2001-06 Mini Cooper review - is it worth the oil leaks? (R50)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2020
- A review of the first generation "new" Mini Cooper code named the R50 which was built between 2001 and 2006. What's it like to drive and is it worth the oil leaks that are normally associated with this Tritec 1.6 litre engine.
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Absolute bang on abt the cooper having the right power. I went from a r50 to an r53 thinking it would be more enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong the r53 was an absolute rocket but it was simply too fast to enjoy on the road within the speed limit. Plus as I found out, a 20yo performance car costs an arm and leg to maintain (2k in repairs over 1.5years ☠️). Superchargers sound incredible, but the throttle response on a NA is unmatched
ah thats nice to here. Maybe I'll stick to my r50!
Recently got my R50 having coolant leaks / overheating-oil leaks -EML ( 02 sensor ) need all around brakes done.. don’t know weither to keep or scrap the cun’t🤷🏾♂️
Bought one of these myself:
2006 Cooper. Pretty much identical to what you're driving here spec wise. 91k miles, new clutch at 80k miles and full service history.
In the first 3 months:
- Tracking went out quite badly. Common in these cars as the suspension is stiff and the large wheels means that the tyres don't take a lot of the impact. So go over a nasty pothole or heaven forbid kerb it (if you're a new driver like me), expect to pay around £50-£75 for a full allignment (Any more and you're being scammed.)
- Lambda sensor failed. Roughly £100 for a NGK replacement fitted. Likely more elsewhere as my mechanic is quite inexpensive.
- Classic R50 oil leak, unsure where as I haven't had it looked at yet. But it's most likely an oil seal which is the most common cause on these, probably another £100-£150 to get fixed.
Overall, I'm about £1600 in, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my mini. But take this as a warning if you buy them. they can get expensive quick. Always look at it (either yourself or take someone who knows what they're talking about with you) and look after it. It'll treat you right.
I'm happy to hear you're enjoying your car.
Ugh this is so painful to read, all I see about mini’s are that there’s always something wrong with them. They are constantly in the garage and it hurts my soul. My mum bough a 2015 countryman and it’s been amazing. I absolutely love it and it’s made me fall in love with minis. I started learning in it when I turned 17 and I’m eyeing up a Mini Cooper, so something smaller and cheaper essentially. I have £4000 in my bank atm and I’m willing to spend no more than £3250! I’m just very stuck on the age group and model to go for. I cant afford anything like the facelifted 2015+ and tbf I don’t like the re-design that much. I really like the 2010 but I can like them all I want… it’s just that is it going to be a hassel free car to have… It’s so stressful!!! I don’t mind spending money to fix things here and there because it is a car at the end of the day🤣🤣
My 2003 MINI Cooper has 15 inch wheels and plenty of air between the tires and the wheels. Also, I have never had an oil leak, and the Midland 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly and quietly. Just lucky I guess? Great little car.........
Informative video thank you. Came here hoping for information on common faults and you covered it well!
I have an 04' Cooper S pre facelift, which actually has some face lift parts as its the end of the pre facelift production. As far as interior extras it does have cruise control and multi function steering buttons, automatic climate control and some optional jcw carbon bits. Nice video!
Thank you.
I've a 2006 R50 mini Park Lane and it's got cruise control. Loved the vlog and thanks for sharing buddy!
Best series of videos, never knew I'd be so interested in knowing about cars lol
Thank you.
I'm addicted to your videos now hahaha. lovely review mate.
Thank you :)
@@ConquerDriving you're welcome.
I love this review mate, no bullshit and straight to the point. Honest and genuine. Nice one. Well done
Cheeky sod, I am 41 and just bought a Cooper S R53 and love it. Admittedly she is now in a garage due to coolant leak and oil leak. Plus my steering pump also needs fixing because leak 😂😂. Love the car regardless.
I guess it also depends how many miles you do, the ride on those big wheels was quite harsh.
@@ConquerDriving The ride is definitely not smooth but I don’t mind it too much, the supercharger noise helps take the edge off I guess. I plan to install coil overs to sharpen the ride and handling at some point.
