cooper to cooper s (r50 to r53)

[jackh707]

Thinking of swapping in my 2006 r50 cooper for a late 2005 onward r53 cooper s. I love my mini in but I'm looking for a little more toque and overtaking power.

Finding it lacking a bit of lazy shove, I love the way the rest of the car feels rides and handles, I can drive the wheels of it on a bouncy B road or just potter around in town.


Is there anything different between the cars like brakes and suspension besides the engine? And any reliability issues?
Servicing intervals?

What's fuel consumption like, not a major issue for me because I mainly commute via motorbike.

And know any nice cars for sale? I want unmodified, with the least miles possible, half leather, aero kit if I can find one and the smaller the wheels the better.
Can you fit 16s on a cooper s?

Thanks

[DanGT]

You are looking about 30 mpg on the supercharged cars. They are on the hole one of the better cars to go for. Check history, damp, power stering pump, Has the super charger had the oil changed, all the doors unlock on the remote. There are some more but they are for a start.

[0llie]

Reliability is about the same on the later cars, just watch for the engine mounts (which would also affect your 2006 car), and other usual MINI weak points.

Servicing intervals are the same to my knowledge, but as mentioned above, change the supercharger oil if this hasn't already been carried out.

Fuel economy depends on how heavy your right foot is. Driving the wheels off of it will see it dip into the teens/early twenties, a gentle run could see late 30s if you're trying, regular driving somewhere in the middle (this is from personal experience).

Yes, you can fit 16s to a Cooper S. They were in-fact standard fitment, but Chili Pack cars saw these removed in favour of 17s. First thing I'd do to one would be to fit 16s!

[jackh707]

Some good info. I'm aware of the active engine mounts, done them on mine.
Aware of PAS too.
How many cars have LSDs? And can I check without jacking up the car?

Any difference between late Teflon superchargers and earlier ones?

[0llie]

Easiest way to do it would be to call a dealer and quote the reg number, they will then confirm the spec.

At some point in 2005 it became a no cost option as part of the Chili Pack, so many were fitted with, but also some were fitted without. The special edition Checkmate (late 2005-2006 production run) had an LSD as standard.

[nottyash]

Both our previous JCW and this S we have now don't have LSD, and are terrible as a result.

[CO2000]

17"s are fine........without runflats I changed to 215/40/17, what a transformation avoid tyres with a soft sidewall though.

The LSD is good but not savage at all, I wouldn't have one without it.

[Petrolhead Tom]

When it has stock brakes even 15 inch will fit.

[jackh707]

Thanks for the help guys, I am currently looking at other cars at the price point £5k ish and I'm now considering EP3 civic type r's.

[eatcustard]

You will not get 30mpg unless you drive like a saint, more like 25-28mpg, less if you open it up.

[jackh707]

Well both r53 and r56 cooper s are insurable,and looking like my primary option at the moment. Civic type r/rs clios etc... too costly on insurance.

The question now is, anyone in the North West know of any MINI meets where I could get a passenger ride in a standard R53 or R56 to see if it feels significantly faster than my r50. Don't want to demo a cooper s at the local dealers as ive got no intention of buying ff them.

[Lukerevhen]

I've got a r56 cooper s for sale at the moment... and in the north west if you fancy a look!

[jackh707]

Lukerevhen said:

I've got a r56 cooper s for sale at the moment... and in the north west if you fancy a look!

Sendsme a link to your advert if you have one.?
I don't know what forum rules are but I think you might have to pm it to me.

I am erring toward R53s now after more research, don't do many miles and fuel consumption isn't too much of an issue for me.

[CO2000]

jackh707 said:

I am erring toward R53s now after more research, don't do many miles and fuel consumption isn't too much of an issue for me.

A few years ago I went the way of the R53 as the thinking was there more chance of getting a lightly used one when they were younger and maybe moving to a R56 later on rather than the other way round.

[jackh707]

I'm searching for a tidy 2005 or 2006 with preferably an LSD and as lowish miles as possible.

I like the interior and driving experience of my cooper, just want more grunt!

My mum had one of the very first 51plate cooper s' new when I was younger and not driving, I can still remember the noise from over 10 years ago.

It's what I've been lusting after

[Lukerevhen]

Hey jack, just emailed you a link to mine.

I guess at that budget you're looking at a low mile minter r53 or a higher mile r56!

[jackh707]

Thanks for the link, I like the paint scheme, but a little too high mileage for me personally.

Unless you'd do a straight swap for a mint R50 cooper with less than 50k on the clock. haha