Driving a R50 in 2020. Its a castastrophe, and love it.

The R50 is a thing of beauty.

My 2003 R50 is going to hit 180,000 miles soon. I had to replace the thermostat and the clutch about 2 years ago but other than that I have had no issues with it

Very helpful thank you, i have bought a 2006 Park lane not without problems i have put a clutch in last week, have the head skimmed and pressure tested today, have new bushes for the front suspension, the low speed fan does not work so i have a new resistor to fit, front brake discs and pads are shot but i love the car and i will continue until the work is done, great channel, Kind Regards Mark..

Very helpful.Thanks!

Hi! I’m from Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean zone. I got a 2005 manual transmission Mini and still I have it. The issues I got were just two: after six years an awful noise came from the transmission (it was the differential) It was workout by a mechanic but a year after I had to replace the full transmission. Now, the new one fail almost after two years (it doesn’t get third gear) and, after change it again (it was in guarantee…😅) it has no other issues with it. Second issue was block (too much oil leakage) I replace it and, it decreases a lot but still some likage occurs. I can live with it!!! Love this car!!!😂

Great videos , thanks for your all your tips

Got yourself a new subscriber Cheers man

Nice video. Quite a bit of information.

on my way to buy r52 Mini and watching your suggestions, very helpful

Like all cars, you just need to look after them. I've owned my 2005 R50 from new and it's better than it was when it was new. No, no oil leaks, no leaking sunroof, no leaking power steering... none of that. Because rubber and components wear out (on all cars), I've replaced all the bushings with Powerflex (polyurethane), and have replaced everything else that needed replacing. It's a 2005, but it's a "new" car. It really helps if you know how to work on these cars yourself, same as a vintage Porsche, etc. Time spent learning how to work on your car will save you thousands of dollars, and it's really enjoyable. IMO, anyone who complains that MINIs are unreliable either got a lemon, had a pre 05-06 model with a bad transmission, or didn't maintain it properly. Also, a MINI with an automatic transmission completely misses the point; you might as well drive a Camry. MINIs have a rally racing heritage and are meant to be driven, HARD. The 2005 and 2006 MINIs are the only ones to have; since then they've gotten progressively bigger and uglier.

I bought a 2006 park lane mini cooper. I've had to replace all 4 wheel bearings. They looked original so I'm not annoyed about it. I've also changed the cat back exhaust. It was rusty at the tail pipe and the heat shield rattled. Other than that, the car is solid. The only thing I don't like about these minis is the constant oil usage. I've done 12k miles on it so far and I've had to top up the oil twice. My car is parked on a paved drive way. No oil leaks, no fluid leaks of any kind. So the engine is burning the oil. Seems to be a common issue with them. It's up to 78k miles now and I'm the second owner. Full service history and the only "problem" it had was in 2010 it got a new exhaust gasket. No other work has been carried out beyond brake and engine service.

Very informative. I have a UK spec R50 1.6 petrol Cooper. I don't think UK spec cars had a cooling fan for the power steering, but the connectors are there! The BCI (body control module) is also a big issue on these cars. Water penetrates around the roof A pillar/door seal etc and gets into the module. I've had indicators staying on, sidelights flickering and got the unit out and repaired. But now have interior light coming back on around 5 minutes after switching off sitting in the car, or locking it! Tricky one but not exactly Unknown gremlins and I suspect it's wiring or connectors to the BCI unit? Still has Midland box, no issues, fitted new Valeo clutch and it drives well on 117,000 miles.

Good points. I just buy a 2005 , r53 cooper s. And i sow the oil leacks. But basicly the mini its a bmw. And since i own few bmws before i know to what i need to expect. Ordered parts, ( i belive they was a good price , proberly becose its a big market out there.) And when i get most of parts , i will start to instal and do all of my self.there are a tons of videos over minis ( specialy the r53) . So i do it with care and easy. Becose i really like this car. By the way , for who buys a mini cooper S ,R53 watch out for speed bomps. In 1 day i hit it 2 times and my bumper and hood was out of place. Bad mistake i made on driving.

