Views sought on Mini Cooper
Discussion
I've got around £2k to spend on something fun, I've currently got an Audi TT mk1 225bhp Quattro.
I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
The ONE is very low powered and struggles to keep up with traffic flow, for example pulling onto a roundabout; the extra 20 bhp on the Cooper makes all the difference. Fairly easy to chip a ONE to Cooper output, but financially not a great deal of sense given the minimal gap between the two.
There's engine tuning options for the Cooper are limited compared to the S, so if that's your thing look for an S. Buy a couple of copies of modern Mini enthusiast mags and see what takes your fancy, then decide what you want to buy to keep stock or as a base for modding.
Personally I think they run best on 16" stock while the Sports Suspension (a stiffer rear rollbar) makes it too twitchy (you really need to balance it with a front strut brace), but others like the 17" with non-run-flat tyres just as much.
Buy as late as possible as it was improved constantly as well as on the big mid-life refresh.
Be prepared to replace exhaust, power steering pump, water coolant reservoir (the S is pressurized and the OEM bottle can barely cope when new), fix rattles on the interior. It will need some love to stay on the road, but well worth it.
There's engine tuning options for the Cooper are limited compared to the S, so if that's your thing look for an S. Buy a couple of copies of modern Mini enthusiast mags and see what takes your fancy, then decide what you want to buy to keep stock or as a base for modding.
Personally I think they run best on 16" stock while the Sports Suspension (a stiffer rear rollbar) makes it too twitchy (you really need to balance it with a front strut brace), but others like the 17" with non-run-flat tyres just as much.
Buy as late as possible as it was improved constantly as well as on the big mid-life refresh.
Be prepared to replace exhaust, power steering pump, water coolant reservoir (the S is pressurized and the OEM bottle can barely cope when new), fix rattles on the interior. It will need some love to stay on the road, but well worth it.
Personally - unless you are (a) feeling lucky or (b) enjoy spending £££'s on ad hoc repairs i'd probably avoid.
Fiesta or Focus ST of that era would be more reliable, neither are particularly quick but are "sporty".
All IMHO of course. No doubt someone will come on and say they've never had to turn a spanner on theirs but they have a very bad rep for reliability.
Fiesta or Focus ST of that era would be more reliable, neither are particularly quick but are "sporty".
All IMHO of course. No doubt someone will come on and say they've never had to turn a spanner on theirs but they have a very bad rep for reliability.
mate had a supercharged 2003 cooper S.
thing was like trigger's broom by the time he sold it, something broke at least every couple of months...and he had to disconnect the battery whenever it was parked up. Gearbox grenaded, whole exhaust needed replacing. power steering pump broke, alternator died.
it was quick and supercharger whine sounded good...but it was a total money pit.
thing was like trigger's broom by the time he sold it, something broke at least every couple of months...and he had to disconnect the battery whenever it was parked up. Gearbox grenaded, whole exhaust needed replacing. power steering pump broke, alternator died.
it was quick and supercharger whine sounded good...but it was a total money pit.
Alpine463 said:
I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
I'd advise to take kids with you for a 'test fit'. The name MINI really did stick for a reason, so check they fit in there first, I imagine compared to a TT they would have some extra room - but not much. You'd also be getting a smaller boot which is one thing to note too. £2k would get you a nice end-of-line R53 model from 2005/6 with a lot of extras, which from a reliability standpoint may be the better option than an R56 which could be more problematic (cue debate). Which is a shame as it sounds like a Clubman might fit the bill a bit better
Many thanks for all the comments, really useful.
I had heard about some reliability issue. Just seems with the Mini that you get a pretty cool car for not a lot of money.
I wouldn't be modifying it and would keep it standard. But as it's a second fun/weekend car I don't want to be spending a fortune fixing things, although I guess it's a risk with any car. I had thought of the Renault Clio 172/182 but they look so cheap and nasty on the inside
I had heard about some reliability issue. Just seems with the Mini that you get a pretty cool car for not a lot of money.
I wouldn't be modifying it and would keep it standard. But as it's a second fun/weekend car I don't want to be spending a fortune fixing things, although I guess it's a risk with any car. I had thought of the Renault Clio 172/182 but they look so cheap and nasty on the inside
OP, I recently bought a 2005 mini cooper for £1250, which was a bit of a steal.
It's been very reliable and hardly cost me a penny since I bought it, will probably buy some wipers this week.
My previous car was a 180 TT quattro, it was mapped so probably about the same as a standard 225, the Mini isn't a quick as my TT was but as a daily you won't really notice. It's quick enough for the road imo, If you don't drive like a t
t you'll enjoy the Coopers power and handling as it's spot on.
It's a perfect daily driver, go for it.
It's been very reliable and hardly cost me a penny since I bought it, will probably buy some wipers this week.
My previous car was a 180 TT quattro, it was mapped so probably about the same as a standard 225, the Mini isn't a quick as my TT was but as a daily you won't really notice. It's quick enough for the road imo, If you don't drive like a t
t you'll enjoy the Coopers power and handling as it's spot on.It's a perfect daily driver, go for it.
Just to add in the other side... I've had my R53 for 3 years now (this month in fact) and it's been the most reliable car I've ever had! It's cost me £40 for a sticky throttle body, and, well that's it. Apart from a new battery, but that can go down as general wear and tear.
