So… the time has finally come for me to become a proud owner of a MINI. This being said, at the moment I am in the position that I need to decide which model will I go for. From the research I did I figured that with a budget of around 5000 you can pretty much select from all the 3 options: ONE, COOPER, COOPER S between 2003-2005.

I decided to create this thread to gain some opinions and help my self and others that would be in the same position in the future.
Insurance: Relative to the driver: For me, being a 23 y.o. Student, the lowest was 499£ for the ONE, all the way to 670£ for the COOPER S.

Budget: 4000-5000£
Year of Interest: 2003-2005
Model:


ONE:
Max. output/bhp/revs: 90 BHP
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 10.9s
Insurance Group: 5E
Benefits: Cheaper insurance, Cheaper Tax, Cheaper to run. Also ONE have the same engine as the COOPER they just have a deferent ECU program installed which restricts the output of the engine to around 75%.

Cons: Compromise on performance, less standard equipment.

My question: Do ONE’S differ from COOPER’S in anything else other than the ECU and basic equipment?? Meaning: Suspension, Gearbox, and Brakes.

Opinion: ONE is less likely to have been abused or thrashed in its life span. Also if the only deference, performance wise, is on the ECU from the COOPER then why pay the extra?


COOPER:
Max. output/bhp/revs: 114 BHP
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 9.1s
Insurance Group: 8E
Benefits: Better equipment, nicer bodywork, more responsive, still relatively cheap to insure and to run.

My question: Does it worth the extra running costs compared to the ONE?


COOPER S:
Max. output/bhp/revs: 163 BHP
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 7.9s
Insurance Group: 15

Benefits: Top of the range model, more fun to drive, awesome looks.

Cons: More expensive to run, insure etc, more likely to have been abused.

My question: Can someone tell me his or her MPG realistically? Also is the turbo likely to produce problems, which are VERY costly to repair.

If you could give me your opinions on this I would really appreciate it.

welcome to M2..

1 gen coop s have superchargers not turbos..

also the insurance groups you've listed are now out of date old system was 1-20 now it's 1-50..

One now 15
Cooper now 21
Cooper S now 30

these are the groups the car are in without chilli,pepper & other packs added..

Thanks for the reply. Yeah sorry for not updating the Insurance Groups I wasn't sure what was going on.

So Packages also increase the insurance? Is it not only related to the model?

Realistically my options are between the Cooper and One.
Apart from that different ECU system do you know if they have any differences in suspension brakes or gearbox?

Thanks:biggrin::biggrin:

You will find "Ones and Coopers" will have been driven harder than the "S" as they are slower, so need a heavy foot to make it move quick.

I have had a cooper and now the S, so the Cooper is better on fuel and on insurance, yet I only pay £50 more for the S than my old Cooper.

The S is way more fun, but drinks fuel and costs £270 car tax.

The Chilli or Pepper package adds nominal amount to your insurance, unless you are 17

Gearbox is the same and suspension I cant answer on as I dont know if there is any difference

So go out and drive some, them make your choice.

You will find "Ones and Coopers" will have been driven harder than the "S" as they are slower, so need a heavy foot to make it move quick.

I have had a cooper and now the S, so the Cooper is better on fuel and on insurance, yet I only pay £50 more for the S than my old Cooper.

The S is way more fun, but drinks fuel and costs £270 car tax.

The Chilli or Pepper package adds nominal amount to your insurance, unless you are 17

Gearbox is the same and suspension I cant answer on as I dont know if there is any difference

So go out and drive some, them make your choice.

Hey man, thanks for your reply it actually makes a lot more sense.

It is so tempting going for the S because basically they list for almost the same price as the coopers. £270 on tax is a little harsh for this car when E46 3ci's pay the same price. But hey that's life.

Would you say the fuel economy is dramatically different for the Cooper to the Cooper S. Since you have owned them both you should know well. From what I found it should be around a 10mpg difference, the 25-30(mpg) for the S against the 35-40(mpg) for the Cooper.:)

I would get high 30s to low 40s on the cooper normal driving, but low 30s if I drove it like a Muppet. on the S I average 31mpg but can get it to about 24, again if i drive like I stole it.

