Mini Identification

[gusgriller]

What are the ways of externally identifying a model, other than the badge at the back ?
I know Cooper S's have the double exhaust in the middle and the bonnet scoop.
Are there any other methods that people use to say "Oo that's a Mine One" for example ?

[beej]

Use the chrome (or lack of) to spot a ONE from a Cooper.

If you browse a few photos/galleries, it quickly becomes second nature

[fergusor]

I have chrome on my ONE so you can't really use that one. I also have chrome mirrors which hides the matt black mirrors so you can't tell from that either. I still have the ONE badge on the back though. Many people mistake my car for a Cooper, have a look at my gallery.

The best way to tell the difference is by the lower grill (the one below the number plate). A ONE is always black (unless the owner has changed it themselves, it's not something BMW do), the Cooper is silver and the ONE D is also black but has a deeper aperture (it also has Cooper S side sill covers).

Hope that helps.

Richard.

[silver_mini]

roof colour is body colour too on a one and cooper it can be any colour.

[ScottyB]

Gets difficult these days with availability of external mods and such

[Hickster]

No rear Spoiler on a ONE although I think you can order the option. Other than that, you if you could open the door, the sill cover will tell you the model (unless of course it's been modded).

[fergusor]

To be honest it is very hard to tell a One from a Cooper. All the methods mentioned so far don't really help, other than the one I originally pointed out

I have side skirts on my One so no treadplates, a rear spoiler, 17" alloys, bonnet stripes... so from the outside it does look like a Cooper (except I still have the black lower grill).

Happy hunting anyway

Richard.

[Restyle]

Just note down the last 7 digits of your MINI`s VIN # & put them in the Box on this site :-
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

Also See this Recent thread which discusses the Identification issue:-
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-mini-one/63021-how-can-you-confirm-what-model-you-have.html

[Parc77]

As said by others so many are modified its hard to tell - much easier when the cars are standard
Think alloys are an option on the One so suppose you could tell some Mini Ones from Coopers in that respect. I think you can have the badge deletion done on all models but it seems to be mostly Mini Ones that have them deleted - Just like they do on the 316 and 318 BMW's. But hey who cares there all Mini's

[ScoobyDoo]

Well all the things mentioned you can't tell on mine.

Front grille, side skirts and no roof spolier - I have an aero-kit
Wing mirrors - I have chrome
Filler cap - I have an 's' one fitted
Alloys - I have aftermarket one's on

The only way you can tell is the exhaust, even though I have the chrome trim, it's still not like the 'Budweiser' can exhaust on the Cooper.
My car is debadged but it was already done when I bought the car.

TBH - I don't think apart from the VIN there is any other way. But someone will come along and prove me wrong!!!

[benmcguire]

a mini D has side skirts as standard plus a six speed gear box.

[fergusor]

Quote: Originally Posted by benmcguire

a mini D has side skirts as standard plus a six speed gear box.

When benmcguire says that the One D has side skirts as standard he's refering to the black Cooper S sill covers, not the aero kit skirts.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo

Well all the things mentioned you can't tell on mine.
TBH - I don't think apart from the VIN there is any other way. But someone will come along and prove me wrong!!!

With all the MINI bits & kits available on Ebay or direct from BMW , it is, (almost), impossible for anyone other than an expert to identify a MINI that has Purposefully been changed from its original body/build spec, except for looking at the VIN code.
But this is Easily done by looking at the VIN at the Base of the Windscreen and noting digits "4-5-6-7" as the givaway Vehicle ID Code.

Where:-

RA31 = One (LHD)
RA32 = One (RHD)
RB11 = Diesel (LHD)
RB12 = Diesel (RHD)
RC31 = Cooper (LHD)
RC32 = Cooper (RHD)
RC33 = Cooper (USA)
RD31 = One Convertible (LHD)
RD32 = One Convertible (RHD)
RE31 = Cooper S (LHD)
RE32 = Cooper S (RHD)
RE33 = Cooper S (USA)
RF31 = Cooper Convertible (LHD)
RF32 = Cooper Convertible (RHD)
RF33 = Cooper Convertible (USA)
RH31 = Cooper S Convertible (LHD)
RH32 = Cooper S Convertible (RHD)
RH33 = Cooper S Convertible (USA)

or as I said earlier, just put the last 7 digits into THIS VIN DECODER


{Unless of course they`ve gone & changed the Windscreen, in which case have a look at the VIN stamped onto the Front Suspension tower}

All this info & much more can be found on the MINI2 FAQ`s & DIY HERE

[GOLDMINI]

An easy way of spotting the One Diesel is that from the rear you cant see the exhaust tailpipe as it points down towards the ground.

[dcfkan]

If a MINI is de-badged, then it is likely to be a One, as I have not come acrossed a de-bagded Cooper or Cooper S

There aren't that many non-black Coopers that have body colour roofs

The interior of a One is likely to be less plush than a Cooper

Those are the ones that I can think of

DK :apple: