BUYING GUIDE
Now’s the time to snap up an example of BMW’s Mini re-boot, which offers an impressive mix of fun and affordability
(2001-06)
BMW launched its all-new MINI just as the original Issigonis classic was being killed off. Some enthusiasts were never going to accept this 21st century upstart, but for many it was just what the brand needed.
The new Cowley-built car resembled the original from certain angles, but rather than take on the Issigonis ‘small on the outside, big on the inside’ ethos, this new MINI was all about fashion and fun. The spirit of the original was there, though, with its trademark cabin, complete with toggle switches and giant centre speedometer, and perhaps more importantly a wheel at each corner for outstanding handling – every MINI is a driver’s delight.
The first MINI is known as the R50 (hatch) and was followed by the R52 (convertible) and R53 (Cooper). The base-spec One got the 1.4-litre ‘Tritec’ unit that BMW and Chrysler co-developed while the Cooper and Cooper S got a 1.6-litre (the latter gaining a bonnet scoop and whiny supercharger). Diesel fans will find their One D fitted with a Toyota engine.
The convertible arrived in 2004 when the whole range got a few cosmetic tweaks and a new Getrag gearbox to replace the Rover R65 unit. The lightweight and stripped-out John Cooper Works GP Kit of 2006 was a firecracker – around 400 were sold in the UK.
Whichever one you go for, you’ll can’t lose because BMW’s baby is going to be very collectable one day.
WORDS PHOTOGRAPHY Richard Dredge and Chris Hope Magic Car Pics
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Oil leaks caused by a failed crank sensor O-ring or sump gasket are a bit of a pain to do but not at all impossible for the DIY fixer. The Cooper S set-up is strong, but not without its problems. The water pump, driven by the supercharger, is at the back of the engine, which means cooling to cylinder number one at the opposite end of the block is compromised; this can lead to cylinder head gasket failure and, in the worst cases, a cracked cylinder head. Superchargers need servicing every 100,000 miles so be wary of any that make excessive noise. Replacement parts are avilable but eye-wateringly expensive because they come from BMW itself.
Expect the power steering to whine at low speed but a really pronounced sound means that the system is low on fluid. Power steering pumps are known to leak and the wiring is prone to corrosion. It’s not hard to repair things on a DIY basis, though, or you can get a specialist to fix things for you for around £350. Electrical niggles include window regulators, wiper motors and electric boot catches, which all fail with age.
All petrol MINIs used a Chrysler-sourced Tritec 1.6-