I’m 72 and on my second one! Traded in my Jaguar for something fun to drive. Yes it’s noisy, but I’m running on 15 inch tyres and it’s a lot better ride than the 17’s. The real beauty is it’s so customisable, if you can imagine it, then somebody probably makes it.
Great video, some of them actually were fitted with cruise control in this era
You should do a Golf volkswagen review I really want to see that. Your videos and reviews are top tier btw!
Hi dude, I can confirm that a cooper from 2004 can have cruise control - I have one myself. BTW very balanced review. Thumbs up.
Thank you.
It's on my 2003, it was an option.....
I have r50 mini cooper 53 plate, my first car. I've had it for a month now and love it!
They do fit cruise control to the r50 mini my 2003 r50 cooper built Jan 03 has cruise control with buttons on the steering wheel to activate/deactivate, raise/lower speed
Thank you.
I have an amazing 2002 yellow Mini Cooper with black as the secondary colour. And 9:18 my clock is just above the interior mirror!!! :D
Great video!!
I also have a R50 and it has cruise control and heated seats and I found the road noise quiet compared to cars from its years
I really love the steering feeling in mini cars. I driving actually my mini r56 cooper d 112hp 2007 model. When people say is feels as gokart, it's because the steering is responsive as gokart. Like it goes right where you want to go with not any delays or hesitation. feels like the car is really light weight and it's because the drive trains is right in the corners on the car. All the way forward and all way back.
I know what you're saying, but the steering feel and the way the car pivots around is very different to a go kart. A mini with wheels at all four corners handles like a mini, in the same way the original Ford Ka handles like ale mini.
@@ConquerDriving I was meaning only in the steering feeling. Because the weight and the front engine fwd , it's not handling like a gokart and not feels like too. I think that " goes like as gokart" it's meaning the steering feeling. Also, ford Ka and Citroen c2 drives similar as mini. Citroen it's more slow in response in the steering wheel.😂
Yes, definitely cruise control was an option (my 2002 Mini Cooper has it). You say there is no clock. It should have one on the roof just above the mirror. However, great review and I agree the Cooper is the best! The power just seems in keeping with the car. My partner has a later Mini Cooper S but I prefer the plain Cooper. Reminds me of my first car which was a 1962 Mini. You are absolutely right as regards value for money. Mine was £2000 plus a few hundred for post-purchase service and fixes but 7000 miles later nothing has failed. A new electric Mini is £28,500-plus. Is it 14 times better than my Cooper? No way!
I ordered my 2003 R50 with cruise control. Also, chrome bumpers, a sunroof, fog lights and 16" run flat tires. Got a spare tire even with the run flats.......Only real problem so far is I had to get the fuel pump replaced. The car still has less than 20,000 miles.........My original wheels and tires were stolen and I put 15 inch Konig wheels on it, which look a lot like the aftermarket wheels often used on the orignal MINI's.
the clock near the mirror i think is just on cooper s models, but might just be top spec. he does say he found the clock in text on screen after making the video, it took me a while to find it too being the chrono pack, but its on the speedometer. not being rude, but both your comments about the clock were a bit stupid because not only is there text on the screen about him finding it, but also you can just look and see there isnt one near the mirror, use your eyes before commenting.
@@WhinedUp2004 My 2003 Cooper R50 came with a clock near the mirror.....
You do a great job mate.
I may be buying my first car this Saturday from Londonish area. It's a Mini Cooper 2005 1.6 - great on insurance for my age at 21... It's £173 a month with £22 tax a month. I know people hate the mini for the fact that they have a lot of issues but when I sat in a mini from 2007 (so slightly different of course) I fell in love and knew I wanted a mini as a first time car. It's got a whole years MOT... only thing we're worried about and will have a look at is it's the first time on this MOT it's mentioned anything about underside corrosion. If it's surface rust, it's fixable to an extent with continuous maintenance - sand it back, use some rust stuff (boyfriend knows how to fix and repair car parts so he'll know more than me), undercoat it and keep an eye on it. The other two things it has is worn/pitted break pads but we can fix them for £40. £17 for the front and £23ish for the rear. We can jack the jar, take the wheels off ourself and do it at home as we have all the tools. But if needs be we do have someone who works at the garage so can help us with that for less money. The mini I'm possibly getting does have dirty rear seats as well, not that I'd actually have anyone in the back - I'd most likely keep the seats down all the time but we do have a close friend that does car valeting so can use a wet-dry washer for free which is nice!
