The BMW Mini One and Cooper Buying Guide

The revitalised 21st century BMW Mini may have been a far cry from the original, but it still delivered a similarly joyful driving experience, with a good dose of modern practicality too.

The original Mini was always going to be a hard act to follow. Perhaps fortuitously by the time it was ready to bow out the small car market had changed to such an extent that its replacement was going to have to be significantly different in every way.

When the new Mini arrived in 2000 it most certainly bore only a passing resemblance to the tiny original, but it still offered an engaging driving experience and it turned out to be an instant sales success.

The base Mini One and Cooper models are perfect city runabouts where their quick-witted handling and small footprint are real assets. The supercharged S and JCW models are a good deal quicker but make sure you can live with the rock-hard ride as they are unforgiving over rougher surfaces.

Early cars were not quite as polished as parent company BMW would have liked, but continuous improvements and updates addressed most problems and the first-generation BMW Mini has become a sought-after used car that still offers a lot of driving enjoyment for the outlay.

Mini R50 Engine problems

The base engine for all first-gen Minis is the Tritec 1.6-litre 16-valve inline-four. S models have a supercharger and a reduced compression ratio. They are generally reliable if looked after but aside from regular fluid and belt changes there are some issues to look out for.

A number of ECU problems plagued earlier cars (pre-2003) showing up as lurching in gear, idling issues and random stalling, however factory software updates should have resolved these issues by now.

Oil leaks around the crank seal and the crank sensor O-ring are common and are relatively easy to rectify but labour intensive, which pushes costs up.

The original coolant tanks tended to fail with monotonous regularity on these cars. Most should have had updated replacements by now, but it is worth checking the maintenance history of your potential purchase to see if it was one of the cars affected.

The steering is direct and sharp but power steering pumps are known to fail. Parts are relatively reasonable but check the reservoir level (pump will be noisy if low) and inspect for any leaks under the car.

BMW Mini Gearbox

The base models could be had with either a CVT automatic gearbox or an ancient Rover-derived five-speed manual. The manual was upgraded to a Getrag unit in 2004 which tends to be far more robust. CVT transmissions are not the most reliable either and issues here can be quite costly to rectify so avoid them if possible. Regular gearbox oil changes are highly recommended.

The Cooper S could be had with a Getrag six-speed manual, which received tighter ratios from 2004-on. A conventional six-speed auto with steering-mounted paddle shifters was also available but did not prove particularly popular on the UK market.

Mini Suspension and brakes

While the handling received rave reviews from early on, there were some fairly serious issues with suspension components that only became apparent as the years wore on.

Two recalls were carried out for cars manufactured between September 2000 and August 2001. They were both done to rectify an issue where the front suspension lower arm or outer ball joint could detach in extreme situations.

Be sure to check that these were both sorted out and check underneath the car for any signs of weak suspension links and worn out bushes too as at least one owner of an early car had their rear suspension arm mounting bolts shear off.

Unless you are intending to use your Mini as a track toy it is best to stick to the standard suspension setup as it is already quite firm even on the more compliant high-profile 15-inch wheels.

Front tyres can exhibit odd wear patterns, which can be a sign that the lower control arms or tracking need attention. Supercharged models have their battery in the boot and no spare wheel so check that the puncture repair can still works. Most should also be fitted with Runflat tyres.

Mini Bodywork and rust

Rust is not a major issue on these cars but as some are now over 20-years of age there are examples that may exhibited signs of corrosion. The door sills are a particularly troublesome area but also take a look on the underside of the bonnet where the radiator could make contact with it and rub away the protective coating.

Interior of the BMW Mini

The funky interior mimicked the original Mini’s centrally mounted speedo and was peppered with retro-styled switches and buttons. Overall quality levels improved over time, but the hard plastics can look tired and scratched on older cars and interior rattles are par for the course. Convertible tops are generally trouble-free but check that the fabric has not shrunk over the years and that the seals are watertight.

The wide range of interior trim options allowed a high level of customisability and standard equipment was sparse so check the specs of your potential purchase to make sure it suits your needs and tastes. The top Cooper S and JCW models had sporty Recaro front seats while the limited edition JCW with GP Kit had no rear bench, less sound deadening and the radio and air-con became optional to help reduce weight.

History of the First generation BMW Mini

2001: R50 Mini Cooper released just as iconic original finally ends its 41-year production run

2002: 200bhp John Cooper Works introduced featuring upgraded suspension and numerous bespoke design elements. JCW upgrade kits introduced for both standard and S models

2004: Facelift introduced with minor interior updates and a Getrag five-speed manual transmission for the base Cooper. Limited-slip differential becomes an option

2006: Limited number of JCW GP Kit models made available in UK. Changes included weight-saving measures and a bump in power to 215bhp. Approximately 450 were sold. Three-door hatchback variants replaced with second-generation model

2008: First-generation convertible model ends production.

Which BMW Mini To Buy

The first-generation R50 Mini Cooper has proven itself as a successful modern interpretation of what made the original so desirable. Unlike the latest generation models, they are still actually small in size, so don’t expect to fit much in the back other than shopping bags.

The large range of trims and engine options further broadens their appeal and the sheer number out there mean that prices starting at next to nothing. With such low values, regular servicing and maintenance may have been somewhat lacking so be sure to conduct a thorough inspection before you commit.

Any well-cared for Mini can make for a great buy and the very first Cooper and One variants can be real bargains although our money would go on a post-2004 model Cooper or Cooper S as they offer uprated transmissions and interiors as well as being more reliable than the earlier cars. The 2006 JCW GP Kit is the closest you will get to a collectable model but be wary of track-abused examples.

BMW Mini Specifications

Mini One 1.6-litre 16-valve inline-four

Power 90bhp

Top speed 115mph

0-60mph 10.9sec

Economy 43.5mpg

Mini Cooper 1.6-litre 16-valve inline-four

Power 115bhp

Top speed 124mph

0-60mph 9.1sec

Economy 41mpg

Mini Cooper S 1.6-litre Supercharged 16-valve inline-four

Power 168bhp

Top speed 138mph

0-60mph 7.2sec

Economy 33mpg

Mini Cooper JCW 1.6-litre Supercharged 16-valve inline-four

Power 200-210bhp (215bhp JCW GP)

Top speed 140mph

0-60mph 6.4sec

Economy 31mpg