Mini Cooper S R53 - What makes it so great

I love the way the Mini Cooper S looks and drives, let me explain why I think it's so great.
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Music:
Chopin - Etude Op. 25 no. 4 in A minor - 'Paganini'
(musopen.org/de/music/)

[@Seahawksvw821]

I love my 2006 JCW MCS. I've fitted a Borla exhaust, aftermarket rear sway bar, 15 lb 16" wheels, BC coilovers, throttle response controller and a Craven Speed short shifter. I have to say, while not the fastest car I've ever owned, it has to be the most fun.

[@jev2867]

R53 sure is the one to have. I have owned every gen and if I know then what I know now I would've kept my R53. The best looking and engine and transmission IMHO.

[@julianwaugh968]

Thanks for the info, I'm dying to get on

[@gray25xt]

I just bought a 2003 S a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed this review, you hit the nail on the head. Beyond that your style is wonderful and camera work is excellent. Thanks for putting the time and thought into this.

[@simonlloyd7557]

I have an 05 JCW in British Racing Green as a weekend toy. I absolutely love it. The R53 has lots of silly faults and niggles, but they are an abolsute blast to drive. The heavy controls come as a surprise because you think it would be very light. Once you get to 4k RPM and over come the inertia of the supercharger, you really release the character of the engine. These things aren't about wild acceleration or top speed, they are about phenomenal handling and blasting down a tight a twisty road. Ive owned almost 50 cars and very few match the Mini for sheer fun and playfulness.

[@patzocaval]

R53's by far are the best...

[@roymilla6636]

R53 or r52 as long it has the supercharger stick shift

[@nickdonaldson4130]

Bloody hell he say “it kills more insect than pesticides” I’m dying thanks for the laugh love the video

[@julianrobinson0]

Bloody brilliant this. You say everything I think about my R53, I love knowing I'm not the ownly loving owner.

[@mohammadkamran5862]

I love my R53. Because of the supercharger and the small size of the R53s I can never bring myself to buy a newer mini or like them much. Although they’re still great minis but not my cup of tea.

[@liberalmatt]

Very good production values and incisive commentary. Subscribed.

[@kimisdaman]

The MINI mock-up was noticed to not have an exhaust tip as it was about to be introduced to corporate brass, so someone stuck a soda can on it, and the rest is history.

[@MINIstryOfSpeed01]

Jan, really good presentation and production. And of course that Park Lane R53 is stunning 👍

[@huwjones5879]

I bought a R53 in Nov 2020 as a project. It needed new suspension and the supercharger service. Now that I've done all that it runs and drives like a new car. Any excuse to drive it. That is one very clean example you have. Very nice indeed.

[@darrenwebster2193]

Being a designer you must appreciate and even love the features to the R53..

[@lucyfyrearchoftwilight9282]

I'm on my second 05 mini S and it is definitely a "long-term love affair" lol. The first was a stick and this one is auto with the paddle shifters. Never going back to stick.

[@fontwellestate3544]

Brilliant review sir.

[@NJ_GB]

Great video and loved the windscreen comment!!

[@JussiKoukku]

The exhaust tip design was actually based on a soda can, so no wonder they look like ones... the story goes that when they were doing the very first full size model (out of clay I would assume), they were in a hurry and used a soda can as an exhaust tip. The management liked it so much that they kept it like that. Personally I hate that soda can look, but the JCW kit fixes that issue. :)

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

Yeah that is true, the JCW exhaust tips look a little more impressive

[@othmankaddach430]

Impressive review

[@c.sch.9460]

sehr nettes und informatives Video zum Mini!

[@ridgoro]

I just got a R56. I'm in love with it. but I do like the R53 as well

[@I.o.a.n.n.i.s]

Same here^^ I own an r56 n18 mcs, but love 53s!