I've modified mine extensively, but if you're not going to go that route, I would say a Clio 182 is more fun out the box (I've had two)
Don't get one if you want to transport kids around though; I can barely fit my backpack in the boot! Terrible on space.
I've modified mine extensively, but if you're not going to go that route, I would say a Clio 182 is more fun out the box (I've had two)
Don't get one if you want to transport kids around though; I can barely fit my backpack in the boot! Terrible on space.
Likewise - we've had a Cooper Convertible for 9 years now, bought it at 2 years old. Granted it's garaged but it's cost us nothing except servicing and consumables. Interior rattles like crazy with the roof up but changing the runflats for normal tyres made a world of difference.
Exhaust back boxes rust to hell and back, PAS pumps are weak (touches wood re ours). Nice to haves are heated leather and the harmon kardon audio upgrade.
Exhaust back boxes rust to hell and back, PAS pumps are weak (touches wood re ours). Nice to haves are heated leather and the harmon kardon audio upgrade.
Alpine463 said:
I've got around £2k to spend on something fun, I've currently got an Audi TT mk1 225bhp Quattro.
I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
A friend went from a 225 TT to an early Cooper S works car. While the TT has some nice design elements, I personally prefer the MINI visually.I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
The MINI was quicker and more fun, but shockingly harsh ride. The S version will also prefer or require superunleaded fuel and mpg is pretty low from them. Think mid 20's +- depending on how/where you drive. Once you factor in the additional cost of superunleaded this will work out a bit more like fueling a 23-25mpg car on 95 RON, in a pence per mile sense.
A regular Cooper should be better on fuel real world. But obviously not as fast. Front passengers have plenty of room in the MINI, but rear space is probably similar to the TT, just with a higher roof line.
Challo said:
When did they change the gearboxes on the Cooper's as I know the early versions are more likely to fail.
Looks like July 2004. Have a read of this.http://www.minicooper.org/mini-cooper/post-649/pag...
The early Midland (courtesy of Rover) have a very poor reputation, which it seems is deserved. The Getrag 5 speed is a much more reliable, robust unit and shouldn't fail. The 6 speed Getrags on R53 Cooper Ss are extremely reliable. I have one, obviously! Car is one 110,000, never had a gearbox issue.
Alpine463 said:
I've got around £2k to spend on something fun, I've currently got an Audi TT mk1 225bhp Quattro.
I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
A later (face-lift with the 5 speed Getrag box) R50 Cooper would be a fun little car. Subject to the space it provides suiting your requirements. Sure there are a number of acknowledged things that fail, although not on all of them.I'm thinking of swapping it in the next few months for a Mini, as I expect they might be more fun to drive and more room in the back for the growing kids.
A Mini One might suffice but more probably a Cooper or an S. I'm not too bothered about speed as I've found that driving a slow car quickly can be more fun than the equivalent faster car. I recall that there was an update in 2005 when the Getrag gearbox was fitted.
My question is pretty broad; are they still fun and reliable at £2k, and comparable to my TT? While my TT is much more powerful than a Mini I am finding the TT not really that engaging to drive (although it looks great).
Any comments / views appreciated.
Exhaust
Power steering pump
Coolant leaks/loss
Lower arm rear bushes
Chain tensioner needs replacing
Replace run-flats with normal tyres (unless done)
Tired battery and/or alternator - they throw all sorts of bizarre wobblers, long before you get to "won't start".
As posted, not really worth or possible to mod for power.
I appreciate you don't intend or wish to mod it if you got one.
They handle pretty well anyway. But if you do have a go at modding the suspension it will really handle brilliantly - like a kart.
Handling is good as
Mrs Stargazer has a Cooper (its a newer one 16 plate though). Not as quick as my Mountune Fez ST but its a joy to drive. As much fun as the ST and quite a bit less crashy on broken roads. Nicer interior and feels more solid. If I didn't need 3 rear seats and a half decent boot I'd have one or a Cooper S.
R53rider said:
Challo said:
When did they change the gearboxes on the Cooper's as I know the early versions are more likely to fail.
Looks like July 2004. Have a read of this.http://www.minicooper.org/mini-cooper/post-649/pag...
The early Midland (courtesy of Rover) have a very poor reputation, which it seems is deserved. The Getrag 5 speed is a much more reliable, robust unit and shouldn't fail. The 6 speed Getrags on R53 Cooper Ss are extremely reliable. I have one, obviously! Car is one 110,000, never had a gearbox issue.
This comes after a clutch change a couple of months back, which would have been the ideal time to get a recon gearbox.
garage says "Buy a second hand one, and we will fir it for 5 hours of labour"
That looks like a £500 fix.
Local Specialist in gearboxes, says "we can remove, refurb and refit the box for £575 plus VAT"
Wife says "I think it's time she got a new car"
I say "I think I'd like it back if she decides she wants a new car"
Note that we gave her the car about 2 years ago and I've paid for all the repairs (can't be arsed to fix it myself as too lazy and not enough time)
If she gave it me back I'd sell the Mx5 that is filling the garage and did 1000 mile last year, and do the same for that.
The Mx5 only comes out when my MV6 is broken. That's another story of throwing money at a worthless but great car)
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff