it thought it would be fun to start this thread, please use this format to keep it consistence.

Car: 2006 R50, Pepper White, 5 speed, moonroof

Likes:
1. the way it naturally let air in with fan at "0"
2. its quiet for a 2500 lbs car.
3. so easily get good shift everytime! saves clutch over time.

Dislikes:
1. the 2 stage rear hatch lock
2. lack of places for phones/ small items.
3. wish didn't have a moon roof for weight saving.

 

Car: 2003 R53, Liquid Yellow/White, 6 speed manual, moonroof

Likes:
1: The handling (steering and suspension is IMMEDIATELY responsive).
2: Torque of the little 1.6L engine
3: Supercharger whine

Dislikes:
1: Running the A/C has a drastic cost of engine performance.
2: Sometimes, the extremely firm ride of the sport suspension gets tiresome.
3. Windshield seems to crack easily.

 

Car: 2004 R50 Chili Red, 5 speed manual

Likes:
1) It’s a kick to drive, handles like a go kart and easy to park,
2) Convinced my daughter to learn to drive a manual trans car and work on it herself (with me coaching) because she wanted a Mini THAT BAD,
3) Great gas mileage, and the stock radio is pretty too.

Dislikes:
1) Being the 4th or 5th owner, or something like that. Car was abused by previous owners that didn’t do maintenance and/or took it to hack mechanics that did whatever was most expedient to “repair” it.
2) See #1 above!
3) The Midlands 5 speed transaxle, it’s making noise. Previous owner only had it a matter of a few months, and had a new clutch put in it (see gripe #1 above!).
The mechanic told her - and she told me - the noise was normal and the clutch would wear in.

Planning the trans R & R now, will get the kit from MiniMania and start on it this spring.

 

2003 Cooper S R53, Pure Silver Metallic 6 speed, just 2 month in.

likes;
Torque coming from that 4 cylinder
Supercharger noise, can't never get enough of it!
cornering (but im upgrading suspension)

Dislikes;
Glove box latching failure
Seats, i think they should be more supportive on the S version
Cup holders and inside functions for basic daily personal items, but then again the car is 16 years old, different use then...

 

I don't have an R50/R53, but I'm getting in here anyhow.

Car: 2005 R52S, Cool Blue Metallic, 6 speed, convertible

Likes:
1. how it drives
2. how good it looks for a 14 year old car
3. infinite headroom

Dislikes:
1. the unused seatbelt latches go thunk-thunk-thunk against the hard plastic sides when I drive with the top down
2. lack of trunk space
3. I worry that something expensive will go wrong

 

Car: 2006 R53, Cooper S, Auto, hardtop

Likes:
1. flat ride/handling
2. acceleration
3. great useable space/carrying options for such a small car

Dislikes:
1. CVT tranny that frequently misses the upshift and just freewheels
2. Oil Leaks
3. Coolant tank leaks

 

Car: 2003 R53, Cooper S, 6 speed, Hardtop

Likes:
1. Go-Cart handling/steering to weave in/out of traffic
2. MPG for a 16 year old car/ great daily driver
3. Relatively inexpensive to purchase with 94k miles (under $5k)

Dislikes:
1. Upper level maintenance expense (clutch replacement/SC service)
2. Cup Holders just plain suck
3. Expense to add components to increase HP!

 

Can't count to 3

Like:
everything

Dislike:
nothing

 

+1👍🏼

 

omg the thunk thunk thunk sound, i think i have 1 or 2 of that. i have to let someone drive my and be in the back to see where these sounds are coming from.

 

+1

 

Have you both tried plugging in all the unused belts? That's definitely what was making most of the noise in mine.

 

I will try this and get back 🙏

 

YUP I clip in my rear belts.

and also do this with paper clips so they dont hang anymore. those ***** move side to side and hit the plastic.

 

OK, I will play....I actually have 2 MINI's....