If you do go for the S try and get one from July 2004 on, as it has a updated supercharger and most the bugs ironed out

I would get high 30s to low 40s on the cooper normal driving, but low 30s if I drove it like a Muppet. on the S I average 31mpg but can get it to about 24, again if i drive like I stole it.

If you do go for the S try and get one from July 2004 on, as it has a updated supercharger and most the bugs ironed out

That is a lot of help thank you so much.

One last thing about car hunting. Should i care about the miles especially for the Cooper S? 60-70k is what I am looking at with some "gems" to as low as 30k. I am looking for FSH and not a lot of owner changes ofc HPI clear cars only.:o

These Mini Buyers Guides may help:
Buying guide : MINI 2001-2007 | AROnline (http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/08/19/buying-guide-mini-2001-2007/)

MotoringFile Archive MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 US Buyers Guide (http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/10/29/motoringfile-mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/)

I look at condition of car 1st then mileage 2nd, as bodywork cost more to fix then mechanics

The MINIs that you mention are from my favourite generation of MINI's and I wouldn't consider any other MINI.

However, do bear in mind that all One's and Coopers built before July 2004 had a weak gearbox that can easily fail prematurely; there are no new replacements and you will have to fit a refurbished unit. Even the one built from 7/04 to 9/06 had a (more reliable), but pretty crude and badly matched Getrag unit.

The Cooper S is a great and more robust car, but don't try running one on a tight budget! While my standard Cooper average 37.6mpg long term, the S was nearer 32 mpg. Use the performance, or get stuck in stop start traffic and get used to 24 mpg :aargh: The road fund license will get worse every year too!

I also think they are the nicer generation off Mini's out there. Tighter to drive and with a nicer exterior.

So basically if i go for a Cooper/One I should always keep in mind a <£500 repair for a sloppy gear box.

I am not doing a lot of miles as it is right now, maybe between 2000-3000 a year at the most. Most of them being in the city 20-25 minute drives with some weekend get away here and there. Insurance/Tax is not my concern, its fuel and maintenance. As i understand the 'S' is more reliable and solid than the Ones/Coopers. Although will I be getting 24 mpg with this daily drives from your experience? Its not so much traffic but involves low speeds 30m/h and traffic lights.

Constant 30 MPH with lights should get you around 28mph (ish)

constant 30 mph with lights should get you around 28mph (ish)

+1.

Hello,
I am actually in a similar boat here...
I have a few questions that I don't think I could really find anywhere else than from Mini owners. I am actually looking at an 07 Mini S with 54k miles on it being sold for 15,900(usd). I looked up values and it is under kbb retail price but I am not to familiar with the actual reliability of the Mini's. I loved driving it, and it would be my DD. Sometimes having to drive over 100 miles a day, and am curious if the ride ever gets too bumpy or annoying (if thats even possible). I only ask because financing an 07 kind of sucks and I want to make sure I get my moneys worth. Also is there any common issues for an 07 mini? Car seems solid but it isn't from a Mini dealer so I am not sure the guys there really know what they are talking about. Any insight would be appreciated..Thanks guys..body is in great shape and so is the interior...more worried about the engine and reliability here.


~Hopeful Soon to be Mini Owner...

Hello,
I am actually in a similar boat here...
I have a few questions that I don't think I could really find anywhere else than from Mini owners. I am actually looking at an 07 Mini S with 54k miles on it being sold for 15,900(usd). I looked up values and it is under kbb retail price but I am not to familiar with the actual reliability of the Mini's. I loved driving it, and it would be my DD. Sometimes having to drive over 100 miles a day, and am curious if the ride ever gets too bumpy or annoying (if thats even possible). I only ask because financing an 07 kind of sucks and I want to make sure I get my moneys worth. Also is there any common issues for an 07 mini? Car seems solid but it isn't from a Mini dealer so I am not sure the guys there really know what they are talking about. Any insight would be appreciated..Thanks guys..body is in great shape and so is the interior...more worried about the engine and reliability here.

~Hopeful Soon to be Mini Owner...

As long as the wheels are no larger than 17", then the ride will be fine.

