Is F55 less refined than F56?

[rrroro]

Recently bought a used 2018 (LCI) manual F55, and absolutely loving it. I test drove a One, felt it was a bit gutless, also a Cooper S but thought I don’t really need that much power. Settled on a Cooper, as felt I’d be able to rag it around without actually breaking the limit much, and i have another faster toy when higher speeds are required anyway

When it came to test drives the dealership didn’t have a F55 Cooper, so I drove a F56 instead. I expected my F55 to feel a little slower due to the extra weight, so am pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t really to me in the way I use it

However, is the F56 louder? Does it have a different exhaust? I suspect it would be a bit longer to accommodate the longer wheelbase, but I’m surprised my F55 seems so much quieter than I remember the F56 being. Is there a sports exhaust option I can retrofit? I just want a bit more sound but nothing excessive. The problem is sometimes I have to look at the binnacle to see what gear I’m in as there’s so little aural feedback on where the revs are!

[rrroro]

The title of this thread should of course be is the F55 MORE refined than the F56!

[un1eash]

What year was the F56 as pre LCi cars are louder then 2018+ LCi cars.

[rrroro]

un1eash said:

What year was the F56 as pre LCi cars are louder then 2018+ LCi cars.

No idea. I guess we may never know for sure! I’ll ask the sales chap if he remembers. Are there any options for a little more noise?

[rrroro]

I heard back from the dealer, and it was a 2021 model. So at the moment my feeling is that F55 cars are a bit more refined than F56s… be interested to know what others think that have experienced both formats

[s-x-i]

The only reason I can think of is perhaps due to the F56 having frameless doors and the F55 not?

Maybe the physical door surround seals tighter to the body?

[rrroro]

That’s a good shout, yes it could be that. I’ve noticed there’s quite a bit of wind noise from around 60mph+, suspect that’s down to the body shape and upright windscreen design. I never noticed that on my old Cooper S 20 years ago, but I was living in central London at the time and never reached those sorts of speeds lol.

I’ve also noticed the flywheel seems quite heavy in these, and the pedals are poorly spaced for heel and toe downshifts. The accelerator pedal needs a really good shove to blip the throttle, the engine doesn’t feel eager to rev