The MINI F56 is finally here, in its third incarnation of life since BMW took over the brand. From the very first R50/R53 Tritec unit, then to the R56 Prince unit, the F56 now has the all new BMW-developed TwinPower Turbo 1.5-litre (136hp/220Nm) and 2.0-litre (192hp/280Nm) engines, that is cleaner and more efficient. All MINIs here are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. For the maximum fun, the 2.0-litre Cooper S is the ultimate go-kart choice, with sport suspension and the paddle shifter that is important here to keep your hand steady on the steering wheel.
This round, MINI Malaysia decided to make 4 variants available, trying hard to make the MINI ownership easier on the pocket. However, all variants are not the top spec and left us some some disappointments. The cheapest MINI Cooper is now priced at RM178,888, without the MINI Service Inclusive. Adding it will bring the price to RM184,788, which is RM14,100 lower then the MINI Cooper Chili, but uses halogen lights, cloth seat, manual aircon, normal seat and loses the MINI Connected and the 6.5" LCD screen, effectively making it in a very basic form of MINI. I would advise all Cooper buyer to get the Chili version instead. Additional RM14k more will not burst your bank if one can afford a MINI. The illusion of cheaper MINI continues on with the Copper S, which has a price of RM228,888, and similarly without the MINI Service Inclusive, and adding RM5,900 to it, again make it RM14,100 lower then the Cooper S Wired edition. The Cooper S Wired edition comes with a centre armrest, enhanced bluetooth connectivity, and the best are the 12 speakers Harman Kardon HiFi system, navigation, 8.8" LCD Display with touchpad controller and voice control. The touchpad which is built into the "BMW iDrive-styled" joystick could recognize handwriting, making search for POI/roadname earsier while driving. Of course, one could use the voice control as well. Do note that BMW charges a premium to get the map updated!
Amazingly, the center speedometer is now gone. Finally the engineer knew style is actually not a good replacement for ergonomic. It now houses the LCD screen and radio system of the MINI. The screen is clearly and loaded with info, the all will like the "BMW iDrive" inheritance here. The tiny joystick is replaced with a proper controller now. The huge binnacle even has different coloured ring in different settings. For example, in Green mode (fuel efficient driving), it glows green, in Mid mode (the normal MINI setting), it glows yellow, and turning to the aggressive Sport mode, it glows and angry red! Cool, but distracting. The 6.5" LCD is acceptable here in comparison and is good enough as it does not come with navigation.
The emphasis of speedometer is now back to all cars standard, mounted on top of the steering wheel, with a side tachometer and LED fuel gauge. The JCW steering wheel on the Cooper S variants feels and looks really nice with the JCW emblem and red stitching on the perforated leather. 3-spoke steering wheel always look better than the old two spokes on the Cooper.
With the MINI all grown up now, naturally it gain in length, providing a better boot space. Even the bumpy feel of the MINI ride is gone. In both the Cooper and Cooper S, NVH and ride are fantastic. Powered-window and center locking controls have ergonomically move to the door panel now. The rounded center aircon vents is now rectangular, providing a better fit and less cartoon-ish.
The overall interior has vast improvement now, with everyone favourite Engine Start Stop button painted in Red, and designed as a toggle switch in the centre console. There is finally no key fob to insert. Just keep the key in your pocket, depress the brake, toggle the aircraft-styled Red button, and off you go, it fires up!
Some might like it, and some not, the tires are now Hankook, though these are Hungarian made. Some even felt the horse-shoed ring LED Daytime running light loses the British touch. The large rear lamp cluster is weird looking. But I would think all these blended it well with the new MINI. A MINI must be fitted with performance tires and the Korean brand now is very innovative. The DRL has its unique shape, and read cluster gives dimensional feel. With chrome line in the package, it just bring back the classic to the all new F56 MINI.
Taking a drive in both the Cooper and Cooper S, one could get so addicted to the Cooper S 2.0-litre turbo engine. Leaving the car in Sport mode makes so much sense with this car, as it maximizes the go-kart driving experience and the burst of power is necessary. Looking into the engine compartment, owner could start to worry on the serviceability of the compact space it has. There is virtually no space left for any fast easy service work. Even the battery is placed far deeper near the firewall and there is no access to it without dismantling a few major covers. Good luck...the workmanship could cost more than the battery.
BMW has a history of rust in their parts bins. and a brand new show car already showing sign of rust in the exhaust system. Wonder how could they miss out on this? The rear suspension are not well covered as well, leaving rooms for a lot of wears and tears on our road.
Are you ready for a MINI? Wait time is long for the best MINI ever. Do note that one big disappointment on this MINI is the lack of full round airbags. Thus if it scored 5 stars Euro NCAP, those we have here would not have met the standard. It only has 4-airbag to the front, no curtain and knee airbag. Even any local car has 2-airbag nowadays, wonder what make BMW-MINI think having only 4 are good for a premium MINI? I have the answer, MINI is like iPhone, it is about style and fashion, not practicality.
