hey everyone, new here and im looking at getting my first mini cooper s but i am at a loss as to which one to get, now im not interested in mpg or tax i want pace and fun! but at the same time i like lots of comforts and dont want anything unreliable or too old. when was the facelift done on the older model? and is there a big fun factor difference between the two ? sorry its lots of questions but i do lots of miles in my car and somebody has decided to write off my hyundai coupe 06 which was a beautiful machine to drive so need something thats gonna put a big grin on my face.
my partner has a 56 plate cooper which is alot of fun to drive but i find it a bit painful on longer journeys and its got absolutely nothing it it not even air con !
so 2006 vs 2007 people !!!!!
p.s this has probably been covered many times before but im looking for answers specific to my needs so ....here goes. thanks in advance
sylar

You can easily see if there any problems, as far as youre concerned, on a Gen 2 MINI, go to the dealers and test drive one?
They might even have a Gen 1 there for sale they will let you have a go in too, kill 2 MINI's with one stone?
Take your Mrs's and you can have a race :wink:

R53s had the problem with power steering pump failures (no more than any first gen, though), whereas the R56 suffers from carbon build up which severely hampers performance and costs a ridiculous amount of money to get it "decoked," and it'll happen again too.

R53 has a better noise with the supercharger whine though :p

dont want anything unreliable
Are you sure you want a Mini then? :D

yeah im definately after a mini, i was looking at an fn2 civic type r but the insurance is alot more and there a little un-charismatic if you ask me, to be honest im swaying towards and r56 in black with aero body kit (after i saw a members pics on here) must say they are stunning !!

1st Gen mini from July 2004 is a better "fun machine"
2nd Gen is a better in the fuel economy, but not as "go cart handling" as Gen 1

try both and pays your money