Could this be something on my end? I have all of my “advanced” play levels at the same high level (XP sound properties)

I have to agree with db’s disappointment about the lack of rear opening windows on the R50/R53 and the R56. It’s a feature that is on just about every less expensive 2-door hatch back in the history of hatchbacks, and I think it’s pretty weak cost cutting idea for a premium vehicle like the MINI.

Dropping the R56 weight by almost 200 lbs. over the R50/R53 seems like a bit of a stretch, but I truly believe the R56 will be lighter than the R53 JCW GP. The new suspension and new engine already make up a good chunk of weight savings. Plus, think of who did the early development of the R50/R53. It was Rover…a company that specializes in big, tank-like vehicles. Now you have BMW doing the development of the R56…a company that specializes (or at least used to specialize) in light, agile vehicles. It all seems to be adding up.

I don’t want to be shunned because of visual design differences between the two generations of MINI when I tame the dragon with the other MOTD drivers. I hope to be welcomed to the family as a younger brother, but equal, or can I expect torches and pitchforks in two years?

02-04 Brake Light Mod on the 05-06: You can still do this. You can put a diode (one direction) based jumper between your right brake light wire and your rear (center bumper) fog light wire to activate it when braking. The reason I know this is because my MINI didn’t come with the rear fog light, so I upgraded to the ‘MyMini Brake Light Kit’ from myminiparts.com. The kit is essentially an OEM rear fog light (05-06) and a jumper kit that supposedly works on cars with active rear fog lights. The diode jumper keeps you from shorting out your rear fog light wiring. Here is a pic of the jumper.

This mod is essentially the same idea as what we’ve done with our 02-04 fog lights, just in a different location.