[littleblackdog]

I joined this forum months ago, thinking I would be a new F56 owner by now, at the time color choice was up in the air but hindering the decision making process. Along comes the F55, and now color is secondary, just can't decide between the 3 door and the 5.

My reasons for getting an F55 would be:
more boot space; I do the family food shopping and get tired of folding the seats up and down
Easier to get the (dog, hubbie, fill in the blank) in and out of the backseat and a bit more room

My reasons to hesitate:
the obstructive view due to the center post and the smaller view in general; not sure that would become moot or more annoying as time went on.
other reasons I might not have thought of as only test driving is not enough experience to make a proper decision

I have been driving an R56 for 3 years.

Any input from F55 owners would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[TheScotsman]

Easier to get the (dog, hubbie, fill in the blank) in and out of the backseat and a bit more room

When I read this I chuckled. All I thought about was you making your husband sit in the back with the dog.

 

[dinger]

The only negative in running a F55 is the looks as it does not look as good as the F56 if they used the gloss black around the door frames rather than leave it matt black rubber would it improve it's looks by 100% .

Don't forget...The bigger car the longer it takes to clean.

 

[Shigaman]

Well, with all due respect to Dinger, I think the F55 does look as good as the F56, but you can decide on that for yourself, Littleblackdog! I do like the frameless doors on the F56, but I'm not bothered with the frames on the 5-door. Some people have complained that the rear doors are quite small, and not that easy to get in and out of, but they're a lot more convenient than having to mess about with folding the front seats. If you use the back seat even semi-regularly and like a bigger boot then the 5-door is the obvious choice. I've not noticed a serious problem with visibility at the side - although I've not done a direct comparison with the 3-door. The non-detachable headrest on the middle seat in the back does encroach on visibility out of the rear window, but not greatly. To be honest, the one area where I would like improved visibility is out of the front. I'm still getting used to the position of the front-facing camera and mirror mounted in the middle, and find myself having to bend forward quite frequently to peer round them. I've not heard anyone else complaining about this though, and in any case, it would be the same on both 5- and 3-door models. The 5-door is a bit more expensive, of course, but apart from that, I can see no reason for not getting the F55 for the practical reasons you've mentioned.

 

[mick]

Hi Littleblackdog

I don't own either F55 or F56 (yet) but i have just driven both cars in almost identical spec at the Dealer

I test drove the 3 door first and absolutely loved it and was a little worried that the 5 door wouldn't be as much fun to drive........well I can state with absolute confidence that the 5 door is just as much fun to drive as the 3 door.

The 3 door is obv closer in design to the original mini and looks AMAZING but as mentioned by Shigaman above, if you plan on using the rear seats on a semi regular basis then id def be looking at the 5 door, not too mention the larger boot. I certainly wasn't aware of any lack of visibility out of the front either in the 5 door

Ultimately it really comes down to your personal preference - design over function(F56) or function over design (F55)...each to their own as the saying goes

Me - Im heading down the F55 path for sure - brilliant car IMHO and I think BMW have a smash hit on their hands with it

Ive researched every poss alternative small 5 door car on sale in the UK today and nothing costing the same, drives as well, high build quality, great residuals etc..comes even close to matching the Mini 5 door

Now then back to that Mini Configurator

 

[tandberg]

My f55 arrives with me next week ;-)...Currently drive a clubman and the boot was the reason for choosing it over a 2 door mini. Now the f55 is here is ordered,its built and it waiting for me next week. Bigger boot than the clubman and 2 doors regardless of how big/small they are they are 2 extra doors and no more folding of seats ever.The 5 door looks great despite misgivings by hardened 2 door enthusiasts,to be expected i guess by them. dont hesitate,if in doubt on reversing get a cam,i did, as seen on my dealer vid ;-)

 

[littleblackdog]

Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful responses so far, just what I was hoping to hear
Dinger I take liberal use of the carwash and in my experience they are happy to open 4 doors and not so much good at clean the back seat of a 2 door hatch so I'm good with that and I love the look of both, no purist here!
Scotsman haha! Hubby chooses the back when the much taller son is with us, but the drooling dog gets the back seat always.
Shigaman, mick and tandberg, I am almost right there with you, almost. Good to hear the direct comparison with the Clubman, was definitely wondering about that.

 

[littleblackdog]

Rereading the comments, I want to clarify my visibility qualm, is out of the side windows. One of the memorable and beautiful things about the first ride in my R56 was looking out the side windows, such a panorama view! Also good from a safety perspective. That is the one trade-off I am not wanting to give up. You can't have it all, but you can still want it all!

 

[jeremybingham]

Both gorgeous cars don't see t h e frameless window argument in fact framed Windows must be stronger. Buy what you need for your circumstance.

 

[2 in the family]

Well, I think on this one I'm quite qualified to retort.
My wife has the 3 door and I have the 5.

The comment regarding that the framed doors should be gloss is a fine one and would make the car look better, some restyling of the square corners would help.

The 3 door is far prettier (and reflects the iconic Mini look) and the five is noticeably bigger when seen side by side although the actual differences in dimensions are not huge, they do have a noticeable effect. In isolation it's doesn't but the 5 door is not a small car (longer than the new 5 door Yaris).

