Hi

In years to come I might buy a 2nd hand new mini and
want to hear from those who know a bit about the new
ones of what year and what model is the best

as I am sure all of them had thier issues

Thanks

I have a 2003 cooper s, they had a upgrade in late 2003 early 2004, few changes etc. Had no problems with mine except passenger central locking died. Great car otherwise.

How do you define 'best' when it comes to a MINI?

For me, the best model is the born again Cooper S. The supercharged version with the engine wine and the better looking interior. Easily modified both inside and outside due to all the companies that jumped on the performance bandwagon, and parts can be found second hand if something needs to be sourced. That's why I bought one.

I'm not really taken by the R56 coopers, they're more refined, and better on fuel but they seem a little 'cheap' in some of the design aspects. That said, still great for the money and probably more reliable too.

G'day I have recently got a 2004 MINI COOPER from Melbourne I am very happy with it, although I do plan to get a COOPER S in a couple of years, Tony

We've go the "mark 2" Cooper which has the 6-speed box compared to the iffy 5-speed of the older Cooper and that's about the only difference for which it is worth paying extra money. Yes, the motors are different, but I've not heard that the old one is that much worse than the newer one. Ours gets a reliable 47 mpg (6l/100km) on a highway run and has more than enough grunt for quick overtaking or climbing hills. If you are worried about which one is faster then you should be buying an S anyway.

When it comes to the Cooper S it is a choice between Supercharged or Turbocharged and the both had 6 speed boxes. I don't know how the older ones are faring but I'm guessing the MINI buying demographic are less prone to thrashing the cars at every opportunity than the WRX or drift boy demographic.

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66 Deluxe, 07 Cooper

I have been driving a 2002 Cooper for over 7 years now. Never owned a car as long, previous record was 4 years. I have driven an 'S' and a Works "S" and the 2nd generation versions. I have a slight preference for the earlier ones based on their style. However would not part with my '02 Cooper.
Whatever you buy if it has had proper maintenance and still feels crisp to drive you should be OK.

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2002 Cooper, when New MINIs were new!

i'd avoid the 5spd like the plague, also the cooper is far too slow for its price and diseasels are a horrible choice for a sporty car.

i'd only get an S -

the turbocharged engines are superior in technical specification, but the supercharged engines have more character.

i suppose it just comes down to your budget, the older ones, 02-03 are much cheaper than the newer ones which are overpriced.

I know zero about Minis atm but I'd like to say this is a great thread for Mini newbs like me

We're in the market for a Cooper S at the moment so threads like this one can really help focus our search

R53 Cooper S is great!
R56 more refined and more grown up!

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The R53 is definately more fun to drive, you cant beat the sound of that supercharger whine. I have driven all models of the new MINI's and the R56 as pervioulsy mentioned is a great car but just doesnt seem to have the same feel to it as the 02-06 models.

In my opinion in years to come the 03 models will be most desirable. 02 had a few minor rattles and glitches which were sorted out for the 03 model. 04 they changes the dash, gear ratio's and added the LSD. Personally I didnt like the new dash design, too cluttered. The 03 has the same simple dash design as original mini's.

My 03 is a JCW which has been highly modified (though kept all original parts to put back on in yrs to come when they become collectable) I have had mine from new so 7 yrs of hassle free driving until now. The car is in at the moment for new clutch, which I decided to upgrade to os giken race clutch, lightened flywheel and add a LSD while it was all out. Not bad considering the car gets driven as it was designed to be.

Current mods:
Engine
JCW tuning package
Alta 17% pulley
Modified JCW air intake
X-force headers
Modified JCW exhaust
Unichip
MTH remap
GTT intercooler
GTT snoot boots
GTT oil catch can
GTT expansion tank
GTT power steering reservoir
GTT oil cap
GTT dipstick
GTT air filter
GTT twin bearing idle pulley
Alta radiator hose kit
Alta air intake tube
Screamin deamon ignition
Nology hotwires
Sprint Booster

Suspension - Driveline
Eibach springs
Alta 19mm rear sway bar
JCW strut brace
JCW brakes
TSW engine damper
OS Giken performance clutch
OS Giken lightweight flywheel
OS Giken Super Lock LSD

Exterior
Aero kit
Colour coded arches
JCW side stripes
JCW bonnet stripes
4 x MINI spotlights
Stubby antenna
M7 Extreme bonnet scoop
Orciari hood scoops
AMG Blitz rims
Pirelli Dragon 205/40/17
JCW centre caps
MINI valve caps
Underbody neons
Window tint
Underbonnet eyes

Interior
JCW entry sills
Glove box tidy
Console storage
Aux input
MINI upper guage pod
Wood grain dash
Sheepskin seat covers
Whalen gear knob and ebrake
Toggle switch module
Alpine PDX 5 1200W amp
MB Quart speakers
Bazooka sub woofer

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

wow I would love to see that car

Both the R53 and R56 are great cars that offer a lot of fun. The R53 being a little more simple and raw. The R56 is better refined and superior in its power delivery.

I would go for a car that is built 04 onwards. If you can, go for a JCW... much more fun!

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In the garage:
1970 Morris Cooper S MK2 | 2010 MINI Cooper JCW Challenge Edition

Now with new owners:
1964 Morris 850 Van | 1965 Morris Cooper S MK1 | 1976 Leyland Mini | 1999 Rover Mini Cooper Classic | 2006 MINI Cooper JCW

That's not a modification, its a sticker.





How is it different apart from going to three panels instead of five?
It's no more or less cluttered than before.


My car is as the factory built it, bus as of last week now had an 06 ceramic supercharger in there. Doesn't feel as torquey under 2000 compared to the teflon job, but after 4000 it winds out like crazy!

What are peoples opinions on the convertible?? Was the convertible released after the initial glitches were ironed out??

got to drive a works cooper s supercharged version a while ago & they tickled my fancy

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one van, one mini s, one knitted cardigan