choosing first mini
Discussion
Good evening ladies and gents.
I am looking at buying a cooper s for a weekend toy and am running into a bit of a minefield. after looking on here and numerous other sites i have only managed to confuse myself !
ok, to start, budget £5k (ish) obviously the gertag gearbox so pre july 2004 is out BUT i do not like the dash/speedo change that happened in i believe 07 (prefer the speedo with the cowl over it.) i would want the supercharger rather than the turbo but cant find when that changed. i understand i am making my search very narrow because of these wants.
so the question for you subject matter experts is what years/model number do i need to look for also maybe why i should look at earlier or later models pros/cons etc.
thanks in advance.
I am looking at buying a cooper s for a weekend toy and am running into a bit of a minefield. after looking on here and numerous other sites i have only managed to confuse myself !
ok, to start, budget £5k (ish) obviously the gertag gearbox so pre july 2004 is out BUT i do not like the dash/speedo change that happened in i believe 07 (prefer the speedo with the cowl over it.) i would want the supercharger rather than the turbo but cant find when that changed. i understand i am making my search very narrow because of these wants.
so the question for you subject matter experts is what years/model number do i need to look for also maybe why i should look at earlier or later models pros/cons etc.
thanks in advance.
Some Mini basics.
The R53 was the first generation new shape Mini and was manufactured from 2001 until 2006 ((although the convertible was manufactured until 2008). The Cooper S was supercharged and IMO was the better drivers car despite poor mpg. The R53 had a facelift in 2004. The easy way to notice the facelift is by looking at the position of the reverse light/ fog light at the rear of the car. The changes were mainly minor cosmetics, but the Cooper S did have a slight power hike as well. (I can't remember the exact figures!!).If you are looking at a Cooper S do not worry about the gearbox as it had a different six speed gearbox to the chocolate five speed box in the other Minis.
The R56 is the second generation Mini and was introduced in 2006. The Cooper S is now turbocharged, which gives better mpg - but the zinginess of the original is lost a little.
At £5k you will definitely be looking at a R53, which is the one I would recommend as a weekend toy anyway..... Have fun looking
Mike
The R53 was the first generation new shape Mini and was manufactured from 2001 until 2006 ((although the convertible was manufactured until 2008). The Cooper S was supercharged and IMO was the better drivers car despite poor mpg. The R53 had a facelift in 2004. The easy way to notice the facelift is by looking at the position of the reverse light/ fog light at the rear of the car. The changes were mainly minor cosmetics, but the Cooper S did have a slight power hike as well. (I can't remember the exact figures!!).If you are looking at a Cooper S do not worry about the gearbox as it had a different six speed gearbox to the chocolate five speed box in the other Minis.
The R56 is the second generation Mini and was introduced in 2006. The Cooper S is now turbocharged, which gives better mpg - but the zinginess of the original is lost a little.
At £5k you will definitely be looking at a R53, which is the one I would recommend as a weekend toy anyway..... Have fun looking
Mike
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