Due to the extra doors the car looks more masculine (I also have black roof and wheels plus black viper bonnet stripes) but my wife pissed her self at the comment. And now jokes that I think my car looks masculine, I said 'more'.

I call it,my posh Lada, as that is what it reminds me of from the side.

As for visibility to the sides I don't really notice the difference when driving either.
It handles the same.
The boot is far far more practical.
The rear doors although small are usable (as long a your not a big bloke (or women).
The car has four led door handle lights and puddle lights and looks better in the dark when they're on.
Extra interior light for passengers.
Extra ambient lighting in the rear doors, looks nice.
Extra speakers in rear doors.
I also place my work bag on the rear seats whereas my wife uses the boot.
Rear leg room it much better for passengers.
Easier to clean the rear space.
It's the car of choice when we drive to her family and have to ferry people around.
I have no issues with rear visibility.
Rear headroom is slightly better (in fact excellent for a 'small' car).
Rear passengers can open a window.

But,
Inside the door frame colour can be seen, the 3 door looks nicer in and out.
The rear is cramped for 3 adult passengers.
The central cup holder makes the middle passenger straddle it; it's ok for children.
There is one less rear cup holder.
The middle belt is difficult to put in.
Front door pocket is smaller (I think).

THE MAJOR ISSUE...the front door is shorter which means if you sit with the seat moved back past it, it gets in the way when getting in or out. I'm not sure if head clearance is lower, or if it's due to getting passed the B pillar but I seem to bash my head on the door seal (I do have neck flexibility issues though, which may exacerbate this).
My wife's is a breeze to get in an out of. ( I've just corrected a typo, that last sentence just had the word 'wife' in it.....hmm).

I love my 5 door.
She loves hers.
We have the same colour cars!

Matt

 

[jeremybingham]

Great comparison Matt thank you. Hmmm like the typo too made me chuckle!

 

[tandberg]

A nice in depth comparison for sure. Good reading for potential owners who are not swung either way...

 

[littleblackdog]

Thank you Matt, that was most excellent,
you ought to make a professional brochure!
I do feel concern for your neck mobility issues; the doorframe flinging itself at you certainly can't be helping.


Now for the family (Mini) photo?

Great typo, chuckling here still!

 

[2 in the family]

Thanks to all for the nice comments.
BTW there was a mention that the rear centre headrest obscured the view albeit very slightly.
TBH I've not noticed it so after driving today (and it was rather fun on the back roads overtaking tractors, there should be tractor lanes, like bus lanes, in the countryside) I was interested to check, and in all honesty it doesn't effect the rear view.
The wife also laughed at the typo!

Family photo will come, but they are sooooo dirty at the moment.

Matt (I hope the posh Lada comment didn't offend anyone!)

 

[tandberg]

well i got mine now,and i can say it kicks the clubbys butt,space and handling are superior and the quality is just amazing. The handling is spot on and takes corners like its on a track. The best car i ever did own i can say for sure......

 

[Sunster]

Yep - like the f55... so much easier to live with in terms of boot size and doors for the back (they're still small, but that extra room does go a long way). You also get map realigning lights for the back which is a good edition.

Also, so far at least, the car doesn't suffer from the streak/fogging marks on the front windows that the 3 doors do.

When I was thinking about buying an f55 the dealer sent me a video. made me chuckle as he referred to the boot as being 'quite a cavern' ... erm, no, it's not! ...but it does mean I can do a proper week's shopping without folding the seats!

 

[RafaMiniPT]

As a proud f55 owner I'll tell you this: go for it without a doubt.
those new extra doors really work wonders when it comes to accessibility.
I have a 3 year old daughter.
I wanted a Mini.
There's a 5 door now?!

wow, forget the rest!

Had my child just got in, seat belts placed, she's playing with her doll, I'm playing - sorry - fine-tuning the sound when my wife gets in and for the first time sat in The Mini.
Her comment: uhh, it's a bit..errmm..narrow?!
Immediate response from my baby: "Mum, its A Mini!"

It does sometimes feel like: uhhh look a 3 door, so nice. But as soon as I get near to my car...uffff...roar...let's drive!

Now, about your fear on the side post: it's noticeable. Indeed it is.

Until you start driving...
Then, The Mini makes its magic.
Post?! Sorry? where?!

What a joy!

 

[jeremybingham]

OMG ANOTHER,great post.Love your comments rafa and feel the same. Every press of the red glowing button sends a shiver of excitement through me,each time I see it,that backward glance when parked ,from the house etc sends a shiver of pride through me and a wow is that really mine feeling,and when anyone gets in their comments,never anything but praise but best of all is walking up to it at night in a car park and flipping the key to see it light up in all its glory
WOW. WOW WOW.I love the lit door handles, I love this car!

 

[jeremybingham]

Oops sorry mines a three door and I've gateceashed but I'd feel exactly the same about the 5 door.I think it looks great.

 

[tandberg]

Oops sorry mines a three door and I've gateceashed but I'd feel exactly the same about the 5 door.I think it looks great.

Yeah bugger off you three door owner lol,Kidding J,But the feeling is the same regardless of doors. Its the real deal with that glowing starter for sure