Mini R50 is 20 years old, and Goes for a drive

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The Mini R50 is 20 years old! My Y reg/early or pre production car was built on May 1st, 2001, 2 decades ago! Lets take it for a drive and talk about its design and how it came to be
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[@tomparsons5096]

Such an underrated piece of design, the equivalent hatchbacks from that era look like sheds on wheels now, and the r50 still holds up on the roads today.

[@bensmithkent22]

Ha is this Tom Parsons from Bexley?? Kid I knew of (not knew but knew by face) also named Tom Parsons had a new dark green one circa 2005. Everybody was jealous. Could be the same person seeing as this channel is Kent based. Fresh cars in the wonderful pre nissan juke and dreadful crossover era.

[@tomparsons5096]

Haha no it’s not, I’m from Cheshire I do drive a Mini One however but it’s an r56, bit of a coincidence!

[@whatevernevermind5960]

Except for the Ford Focus & Seat Leon, both also groundbreaking & influential pieces of design

[@raftonpounder6696]

Underrated? I don’t think so!

[@nickw9626]

This car has aged better than any other from the last 20 years (in looks, at least)

[@iboswell]

Still prefer the original R50 Cooper over all the others including S and later versions. It has enough power to be fun at sensible speeds and goes round corners beautifully. A bit like an MX5 with a roof and a bit of interior space.

[@maxidyne]

Such an iconic car! And the R50 is still the nicest of all the modern Mini's. Happy birthday.

[@stuarthepburn6508]

Pity they were garbage

[@dmodeboy]

I had a mini Cooper from 2004 to 2007. I named him Monty. He was great fun. Felt so solid and well built, and was like a little Go Kart. Definately up there in my favourite cars ive owned. Actually saw him by chance about 7 years ago being driven by his current owner. I was so excited!!

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Still looks very modern inside and out.

[@davidwright1605]

Got to agree this is the best looking of the modern Minis. I think BMW has lots its way at least externally. I ordered mine in September 2001 and think I might have test driven your car. I wanted sports seats though so this delayed delivery until Jan 2002. As you say the extras were a major thing - even the spare wheel was optional. I kept it for almost 15 years and it was much loved. The first 6 months of ownership were quite special with other Mini owners flashing you as they passed. It was the only car I've owned that really caught the interest of the opposite sex. I finally replaced it with a VW Up which IMO has more of the spirit of the original Mini. The modern Mini was strongly focused on the Cooper - being an up-market sporty car rather than the basic transport the original Mini was.

[@Henry-iv4zn]

This is what I have been waiting for! I love the Mini videos. This is a good break from fixing the clock in my Y reg.

[@stevenwright8674]

I purchased my first mini yesterday, exactly 20 yrs after yours was built. Mine’s a Red R56 Cooper and I love it. Brilliant video, really enjoyed it.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I didn't care too much for the Mini until I drove one. Then I just simply had to buy one. They depreciate something shocking so I picked up a great full spec R56S for a bargain. Other cars have come and gone from my fleet over the years, including some V8 muscle cars and a Porsche, and the Mini waves at them with it's silly grin on its face as they depart. This thing puts a smile on my face everytime I take it out, it's like taking a naughty happy puppy for a walk. Even here in Oz driving thousands of Km across the country it's a far better long distance car than you would think. Goes quick enough to embarrass many things far more expensive too. I like my cars but love my Mini like a goofy pet dog. Preference for the Cooper S over the JCW tho, just add a decent exhaust and you're done (Yes, avoid the N14 engine).

[@amc3964]

My mini is fantastic; like a puppy that is getting older however, but still a puppy at heart. I adore my car. Tons of personality and fun.

[@andrewingry2986]

got a mainly stock copper s 2005 love it jaw just more power mine very low mileage and cherished

[@benvenis9758]

I’ve been waiting for this video! Your r50 convinced me I needed one myself, 6 months later from purchase, my 2002 liquid yellow Cooper is the perfect daily alongside my 1964 Singer Gazelle.

[@seancooke4127]

You are a wonderful custodian of this Y reg. My Wife's 2010 Cooper Convertible was bought to celebrate 30 years in her job. We both agree that it will never be sold. She decided to replace the front Run Flats with normal Bridgestones and the car became much more compliant. The rears will be done when the time comes too. Every detail of the MINI is simply beautiful and this Convertible shows shows no flex, it feels so strong. It's just so alive. The beer can exhaust is genius and everything works. Use it at every chance I get. I told the Salesman on the test drive to sell it to my wife because I'm sold already and I won't be listening to a word.

