2021 MINI Cooper S (F56) | A Sweet-spot In The Range? Facelifted F56 Put To The Test | REVIEW

[@FootToPedal]

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[@FootToPedal]

Apologies for the poor audio quality in this video, we encountered some issues whilst filming that we were unable to rectify on the day. It improves after 03:52. I hope you still enjoy!

[@brianhindley2235]

Had mine 5 days and already love it. Got it in black with the digital dash and auto box.

[@FootToPedal]

Great to hear Brian! 👍

[@Schnitzeljunge]

Great Review. My MINI S is coming middle of Oct. So excited. Greetings from Germany.

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks Diego! I'm sure you'll enjoy the car a lot 👍

[@davidbrowning6777]

I bought a 2020 F56 Cooper S earlier this year. I was going to get a manual, but the sales person said I should try the 7-speed double clutch. I’m glad I did as it’s amazing. So I ended up with a super low mileage Solaris orange Sport auto, with JCW pack, Harman Kardon stereo & comfort plus pack. It’s such a quality great fun car. I can’t see me selling it now everything is going electric!

[@FootToPedal]

Glad you're enjoying it David! I've heard the DCT is good

[@queenlyflux]

Great review! 🙂 I'm collecting mine tomorrow, went with British Racing Green! This will be my 5th MINI, 3rd Cooper S and probably the one I've been the most excited about getting. I think the new look is amazing, the de-chromed style etc. Really looking forward to getting the miles in behind the wheel!

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much! I'm sure you'll enjoy yours when you get it, good luck!

[@dionnevalenzuela5005]

Love this review! Really good and informative. I’ve been waiting for months for more reviews to be posted on this car. I have a Cooper S Sport on order, due for delivery end of October and I can’t wait! Thanks for the review :)

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much, appreciate it! You'll definitely enjoy the car, it's a lot of fun 👍

[@H8XME]

My jcw is also on order with a build date end of October 🤞

[@clementf7880]

That sounds great. Mine is due around December, can't wait. Do you have an uprgraded exhaust or is it just the Sport mode? Because it sounded quite quieter when I tried it.

[@FootToPedal]

It's surprising how good it sounded actually, but yeah this was totally stock, with all the EU OPF filters! Exhausts can take a while to bed in though, so over time it's possible they can get louder and sound better 👍

[@mumbachabwe8881]

I noticed that the review didn't mention the manual transmission itself. I'd love to know more about how it feels to drive it. How do you find the gear shifts? Are they smooth and well-assisted, or does it have a more mechanical, engaging feel? Does it require a bit more effort to shift gears, or is it relatively easy to get used to?

[@FootToPedal]

The gearshift on the F56 is generally very good from my experience, there is some electronic assistance in terms of engine RPM management, I.e. it will hold RPMs between gears to help the changes be smoother, and on my JCW it used to rev match automatically on downshifts unless traction control was fully off. But the shift itself is also very good and has a nice mechanical feel to it!

[@trishdarling4295]

Where did you test drive? Weighing up the JCW and Cooper S Sport (auto). Great review! Thank you

[@FootToPedal]

This video was shot in the North York Moors and the car was provided by Vertu Teesside. Thanks for watching!

[@kevinwong6266]

I had ordered an i20N, but unfortunately the dealership made a big mistake with the colour and I had to cancel the order. Afterwards I bought a LCI II Cooper S and 6 months in, I love it. I20N brings more excitement on a good B road, but the Mini is more refined and easier to live with on a day to day basis. Both are great cars.

[@FootToPedal]

Glad you're pleased with the Cooper S! Sounds like the dealership really messed up your i20N order, I've heard they're meant to be great cars but as you say the Cooper S is certainly refined.

[@erayza101]

Thinking to get a new Mini Cooper S. Most of them are equiped now with the automatic transmission. I am also living in a big city. Heard only good things about the auto. What do you guys think? What is also more reliable? Thanks

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah the automatic gearbox is meant to be decent on these, probably a good fit for city driving too. The manual has less things to go wrong on paper, but I really wouldn't worry about the reliability of these cars!

[@petermcnish5660]

I have got this car on order and I should be driving it in mid October. I went with the all black stealthy look and kept the 17 in wheels as I think I might get a better ride from them, I also went for the auto box as my disability doesn't allow me to drive a manual. Found your review honest and covered quite a bit about the drive thank you and I'm sure I will have a lot of fun in it 👍

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome, sounds good Peter! Glad you enjoyed the review, I'm sure you'll enjoy the car once it arrives! 👍

[@leebell1895]

I’ve got one on order too, Peter. 3-Door Cooper S Sport Auto in British Racing Green IV, White Roof, Mirror Caps, Bonnet Stripes Comfort Pack Plus, Nav Pack, Privacy Glass and heated windscreen. Mid November I’m being told for my build….although Mini have said ‘we can’t promise the new digital instrument cluster panel’ so may end up with old circular dials/Speedo. Not sure I’m happy about that tbh.

[@FootToPedal]

@@leebell1895 Yeah it's a very difficult situation at the moment, personally I would expect money off if an option didn't come on the final build, but that's just my opinion.

