2001 - Y Reg Mini Cooper
Discussion
Looks a bargain for £500.
I can’t believe these are 20 years old now. The overall design has aged really well. I was a big fan of the R50/3 cars.
I started off with a really well spec’d Cooper in chilli red with white roof, mirrors, wheels and bonnet stripes but got distracted by a Cooper S which I really loved despite it being a bit of a turd (luckily the warranty was fantastic...new clutch, steering rack, track rod ends and immobiliser in six months). I then changed jobs, taking a pay cut to retrain and doing more miles so the S has to go for a One. This was the most reliable of the three but I hated it.
My Cooper S was my first quick car and I remember it being great fun although when I looked at another one a few years later on it didn’t feel that quick. Personally I never got on the the R56 that followed it. For me it lost some of the magic of the first ones like the steering whine, the chunky gear shift and of course the supercharger whine in the S.
I can’t believe these are 20 years old now. The overall design has aged really well. I was a big fan of the R50/3 cars.
I started off with a really well spec’d Cooper in chilli red with white roof, mirrors, wheels and bonnet stripes but got distracted by a Cooper S which I really loved despite it being a bit of a turd (luckily the warranty was fantastic...new clutch, steering rack, track rod ends and immobiliser in six months). I then changed jobs, taking a pay cut to retrain and doing more miles so the S has to go for a One. This was the most reliable of the three but I hated it.
My Cooper S was my first quick car and I remember it being great fun although when I looked at another one a few years later on it didn’t feel that quick. Personally I never got on the the R56 that followed it. For me it lost some of the magic of the first ones like the steering whine, the chunky gear shift and of course the supercharger whine in the S.
I think they are great cars - my (then) OH bought a new Mini One in 2003.
So she got invited to the R56 launch in late 2006, and sure enough there was a Cooper on our drive just in time for Christmas that year - with Bi-Xenons, full leather, Harmon-Kardon, disco lights and goodness know what else!
Mind you she still has it so I suppose it was worth it.
They just drive so well.
But the OP's looks like a bargain!
So she got invited to the R56 launch in late 2006, and sure enough there was a Cooper on our drive just in time for Christmas that year - with Bi-Xenons, full leather, Harmon-Kardon, disco lights and goodness know what else!
Mind you she still has it so I suppose it was worth it.
They just drive so well.
But the OP's looks like a bargain!
Matt Cup said:
irocfan said:
HorneyMX5 said:
irocfan said:
seriously jealous about your temp gauge 
How so? Does yours not work?You need one of these
Great car OP! A couple Y platers have caught my eye in the past.
I've been using this car more than any of my others over the last week, it's slow but so much fun!
A small update as I tackled a few jobs over the weekend, only got one pic though.
I changed the oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and leads and the car now runs much smoother and feels more responsive. I may also have drilled the airbag for a bit more induction bark because I'm 41 but wish I was 18.
I also swapped out the speedo cluster so I have a working LCD display. I need to find someone who can code the mileage to match what it should be. Clocks read 111,000 but the car has done 139,000.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I've also managed to find some replacement used front struts which I'm going to try and see if that cures the front suspension knock/clunk on slow speed cornering.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I'm waiting on the replacement rev counter to arrive still and I have bought a replacement heater switch panel as the lighting is broken on the current one.
A small update as I tackled a few jobs over the weekend, only got one pic though.
I changed the oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and leads and the car now runs much smoother and feels more responsive. I may also have drilled the airbag for a bit more induction bark because I'm 41 but wish I was 18.
I also swapped out the speedo cluster so I have a working LCD display. I need to find someone who can code the mileage to match what it should be. Clocks read 111,000 but the car has done 139,000.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI've also managed to find some replacement used front struts which I'm going to try and see if that cures the front suspension knock/clunk on slow speed cornering.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI'm waiting on the replacement rev counter to arrive still and I have bought a replacement heater switch panel as the lighting is broken on the current one.
