2001-06 Mini Cooper review - is it worth the oil leaks? (R50)

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.

[mlglegobloxer]

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

[lolerzzz]

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.

[isaacburlo]

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!

[Rawkustvplus]

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.

[BigArch]

I've a 2006 R50 mini Park Lane and it's got cruise control. Loved the vlog and thanks for sharing buddy!

[Life.at.no.]

I have r50 mini cooper 53 plate, my first car. I've had it for a month now and love it!

[bbequestrian]

I love this review mate, no bullshit and straight to the point. Honest and genuine. Nice one. Well done

[danielcarvajalblanco]

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.

[chroniclepro]

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

[Grahame]

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!

[robertstancliffsr]

My 2003 R50 Cooper has exactly no oil leaks. Also, no problems with the Midland 5-speed. My dealer did replace the power steering motor, and my local mechanic replaced the fuel pump.. Also, the central lock system gave me problems until I has the "brain", located in the drivers door, replaced. Still, very much of a fun car and I still get a lot of good comments from people. For 21 years old, the number of problems are

[texasred]

Informative video thank you. Came here hoping for information on common faults and you covered it well!

[laelsroom]

Great video, some of them actually were fitted with cruise control in this era

[jacobvallance]

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

[lukasjandik]

Hi dude, I can confirm that a cooper from 2004 can have cruise control - I have one myself. BTW very balanced review. Thumbs up.

[imogenlaci-mai]

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!

[tomloweshow]

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

[thewardejitzzz]

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!!

[alaeddine]

I'm addicted to your videos now hahaha. lovely review mate.

[AndrewSmith]

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