Spotting higher power R53

[Neal500griff]

Hi, considering a R53 cooper S. I know the early ones were 161 bhp but later ones were 168 bhp and had better torque. I think they changed to the higher power around 2004, but is there a simple way to spot the difference, is it as simple as it being a face life model were the reverse lights became part of the rear light clusters rather than a single central low level one? Ideally want an easy way to distinguish in ad’s as not sure all owners would know the difference! And some ad’s for later 2005 or 06 cars list the lower power in the spec on the ad’s. Thanks

[Neal500griff]

Thanks, that’s useful to know. one with a LSD would be great, very rare though I guess! … begs the question though, how do you know if it’s got a LSD, will vin reveal that too?

[Neal500griff]

Great, thanks for your help