Mini F56 GP3 - yes the weird one with arch spats!
Discussion
I’m starting to update a few of my interesting cars on here.
My R8 thread here:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So following my ownership of 2 x GP2s it’s safe to say I am a fan of the package. Fast AF, very playful (you need to be on your toes when pushing on), and interesting enough to use as a Sunday morning hoon as well as a full day on track.
Which is what I did with my other ones:-
Fast forward to the end of 2023 and I start looking for another fun car to add to the garage. Originally I wanted another M2 Comp (I’ve owned 3 X M2s so far), but after seeing the Mini F56 in Goodwood prior to its release and also speaking to the racing driver who took it up the hill, my attention got more serious!
Generally the reviews are a mixed bag for a number of reasons, mainly because of the auto box and torque steer due to 300+hp, aggressive camber and effective Torsen mechanic differential. So no surprise there. It is indeed a track day car and needs to be treated that way on the road.
I got to work looking and found a great example being sold in BMW Southport. Completely standard, with additional touring pack, low mileage, great condition with all the benefits of a main dealer sale. I managed to get the next service thrown in as well as 2 years warranty. Residuals are impeccable on these, believe it or not but they are are not far off the cost of the M2 Comp (of not the same).
So here was #1266 on collection day. January 2nd, dreadful weather, sleet, rain, wind and standing water. I live in North Wales so decided to take a detour around some local legendary roads. Obviously I couldn’t push on but I wanted to understand the ‘feel’. First thoughts were, fit and finish was of very high quality, much better than the GP2. Dynamically, very track biased, the aggressive geo was apparent as it hunted the camber in the roads. Turn in sharp with some feel, HUGE power - I can see why this was/is the fastest FWD car in a straight line, not ideal when it’s so wet.
I decided enough was enough and get the new addition home, safe in one piece!
Already I had ‘changes planned’! For next instalment.
My R8 thread here:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So following my ownership of 2 x GP2s it’s safe to say I am a fan of the package. Fast AF, very playful (you need to be on your toes when pushing on), and interesting enough to use as a Sunday morning hoon as well as a full day on track.
Which is what I did with my other ones:-
Fast forward to the end of 2023 and I start looking for another fun car to add to the garage. Originally I wanted another M2 Comp (I’ve owned 3 X M2s so far), but after seeing the Mini F56 in Goodwood prior to its release and also speaking to the racing driver who took it up the hill, my attention got more serious!
Generally the reviews are a mixed bag for a number of reasons, mainly because of the auto box and torque steer due to 300+hp, aggressive camber and effective Torsen mechanic differential. So no surprise there. It is indeed a track day car and needs to be treated that way on the road.
I got to work looking and found a great example being sold in BMW Southport. Completely standard, with additional touring pack, low mileage, great condition with all the benefits of a main dealer sale. I managed to get the next service thrown in as well as 2 years warranty. Residuals are impeccable on these, believe it or not but they are are not far off the cost of the M2 Comp (of not the same).
So here was #1266 on collection day. January 2nd, dreadful weather, sleet, rain, wind and standing water. I live in North Wales so decided to take a detour around some local legendary roads. Obviously I couldn’t push on but I wanted to understand the ‘feel’. First thoughts were, fit and finish was of very high quality, much better than the GP2. Dynamically, very track biased, the aggressive geo was apparent as it hunted the camber in the roads. Turn in sharp with some feel, HUGE power - I can see why this was/is the fastest FWD car in a straight line, not ideal when it’s so wet.
I decided enough was enough and get the new addition home, safe in one piece!
Already I had ‘changes planned’! For next instalment.
Edited by christurbo on Sunday 10th March 09:01
CoolHands said:
Yes I remember your gp2. Love these, please post some daytime pics when you get a chance. I only have an R55, if I had the money I would get one of these.
