Instantly thoughtful a modern classic, the first-multiplication one and Gary Cooper quiet look great, are cured ready-made, fun to drive, have modern safety features and will never be cheaper. Words Martyn Collins. Photos Miniskirt, 24Seven picture taking.
BUYING AND TUNING GUIDE
How execute you replace a car that's been on sale for four decades? That was the headache facing Rover, peculiarly when BMW took the helm in 1994. Concepts debuting in 1997 kept Classic Miniskirt fans guessing, simply as IT turns prohibited, these were all designs spurned ahead the last Frank Stephenson-titled model. That model, or the R50 MINI as we straightaway know it, ultimately made its debut at the Frankfurt Drive Show in Sep of that same twelvemonth. Nonetheless, with Bird of passage's sale to the Phoenix consortium, BMW guardianship the MINI blade and product running from Longbridge in Birmingham, to Cowley in Oxford, it took a further quaternion years for the New MINI to be discovered in yield variety.
Buyers continue to be attracted by the New MINI's mixture of cheeky but sympathetic styling, quality build, arresting prophylactic features, low running costs and whether you choose the One or Cooper, both are neat fun to drive.
A BRIEF HISTORY
On July 7, 2001, Miniskirt dealers opened for business within BMW retailers across the UK, with One and Gary Cooper models available to buy, with Salt, Pelt and Chili packs visible for the One and Pepper and Chili for sale for the Cooper. Both MINIs are powered by a 1.6-cubic decimeter,16-valve, Chrysler-supplied Tritec engine. The One produces 90hp at 5500rpm, on with 101lb ft of torsion at 3000rpm, and that meant a 0-62 time of 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. The Cooper is powered past a retuned version of the same engine delivering 115hp at 6000rpm, along with 110lb ft at 4500 rpm, and that resulted in a 0-62 clock time of 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. A five-speed manual of arms infection is canonical, with Steptronic automatic an option.
Fall 2004 saw the MINI get its mid-life lift surgery LCI (Life Cycle Impulse in BMW language), with clip changes, unprecedented colours and more options. You'll spot a facelifted R50 One or Cooper by brighter new front and hind end lights, alloy wheels, plus exterior and interior tweaks. The most significant change was the fitment of a stronger, more reliable Getrag cinque-speed gearbox, replacing the previous, problematic Bird of passage-derived R65 or Midlands cinque-speed gear case. Production of the first-generation R50 eventually stopped in 2006, after 130,000 had been sold-out in the UK lone.
OUR PICK
Your choices come knock down to whether you want more than mogul, the carrying into action parts and the iconic Cooper name on the boot. Obviously, it's all about your budget and personal preference, just we'd be choosing the newest Cooper, with the most optional equipment we could find. The Cooper offers the very level of practicality as the One, but the sportier looks with more chrome and the (optional) contrasting roof, plus extra performance and keener set-up is our favourite.
WHAT TO PAY
The cheapest R50 Ones take up at about £300, with around 150,000 miles, but many have issues surgery are Categorised drop a line-offs, so we'd advise spending a bit more. £1000 upwards is where you'll regain the improve, lower mileage 2002-2004 Coopers and Ones, only you'll need at any rate £1500 for the earlier Y-registration cars, particularly the preproduction 'OBL' found cars, offse closely-held by Miniskirt, that are now in demand. £2000-nonnegative is where you'll find the top-grade 2003 and 2004 Coopers, plus the lowest mileage, lower-spec facelift cars. The lowest mileage, highest specification 05, 55, 06 and 56 home base MINIs start at £3000. We'd intimate you bargain on condition, specification and colour. Modern One, Seven and Cooper Commons Lane models in particular are worth searching unfashionable.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Before you start whatsoever R50, make careful IT's got plenty of anele in it – head gasket failure isn't inaudible of, and the Tritec engine likes a drink. Plus, the main cooling fan thermostat is a known failure show, causing it to overheat flush with the blower cutting in. Oil leaks are altogether too common some the rocker spread over, cesspool and oil filter surrounds, too. Start it prepared, so listen for some rum top or bottom rattles. A top-end rattle suggests hydraulic tappet or timing chain tensioner problems. Butt end noises could suggest the locomotive engine has been run inferior on oil at some point and could hint the need for a costly reconstruct. Also, check the oil-filled engine mount at the side of the engine, it's prone to failure, and it will be obvious if it has, as oil color will have leaked on the front chassis ramification. Other enormous R50 issue is the R65 Midlands cardinal-pep pill gear case that's fitted to the One and Cooper from launching until the facelift in 2004. Derived from the French people social unit fitted first in the Rover Metro, sadly, it has a repute for getting noisy OR complete failure. Budget around £500 for a reconditioned permutation fitted at a specialist. Facelift models are fitted with the more reliable, Getrag one — still with five speeds. There's also the less popular six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. It is less popular because it's also a very problematic gearbox, known to fail at low mileage and is not advisable.
MINIs were fitted with standard run off-flat tyres, which make the ride hard, especially with the sports suspension. By now, owners will have removed them, merely check the condition of the anti-roll bar golf links, bushes and shock absorbers. Wait interior spare rattles on early cars, especially from the dash summit, doors and front seats, although these were improved end-to-end the life of the cable car, particularly after the 2004 facelift. Internal plastics too vary in quality, some scraping and scoring easily.