If you get it, I hope you enjoy it.
I have just bought a 2001 Model, my 5th Mini. Love these cars (but only 1st Gens)
You are 32 and passed having this as a daily....oops. I a 43 and have one. Not sure what that says about me
You remind me of Jonny Lee Miller for some reason. Good video!
I just googled him, I'm struggling to see a resemblance. I'm glad you liked the videos :)
Thanks for the video mate.
Very useful.
From Kentucky USA: My R50 from 03 has cruise control. But sadly it has the rover gearbox. So I’m going to now have to change that up. But I love my mini like nothing else
Hi, maybe keep the Rover box until it goes wrong?
@@ConquerDriving My 2003 5-speed R50 has a Midland transmission. Shifts very smoothly and no problems....
Love this series of videos :D
Thank you.
The oil leaks aren’t even that bad, at least on my own 2004 facelift R50. It’s like any car if you look after it and maintain it you won’t have these problems
Very nice review. Keep it up....
I love the idea of a 'communicative' bite point
Haha, yes it talks to you!
Yep oil leaks are an issue, also the clutch is a huge job to change so make sure its good.
Clutch is about as bad as anything compact and fwd.
The oil leaks on these usually aren't anything more than the rocker cover gasket and some oil loss from the driveshaf6 seals on high milers.
Hardly catastrophic.
Cracking design that looks better every time they issue a new model
Another great review Richard! Do you buy and sell cars?
Thank you, yes I have a small business.
@@ConquerDriving Nice, I really like these types of reviews, so please keep them coming.
Hi Richard, my favourite car is The Mini but unfortunately I can't afford a new one in India, and an old one would be more headache as they have no service center perhaps to my nearest place. However I love it. Very expensive here. You can convert your 2000 British Pounds to INR for a 2001 car in 2020 easily.
They're very cheap now in England. Mostly because of their poor reputation.
Great video thank you. I'm 39 and only just passed my test last week (lived in central London all my life so never thought it was viable enough to drive) and have had my eye on these minis for a long time. I think it might be worth paying that bit extra and buying a third generation mini, so one from 2012 onwards? I've heard they have far less issues...?
I don't kmow much about the second generation.
This car has the twin dial option that most R50's don't come with as standard.
That's right. I did notice it's quite rare.
Nice work... Keep going 👍
I am looking into buying a mini one but you just pointed out a few things for me like pricing I noticed the car I wanted was quoted as 3,600 GBP yet you stated you got yours for 1500 plus 500 so about 2k, so guess I will have to shop around, great video anyhow was looking also to find one with cruise control and hopefully fit a sat nav and a phone USB socket for my note 10+
You can get older examples with higher mileages for less than £1500.
@@ConquerDriving thats what i throught i looked up before on autotrader and found a more beautiful 2012 convertabile mini one for 2,200 much better price to the 2010 mini i spoke about before thanks for reply
Thanks for sharing it
Love your personality mate
Thank you ☺
I have an 04’ One pre facelift, and it’s fitted with cruise control. But, the cruise control only works in 3rd or 4th gear….
I repair these minis on the side this summer i will of completed a early example of of a mini r50 it is a September 2001 my parklane has all the options including sunroof cruise control cronos pack same as this car clock is on the right dial if it is a pre face-lift it will be on the roof 😉
I've got an 06 mini one convertible and I have to agree if you have no music on you can hear every single sound from road bumps to creaks from the car.
Is this car a good car for someone who just passed their test? I had a try in my friends Mini Cooper 2004 and couldn’t get the biting point worked out coz of the heavy clutch
It comes down to the individual, but they're old now and not that reliable so I would be careful.
How do you switch those extra lights that are by the grill, on? Where is the switch?