Hi, I just purchased a 2002 R50. I'm really happy so far. I've never had a driving experience like this. It's true, what they say, it's like driving a gokart. The headlights and tail lights need some restoration, but everything else is perfect. Your video gave me a lot of useful info about what to look for in the future. Thanks and Cheers!

Hi So glad I found your channel, find it very informative. I just bought my daughter a 2002 R50. Bought it on a auction, so I don't have any history of the vehicle or of previous owners. When the vehicle arrived it didn't have any power, It drives but the revs would climb when accelerating. We pulled the box thinking it's the clutch, but the clutch looks new (probably just installed because the gearbox bolts were hand tighten and 2 missing) Any recommendations?

Just bought one on ebay, R50 cooper 2002, 129,000 miles $550 Just replaced gearbox, as this was broken when i purchased it, just got it past it's mot test,Yes it's a hassle. But as I owned a classic mini clubman estate 1978, when I was 16. I absolutely love these cars! Classic and new bmw mini.

A very Informative video. I own a UK specification R52 Cabriolet and wish to purchase (on-line) the US specification lower (black-plastic) wheel arch trim panels located at each corner of a Mini, housing the rectangular red (X 2 rear) side-lights plus the amber ( x 2 front) repeater side-lights , which are not fitted to the UK specification Mini and very difficult to find... Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Steven. (London. UK)

The Mini R53 S is awesome but beware that you have to keep your eyes open for potential problems with oil leaks, PAS leaks and PAS pump failure, clutch slave leaks and failure. The cars are bullet proof except for worn suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rods, end links and struts and hubs..Look out for the exhaust because they rot, odds are it will already have been changed, mushrooms strut towers, torn strut bushings. Engines are known for leaking, as are transmissions. Rear tailgates and rear lights are prone to rust. the interiors are solid except for wobbly seats, rattles and squeaks from the dash panels, rattles from the centre console, dashboard console lights going out, creaking steering (universal joint wear in steering column) road noise and more rattles.

i have a r50 and have replaced most of the stuff that you listed apart from the gear box and top mounts car is now slow becoming a better drive as i use this as my daily driver have replace rear control arms and trailing arm bushing bit used power flex ones and just changed streering rack with a power flex but as lock down is in place still here not used it much next project ah sorting out brakes and keys

thank you

Great video Miniac! bout to buy 2006 Mini S convertible with 19,000 miles. For what I see 2006 & 7 are the best options from the first generation, right?

Hi I found this video very informative thanks. I'm looking for a video on how to remove a passenger side air bag but can't seem to find one. Do you have any information you can share to remove one. I'm trying to take one out of a 2004 mini that I'm scrapping. I have four Mini's counting the one I'm scrapping. A 1978 a 1979 and a 2002 Canadian version that is one of 500 sent to Canada in 2002. So as you can see I love my Mini's. Thanks

Hi I get EP on my screen when I Drive in Auto and it changes forth and back! What does EP mean??

central locking and boot switch faults

Great advice, I'm after a R50 between 2005-2006. Does the Getrag gearbox have any common issues?

Picked up a 2005 r50 base mini. Love it although the speakers of the HK aren’t in & getting all the parts are hard to find 😒😒

Good video , I just picked up an R50 2002 5 speed manual cooper ............. gearbox fork broken weld , apparently a common fault ? ...took out the gearbox and yep ...it was broken weld and it had also broken the bottom mount off .....is this a common fault ? how can i tell what gearbox is in it ? the clutch fork is vertical ,two prong .......

Picked up an old red r50 for my first car in october. Needed a new radiator and clutch, fan belt was squeaky but used a rubber protectant to silence it. Love the car and wanted your opinion on whether it was worth keeping in case it becomes a classic?

Will the Getrag gear box bolt up on a 02?

No mention of the six speed gearbox and 1.4d engine in the 2004-2006 r50 from the Yaris?

hi thanks for the video very helpful , i have a mini cooper r50 without a power steering fan is that normal ?

Hi Miniac! I have a mini cooper one 2005 I haven’t had any issues with the cvt yet the car have a 143k! Do you recommend to do a transmission oil change and filter? I don’t know if the previous owner did it because the car came from Overseas LoL, Thank you! Greetings from Chile!

