[Chr1sch]

We have owned both and tbh the r56 is way better quality inside. Although the standard stereo is woeful pre 2011 models (recent courtesy cooper d was way better than our 08 cooper s)

I would agree with RKDE ride wise, the r53 is much more raw and intense but ultimately in standard form a fair chunk slower than an r56.

If it is pure quality based evaluation then the R56 is the better car IMO

(incidentally neither generation has been very reliable at all for us...)

[skeeterm5]

Mrs Skeeter has run both and the newer, turbo driven car is better than the old in just about every way.

You think the older one is good until you try a new model and then it is no comparison.

S

[CO2000]

Something that I went on when we bought our R53 - It will be easier to find a low miles R53 now & then change to a R56 later on.

[Tsippy]

We have one of each and the build quality is pretty similar to be honest Would say the R53 is a more fun drive though, the newer model feels a little more 'grown up' and softer.

[Christoffer]

Thank you all very much for your useful answers.

Given two cars costs the same for the same age and mileage, which would you go for?

Thank you.

[RKDE]

fun factor every time, biggest grin will be the R53 (2000 - 2006) cooper S or 2004 - (2006 cooper)

How are you finding them the same age? or are you looking at the cross over point? 2006/2007?

Its very personal taste, you need to drive both and make your mind up. My mini is excellent for what I use them for. Weekend toy, wouldn't use it everyday as its just too harsh with all the mods. I have a big diesel for every day work. If I was commuting 30 miles down the motorway every day I would be more drawn to the new mini.

Go see what you can live with, as said before they are very different cars that just happen to look quite similar

Basically the R53 is more Rover and the R56 is more BMW ~ being rover is not a bad thing either but it defiantly has a rover feel more than a bmw feel whereas the R56 is a BMW through and through (Except the engine which is French...)

Edited by RKDE on Tuesday 26th April 08:59

[Christoffer]

Thank you - yes I am looking at the old from 2006 and new from 2007 with roughly the same milieage.

They are priced quite close.

I would actually use the car to travel through Europe a few times a year, but I am a car enthusiast and so therefore I can keep up with it being 'uncomfortable'. I actually dont find hard sprung cars to be uncomfortable to be honest. What I find 'uncomfortable' are when cars aren't stable when driving fast.

[Tsippy]

If you plan on doing some longer trips, then the newer model is a lot more economical and comfy so probably a better choice for your needs. The R53 is not a terrible ride, but the newer cars are definately smoother and the engines give better mpg.

For an idea, my R53 Cooper does 400miles on 50 litres, the R56 Cooper Clubman does the same on a 40 litre tank.

[RKDE]

Christoffer said:

Thank you - yes I am looking at the old from 2006 and new from 2007 with roughly the same milieage.

They are priced quite close.

I would actually use the car to travel through Europe a few times a year, but I am a car enthusiast and so therefore I can keep up with it being 'uncomfortable'. I actually dont find hard sprung cars to be uncomfortable to be honest. What I find 'uncomfortable' are when cars aren't stable when driving fast.

If you are a car enthusiast then it has to be the R53, the supercharger and sound / feel of the drive and performance add on will always keep you happy