Time for a little update. I ordered some replacement number plates in the earlier pre 2001 font and spacing. I also got the supplying dealer name and number printed on them.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Next up, the sounds. The front speakers sounded like a fart in a bath and I knew they were past their best. Turns out they were properly FUBAR.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
£25 for some speakers and adaptors off amazon and the tunes are now pumping as the should!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
On Thursday I'm going to fit a replacement exhaust and the front struts I picked up the other week.
Total Spend: £825
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrNext up, the sounds. The front speakers sounded like a fart in a bath and I knew they were past their best. Turns out they were properly FUBAR.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr£25 for some speakers and adaptors off amazon and the tunes are now pumping as the should!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrOn Thursday I'm going to fit a replacement exhaust and the front struts I picked up the other week.
Total Spend: £825
Next up was sorting the front suspension and replacing the exhaust for a newer one with a chrome tip.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Ever since I bought it in January it's had a really bad clunking and banging on the front when using a bit of lock. It felt like a spring binding. Turns out whoever replaced the top mount re assembled it all wrong and the spring is not seated and has smashing into the top mount.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
As mentioned earlier in the thread I picked up a set of used front dampers with springs, top mounts and drop links still fitted for the princely sum of £55. Swapped these on and problem solved, clunk free steering!
The exhaust on the car was tatty, missing the chrome tail piece and wonky. I was given a free, barely used, standard exhaust by a friend who'd upgraded. It's only a cheap after market one, but it's a vast improvement. The old one had knackered mounts so this one was fitted with all new rubbers and gaskets.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Very happy with that for a couple of hours work.
Here endeth the update.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrEver since I bought it in January it's had a really bad clunking and banging on the front when using a bit of lock. It felt like a spring binding. Turns out whoever replaced the top mount re assembled it all wrong and the spring is not seated and has smashing into the top mount.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrAs mentioned earlier in the thread I picked up a set of used front dampers with springs, top mounts and drop links still fitted for the princely sum of £55. Swapped these on and problem solved, clunk free steering!
The exhaust on the car was tatty, missing the chrome tail piece and wonky. I was given a free, barely used, standard exhaust by a friend who'd upgraded. It's only a cheap after market one, but it's a vast improvement. The old one had knackered mounts so this one was fitted with all new rubbers and gaskets.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrVery happy with that for a couple of hours work.
Here endeth the update.
Still loving this little thing and using it for the weekly shop at the moment. Not got any updates as such as I can’t do anything to it. Might give it a proper good wash and a polish though.
The current state of the world means I will have to sell some of my fleet in the coming months. Hoping this one will be able to stay as I’ve really grown to love it.
The current state of the world means I will have to sell some of my fleet in the coming months. Hoping this one will be able to stay as I’ve really grown to love it.
Did you see Quentin Willson's column in Classic Car magazine? He bought a low mile 51-reg One (over £3k IIRC) as he tips it for collectability (I know he's always doing that, but in this instance he bought one himself). He made reference to the Y reg collectability - even though his is 51 - and the website you've linked to.
The Y Reg is 19 today, having rolled off the line on May 16th 2001. Gave it a wash, took it for a hoon and took some snaps.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I actually had a reason to go out, needed some shopping. Practicing good social distancing:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI actually had a reason to go out, needed some shopping. Practicing good social distancing:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrRay at Minitopia sorted me out with some replacement bits to tidy the car up. I got:
2 x bare doors
1 x bare bootlid
2 x rear arch plastics
1 x drivers side headlight
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Bootlid and arch spats done today and I've ordered genuine Cooper letter badges to go on it as if I reuse the old ones it will 100% end up with all the letters wonky.
Tomorrow the doors and the headlight!
Total Spend: £875
2 x bare doors
1 x bare bootlid
2 x rear arch plastics
1 x drivers side headlight
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrBootlid and arch spats done today and I've ordered genuine Cooper letter badges to go on it as if I reuse the old ones it will 100% end up with all the letters wonky.
Tomorrow the doors and the headlight!
Total Spend: £875
Edited by HorneyMX5 on Wednesday 27th May 22:09
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