[moritzw]

Hi guys, I'm about to buy a used Mini with about a 6K budget. I simply cannot find any info on the technical difference between the Cooper and ONE, apart from a different engine management software. What hardware differences are there (I'm interested in the important stuff like brakes, suspension, anything that you need to go faster)?
In other words, what's faster and handles better, a 2002 Cooper or a chipped ONE?

Thanks for your help, Moritz.

[Paul]

There's a lot on this subject on the forums already, as it's a commonly asked question of days gone by.

A quick search, and here you go:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-one/...apart-bhp.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/suspensio...fferences.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-one/...sides-ecu.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-coop...ne-cooper.html



Basically, the gearing and suspension are different. (Trim also, but that matters not really).

[moritzw]

I must have been looking for the wrong keywords, thanks for these links. This pretty much kills the ONE for me, it'll have to be a Cooper with the difference in suspension and gearbox...

At least that narrows the search, cheers, Moritz.

[*Vikki*]

i dont even notice it from driving both ild say go for the ONE.

[Paul]

We've owned both and I've driven a few of each and I'd say there's a marked difference in the handling of the two, however if you're going second hand you could always get the One and upgrade the suspension.

[JpMcC]

Having driven both, I would deffiently go with the ONE and get it bluefinned It'll make a fantastic difference, as has been suggested you could always change the suspension etc, but the insurance cost difference, and the better fuel consumption of the ONE would make it a winner for me every time

[Paul]

I don't know about insurance as I wouldn't be surprised if a non-modified Cooper would be considered less risk, and cheaper to insure than a tuned (engine and suspension) MINI One.

Plus, once chip tuned, the two cars are pretty much the same for fuel consumption save for the higher gearing.

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

I don't know about insurance as I wouldn't be surprised if a non-modified Cooper would be considered less risk, and cheaper to insure than a tuned (engine and suspension) MINI One.

Plus, once chip tuned, the two cars are pretty much the same for fuel consumption save for the higher gearing.

I have a ONE with uprated suspension/chassis, brakes, cone air intake, and Milltek exhaust. Soon looking at a remap as well.

Basically, I bought the car when I was 21 and kept it pretty much standard. As I'd always maintained it, I knew the car to be in exceptional condition and the cost of a trade in, or the hassle of a private sale combined with my sentimental attachment to the car meant I would rather have my ONE tuned than trade in for a Cooper.

Plus, you learn a heck of a lot along the way whilst picking the modifications that will suit the car to your wants and desires rather than a one-size-fits-all package, which is what the Cooper tune is.

But, and this is a big but, don't think of getting a ONE as a budget option. You'll pay just as much (if not more) than the original outset for a Cooper when you factor in part prices, fitting prices, increased insurance prices (will be more than insuring a standard Cooper), etc, etc...

Tuning a ONE is a whole lot of fun, but it get's expensive quite quickly. I've already spent about £1700 on my modifications (mainly to do with handling and noise) without having yet gone for an ECU remap (although that'll be quite soon). And that doesn't take into account the insurance costs, which will be more for a chipped ONE than for a Cooper - and you'd be a fool not to declare everything you do to your insurance company. So, bear that in mind when you're making your decision.

I'd also be cautious about uprating the power without doing something to first improve the handling. Personally, I know I would have ended up in a ditch with my wheels pointing at the clouds.

All the best,
Andrew.

[*Vikki*]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

We've owned both and I've driven a few of each and I'd say there's a marked difference in the handling of the two, however if you're going second hand you could always get the One and upgrade the suspension.

The difference you have noticed is that from brisk fast driving as poodling around town etc what i do i dont notice anything from my daily drives. I noticed when i drive around the bends fast in the cooper the suspension as it has ss+ but thats all

[Paul]

I don't do straight roads.

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

I don't do straight roads.

Nor should you.