No Tommy it doesn't ???? ????
I love the newer ones they are an excellent handling car
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Yes... and no.
Depends on roads...
... The R56 has much more compliant suspension with more travel than the R53; however, found it quite hard and bumpy on bad roads. My back didn't like that and was the main reason I sold it...
Now, with regards the handling -- because it has a short wheel base and the wheels are at the four corners and the suspension is hard... it skips - all the time - from bump to bump when you are pushing it. Obviously means less grip when all tyres aren't on the road and hence not actually able to go fast on poor roads.
Now - if all out speed and traction are put aside... even at the lower speed (when compared to even a stock wrx) it feels GREAT... Real go-kart fun with very direct and sharp steering response! BTW...
The run-flats really add to the problem too. I drove my car about two years after I sold it as a mate had it. He changed to normal good tyres (rainsport 3) and it made a very fair improvement - but still happy to skip from bump to bump when pushing her on poor roads around Wicklow.
Drove her plenty on more normal smooth roads and it was fine with good grip... so as a trackday weapon it should be good fun.
As I said... I would deffo try and get one with the big Brembos on it... they are brilliant (bigger than newage sti brembos in a 1200kg car just to give you a point of reference). They can be got new and 2nd hand, but big enough money and probably cheaper to find a car with them on it already.
Oh... and before I forget -- there are some cars out there with an optional LSD !!
This was an expensive option and not standard on the R56 - whereas the factory R53 JCW and GP got it standard (they didn't put it in standard on the 2nd generation as the suspension was much better able to hold the road than the 1st gen).
You can get a Quaife LSD for very reasonable money though about £600 (was going to put it in mine, but then sold it instead)
https://shop.quaife.co.uk/bmw-mini-cooper-s-6-speed-quaife-atb-helical-lsd-differential-1225 for the Quaife ATB and if you search I think they do the Tran-X version too.
Plenty of suspension options out there too like Bilstein etc.