Buying A Used Mini (2001-)
What to Look For When Searching For A Secondhand Mini Cooper Car
Sep 15, 2009
Sacrilege or saviour for the British car industry? When BMW first announced it was going to re-imagine the Mini, as VW had tried (and largely failed) to do with the Beetle, many car enthusiasts were sceptical about the end result. But at launch in 2001 it was clear that BMW had triumphed. Although larger than Sir Alec Issigonis's icon, the new Mini was just as much fun to drive, had a better boot and had styling to die for.
Mini One and Cooper
From launch the Mini was available as the One and the Cooper in three-door hatchback guise. The One was powered by a 1.6-litre 89bhp petrol engine with a chain-driven cam, while the Cooper's tuned 1.6 produced 115bhp.
The Cooper S was launched in 2002 and was distinguished from the Cooper by having a bonnet vent and two central exhaust pipes - it was powered by the same 1.6 engine but this time it was supercharged to produce 163bhp. There have been several even more powerful versions of the Cooper S, the most popular being the John Cooper Works with 210bhp.
A 1.4 diesel unit was introduced in 2003 – a Toyota unit from the Yaris, producing 75bhp initially and 88bhp following a mild facelift in 2004.
Mini Convertible
The Convertible was launched in 2004 and used all of the engines listed above except the diesel. It gets an electric-folding canvas roof and more strut work to keep the body stiff and reduce scuttle shake, which essentially means that it's heavier than the hatchback and therefore slightly slower and heavier on fuel; the base 89bhp 1.6 struggles at highway speeds.
Mini Spec and Equipment
Choosing which engine to go for is relatively easy - it's the confusing trim levels that take time to work out.
Three options packs were available from launch: Salt, Pepper and Chili. Each comprised a selection of equipment, although some add-ons could be specified seperately.
Mini Salt Trim
The Salt pack consisted of:
- Floor mats
- Front fog lamps
- Interior light pack
- On-board computer
- Passenger seat height adjustment
- Rev counter
- Silver interior trim
- Storage compartment pack
Mini Pepper Trim
Pepper consisted of:
- 15in alloy wheels
- Chrome exterior highlights
- Floor mats
- Front fog lamps
- Interior light pack
- On-board computer
- Passenger seat height adjustment
- Rev counter
- Silver interior trim
- Sports steering wheel
- Storage compartment pack
Mini Chili Trim
Chili consisted of:
- 16in alloy wheels
- Chrome exterior highlights
- Cloth/leather interior trim
- Floor mats
- Front fog lamps
- Interior light pack
- On-board computer
- Passenger seat height adjustment
- Rear spoiler
- Silver interior trim
- Sports leather steering wheel
- Sports seats
- Sports suspension
- Storage compartment pack
Air conditioning wasn't fitted as standard on any version of the pre-facelift Mini and had to be added as an option; climate control wasn't optional.
Mini Gearboxes
The Mini One and Cooper petrol models were available with either a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic. The Diesel and Cooper S got a six-speed manual and the latter also had the option of a conventional automatic with paddleshifts on the steering wheel.
Mini Mk2
Although at first glance a facelift, the 2007 Mk2 is in fact an all-new model with new engines, specifically a 1.4 petrol (One) with 94bhp, a 1.6 (Cooper) with 118bhp, a turbocharged 1.6 petrol (Cooper S) with 172bhp or 208bhp (John Cooper Works) and a 1.6 diesel with 108bhp. Performance was marginally better across the board but it was economy and emissions that were most improved. A six-speed Getrag manual was standard on all models.
The Mini Clubman was also launched in 2007 and uses all of the new engines mentioned above. The Clubman is an 'estate' version, with two rear split rear doors, two doors on the right-hand side of the body and one on the left. The exterior styling is arguably not as successful.
What to Watch Out For
- Large alloys can seriously mar the ride.
- Cooper S runs on runflat tyres (no spare wheel), which provide a very firm ride.
- Check the underside for exhaust/catalyst damage.
- All Mk1 models have 'whiney' power steering but extra noise could indicate a failing pump.
- Original engines aren't bad but Mk2 units are smoother and more economical.
- Mk2 had quieter electric power steering.
- A rattling petrol engine could be a sign that the cam chain needs attention.
- Latest Cooper S JCW suffers from torque steer.
Mini Engines and Dimensions
The following list shows the engines' performance and dimensions, as quoted by Mini:
Mk1 Mini
- 1.6 petrol (One) - 89bhp, 0-62mph 10.9sec, top speed 112mph, 43.5mpg, 158g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper) - 115bhp, 0-62mph 9.2sec, top speed 124mph, 42.2mpg, 163g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper S) - 163bhp, 0-62mph 7.4sec, top speed 135mph, 33.6mpg, 202g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper S JCW) - 210bhp, 0-62mph 6.6sec, top speed 143mph, 32.8mpg, 207g/km CO2
- 1.4 diesel - 75bhp, 0-62mph 13.8sec, top speed 103mph, 58.9mpg, 129g/km CO2
- 1.4 diesel (post 2004) - 88bhp, 0-62mph 11.9sec, top speed 112mph, 58.9mpg, 129g/km CO2
Mk2 Mini
- 1.4 petrol (One) - 94bhp, 0-62mph 10.9sec, top speed 115mph, 49.6mpg, 138g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper) - 118bhp, 0-62mph 9.1sec, top speed 126mph, 48.7mpg, 139g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper S) - 172bhp, 0-62mph 7.1sec, top speed 140mph, 40.9mpg, 164g/km CO2
- 1.6 petrol (Cooper S JCW) - 208bhp, 0-62mph 6.5sec, top speed 148mph, 40.9mpg, 165g/km CO2
- 1.6 diesel - 108bhp, 0-62mph 9.9sec, top speed 121mph, 72.4mpg, 104g/km CO2
- Length 3635mm (Clubman 3937mm)
- Width 1925mm
- Hatchback boot space (seats up/down) 150/670 litres
- Estate boot space (seats up/down) 260/930 litres
Massive demand for secondhand Minis means they have incredibly strong residual values, so finding a bargain can be difficult. Mini dealers are a good place to start, although haggling may prove fruitless. Instead, try online sites such as Auto Trader and Cars.com. Ensure that the service book has all the correct stamps (nearly new cars may still have some of the optional TLC servicing remaining - this is transferred with the car). Other rivals in this sector include the Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and the Volkswagen Polo.
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