[@DJWenlowe]

What a fantastic deep dive into the mini , my goodness, time goes fast, I can remember them being new and it seems like 5 minutes ago. Thanks very much for doing this 👍👍

[@michaelp0819]

Owner of two R53s. Love them. To me the first gen modern MINIs were extremely special.

[@BackwardFinesse]

I've enjoyed every one of your videos but none more than this - really terrific. It struck a real chord as my family has gone Mini potty in the past few years. My elder son started the rot when he bought a second-gen Cooper S about 5 years back; then my daughter bought an R50 Cooper auto 3 years ago. I persuaded my wife to think about a Mini to replace her dreary Nissan Juke and she did, back in late 2019, buying a third-gen Cooper auto, which we both love. Then came lockdowns and I resolved to help the British motor industry by buying a British-made car. I had a BMW M140i, which was great but terrifying and I traded it in for a more sedate 5-door Cooper S auto back in September, which has not done many miles yet, but I love it too. I quite agree though that, from a design point of view, the original R50 is easily the best and I think they are more than a future classic - they're a classic right now. I might buy one as a hobby car.

[@darrencottrell5541]

Brilliant journey and narration of the MINI evolution. A very enjoyable watch.

[@Jackmorvin]

I'm happy that they stuck to the Retro look for the car which made it unique when compared to other cars made the same year since they took the original Mini formula for it!

[@thenewlife7588]

Excellent presentation Very well done. You've gained a new subscriber. Beautiful car. I love the mix of colors and I really like the chrome bits on the front and rear bumpers. I will add those to my R53 2004 S if such things exist in the aftermarket world. You really did an outstanding job detailing the historical events in the development of the "New Mini" including the persons associated with it. So much so that I created a Mini playlist using this video as its beginnings. I will revisit this video often to absorb it fully. The R50 is a brilliant car and this video is equally brilliant. Thank you sir!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great informative video Matt, Happy 19th to the Mini R50. Makes me miss my R56!

[@the5th2000]

That red paint is in very nice order for such an old car. I've had an R50, and currently a last of the line R53. I love them. Great cars

[@MINIstryOfSpeed01]

Great looking early 2001 R50! I especially like the red interior, a rare option. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@esseff55]

Top marks for such an in-depth and professionally-presented review, unlike the usual glib Top Gear-like five-minute road tests.

[@farhanhussain5937]

I love these drive videos with modern cars especially keep them coming love your videos.

[@alf279]

These cars are so good if you like driving and don't mind the annoying bits of impracticality here and there. We got a Cooper from September 2001 last year, primarily because my girlfriend loved how they look. But then I drove the thing and I fell in love with it. Such great fun on some twisty roads, looks good and it aged very well since it's a retro design. Panoramic roof, heated seats, I had some high quality speakers installed in ours and we got a fairly comfortable, nice to use, very fun and pretty looking little car. It's wonderful. Sure there are some maintenance items that are a bit more expensive than you'd like from a car of this size, but it's a BMW product and a Mini, not a Suzuki Swift. Something you have to accept.

[@MA-dq4vb]

My partner owns an R56 and she struck a deer at 40-50mph last year. The plastic chrome headlight cover snapped off and there was a small dent on one side of the bonnet but you would never guess she struck a deer. It still amazes me till this day how strong the mini hatch chassis/structure is. Really nice cars.

[@adarbs6384]

Loved this, and thanks for the bit of history. They really should have kept the Mini this way...what they are producing now doesn't even deserve to wear the Mini badge, they are so far removed from the original, at least this generation were as close as they were going to get to the classic. Watching this made me miss my '03 Mini One diesel...it had the stripes on the bonnet over the roof and down the back, really looked great...however, then I remember my mechanics bills nearly every month when something inevitably went wrong 😂 so, as much as I loved it, I wouldn't have another. Thanks for the video

[@cornishrider]

Stood the test of time extremely well

[@briero]

Great looking car. I love the red interior. I’m really enjoying owning my 09 R57.

[@mg-roveradverts671]

Great video! After 12 years I have just bought myself another 2001 R50! Fantastic cars!

[@ihaveacoolhat1]

I distinctly remember being at the NEC in 2001. I was eight and car-mad. I saw the new Mini, and got given a load of Mini-branded stuff. I've always liked them, especially the John Cooper Works models.

[@boredsund]

I've got a 2003/03 black mini one, with the red interior. It's battered, a bit rough and I've spent more fixing it than I paid for it, but I love it. It's a fantastic little car.

[@mikes747]

My friend had an early Cooper S and that thing was hilarious fun! The run flat tyres were awful though!

[@DavidJones-dq7iu]

Happy Birthday to the Mini

[@JR90.]

