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When it comes to the first gen what year or year range is best to buy from? Like with the 2nd gen people normally stay away from 07-10. Are there major differences within the first gens?
I did a quick search on it and I saw somthing about the gearing? What is different in those years from the earlier? I also saw somthing about them having more power? What is exactly different with those years?
From memory, so this is probably wrong or near wrong:
02-04 Cooper S 163hp or 167 hp can't remember which; Cooper 115hp
05-on Cooper S 170hp; Cooper 115hp.
As far as gearing... I have an 05 S and 04 Justa and have driven a 05 Justa, the Justa seemed to rev higher in every gear by about 250 rpm. again this is from memory of one day with a loaner in 2005. Cannot speak to the gearing at all as I have only driven 2005 S.
Here's a MiniTorque post on some of the 06/2004 facelift differences.
The facelift is objectively the better car. I think the headlights and taillights look cool too. Trying to find the taillight retrofit kit for my '03. Wish I could retrofit the 3-piece dash as well. Only cosmetic thing I don't like is the wheel; the pre-facelift perforated two-spoke wheel looks better IMO.
1st, 2nd, and the final drive is a bit shorter than the pre-facelift and power bumps up by 5hp.
02,03,04 closest to the original design , much like the classic mini the oldest is the prettiest,on the second and third gen ,the hood got longer and the car got "stuffy" my opinion only ,the drawback is it took at least 5 years to get most of the mechanics right , but minis were always a tinkering car, remember the oil on the floor is just the car marking its territory ��
Yes what r52coop said about the vert. The best two years are technically 05 and 06!
The 07/08 verts, use the same engine as the 05 and 06 Mini and are kinda a mix between the Gen 1 R52 and the 2nd gen. I have a base vert with factory installed Garmin gps, back up warning system, Harmon kardon sound system. The thing with the base model automatics: the cvt auto transmission is a pile of crap!
I sell MINIs and my keepers are always 05 and 06 models (the 08 vert is my sisters)
SO: 2005 and 2006 My 06 MCS with factory JCW is a kick o drive and has limited slip differential, nice handling package, chrono guage package and a bunch of cool options!
In July of 06 I was spring loaded to put a deposit down on an 07 R56 based on all the hype on the prince engine and upgrades. My son who is wise beyond his years suggested purchasing an 06 R53 since it was at the end of a manufacturing cycle and had probably many of the bugs worked out. I took his advice and ordered an 06 R53 and couldn't be happier. In eleven years of ownership the only unscheduled maintenance has been the replacement of the thermostat gasket, a serpentine belt and a day time running light bulb. Knock on wood. PS- not flogging it does make a difference.
My son who is wise beyond his years suggested purchasing an 06 R53 since it was at the end of a manufacturing cycle and had probably many of the bugs worked out.
You son is wise indeed. To me gen 1 Mini is the only modern Mini's that pay proper homage to the original Mini, and Frank Stephenson and the engineering teams did amazing jobs in preserving the spirits of the classic mini. The first gen was the fruit of a confluence of unlikely events in the automotive industry at the time. I gained a lot of respect of Chrysler drivetrains from reading the development history of the Tritec engine.
As to the gen 2 uglier front end I would incline to give it a pass due to the European safety regulations. Still for most of the rest, they messed with already close-to-perfect interior and exterior design elements, for the sake of change and cannot resist to leave their own marks. e.g. Why the hell do you need to enlarge the side indicators below the A-pillar?
Well looks like I'm going to stick with looking for a 05 or 06 mcs! Found one on Craigslist that looks to be real clean inside and out. 150k miles on it, and the guy hasvrnt really done anything to the car repair wise. He is third owner and doesn't know if thermostat housing, timing chain/tensioner, motor mount, expansion tank or anything has been replaced. So I'm guessing it's probably all stock but idk till I go look at it. What other things should I look at when looking at the car? Thought about doi ng a compression test also to see what it's at. How often should the super charger be serviced?
For me its the 05-06 and -08 on the gen 1 convertible.
I would get all the records first and you can find more dealership info on the car calling them with the vin, they will just tell you what has been done in the past before warranty and if the customer continued after warranty to take it to the dealership.
For me its the 05-06 and -08 on the gen 1 convertible.
I would get all the records first and you can find more dealership info on the car calling them with the vin, they will just tell you what has been done in the past before warranty and if the customer continued after warranty to take it to the dealership.
I called the dealer the other day and the on my aging it shows for that car was that is was in for warranty work on the 02 sensor back on 07. So I'm guessing whatever has been done was done at the dealer. The guy that has it bow doesn't have any paperwork for the car since he is the third owner.
Ok, so you got back to at least that time frame. Now try to fill in the gap by having an inspection and getting it up on a rack. Looks for parts that look newer then the rest of the car, and also look for the stickers on them. Sometimes the stickers have dates on them. Good luck.
No service records and an owner that doesn't know much/anything about the car? Assume EVERYTHING needs to be replaced because it probably does.
Do a compression check. Look at the plugs. Get a borescope to look at the pistons. Ask about his fuel economy. Look at the harmonic balancer. Look at the coolant reservoir/expansion tank. Look for rust (hint - both my front and rear sway bars had severe rust corrosion, rear just straight up rusted in half). Get a PPI.
No service records and an owner that doesn't know much/anything about the car? Assume EVERYTHING needs to be replaced because it probably does.
Do a compression check. Look at the plugs. Get a borescope to look at the pistons. Ask about his fuel economy. Look at the harmonic balancer. Look at the coolant reservoir/expansion tank. Look for rust (hint - both my front and rear sway bars had severe rust corrosion, rear just straight up rusted in half). Get a PPI.
everything u mentioned is on my list of things I'm doing to the car when I look at it! I'm not spending money until I have a good understanding of the car. Not taking any chances.
As improvements were made in 05 / 06, it seemed to me other parts were made cheaper to compensate for those costs, seats specifically, tail lights and headlights.
05/06 also have/had seat pad issues sometimes costing $1000's if not covered.
05/06 came out with hydraulic engine mounts which fail often.
05/06's also have/had chronic catalytic converter O2 sensor issues not present with pre-facelift models.
05/06 has lower gearing for quicker take offs.
05/06 all S models came through with updated harmonic balancer ( but by now most folks have already replaced it with face lift one ? )
05/06 all S models came through with a coating on the supercharger splines gaining 0.5 lbs of boost due being more efficient. But, it could be said the face lift supercharger may not be as rugged. I replaced mine with a brand new "take off" 06' supercharger purchased from a MINI race shop in CT. When the end plates on my 03' with 90K miles were removed and plenums examined, there was a ton of oil there still.....and to me, seems like I sold / seen more issues with superchargers for 05/06's than the previous years.....
05-06
PS- not flogging it does make a difference.