I loved the video however there is one thing I have to disagree with you on--I have an 06 Cooper and granted I'm in the states so the seats may be different however I'm about 250 lbs (113 kilos) 6 foot 3 inches (1.9 meters) and I fit the seats very well. Its a great car; driving is super fun and much better than the Volvo XC70 I was daily driving before it
They don't leak if you maintain them properly. My engine is completely dry and the car has 150K miles on it.
My instructor is not very good at explaining. I wish I had someone like you, the process would have been much better to understand.
Thank you :)
Good vid but the whole point of the positive displacement supercharger is that the throttle response is instant the cooper s (R56) would be a good choice if you could afford it and if you like the r50 but want something a bit quicker complete agree with the choice of generation :)
The supercharged mini I drove didn't impress me.
Conquer Driving fair enough for everyday driving R50 for fuel economy etc but I just love the sound of the supercharger and the extra power but great video really giving the R50 it’s praises great cars for the times
@@ConquerDriving Really? A sorted Supercharged Cooper S is fantastic. No lag like a turbo car and the noise is addictive. If the car you reviewed was on run-flat tyres that can add to the road noise. My R53 Cooper S on non run-flats is OK on a long journey.
If you do the work on your car yourself these Gen1 Mini's are a good bet, once you start paying someone to work on them they become very expensive very quickly. Taking the front off - Front Service mode - is easy enough to do.
at 7:25 you said this is a mid 2006 Mini. But at the beginning of the video you said it's a 2001. So which one is it now?
2001 is the model - the year when the particular car was released. 2006 is when this car was first registered.
It's a 2006 not a 2001.
2001 isn't a model.
i have an r50 2005
facelift like yours and have cruise control
Thanks for letting me know.
This is my first car
Nice!
Mine is 2005 and it does have a cruise control but it does not have a rain sensor and i dont know wich gen is im so confused with the generation of my mini i just bought it and dont know any thing about it but i love the car it rides nice and strong could you give me a hint of what gen is mine is it r50 2 gen or first gen damn i dont k ow nothing
The R50 is the first generation of BMW mini. But 2005 is a late model, they released the second generation in 2006. The 2005 model is better than the earlier first generation as they had fixed something of the issues by 2005.
@@ConquerDriving i thank you for the response now i know what to look for in case i need to fix anything in my mini ,once again thanks for taking your time to answer my questions best of luck..👍
My 2005 Mini's Getrag Gs5 is currently in bits in the garage after it ate its bearings and reverse gear idler. Give the Midlands box any day
The 5 speed Midands transmission on my R50 shifts very smoothly. i like it a lot....
really your vedios are useful
:)
have a 2006, owned for 10 year. no noticeable leaks
I just put down money on an 03 with 131,000 miles. 800$ and a coolent leak so rolling the dice
My girlfriend is learning to drive currently, and I am bloody tempted to get her one of these or even a One. But the reliability and maintenance foibles are off putting, the tritec engine is strong but everything else is abit flaky. I'm already trying to run my 2006 320d on a shoestring budget. So it looks like a C1 or 107 is more realistic.
Yeah, the mini is a bad idea if you don't want to spend money on it.
Mini has more grip, power and better brakes than most small cars by a long way. Wheel size is important 16 are the best. This car must have seized brakes if they don't work.
Agreed. Or really old fluid. A full fluid refresh and decent pads see these hauling up sharply.
Pre facelift Cooper S has the good gearbox to.
It’s looks still look modern
I agree.
How many miles on your car?
I don't remember, I sold this one a while ago.
Do you think the rover transmission is bad enough to not buy an otherwise good car
I don't think so.
Considering a 2003 as a project, it's done 100k so the transmission is definitely nearing its lifes end.
My 2003 R50 has a Midland 5-speed manual transmission and it shifts quietly and smoothly..........
I'm new here,
Are you a driving instructor or a trader?
I'm both. I think I'm also a TH-cam video creator now. I'm busy 😂
@@ConquerDriving interesting I'm a trader also been trading 6 years.
But yeah
Nice👍🏼
👍
Mini Cooper was my dream car, before I got my current one (Kia)
How come you changed?