[@simonlloyd7557]

get an r53 mate. it blows the R56 into the weeds 10x more fun and a real seat of the pants feeling that you just dont get in the more refined R56

[@SLR-722]

Got Mini ONE R56 2010 98PS. I love this car. Soon will remap with stage 1.

[@auraflare2362]

good day from Botswana, nice review. ill never forgive my sister for making me miss the opportunity to own an r53 a month back

[@ivlog3663]

really enjoyed the video, thanks alot, you pushed my desicion to buy one of these a little :)¨

[@ronaldmorrison6013]

If you lock the doors on a r53 you can't open the gas cap. I think thats neat

[@asianR53]

3:52 because it is, the design of the exhaust tips are based on the bottom of a beer can, reason is because they forgot the exhaust tips and had to think of something quick.

[@owensmith7530]

This happened on the full size clay model of the bodywork, they realised there was no exhaust so they quickly shoved a can into the clay. Top brass saw the clay model, loved it and said "don't change a thing" so they didn't. And the beer can exhaust was born.

[@Peginafication]

Nice review! I particularly like the fact you played some Chopin! I think your steering U joint needs to be greased and probably eventually replaced. Also, going to a smaller Supercharger pulley (15% or 16% or 17%) and colder spark plugs (zundkertzen - one of the few German words I know :-) ) and appropriate belt will hugely improve the power and supercharger noise.

[@Brad5161]

I did a 15% and couldn't be happier. Still running the normal plugs. It pulls noticeably harder in every gear.

[@Peginafication]

@@Brad5161 yeah such a great and cheap mod!

[@Peginafication]

@@Brad5161 oh and I just realised I only said 16 or 17% pulley in my comment. I think I meant 15 or 17! funnily enough I have a 16% but I think they're not overly common and would be so similar to both the 15 and 17% as to be totally negligible

[@kanenyman991]

I bought one and it blew up. but its so cool so I'm looking to get a motor

[@theofs4456]

Great summary! (My R53's clutch also feels heavy but I think it's normal.) Nice bit of Chopin too 🙂

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

I'm glad there are more R53s with stiff clutches out there😆

[@savex937]

Also My r53 had stiff clutch, when i replaced clutch and flywheel, the pedal became very light (i changed It at 95k Miles)

[@Roomsaver]

@@savex937I was used to my R50 also having a heavy clutch pedal. I replaced the clutch on my R53 recently and it’s really light, almost annoyingly so

[@daviddesert3132]

I'm looking for a new second had car and at the moment it's between an s2 audi TT and a cooper s. I have disregarded the cooper s for a long time as l own a "real" mk1 cooper s .22 years later l'm chilling a bit😀 so maybe it could happen?

[@lenahagele4322]

👍

[@Lookbusybuddy]

I wished they would make a mini that looked like a mini. They seem to make all the panels smooth and has lost alot of its character. This generation kept the curves on the bonnet

[@I.o.a.n.n.i.s]

Imho r53, especially the jcw, is the best mini, for a weekend car. But if it's your daily that we're talking about, r56 is the way to go.

[@simonlloyd7557]

R53 as a weekend toy and something non Mini as a daily imho.

[@ibbyraja5571]

@@simonlloyd7557 that’s my exact setup

[@NakulDesaiTechGuy]

i have an r53 and i have more fun in it than even the sligjtly higher end bmws ive driven like the m240i

[@Brad5161]

Me too.

[@ariellecraig2335]

I need advice . I am looking at 2006 jcw green tomorrow with 100,000 mileage. they are asking for $7800 at a dealership .. I also seen a 2003 jcw for $7990 with 59,000 mileage. which should I go after?

[@lucyfyrearchoftwilight9282]

Keep in mind the 06 will have a turbo and the 03 will have the supercharger if that makes a difference to you, I prefer the supercharger. I would have a mechanic go over them thoroughly. IIRC, the earlier ones like the 03 were known for lots of problems. I have had two 05's with no real problems that weren't my own danged fault lol.