Don’t worry, this thread will become pic overload. I’ve been tardy updating my ownership so far, however there have been a few road trips and upgrades done to date. I just need to pull my finger out to post! You have a nice car by the way. I got quickly to work on some minor changes that I wanted to make the next day.
First thing was swapping out the radio controlled car look for the a shorted part which is available from Mini.
Then added some Motech 10mm spacers and longer bolts as the OEM setup is so tucked in with the wide arch spats.
I changed the chrome belt line for the OEM Mini gloss black version. Fitting was simple as long as you knew which direction to pull on each section (they are different depending on which section).
Then finally (for this instalment) decided to polish up the exhaust tips.
Then took it to my secret 13 mile route through some of the best roads around here. The last time I got the heart rate up that high driving was in the GT3.
First thing was swapping out the radio controlled car look for the a shorted part which is available from Mini.
Then added some Motech 10mm spacers and longer bolts as the OEM setup is so tucked in with the wide arch spats.
I changed the chrome belt line for the OEM Mini gloss black version. Fitting was simple as long as you knew which direction to pull on each section (they are different depending on which section).
Then finally (for this instalment) decided to polish up the exhaust tips.
Then took it to my secret 13 mile route through some of the best roads around here. The last time I got the heart rate up that high driving was in the GT3.
Edited by christurbo on Saturday 9th March 09:47
Trying to tame this little maniac on a 3hr+ / 155 mile tour of Snowdonia. With wet roads, sleet and temps hovering over 0.5-1.0 degrees it was very white knuckle!
Crazy how the temperature changes so quickly as you ascend into the mountains and conditions become icy.
Ffestiniog is as fun as ever though.
It managed to put a huge smile on my face again and it inspired enough confidence for it to be ‘tested’.
Observations:
- The auto box is great, it’s no DSG or PDK but it works great.
- The steering wheel is VERY busy due to the diff hooking up and it following camber in the road. This makes it exciting and rewarding when you get it right. But another reason why the Auto box is necessary, you dont have time to take your hand off the wheel.
- Steering feel isn’t bad for an EPAS.
- Brakes are incredible, no surprise when you see the size of them. Unfortunately they smoked a little at the end of a hot run so may review pad compounds in the future. Maybe Carbotech.
- Steering wheel is far too fat, need to sort this out.
- Grip isn’t that progressive on the limit and you need to be quick due to short wheel base. The Hankooks may need to go.
- The looks are head turning, just like the R8……
- It’s rapid, as discovered when I met a GTR.
I also got a great ‘GP’ number plate too.
Until next update
Crazy how the temperature changes so quickly as you ascend into the mountains and conditions become icy.
Ffestiniog is as fun as ever though.
It managed to put a huge smile on my face again and it inspired enough confidence for it to be ‘tested’.
Observations:
- The auto box is great, it’s no DSG or PDK but it works great.
- The steering wheel is VERY busy due to the diff hooking up and it following camber in the road. This makes it exciting and rewarding when you get it right. But another reason why the Auto box is necessary, you dont have time to take your hand off the wheel.
- Steering feel isn’t bad for an EPAS.
- Brakes are incredible, no surprise when you see the size of them. Unfortunately they smoked a little at the end of a hot run so may review pad compounds in the future. Maybe Carbotech.
- Steering wheel is far too fat, need to sort this out.
- Grip isn’t that progressive on the limit and you need to be quick due to short wheel base. The Hankooks may need to go.
- The looks are head turning, just like the R8……
- It’s rapid, as discovered when I met a GTR.
I also got a great ‘GP’ number plate too.
Until next update
Edited by christurbo on Saturday 9th March 10:20
Interesting ….. the day after I posted this thread PH decided to write an article on the GP:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway, next up was the side indicators. The ones that came with the GP are the traditional amber bulb design which doesn’t look that sleek with the rest of the car and stood out.