Is it advisable to change the transmission oil . And which type should i use . Thank you

Thank you for the advice. I have a question about 2006 mini hatch back 0:11 . You mentioned leaks from a sunroof. We're are the drain holes located. Thank in advance

I’m about to buy my room mates 2004 mini auto for 2k he bought it 4 years ago from one of his sailors that was going to ditch it. He’s in military has his own vehicles and was going to give this to his daughter but ended getting her a newer car. It has about 83k miles feels like it drives good, no leaks just the passenger window gets stuck and that’s about it. I guess I should start with the regular oil change and fluids? I’ll be looking into more of your videos

There's some funny stuff in here, but mine is mine from new in 2001, and I have never had an oil leak. Then again mine isn't the American export model.. @5:00 you are right about the gearbox. I'm on my 4th. I got it replaced 3 times under warranty. Every time they fitted a new one, I'd insist on a new warranty extension. It's 20 now, and I can hear the gearbox whine coming back in, so I guess I'll be replacing it myself in a few years (I only do 5,000 miles in it a year)

What would cause a 2005 Mini Cooper R50 5 speed to slightly stall when down shifting and turn on the Engine Service light 🤔

I just bought a 2001 Mini Cooper (in the UK). Not had it checked out yet so wish me luck. It's my 5th Mini so know they can be expensive to repair.

2004 r50 with 124,000 miles and 5spd manual. A clutch job at 117,000 miles and an $8 oxygen sensor is all that’s been done. I beat this little shit to death hoping to break it so I can buy my 3rd Mini. I doubt I’ll ever sell this beast

Hi, I've bought R50 in march and the thing had problem with massive leaking of coolant. In my case the fault was in thermostat. According the forums, all first gen new mini had those issues. The problem with the part is that it has fairly unusual mount and gasket so it should be replaced as a whole set.

I have a 2003 mini and just recently it has not been starting. the battery is new and i just replaced the fuel filter. Everything is good but when i go to crank it it turns over but does not start. what should i do?

Same parts as the R52 cooper cabrio right?

I'm thinking about buying a 2002 mini with about 190.000 km on it for about 2000 euro's, just not that sure yet, would love to own one though

hi miniac just bought the steering is locked and the battery is dead tried to put another battery there is short circuit,what should i do?

Hey, brother I would like to know the difference between the Mini Cooper One and the Mini Cooper I just want to know the horse power between them!

Still driving a R50 in 2021, replaced lots of parts to repair it except engine.

Hi there, I have a 2005 Mini Cooper, automatic R50 with the CVT transmission. It will start up, the gear shift will move and acknowledge what gear it's in, but the car will not drive or reverse. The transmission has been drained and refilled, the only other issue I had with it was putting it in reverse sometimes I had to do it more than once. Does anyone know what may be the issue.

That was excellent but just speak a little slower if you can, l tried to keep up writing but couldn't. Great info and video.

Does anyone know where I could find a good set of seat covers for my R50?

What about the mini one 1.6 2004? It has 75k miles.

I bought a 2002 mini Cooper about 2 months ago and it's been a nightmare, Car revs high when braking and I haven't been able to get it fixed, Changed gearbox body valve thought it was a gearbox issue. But that didn't fix the issue, No faulty codes when checked in computer, No mechanics can be able to fix the issue from where I am and no mini shops around, Please help... I could really use some help here, The car is parked at home and feels like a wrong purchase, Please help

Does Mini Cooper r50 2003 have carburetor?

R50 started in 2001, not 2002. Bought mine on October 2001 when launched in Spain.

What would you pay for a 2002 automatic cooper with 37,000 miles today?

How to figure out if you have the r50 or r53?

So…. Best years of the 1st gen? 02? 5 speed right?

That oil leak picture at 3:30 is an oil filter housing leak on a r56 lol

Im thinking about a diesel 2005 200k km... As a first one... its a one

Dude how he hell would anyone check Convert top operational Hours < should have edited that comment out

Life is to short. I’m selling my mini’s & getting a truck* 🤣

I’ve had a 2005 for the past year and I think it’s way too much for my budget.