I got a call earlier this week from local Mini dealer, Bob Smith, I was told that R56's were in this week and would be available to drive. So I went in today having completely forgotten that the new cars were coming in and low and behold an R56 S sitting outside the front of the dealer. This particular car was loaded to the brim w/ options including my favorite set of wheels, the 17" web spoke's. I was pretty excited at the prospect of taking one of these out for a drive on this beautiful Saturday until I was told that auto's wouldn't be in for another 68 weeks . LoL, so as soon as those get in I'll be going back and going for a drive.
On the other hand, as far as differences go between the R56 and R53, there aren't many obviously, but the R56 does come off as a "newer" design and it works rather well. With the modifications made to the front of the car for pedestrian crash worthiness by the elevation of the hood, in pictures this modification doesn't come out very nice. However in person it smooths out the cars lines and gives it a slightly more upmarket look. The interior is up a notch as well, there's a lot of room in the footwell for my size sixteen shoes to fidget about, and the cabin materials are pretty good too. So far the R56 gets two thumbs up.