Difference DIY maintenance first and second gen New Mini

533 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by genesiscall, Mar 1, 2021

Geoff123

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2021

Hi all,

My wife has a long term wish to own a Mini. She drives a Mazda Mx5 from '92 at the moment and I do the maintenance myself. I've always had an oldtimer or youngtimer project car and have a unit with a lift an the tools.
Lots of second hand Mini's are offered at the moment and I would like to know if it is a better option to buy a first of second gen new Mini when I will perform the maintenance myself. Or is this doable on both gen's? And is there any difference between the One and Cooper when maintaining it myself?
Thanks for your advise!

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MiniLoverSinceBoyhood

· #2 · Feb 28, 2021

Can’t speak for the second gen but I know the first gen is good to work on, presuming you have the time and inclination. Well looked after, they’ll keep going. 2004-2006 have the better Getrag boxes. Mechanically, the One and Cooper are identical, it’s just a different map that’s providing the additional HP.

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minione2002

· #3 · Mar 1, 2021

1st and 2nd gen are quite easy to work on..

But the R50/53 has a tougher drivetrain to begin with, excluding the midlands box fitted to the 2002-2004 One and Cooper

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genesiscall

· #4 · Mar 1, 2021

minione2002 said:
1st and 2nd gen are quite easy to work on..

But the R50/53 has a tougher drivetrain to begin with, excluding the midlands box fitted to the 2002-2004 One and Cooper

I found access can be a problem for the home DIY er. Unless you can get it into service mode. Good luck

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