Hello everyone. Ive been searching and searching. I am trying to accumulate as much info on these cars as I possibly can before I decide on which one to get. Is there a thread or post somewhere here that lists or compares the different specs of each model with respect to year, what changes have been made or added ect? If i read correctly, I just learned that the 1st gen mcs was supercharged and the 2nd gen is turboed. I wouldn't have known this unless I read the spontaneous fire thread in the 2nd gen section. Does something like this exist?

Not really, the near infinite number of possible option permutations makes that a huge undertaking and I doubt anybody would want to take the time to outline generational differences. Suffice it to say, the major changes to have occured are the technology changes. i.e. Navagation, communication (interactive and static) ECU, that sort of thing. The engine and gear box sourcing has changed from time to time also (those with the Getrag box are glad to have it). The rest is mostly cosmetic.

You might check motoringfile.com. MF has a buyer's guide which details some of the differences between iterations of the first gen MINIs. You'll also find some reviews of different model year's & builds. MF articles are worth reading, as what you might think is a generic review is actually very in-depth and provides info on what's different/improved from year to year.

Like Brick said, there are sooooo many options & variations that it'd be a tall task to detail them all. If I were you I'd start with basic questions: do you want a forced induction car (turbo or supercharged) or naturally aspirated? Do you want the extra room of a Clubman or Countryman, do you want the open-air experience of a drop top? Starting with these very broad questions should help point you in the right direction.

Good luck, and welcome to NAM!

Dang, why didn't I think of MF. Good place to visit, their archives go back to day one. When you do go visit, take a lunch, you'll be there awhile.

The Motoring File article will be a good primer. As is the Wiki page

A few broad-stroke things to note:

They were completely redesigned starting with the 2007 model year. The two generations don't share a single body part. Once you start paying attention when you see them, you may wonder how you ever saw them as the same before (if you ever did). The most notable difference to me is the gen2's more aggressive bull nose and higher belt line and bulging rear hatch.

Also, someone correct me if I am wrong, beginning in 2007, they became all or mostly all BMW-sourced.

I have a 2003 base Cooper that was assembled in Nov of 2002 in the UK. It has a Brazillian Motor and a British built gearbox. I believe the 2007+ cars are all BMW.

One of my (2) mechanics who sees a lot of Minis in his shop has come to the belief that, contrary to popular opinion, the gen2s are more problematic and higher risk as used cars.

I think all the gen 1's have basically the same interior, only differing in seat coverings, panel colors and installed options. I think since 2007, there has been more than 1 look to the dash.

And generally, compared to Toyotas or Hondas, Minis are a pretty high-risk endeavor when it comes to cost of ownership. It's often debated here, but there's no denying in my mind, the experiences of people who have spent thousands of dollars a year just keeping their Minis stock and on the road. I'm one of those people. I just hit the $9,000 mark on repairs this week. I've had my 2003 for a little over 2 years and have put 45k miles on it. (It's now approaching 100k miles)

But what is difficult from some to understand is that I'm not complaining. Sure, I wish it were different, but these cars can sink their hooks so deep into a person that spending this kind of money just to drive a stock 10 year old base Cooper seems perfectly acceptable.

Thanks for the input everyone. I would like to get one in the spring as my daily driver so i have some time to really research and try to grasp what i will be getting myself into. As of now, the one thing i am sure of is that I will be getting a convertible. I have yet to decide which year, what transmission (most likely auto so the wife will be comfortable driving it) and whether or not it will be forced induction. I've driven the S and i can definitely say that it is a lot of fun, however if getting an S means i'll have more maintaince issues/costs, perhaps i should get a base.

As mynewt said "And generally, compared to Toyotas or Hondas, Minis are a pretty high-risk endeavor when it comes to cost of ownership. It's often debated here, but there's no denying in my mind, the experiences of people who have spent thousands of dollars a year just keeping their Minis stock and on the road. I'm one of those people. I just hit the $9,000 mark on repairs this week. I've had my 2003 for a little over 2 years and have put 45k miles on it. (It's now approaching 100k miles)"

(i can't seem to quote while in reply)

I am coming from a toyota/lexus background. I've read people saying this before but everywhere i look, people have minis. If it were really really terrible, i can't imagine that there'd be as many as i see on the road.

I think it's time to do a lot of reading. Hopefully within the next few months i will join you all in the ranks of ownership.

I don't mean to say anyone should stay away from Minis. There are plenty of people reporting "Japanese" type reliability with their Minis. They are still more expensive/less reliable statistically though, as are European cars in general.

As far as reliability, is there a general consensus as to whether or not an S is more or less mechanically reliable than a base? or is this one of those debate sparking questions?

One thing i've been wondering.... How easy or not easy is it to wrench on these things yourself? On my truck (100 series landcruiser) I change my own oil, diff fluid, t-case fluid... the regular maintainence stuff. I've also installed my suspension myself in my driveway with jack stands and jacks. (<-- was relatively easy) I'm not a mechanic, but i can turn a wrench. Are these mini's difficult to work on? Are they the type of car where to get to one thing, you have to remove 4-5 things just to get to that one thing?

I'm one of those - zero mechanical issues approaching 70K. My only problem was a faulty head unit exposed during my Integral Audio install. MINI replaced it under warranty.

As a straight Cooper owner, I do feel like the base model has had fewer issues. No cold start death rattle and no turbo related issues. I believe there were some heat related issues connected to the turbo at one point...

Having said that, my next MINI will be a factory JCW just for the extra fun factor.

This is a common observation but another thing to keep in mind is that the few big problem cars get lots of conversation but the thousands of trouble free cars out there you never hear about. If all you had to go by were the problems, you'd never step out of your front door.

Here's something maybe someone can answer.

The R56 started in 2007 and this is the year that the S went to a turbo correct?

If this is correct and the R57 (2nd gen convert) started in 2009, so does the 2008 R52 "S" (1st gen convert S) have a supercharger or a turbo?

1st gen was supercharger, second gen was turbo. Original convertables were supercharger.

Does this answer your question?


Generation 1

R50 Hatchback 2002 - 2006
Cooper (normally aspirated non-supercharged W10B16 engine)

R53 Hatchback 2002 - 2006
Cooper S (Supercharged W11B16 Engine)

R52 Convertible 2005 - 2008
Cooper (normally aspirated non-supercharged W10B16 engine)
Cooper S (Supercharged W11B16 Engine)

Generation 2

R56 Hatchback 2007 - 2012
Cooper (non-Turbo N12B16A engine) 2007 - 2010
Cooper S (Turbo N14B16A engine) 2007 - 2010
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012

R55 CLUBMAN 2008 - 2012
Cooper (non-Turbo N12B16A engine) 2008 - 2010
Cooper S (Turbo N14B16A engine) 2008 - 2010
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012

R57 Convertible 2009 - 2012
Cooper (non-Turbo N12B16A engine) 2009 - 2010
Cooper S (Turbo N14B16A engine) 2009 - 2010
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine) 2011 - 2012

R60 COUNTRYMAN, including ALL4 for 2011-2012
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine)
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine)

R58 COUPE (the new 2-seat hardtop) 2012 - current
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine)
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine)

R59 Roadster 2012 - current
Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16MO engine)
Cooper S (Turbo N18B16MO engine)