Mini didn't exactly push the boat out when speccing up the interior of the
R53 Cooper S
. Instead, it left it to owners to spice things up with the optional Chili Pack that added a leather steering wheel, floor mats, passenger seat height adjustment, air conditioning, on-board computer, interior light pack and half leather upholstery. This lot, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights and front fog lights, would have set you back a further £1,500 in 2003. However, most owners went for it and used buyers would be advised to look for it too.
One passenger only in Works GP
The driving position is good in the
Cooper S
, though some taller drivers may find the seat doesn't extend far enough back. A bigger problem for most will be the flimsy plastic used for the seat release to tip it forward and allow rear passengers in and out. Mini resolved this with the 2004 facelift and an improved mechanism.
Mini issued a recall for the handbrake lever, which could twist and result in the handbrake slipping off its ratchet. If you're not sure a car has had this work carried out, phone a Mini dealer and quote the VIN to check.
All of the switchgear in the Mini Cooper S should work without fail, though keep an eye out for electric windows that rise too slowly, pointing to a failing motor. The air conditioning can also fail and it's most likely the system will need to be recharged with fresh gas.
Took Mini a while to realise this wasn't useful
While checking the interior, feel in the front footwells for damp. Water can leak past the A-pillars and on to the ECU that is hidden in the passenger footwell. Most cars will have been sorted under warranty while still relatively new, but if this happens it will be a very expensive repair of around £250 for the ECU plus fitting.
With the Works GP, there is less to worry about as it only has Recaro front seats and an aluminium brace between the rear suspension towers in place of rear seats. The rest is much the same as the Cooper S.
[N.B Lead pic is an R53 Cooper and not a Cooper S. The Mini media site is as stingy with press pictures as it was with standard equipment, there are none to be found!].
PHer's view:
Materials are of good quality, especially the stuff you touch regularly. There are quite a lot of small trim pieces in the cabin so it can rattle or squeak regularly, owners club forums have lots of info about eradicating most of them.
Tom Furniss