I had 3 options:
1. Aftermarket bulb design scuttles that are smoked
2. OEM latest mini LED JCW scuttles
3. OEM latest mini all black and plain scuttles
I decided on option 3, as it should disappear into the car instead of standing out, plus have LED which is what the GP has for front and rear lights.
The only thing I needed to buy in addition to this was Bimmercode and also a Bluetooth ODB module to change the coding from halogen to LED.
Whilst at it I made some minor modifications to the rear light clusters so that they were always on even with the lights off in daytime, also the DRL brightness to 100%.
This was the outcome:-
Next up …. I need to sort out this FAT steering wheel. It’s awful.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway, next up was the side indicators. The ones that came with the GP are the traditional amber bulb design which doesn’t look that sleek with the rest of the car and stood out.
I had 3 options:
1. Aftermarket bulb design scuttles that are smoked
2. OEM latest mini LED JCW scuttles
3. OEM latest mini all black and plain scuttles
I decided on option 3, as it should disappear into the car instead of standing out, plus have LED which is what the GP has for front and rear lights.
The only thing I needed to buy in addition to this was Bimmercode and also a Bluetooth ODB module to change the coding from halogen to LED.
Whilst at it I made some minor modifications to the rear light clusters so that they were always on even with the lights off in daytime, also the DRL brightness to 100%.
This was the outcome:-
Next up …. I need to sort out this FAT steering wheel. It’s awful.
Watching with interest, as a GP2 diehard (108k miles of fun so far).
Was initially rather cynical about the GP3, not helped by MINI's rather arrogant attitude towards potential buyers, but talking to a couple of owners in the last year or so has changed my mind somewhat to the point where I can maybe see one in my future.
Was initially rather cynical about the GP3, not helped by MINI's rather arrogant attitude towards potential buyers, but talking to a couple of owners in the last year or so has changed my mind somewhat to the point where I can maybe see one in my future.
I'm a big fan of these, oddly enough I looked at your's when it was at BMW Southport but couldn't justify the additional cost over my 140 so it's great to see the purchaser has a thread I can follow vicariously!
From memory did yours have the passenger side screen in the dash? I did look at a couple and didn't realise it was an option from factory?
From memory did yours have the passenger side screen in the dash? I did look at a couple and didn't realise it was an option from factory?
Next was the steering wheel.
As said before, in true BMW fashion, the steering wheel is far to girthy (ooo er). When you are used to slim wheels with minimal padding such as the GT3/4 you realise how much feeling you lose through these squishy wheels. I’m not sure where the fad came from.
So like other M cars I’ve owned, I got in contact with Jack from Royal Steering Wheels to discuss spec.
I chose:-
- Black Alcantara 9040
- Red stitching
- Red Alcantara centre strip
- Padding removed so thinner
Red accents spec’d to match the GP. Normally they send you their wheel and when replaced you send them the old one. However I wanted to keep the GP wheel incase I ever sell it. So I found a JCW wheel for sale and used that as the replacement.
Order placed and it arrived just as I wanted.
Removing the wheel wasn’t as easy as others because of the design of the retaining spring. After some swearing and perseverance it all came out.
Then I needed to swap the switch gear and paddles. The paddles on the GP are great. They are 3D printed metal and feel amazing when being used with a nice positive click. Unlike what came standard on the R8 (and all other fast Audi’s!).
The results are brilliant. It’s as thin as the original wheel design will allow but makes a difference when pushing on. Modern cars are not huge on feel but every change like this helps by removing the sponginess.
For those wondering why alcantara when it is supposedly hard to keep nice…. I find it easy to maintain regularly with a microfibre and Sonax Alcantara cleaner.
[url]
As said before, in true BMW fashion, the steering wheel is far to girthy (ooo er). When you are used to slim wheels with minimal padding such as the GT3/4 you realise how much feeling you lose through these squishy wheels. I’m not sure where the fad came from.
So like other M cars I’ve owned, I got in contact with Jack from Royal Steering Wheels to discuss spec.