@@Eliza_daniel1 Reality struck ))
@@grethen123 in what way? Because I’m in two minds about going for a mini or something else, the coopers that are actually affordable everyone has had problems… I do like the kias and are considering one along side a mazda or polo
@@Eliza_daniel1 the ones I could afford (second hand) had problematic engine, and the kia was new, so good at least for 3-5 years. Love it now
Audi a2 as a small premium car of the same era?
They have a very good reputation. Good point! A rare car though.
Mine has cruise control 05 mini cooper
I'm 5 seconds in, and that is not a 2001 cooper. That's a 2005, and it's the facelift one. The back lights, chrome trim in the bumpers, and it has the 2003 cabriolet (bullet) 17" wheels on it..
I look forward to the rest of the video ..
And now I'm 17 seconds in. The 3 spoke steering wheel, that awful Swiss watch ugly thing where the Speedo should be, but now it's up against the tacho.. ugh...
Mine is 20 years old, mine from new. Never had an oil leak.. (@2:55)
As for the noise (10:50) that's because you are on 17" rims and runflats.. swap out to the 15" pepperpot or 16" wheels with non runflats and it will be much quieter... And they didn't do cruise control for any r50 that I know of
I have misled many people with this, I mean it's the model that started in 2001 ie the shape of the car. Some models were fitted with cruise control as I have now found out and yes the big wheels made the ride very bad. I don't remember my friend's Cooper having a ride this bad but that was 13 ish years ago.
@@ConquerDriving If people are still confused by that why not just refer to them as 1st Gen minis? Alot better
How tall are you ?
178cm.
Conquer Driving u look much taller in this car
@@ConquerDriving what's that in normal terms 5ft what
Learning to drive in a very similar car. The seats are the worst part of the interior!
Agreed!
@@ConquerDriving
Can't agree. They're really quite good.
MPG? No, Gallons of oil to mile:) Tried to buy one but put off by the famed oil leaks.
The 'famed' oil leaks usually equate to a leaking rocker gasket.
Hey Richard, can I invite you to Cyprus so you can give me some lessons and help me buy a car? I’ve learned a lot with your videos, keep up the good work. :)
Thank you for the invite :) A bit far for me to go with my schedule though. I'm actually in Cyprus in August for a Wedding.
That’s quite obviously a post facelift 2006 model and not a 2001 as stated 🤦🏻♂️
I've not said it's a 2001 model. I'm saying this shape of mini was released in 2001, maybe I'm wasn't clear enough.
I disagree, the interior panels are some of the cheapest, flimsy, junk I have ever felt. Does look nice though.
i dont think this is a 2001 mini , its a 2006 mini cooper
Released in 2001.
A 2006 Mini was released in 2006, right? Or am I going mad?
FYI This was registered in June 2006
That was when that individual car was built. They don't release new cars every year, normally they have a 6 year shelf life but that can vary wildly.
@@ConquerDriving Sorry, was confused as the other person when you said 2001 car but plate said 2006 lol.
It’s Handles excellent it hugs every curb it’s pretty peppy not that year I’ve never driven one I don’t care I like minis although I only like the two door hatchback
my 2002 USA Mini R50 has cruise control, CVT auto...and climate control..and...sun roof leaks..
Maybe you should get a passenger to hold an umbrella over you when you drive in the rain? 😉
Why do you have to be a certain age to drive a certain car? I once saw a white haired old couple in shades driving a Smart ForTwo both grinning from ear to ear. Hope I'm like them at their age.
Because as you get older and experience more luxurious and comfy cars it's hard to go back.
Have a dislike of these Richard as a motor trader it’s a risk to far. Who wants consumer comeback law selling old British loveable but flawed mechanically car
They are high risk. But most old cars are. This was a part ex, I normally go for cars under 10 years old.
Conquer Driving Richard. Richard. You’re a car trader when not an ADi. I’m a car dealer of 15 years learning to be an ADi. Are low risk motors 15 years old under 80,000 one owner VW group 1.9 TDis running quiet
I had the old mini 6 of then never liked the bmw model then my mates daughter got a mini one r53 got a shot of it what fun just like old one want an r5o cooper now 😊
I also have a R50 and it has cruise control and heated seats and I found the road noise quiet compared to cars from its years
Depends what you're used to I guess. I'm sure a Fiesta and Corsa are quieter.