The only car that make 10 colour choices available! Isn't it fashion related? Now choose a few so that one could appear colour matching to your clothes or occasion you will be attending!
This round, MINI Malaysia decided to make 4 variants available, trying hard to make the MINI ownership easier on the pocket. However, all variants are not the top spec and left us some some disappointments. The cheapest MINI Cooper is now priced at RM178,888, without the MINI Service Inclusive. Adding it will bring the price to RM184,788, which is RM14,100 lower then the MINI Cooper Chili, but uses halogen lights, cloth seat, manual aircon, normal seat and loses the MINI Connected and the 6.5" LCD screen, effectively making it in a very basic form of MINI. I would advise all Cooper buyer to get the Chili version instead. Additional RM14k more will not burst your bank if one can afford a MINI. The illusion of cheaper MINI continues on with the Copper S, which has a price of RM228,888, and similarly without the MINI Service Inclusive, and adding RM5,900 to it, again make it RM14,100 lower then the Cooper S Wired edition. The Cooper S Wired edition comes with a centre armrest, enhanced bluetooth connectivity, and the best are the 12 speakers Harman Kardon HiFi system, navigation, 8.8" LCD Display with touchpad controller and voice control. The touchpad which is built into the "BMW iDrive-styled" joystick could recognize handwriting, making search for POI/roadname earsier while driving. Of course, one could use the voice control as well. Do note that BMW charges a premium to get the map updated!
Amazingly, the center speedometer is now gone. Finally the engineer knew style is actually not a good replacement for ergonomic. It now houses the LCD screen and radio system of the MINI. The screen is clearly and loaded with info, the all will like the "BMW iDrive" inheritance here. The tiny joystick is replaced with a proper controller now. The huge binnacle even has different coloured ring in different settings. For example, in Green mode (fuel efficient driving), it glows green, in Mid mode (the normal MINI setting), it glows yellow, and turning to the aggressive Sport mode, it glows and angry red! Cool, but distracting. The 6.5" LCD is acceptable here in comparison and is good enough as it does not come with navigation.
The emphasis of speedometer is now back to all cars standard, mounted on top of the steering wheel, with a side tachometer and LED fuel gauge. The JCW steering wheel on the Cooper S variants feels and looks really nice with the JCW emblem and red stitching on the perforated leather. 3-spoke steering wheel always look better than the old two spokes on the Cooper.
With the MINI all grown up now, naturally it gain in length, providing a better boot space. Even the bumpy feel of the MINI ride is gone. In both the Cooper and Cooper S, NVH and ride are fantastic. Powered-window and center locking controls have ergonomically move to the door panel now. The rounded center aircon vents is now rectangular, providing a better fit and less cartoon-ish.
The overall interior has vast improvement now, with everyone favourite Engine Start Stop button painted in Red, and designed as a toggle switch in the centre console. There is finally no key fob to insert. Just keep the key in your pocket, depress the brake, toggle the aircraft-styled Red button, and off you go, it fires up!
Some might like it, and some not, the tires are now Hankook, though these are Hungarian made. Some even felt the horse-shoed ring LED Daytime running light loses the British touch. The large rear lamp cluster is weird looking. But I would think all these blended it well with the new MINI. A MINI must be fitted with performance tires and the Korean brand now is very innovative. The DRL has its unique shape, and read cluster gives dimensional feel. With chrome line in the package, it just bring back the classic to the all new F56 MINI.
Taking a drive in both the Cooper and Cooper S, one could get so addicted to the Cooper S 2.0-litre turbo engine. Leaving the car in Sport mode makes so much sense with this car, as it maximizes the go-kart driving experience and the burst of power is necessary. Looking into the engine compartment, owner could start to worry on the serviceability of the compact space it has. There is virtually no space left for any fast easy service work. Even the battery is placed far deeper near the firewall and there is no access to it without dismantling a few major covers. Good luck...the workmanship could cost more than the battery.
BMW has a history of rust in their parts bins. and a brand new show car already showing sign of rust in the exhaust system. Wonder how could they miss out on this? The rear suspension are not well covered as well, leaving rooms for a lot of wears and tears on our road.
Are you ready for a MINI? Wait time is long for the best MINI ever. Do note that one big disappointment on this MINI is the lack of full round airbags. Thus if it scored 5 stars Euro NCAP, those we have here would not have met the standard. It only has 4-airbag to the front, no curtain and knee airbag. Even any local car has 2-airbag nowadays, wonder what make BMW-MINI think having only 4 are good for a premium MINI? I have the answer, MINI is like iPhone, it is about style and fashion, not practicality.
The only car that make 10 colour choices available! Isn't it fashion related? Now choose a few so that one could appear colour matching to your clothes or occasion you will be attending!