[@harveyh8137]

​@@lucyfyrearchoftwilight9282 thwy still made the r53 in 2006

[@jedibiker6911]

Hi new to the scene and love mini.. what age is best to get and mileage for first car? I have about 2k to spend

[@mmkay_]

Yes. I have the same question.. anyone?

[@gregorycasey2271]

@@mmkay_ 05 - 06 and under 70,000 miles . If looked after and not raced they usually are pretty reliable and some last until 250 - 300,000 miles . Mines at 150,000 k and only needed the normal things like oil changes , tires , rad and exhaust . Original clutch , engine and transmission and still runs perfect with only 1/4 Quart of oil used between 5000 k oil changes . Mine tows a trailer and gets driven hard . Don't buy some beat up or modified one unless you can do your own repairs and get it inspected by a Mini dealer before you pay . Expensive to repair if you can't turn a wrench . Join a Mini Cooper R53 group on FB for common problems and cheap cures . The front end can be removed in under 15 min making them easier to fix then most small putt putt cars . Love mine and I've had a ton of faster cars that were nowhere near as much fun . I've a 370 Roadster that has only been used 3 times this summer because the r53 is more fun .

[@mmkay_]

@@gregorycasey2271 thanks a lot!!! It’s hard finding a 05 - 06 with just 70,000 miles around here though. But thanks. At least I know what to look for😁Enjoy your mini!!

[@mikesa9325]

@@gregorycasey2271 i have the 2004 version with 45,000 miles and its a blast to drive

[@Flippinloon]

Is the heavy clutch a common thing in R53s?

[@vasilisrroshi8642]

Yes ...is getting heavy as is going to end-life but even when is new not so soft

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

Especially compared to modern cars the clutch is quite stiff even when new, but they are known to get heavier when starting to wear out

[@MikeFife]

Yes, they're quite heavy.

[@owensmith7530]

Yes my 2002 R53 has a very heavy clutch, been like that since new. If I drive another car and then get back in the R53 the clutch weight is the thing that really stands out. A few hours later I'm completely used to it again.

[@centerdepenter]

3 Spokes steering wheel? Isn’t that second gen only?

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

They got the three spoked one with the face-lift in 2004 l belive

[@owensmith7530]

@@att-allthingstechnical1035 Correct. My 2002 R53 has a two spoke steering wheel (multi function in my case), the face lift changed it to three spoke and ruined the multi function by moving all the buttons to the front and making them tiny. The CD/radio buttons are large and on the back on mine, I can operate them by feel alone holding the wheel.

[@greenbunnyinabongo7299]

I want one! No, scrap that! I Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed one!!!

[@okanyacal1659]

Ettaler Berg?

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

Schwäbische Alb / Bug Teck

[@brettstevens5707]

I have a 2005 and it is an R53... I think he misspoke.

[@MacLaw3084]

the heavy clutch is normal.

[@Suzuno.]

The car was once in an anime

[@FU-2]

My anxiety level rose when be slammed the hood 😅😅😅

[@LeeFall]

Just a shame about the mpg. I get an average of 30mpg.

[@att-allthingstechnical1035]

Yes, l get around the same, it's not the best...

[@NelsonQuintansdaSilva]

Thats not the original sound of the xhaust

[@officialsuperstar971]

Exhaust if knackered pal lol

[@TB.JCE10]

Mine (2005 UK car) sounded pretty much exactly like that with a completely standard, good condition exhaust on it.

[@NelsonQuintansdaSilva]

@@TB.JCE10 yeah... at first it sounded different, a little more rattle...but maybe its stock...i need to make a vid of mine to compare xD

[@owensmith7530]

Mine sounds like that and always has (except when the exhaust needed replacing). The crackling is supercharger dump valve when you let the throttle off.

[@josuemederos8096]

I love my mini cooper with all my heart but these cars have a lot of problems

[@tiziano316]

Mini R53 has not problem at all. You mean the Cooper S R56 turbo version