[@chesterboy9661]

But your only entitled to the digital display with the Nav plus pack! If you only order the nav pack then it is the analogue dials you should get , some of the minis are coming through with the digital dash by sheer luck because of shortages so it’s a freebie extra if you like but you can’t really be unhappy if you get what you pay for , if the digital display is of importance to yourself then you gotta part with the readies and pay for the nav plus pack! Personally I prefer the analogue dials! I think they are much more mini then the digital display,

[@leebell1895]

@@chesterboy9661 yeah true I haven’t paid for the nav pack plus so it is what it is really. I don’t mind really. I’ve since seen the new digital display recently and not sure it looks great. The nav pack plus is ridiculously priced. Even the Mini salesman said ‘don’t buy it’. Only paying extra to get a wireless charger in the car (amongst other pointless bits), for me anyways.

[@SudSale31]

What is the song played 5:12 ?

[@nickblayney774]

Is there a difference in handling/cornering between the 17 and 18 inch wheels?

[@FootToPedal]

It depends on a number of factors really such as the type of tyre, tyre profile etc. Bigger wheels generally ride better as they don't crash through pot holes as much, but if it was running a lower profile tyre then it'll likely ride worse as you just don't have the same level of cushioning. I personally prefer smaller wheels.

[@nickblayney774]

@@FootToPedal thanks. I’m getting a new JCW and having to decide between the 17 and 18 inch wheels. I know you like the look of the 18inch, but do you think there will be much difference in cornering performance, assuming I put Michelin PS4s on both?

[@FootToPedal]

No problem! I really doubt there'd be much tangible difference for road use in all honesty, provided you can get the PS4 in a 17" size, I know at one point they only went down to 18".

[@nickblayney774]

@@FootToPedal yep. Can get PS4’s but not PS4S’s in 17 inch…

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah its annoying, I know there is a new PS5 tyre out now but not sure if that is available in 17" either yet

[@happierthanever8889]

Have you tried black show polish the liquid one with the sponge top for the plastic parts

[@FootToPedal]

Not that particular product actually so can't comment, but I have tried others. They work for a while but eventually the faded look comes back through again. It's certainly something you can live with, just not ideal

[@TranceHeed]

Is this colour midnight black or enigmatic black?

[@FootToPedal]

Midnight black I believe

[@lennonade23]

The r56 is actually a fake hood scoop as well, the prior generation to that, the r53 is the one with the real vent

[@FootToPedal]

Interesting, I wish manufacturers would stop the whole fake vent thing to be honest, it's awful

[@craigsey3765]

The bonnet scoop in the R56 was also fake. The R53 (Supercharger) bonnet scoop actually had a function(!)

[@FootToPedal]

Good to know, thanks!

[@greatcookjoe1]

I hate when car brands put in fake pieces such as the air vents. I believe that if it is there, it should have a function. I agree with you about the jcw badging as well.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah it's always disappointing, but unfortunately more and more acceptable these days

[@simost2566]

Hate anything with an auto blip - and I’d encourage anyone to learn to Rev match and even heel and toe. It’s a great skill to have, it allows you to develop a feel for mechanical sympathy and what’s going on underneath you.

[@abswatson2427]

thanks for this review, excited to receive mine in british racing green 😍

[@FootToPedal]

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!

[@mry82]

The dreaded CDV... one of the first mods I did on my e46!

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah they can be a pain! The one in my JCW wasn't too bad at all, but this one is definitely a bit excessive. I've heard it makes a big difference to driveability once removed!

[@the___truth8038]

Fully digital speedo is now an option :)

[@FootToPedal]

And a good option at that!

[@Bambotb]

Better than A class hatch?

[@FootToPedal]

I think there's pros and cons of each, the MINI is normally a bit cheaper, more fun to drive, but the A Class likely a bit more practical and probably a higher quality interior too. Both good cars in their own right though I'd say

[@Bambotb]

@@FootToPedal which one would you pick 5 door cooper or Z class hatch

[@FootToPedal]

I'd probably pick the MINI myself, but I've spent a lot of time in them so that's the main reason why!

[@justinobrien5594]

How come no digital dash?...

[@FootToPedal]

I believe just not spec'd on this car

[@teggsy2165]

I like my 2015 Cooper S better with it's full JCW's body kit and pops and bangs plus resonator delete mod,had it over 3 years now it's sports suspension and run flats can be harsh over pot holes but the seats absorb it quite well but sometimes it sounds like an alloy wheel or spring has cracked on our pot hole UK roads. Door paint rub issue all the 3 door F56's have is an issue BMW know about but have done little to cure it since the cars launch 2014 people using Helicopter clear tape to stop paint removal is also what some Mini dealers will use under warranty if your lucky enough to get them to paint the damaged area and cover it with the clear tape, why the car don't at least leave the factory with the clear film over the prone area.

[@Iolis]

Could not hear much of your review above the engine noise.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah unfortunately we had an issue with the microphone for this video.

[@davidh7280]

But what's the engine like?

[@FootToPedal]

The B48 is a great engine, reliable, efficient and sounds good. In Cooper S form it's got decent power but a noticeable drop over the JCW

[@jaycochrane1220]

Great review. I have a cooper s manual. Love it

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks! Great little cars these 👌

[@rchatte100]

Think only one & cooper classic usto come with analogue dash, rest standard with digital. Seems BMW have downgraded this... bet they didn't cut the price though!

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah I think it's part of a technology pack, approx £850 if I remember correctly

[@FootToPedal]

POV Drive here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHnHanWhfZacgZI

[@ValFinale]

this is a Macro not a Mini Sorry. BMW ruined this car just like it did every other car in its lineup besides the true Ms

[@FootToPedal]

For someone who hates BMW MINIs you do watch a fair few videos of them, but ok

[@davidh7280]

Old engine, old tech. Eats oil chews cam chain tensioners.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

exc reveiew stay away from mini products