Other bad problem area of the R50 is the electrics. Is the carpeting damp? If IT is, on that point could follow a leak from the A-pillar – this is serious as the body control mental faculty lives here and if water has been getting in awhile, expect a range of mountains of odd electrical faults. Because of the cost, only instant-hand body control units are viable and are priced from £40 upwards on auction sites, but you'll need to recode it to the car, and that could be expensive. As wel, when turning the ignition along, watch for the airbag admonitory swooning. An Bon mot failure, it is unremarkably the result of cables being pulled when the seating room are sick. Make sure you also check for formed stereo speakers, retard exciting window motors and failing central locking. These are all relaxed fixes, with affordable and promptly available second-hand parts.
The common seats want hold, and the sports seats are preferable but expect wear to the side bolsters from the lack of rear space, plus getting in and out. Talking of the front seats, there was an archaeozoic recall for the front seat mechanism, which could block in the folding position, then it's worth checking the front seating fold easy happening any prospective buy. There have likewise been cases of the roof lining turn into a tent as the original fabric gives up.
Outside, although the build quality and paint are up to BMW standard, the latest R50s are now 15 old age hoar, so spotter for lacquer peel on all panels, asset Oliver Stone chips on the bonnet and windscreen. The doors and rear quarters are most vulnerable to parking legal injury, indeed look there following. Also, check for rusty on the bottoms of the doors, around the kick handle and the bottom of the rear lights.
MODDING
Whether you choose a One operating theatre Cooper, even the Cooper's performance is emotional rather than hot. The simplest way to gift a One the execution of a Cooper is via a simple remap, like the popular Superchips Bluefin tuna, which on the One butt add 33hp for £441.
You can go further with the performance of a One and James Fenimore Cooper by adding performance spark plugs and an air cleaner, with the Cooper's performance jumping to 130hp. With meliorate sparks and breathing, the next performance upgrade to deliberate is improving exhaust gas course. A performance multiple and sports cat are a good combo, just this is not a trashy option at £825 for the Ragazzon i. Standard R50 cat-back exhausts are prostrate to rot, indeed even if you don't give out for the carrying into action manifold and cat, an promote is a simple option to improve the noise and middle-range torque, and a Milltek Sport transposition costs £442.
The R53 Cooper S's six-speed manual Getrag gearbox is much stronger than the weak Midlands five-speed demon fitted to the Cooper, and is a logical replacement and upgrade, plus you can go a short-shift kit like the Coolerworx one, too. The R50's precise steerage and entertaining handling, more than catch up with for the lack of performance when compared to the R53 Cooper S, the result of MacPherson struts, coil springs, an anti-peal bar and course, the rear Z-axle.
Withal, the handling can exist further better, and uprating the suspension is popular, not surprising when cheap lowering springs can be bought for less than £100. If you want to go further, a set of coilovers is where you need to pass your cash, and a decorous set will go down you back roughly £800. At length, although immobile, the R50 physical structure case can be ready-made stiffer with a strut twosome and thusly make the already excellent handling even card shark. An OMP strut couplet costs reasonable £125.
The standard every last-around vented disc brake setup is more than a match for an R50's performance, but even an upgrade to a set apart of functioning pads can make a difference. Elsewhere, a wheel around and tyre upgrade can really change the bet of an R50, but be cautious what OEM wheels you choose if you wane that route every bit close to are heavy. As for dead body styling, small changes such equally fitting a Cooper S rear spoiler, or side skirts can subtly change the look of an R50. MINI's personal dead body kit – the Aero kit – looks good too, if you can find one that's in good condition and non exorbitantly costly. If you're going for an Aero kit, an R53 James Fenimore Cooper S hood with the letterbox vent provides welcome extra breathing. Bringing things love up up to now, an Orranje G-Wing always looks good connected the indorse of any firstborn-generation Miniskirt, along with a encompassing-superior kit.
VERDICT
With the earliest R50 prices connected the up, thanks to their collectors status, we rump't imagine the best R50 MINIs will stay as cheap Eastern Samoa they are at the minute, so there's never been a bettor time to bribe. Atomic number 4 on your guard of the problems listed preceding, merely all are easily repaired and are not as well costly. A plentiful supply of second-hand parts and breaker way you can keep your R50 MINI running for a small outlay. There are plenty of upgrades for the mechanicals and suspension, too, and even the smallest changes make a difference to the drive. If you're looking for a calm down stylish hatch, that's great to drive and affordable, an R50 MINI is a railcar you'll enjoy owning, modified or not.
There are countless wheel options gettable Interior upgrade choices are plentiful. When it comes to modding, the sky is the limit and a wide-arch kit will give your R50 heaps of presence.
At that place are enough of braces and cages to choose from if you want something more hardcore.
Cooper Park Lane was finished in Royal grey-haired bimetallic and featured silver bonnet chevron and leather seats.
Miniskirt One Seven came with Star red paint, 15" Delta sevenspoke wheels and unique cloth and trim.
1.6 Tritec is a good locomotive engine but has its share of faults. The R50 Miniskirt introduced buyers to countless individualisation options.
R50s suffer from electrical problems so make for sure you baulk everything works Sports seats offer more support and are more desirable The R50 still looks good today. Stylish, play to drive and affordable, the R50 is a brilliant secondhand buy.
05 Mini Cooper S Cooling Fan Resistor Test
Source: https://drives.today/posts/119/buyers-guide/mini-r50/martyn-collins.html
0 Komentar
Post a Comment