Remedial question here.

Are both the 2007+ Cooper and Cooper S designated R56? The previous generation had R50 and R53, and I believe two designations for the convertibles also. Did they do away with that?

 

I was wondering the same thing. AFAIK:

Gen1 Cooper: R50
Gen1 CooperS: R53
Gen1 Conv/S: R52
Clubman: R55
Gen2 Cooper/S: R56

 

The fact that the R50 & R53 had separate designations is really an anomaly. I believe it's because they were designed at separate times... although I could be wrong about that too.

Once the decision was made to design the convertible, they designed both the Cooper & Cooper S versions in parallel, which I believe is why they both have the same code (R52).

And it continues for all models since.

I know it's a bit confusing.

Keep in mind this is really a carryover from the BMW way of doing things... all BMW models have an E code instead of an R code.

 

Ah. Thanks. That clears it up.