Early (new) MINI

[LordGrover]

Need to replace my cheapy commuting chariot which is currently a Toyota iQ.

Quite fancy trying a mini, but have never even sat in one let alone driven one. The Internets is pointing me towards a facelift R53 Cooper S, but I fancy while it may be the quicker and better equipped option, it may be a bit harsh for my usage. Maybe the R50 Cooper would be a better bet.

Won't know for sure until I try one, but would anyone share experiences/advice please?

[illmonkey]

The internet is correct, of course.

The facelift made several big improvements, it looks better too. Gearbox was swapped to a more reliable one (late 2004, so go 2005+), and it made a few more BHP. It's not enough power to be silly, but plenty for an overtake or getting up to speed well.

You can get the Cooper with sports suspension, so watch out for that. Saying that, I never minded the firmer ride. You need to try one out to be happy yourself though.

[Mr Tidy]

Mrs Tidy decided to treat herself to an R50 Mini One for a round-number birthday present in 2003 and really liked it - until someone drove into it!

As a result she got invited to the R56 launch event in 2006 and left after placing an order for her December 2006 Cooper, which she still has. It's only had a couple of non-consumable issues, but has only done just over 50K miles!

Then 5 years ago I ended up looking for a Mini for my sister - she didn't mind which one, it was more about the colour! So she has had her 2006 R50 Cooper 5 years now and hasn't had any major problems with it.

They drive really well but the price you pay for great handling is a fairly stiff ride, especially on run-flat tyres. It's worth checking the spec carefully because so many things were options - even A/C still was on the R56 Cooper!

Of the two I'd say the R56 Cooper drove better than the R50, just a bit more refined, a bit more power and a 6 speed gearbox.

[LordGrover]

Thanks both, useful info.

I need to get on with it and try a couple really. There are a couple in a dealer just two minutes walk from work, but both convertibles; I suppose they'll do just to get a feel for whether I like them or not.

[ScoobyChris]

10 or so years ago, I drove a friend's One quite a bit (guessing R50) and it was a great fun, revvy car with compliant ride, although could have done with a bit more power and felt a bit basic inside. In 2010 I got a "tick all the options" R56 Cooper D (BMW diesel rather than PSA) as a company car and surprisingly it still retained the Mini's chuckable character while being a bit more refined and much better motorway cruiser thanks to diesel and 6-speed box. Ride was on the firm side, but I was coming from a Fiat Panda 100hp with concrete suspen so I wasn't complaining! I imagine ditching the runflats may have improved things.

Not sure that helps you at all

Chris

[Barrie c 66]

Bought a low mileage 2003 cooper s last week. Went out for a spin this afternoon on some back roads, not stupidly fast or very refined but great fun. I have come from a 2016 Mustang GT which I found was just to easy to go silly speeds. Already started to look at various mods. Mini torque seems to be a very knowledgeable forum and ther53 owners club on Facebook.