Loved the video Matt, especially when you go full Anorak mode with the details! Yours looks pretty much the same as our old 2003 Cooper. Our 2018 Cooper 5dr is slightly different 😳... that said, there are touches that harp back to these older cars.

[@nathannenna8182]

The one does have a tachometer above the steering wheel. One thing I love is the fact you can show the speed on the lcd screen.

[@jkk244]

No speed display on the tach screen on the early cars. I’ve got a ‘02 R53 and the big central speedo is the only place to see how fast the car is going. I like it that way.

[@nathannenna8182]

Sorry didn't realise it wasn't on until 2003

[@tonym7cvk430]

Happy birthday Mini I say that I have 3 in our household 2 R50s a 2002 a 2004 and a new countryman 2021 I have owned all the range over the past 18 years and I still prefer the R50 even over the new F5x

[@sbomorse]

I've just bought a 2005 Cooper and it is AMAZING! Even with 131K miles it drives like a new go-cart 😍 I love the design and how easy it is to do things like change bulbs etc

[@alansimpson835]

Very enjoyable and I love your particular one with the red interior and those pepper pot type allots. As someone with an old Mini I was so happy to see the brand continue and I think the R50 is a great looking thing. They really do drive so well too. It was launched in July 2001 wasn't it so, as well as the pre production cars, there must have been a few private Y reg cars sold in that month and a half before 51 plates launched. Still a very exclusive club though

[@owenwilliams8317]

Great video; factual bang on. What a car the mini is old and new !!!

[@csm0772]

Having worked at Longbridge during that period - I'm constantly amazed Rover ever managed to get anything to production.

[@brycmtthw]

That’s probably why these cars are built at Cowley. Seeing in old videos on how large and seemingly chaotic and unorganized it appeared. And Longbridge labor unrest stories… I wish BMW would’ve held out a bit longer on Rover, and brought some of the cars to the US! Like the 75, 45 and 25! They would’ve done relatively well here, when positioned against Buick and Mercury! Maybe that’s just me, because I just LOVE how the 75 looks!

[@joshhulse6141]

i have an r50 one in chilli red (salt pack) with panoramic roof and optional cooper s wheels in white. absolutely love it. dare i say it they're underrated imo.

[@adamoreilly6337]

I remember being in America in 2001 and pizza restaurants were using the new Mini and Beetle as delivery cars.

[@deltafoxtrot2]

I think the early MINIs look far better than the new ones which have a large snout

[@Canalsman]

I'm glad you paid tribute to the Rover engineers. They were very highly skilled and creative, but sadly much underrated. Take care of this little gem ...

[@morgman43]

Second this. The lazy way people referred to the MINI as the BMW MINI at the time has rewritten history to the point that you'd think Rover was already gone by the time it came into production.

[@Redstoneghost133]

Very cool car. I've got the production R50 02 car, I've worked with it a bit now over the last two years and every time I drive it round a corner and speed up out the turn, I always smile to myself. I wish there was a little more standardisation in the chasis, like with toyotas, but otherwise it's a great little car. The 02 R50 looks identical bar the red trim and logos on the foot pedals. I think my shelf on the driver side got taken out, cause I didn't realise there was one supposed to be there lol.

[@gichi-ri]

I also have one! I realize now it's 20 years old, It does not look old at all, so classic!

[@Ryanux]

Always loved this "new" mini, very nice design and much more inline with its heritage than say the new Beetle that came around the same years. 20y later the mini is a huge success, while the beetle is clearly not !

[@grayfool]

Teah, early ones are great. Then they just go too big. Good one Matt, thanks.

[@dsan2509]

I loved my 2005 Mini Cooper. Had it about six years 120000 miles HOWEVER out of the thirty plus cars owned from fiat to Ford the mini was the most maintenance intensive car as things just didn’t last. Engine mounts. Radiator. Power steering. Transmission. Brake sensors. Air bag. Etc …. Phew.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I remember test driving a ‘new’ Mini in 2001 when they were launched - it was a very impressive car indeed, and had we nor been skint at the time, I think a purchase would have been made. We ended up buying an ‘89 Mini Racing Green instead, which was tremendous fun! We looked at a ‘One’ - and yes, the rev counter was an option! Interestingly, I had my 145 1.6 t spark at the time, and felt that the Mini compared very favourably in the handling department, especially steering feel and a quick rack, which was always one of the 145’s great strengths. The Mini felt as sprightly as the 145 too, although I think that the Alfa had a tad more power.