1st car: '04 R53 S, Dark Silver with matching roof, 6spd, moon roof, no stripes

Likes:
1) Easy to drive and park
2) Excellent fuel economy even with engine mods
3) Very comfortable to drive and sit in for long trips

Dislikes:
1) Lack of spare tire from the factory
2) cup holders are too small, useless for anything except spare change
3) Repair and ,maintenance parts are a little over priced...(my opinion)


2nd car: '06 R52 JCW, Astro Black Metallic, 6spd, white hood stripes, fully loaded with most every option

Likes:
1) Good looking little car for a convertible
2) Again, easy to drive and park like my R53
3) Car has most every option offered, still figuring everything out

Dislikes:
1) Lack of visibility when backing up with the top up
2) Lack of trunk space
3) Kind of a harsh ride at times, but it's a factory JCW, so I understand

A few more dislikes for both my cars:

Cig lighter outlet right in the middle of the cubby storage tray under the heater controls, hard to put anything in there with a power accessory plugged in.
Heated outside rear view mirrors should operate with rear window defogger, not being on "ALL THE TIME" when key is on...puts extra load on alternator and battery
Lack of accurate engine monitoring gauges to keep track of engine vitals.
Various squeaks and rattles in my R53, but it's an older car.
I really hate the two little horn buttons on my '04 R53....trying to find them when needed is not safe to me

I can go on, but I won't

Bryan

 

Try this link to the old Car Talk website. It will give you some ideas on how to improve visibility astern.
Having a well greased swivel under you head is a must with these li'l guys top up.
https://www.cartalk.com/content/avoiding-blind-spot-1

 

do you find rear parking sensor to be helpful?

i have these sensors on my e46 wagon (my 2nd car), and damn i miss it, wish my mini have them, i practically don't even look behind when parallel or backing into the garage.

 

Yes, somewhat in putting the car in the garage... but the sensors really don't help with backing out of parking spots at stores and restaurants

Bryan

 

Car: 2004 Mini Cooper S. Yellow, Black stripes. 6 speed manual. Supercharged.

Likes:
1. Easy to modify. I changed my exhaust, coilovers, intake, and pulley.
2. All the cool sound. Supercharger sound, powersteering sound, and the exhaust burble.
3. The clutch and shift **** is just PERFECT. Perfect catching point on the clutch, and perfect shift **** position. Always fun to drive!

Dislike:
1. My Mini comes with a navigation system.. SOOO OUTDATED! I use my phone and google maps instead because it's more easier.
2. Lots of maintenance, but I do them myself. It's stress, but I also do have fun doing it.. My recent fix was, new hub, driveshaft, exhaust leak, coolant tank, powersteering leak, many more. I spent more money on maintenance than mods!
3. There's like a small rattle sound in my clutch system.. It's most likely that dual mast flywheel. Hopefully not the throw-out bearing. I'm crossing my fingers everyday that my car keeps on running and don't break down in the middle of nowhere.

 

to my knowledge of throw out bearing, TOB makes a pretty good audible sound, and it goes away when you press in the clutch. and the rattle sound comes back when clutch is not pressed. if you dont have this situation, your TOB is still good.

 

2003 JCW R53 Mini S




Likes:
1. How quick the steering ratio is
2. Gets 28+ MPG on the highway....which is where I do 95% of my driving.
3. Has enough power to be fun as hell and a blast to drive

Dislikes:
1. Looses a bunch of power at low rpm's with the AC on
2. Makes a whining noise with the AC on
3. Does the random "rough idle" thing every once in a while...and nobody knows why

 

2003 R53 6spd

Like:

1. I fit. (6'6", 275#)
2. driving it like I stole it
3. its styling has aged well

Dislike:

1. driving it like a responsible citizen
2. rear window wiper, or lack thereof
3. wheel lug bolts

 

2006 R53 6Spd, slightly modded

Like:
1. Entering a corner, the rear end steps out JUST a little, which is terrifying and hilariously good fun
2. Farts/crackles on decel. Such a cunty thing, but it brings a smile to my face
3. Supercharger whine!

Dislikes:
1. Drive-by-wire throttle sucks so much.
2. Cupholders were designed and placed by a zebra.
3. The mid year change for wheel bearings for 2006. Early 2006 used 12mm wheel bolts, later used 14mm... irritating.

 

2006 JCW R53

Like:
1. Supercharger whine
2. Turning
3. Easy parking

Dislike:
1. Transmission - not smooth changing gears, but could be age/mileage
2. Wish it had front brake ducts for cooling
3. OEM pedal configuration not good for heel-toe

 

If yours is a late '06....just order a hub & bearing assembly for a 2007 car....it's what I had to do to mine when I needed a new hub for my '06 R52 JCW earlier this summer

Bryan