Unfortunately, the '07 Cooper S is not a MINI that I would buy if engine reliability were top of my list (and why shouldn't it be?!). They suffered from notorious engine camchain / camchain tensioner problems that BMW battled (mostly unsuccessfully) to fix for several years. Check for a diesel death rattle when the engine is stone cold.

Better buy new, with a warranty, or as late as possible, but definitely pre September 2006.

how common of an issue is this? I didn't hear any rattles when I test drove the car. They gave it to me for three days actually and I didn't hear any funky noises. Although, that can happen at any moment. Also, do you know if it is a re-ocurring problem or average cost to fix? I tried to ask the dealer if they have records of it being serviced but they don't. They aren't a Mini dealer. Any chance you know a way to find out? Does Mini keep records based on VIN numbers? Problem is, it is the best priced 07 mini in my area. I would consider an 06 but I have to finance and financing an 06 is a little crazy to me. Car is going on 7 yrs old. I did love the car but the issue you mentioned makes me a little hesistant.

Minishirk, you are in the states, yes? I bought an 06 MCSa with 45K on it in Dec 11. I bought it from a Ford dealer. I checked all my local shops that work on Mini's, they all listened to it, drove it and said go for it, including the indie shop I use that does Mini. I also called a Mini dealer and ran the vin (last 6 numbers) they have records but some dealers are a bit reluctant to give out info, but some will, call until you get one that will. I also ran a carfax, the carfax was missing 3 years of service records that were on record at the dealer. ( I was checking to see if it had had a new motor mount installed as I could see one had leaked but it was not acting like it was shot).
The Ford dealer let me have the car for a day, I took it to the 3 shops, ran the vin, the dealer ran the carfax for me and so I was prepared as possible to buy it. I felt I knew all I could know, plus researching known problems with the 06, I was ready and comfortable to buy the car. So do what you need to do to feel comfortable. There is a lot of info to be had, if you like the car well enough. Only thing I didn't do and should have was make them get me another key as it only had one, duh....

Tracy

Minishirk, you are in the states, yes? I bought an 06 MCSa with 45K on it in Dec 11. I bought it from a Ford dealer. I checked all my local shops that work on Mini's, they all listened to it, drove it and said go for it, including the indie shop I use that does Mini. I also called a Mini dealer and ran the vin (last 6 numbers) they have records but some dealers are a bit reluctant to give out info, but some will, call until you get one that will. I also ran a carfax, the carfax was missing 3 years of service records that were on record at the dealer. ( I was checking to see if it had had a new motor mount installed as I could see one had leaked but it was not acting like it was shot).
The Ford dealer let me have the car for a day, I took it to the 3 shops, ran the vin, the dealer ran the carfax for me and so I was prepared as possible to buy it. I felt I knew all I could know, plus researching known problems with the 06, I was ready and comfortable to buy the car. So do what you need to do to feel comfortable. There is a lot of info to be had, if you like the car well enough. Only thing I didn't do and should have was make them get me another key as it only had one, duh....

Tracy

Tracy,
Yes I am in the states but am in love with British/German cars and bikes (my next toy will be a Street Triple)

Thanks for the info. I actually checked the carfax (dealer has it posted online) and it had some of the service records. Including a new thermostat at 38k and the last Engine/car inspection by Mini at about 49k. I feel ok about it. The best part is they actually have the number of the last Mini dealer that serviced the car at 49k so I will be calling them :) I am trying to get as much info as possible. I am a little concerned about the timing chain issue. Did they extend any of the warranties that you know of?

In case you wanted to check it out :)ww.tommasano.com/detail-2007-mini-cooper_hardtop-2dr_cpe_s-used-8410011.html

definately go for the cooper S, looks like a lovely car on that site!, im a 58 plate MCS owner and i will not go back, i have driven cooper and its no where near as good or fun! like others have said the S doesnt need to be thrashed its already quick! you wont be making a mistake! mpg on your short journeys wont be too bad if theres not too much traffic and you stick to higher gears, plus if its quiet you can have some fun and not use much more petrol! thats the case in mine but it is an 08 which is more eco and is turbocharged.......