I chose:-
- Black Alcantara 9040
- Red stitching
- Red Alcantara centre strip
- Padding removed so thinner
Red accents spec’d to match the GP. Normally they send you their wheel and when replaced you send them the old one. However I wanted to keep the GP wheel incase I ever sell it. So I found a JCW wheel for sale and used that as the replacement.
Order placed and it arrived just as I wanted.
Removing the wheel wasn’t as easy as others because of the design of the retaining spring. After some swearing and perseverance it all came out.
Then I needed to swap the switch gear and paddles. The paddles on the GP are great. They are 3D printed metal and feel amazing when being used with a nice positive click. Unlike what came standard on the R8 (and all other fast Audi’s!).
The results are brilliant. It’s as thin as the original wheel design will allow but makes a difference when pushing on. Modern cars are not huge on feel but every change like this helps by removing the sponginess.
For those wondering why alcantara when it is supposedly hard to keep nice…. I find it easy to maintain regularly with a microfibre and Sonax Alcantara cleaner.
[url]
Edited by christurbo on Sunday 10th March 14:06
NeilAndHisMini said:
Watching with interest, as a GP2 diehard (108k miles of fun so far).
Was initially rather cynical about the GP3, not helped by MINI's rather arrogant attitude towards potential buyers, but talking to a couple of owners in the last year or so has changed my mind somewhat to the point where I can maybe see one in my future.
My advice is keep an open mind, remember most social media outlets, magazines, etc follow suit on the reviews. I take things like that with a pinch of salt and test things for myself. Glad I did with the GP. The reason why it won't appeal to the masses is because it is tough to extract performance. Mainly because the chassis and setup is pretty aggressive/focused and will bite you if you are not considerate to your inputs. Unlike most performance cars these days, you can't just plant the throttle and lift off thinking that the car will work it out for you when you've overstepped the boundaries. Think old school French hot hatch (stripped) but with over twice the power. But if you can peddle its so rewarding when you get it right. Was initially rather cynical about the GP3, not helped by MINI's rather arrogant attitude towards potential buyers, but talking to a couple of owners in the last year or so has changed my mind somewhat to the point where I can maybe see one in my future.
Nelka said:
Love these!
I need back seats though, so my JCW will have to do.
JCW is a fantastic package and with some choice changes to the chassis / diff you could get a similar feel I am sure.I need back seats though, so my JCW will have to do.
PistonbrokePaul said:
I'm a big fan of these, oddly enough I looked at your's when it was at BMW Southport but couldn't justify the additional cost over my 140 so it's great to see the purchaser has a thread I can follow vicariously!
From memory did yours have the passenger side screen in the dash? I did look at a couple and didn't realise it was an option from factory?
Well I am glad you didn't pull any triggers! Took me a while to find one I was willing to buy. From memory did yours have the passenger side screen in the dash? I did look at a couple and didn't realise it was an option from factory?
No it didn't, it came with the only optional extra which is the Touring Pack (mandatory in my opinion as that provides creature comforts, decent lights, and aircon.
The amazing passenger display is aftermarket (but on my list), it provides all sorts of MI such as oil temp, etc. etc.
Court_S said:
I really like these; the reaction has been mixed to them but I think they look great. In the flesh, they’re quite an imposing thing.
The new wheel looks great; can’t fault RSW having had five wheels and various bits of trim done by them now.
Ditto - I've used Jack's services for so long, on all of my M cars, other GPs, was considering it on the R8 but think I will stick with leather (for now).The new wheel looks great; can’t fault RSW having had five wheels and various bits of trim done by them now.
Living in North Wales and being the kind of PHer who enjoys their cars all through the year (no garage queens here), I decided to pull out the nice plush GP branded carpet mats and swap them for some OEM Mini rubber mats. I have full rubber mats in the Disco and it makes cleaning so much easier.
I actually prefer them to the GP mats.
I actually prefer them to the GP mats.
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