Mini Cooper or Mini One

[jarhead]

Hi guys, newbie here from london. My girlfriend is looking to buy a Mini but as per title, we,re not sure which one to go for. Can anyone enlighten me as to the differences between both besides insurance and fuel consumption. Many thanks.

[solidsponge]

That is basically it what you said, cosmetically the one tends to have a black grill and black boot handle (which look better than the cooper really). It can be tuned to be as fast as the cooper quite easily. I guess one of the key points is that the cooper tends to have better spec, such as leather seats. The cooper is a bit faster though as stock and a fair amount come with chilli pack (tiny bit lower, some different extras generally like dash and bigger wheels, 16s).

Don't know how much you are wanting to spend, but the old tale of facelift or not facelift will come into mind. From july 04 they changed and for one and cooper the gearbox was changed (improved), so something to bare in mind.

Cooper is pretty good on mpg anyway, not sure of price differences.

Here are a few guides, but dont let them put you off getting the non facelift type as they are still good cars:

MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide

Also I dont know if you are going to drive it as well and if either of you want more fun, but a cooper s is a lot different fun wise to those cars (as stock)...

[mab01uk]

This link may help with photos:
MINI Cooper Forum - MINI2 Mini Cooper Forums - FAQ & DIY: General MINI FAQs and Advice

The differences are mainly interior seats, trim is a little more basic spec, roof is usually same colour as bodywork, black grille and door mirrors, less chrome details, smaller alloy wheels, no rear anti-roll bar, smaller exhaust tailpipe, etc.

Another Buyers Guide:
Buying guide : MINI 2001-2007 | AROnline

[jarhead]

Thanks for the valuable advice guys, the links were quite enlightening

[RikkiWhitehead]

libraryofmotoring.info/reference/manuals/
Manuals for each one there have a browse

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[Poprin]

Every One I've driven has been an 07 or later. I can't say for the earlier cars but the laters ones with the new engine are as flat as a fart. The new One Deisel is quite good but i've found the petrol's to be under powered.

I would go for a Cooper with a Chilli pack as you will get better re-sale value if you ever need to sell it also.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Poprin (original)

Every One I've driven has been an 07 or later. I can't say for the earlier cars but the laters ones with the new engine are as flat as a fart. The new One Deisel is quite good but i've found the petrol's to be under powered.

I would go for a Cooper with a Chilli pack as you will get better re-sale value if you ever need to sell it also.

Later 2007 Mk2 Mini One petrol is only 1.4 compared to Cooper 1.6, although I believe this changed again later.............however all the earlier Mk1 Mini One and Cooper (2001-2006) in the buyers guides above both use the same identical 1.6 engine and with a minor ecu software upgrade the One can easily match or exceed the Cooper power output. The original poster really needs to confirm which year of Mini they are after?

[jarhead]

You are absolutely right, sorry! Anyway she has a budget of 5k and judging by what i,m seeing online, probably would have to be a 2004-2006 model. I might drive the car once in a while but not really bothered as I recently got an E92 335 which is still mind blowing.