R56 or R53

[A K]

Right guys,

Personal question I am guessing, but of the Mini owners which one do you prefer? The Supercharged S (my prefrence) or the newer turbo'd one?

ETA : what is the cruising potential like? Are they loud at 70mph down the motorway or do they do it quite happily?

Edited by A K on Thursday 4th February 12:38

[CooperST]

I've got the new shape turbo (R56). I'd previously hankered after a supercharged one for a long time but when I drove both back to back it was night and day. The sound of the supercharger on the R53 is epic and I think it has the edge in terms of steering feel but apart from that (and the bloatedness of the R56) the newer one is streets ahead. If you drive them both the R53 will probably feel a bit wheezy as the 56 has a big wodge of torque from 2k onwards. The ride is also incredibly crashy, to the point where your cds skip everytime you hit a pothole!

[CooperST]

The 56 is also a great cruiser, happy to sit >1.30 all day long, very refined at high speed!

[hyperblue]

The R53 is a better driver's car, R56 is for refinement and fuel economy (both of which are dull). I have to admit that the R56 is quicker though, in standard tune at least.

[Chr1sch]

I am not biased as we had a Mini ONE, now an R56 and now we are going back to an R53 (to free up cash, nothing else)

I would hapily say that overall for a day-to-day car the R56 is a more comfortable place to be. It still goes very well, handles brilliantly, has that atmospheric zing to it, popping from the exhaust etc and as said is a very comfortable cruiser.

I love ours, its a fantastic car that has character and refinement at the same time!

[gonzales]

I love my R53. It handles very well, makes great noises above 3500rpm and still manages to get a decent mpg figure. The R56 seems to bloated and heavy when compared. Petrol isn't too expensive that I wouldn't keep the R53 over getting an R56.

[czar]

hyperblue said:

The R53 is a better driver's car, R56 is for refinement and fuel economy (both of which are dull). I have to admit that the R56 is quicker though, in standard tune at least.

The R56 S even when tuned will always be quicker than the R53.

[jcwuk]

Are you sure about that ? :-)

[CooperST]

The R56 is infact a bit lighter than the R53. I understand what you mean though, the R53 feels more slender when attacking a bend.

As far as fuel goes, yes the R56 is much better, but if you're getting good figures then you're not driving it hard enough!

[CooperST]

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/11/26/mini-cooper...

Great round up

[GR33NIE]

Would have to agree with what other folks have said, R53 is more of a drivers car than the R56. I had an R53 before and do fancy another MINI, if I do bite the bullet it would be an R53 for sure