[@jkk244]

My R53 Cooper S will be 19 years old next week, based on the build date. It’s one of the very first production Cooper S models sold in the US, and it was the first Cooper S in Texas (I purchased it in New York State and drove it here to Texas on a 2,300 mile roadtrip about a year before we had any MINI dealers inTexas - or even any BMW dealers selling MINIs). I don’t plan on ever getting rid of it. Definitely part of the family.

[@tonys1636]

It must look tiny when parked in a Walmart parking lot amongst all those trucks.

[@jkk244]

@@tonys1636 Seems normal sized to me! I’ve also got a classic Austin Mini and that car really is dwarfed by some of the pickups.

[@shankarbalan3813]

My 2012 Cooper S R56 with the 1.6 Turbo N18 engine is a hoot. I love driving it. And end up literally finding reasons to drive it. It’s a great little city runabout and highway vehicle and I enjoy owning it. Mine has an aftermarket Magnaflow exhaust which emits a wonderful growl.

[@milliepaterson2758]

I have a 2008 cooper d and I love it. The most fun car I've ever had.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Matt, awesome drive on the R50 Mini.i went to the N.E.C. when they came out.

[@andrewblades8368]

Great video but just a couple of notes. Very late Mini Classics (1997-2000) had airbags. But as you say they would never have passed NCAP. I had a 2003 MINI One in velvet red with the red interior trim and red half leather seats. I think it was discontinued not long after mine was built

[@nigel9843]

Your example looks so good, it has lasted very well , unlike an original mini which would have fallen apart by now after 14 owners.😂

[@Stephenb033]

I bought a new Cooper in 2004 and sold it 3 years later as baby was due. It was black with a white roof and stripes. I loved that car. I love my Daugter much more though.

[@Banom7a]

wow, you finally big enough to be sponsored by skillshare haha

[@BrooksterMax]

The Corsa B I hope to get to you to drive one day finished in 2000 and looks and probably feels leap years behind this as this arrived on the scene. Never been in a new Mini but certainly admired from afar what they pulled off!

[@bendoyle5023]

I remember my friends mum picking me up in a red one of these as a kid, it had only just come out and might have even been on a Y reg. It was the coolest thing ever when I was at that age

[@bryanmower2703]

awwwww

[@kirwanjohn101]

Very informative, thank you

[@thomas316]

I loved my Mini but after the second "front off" event I descided that someone with more time or deeper pockets would enjoy it better. 😢

[@j.b.w.]

My girlfriend has one of these and it's a 2001 (but it was registered in Italy). Recently, she parked it outside the house and two other minis parked nearby but they are the new models, the proportions just don't work. The original just gets everything right, you have a great car there. I have a few bits and pieces to do on it, the headlining is sagging badly , one of the headlights' electric level motors is gone (probably) and the black mouldings need a bit of TLC.

[@stevemelling8450]

I’ve had a r50,r53 and a r56SD ,the r53 has been the best of the bunch

[@huwjones5879]

Excellent video. Well done. I think the 'Budweiser exhaust' story really pertains to the Cooper S twin pipes as they really do look like beer cans. And of course the Cooper S, like the original Mini has the battery in the boot. They certainly are stiff, I can jack mine up with a jack on the front jacking point and both wheels will lift and the door still opens and closes perfectly. This is impressive on a 16 yrs old car. The later cars have a 6 speed Getrag gearbox which is stronger. This first version of the 'new Mini' is a future classic.

[@furiousdriving]

Im sure he told that story in Chasing Perfect on Netflix about the exhaust (well worth a watch as well)

[@jamesc6693]

Hubnut would like the rear wash action at the end with the polo.

[@woodrow_mayes]

My '06 R50 Cooper is called Herbert (after Herbert Austin). He is full of engine leaks and dash squeaks. The driving position gives me CHRONC BACK ACHE and the rock hard suspension is just a little too firm for my taste... I think. 40mpg may be good for some but given that I am a broke student - it is poor, _very_ poor when I have pissed my money on Lidl beer; I cry every time I go near a filling station. I personally think the cabin ergonomics are a bit idiotic- flashing someone with your fogs when you want the window open isn't funny the first time, nor the the forty-sixth. But, if you tried to take him away for me, I would snap your fingers.

[@ColumbusII]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful example. Amazing that it has been 20 years now. Owning a R60 Holland Street and a very unique R57, the actual two millionth MINI ever build, wich PM David Cameron drove from the production line at Cowley. We love them and cherish both cars. Kindest Regards from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@furiousdriving]

Glad they are being kept safe and known about!

[@ColumbusII]

It came to the Netherlands as a prize in a Facebook competition by MINI, was won by a fellow Dutchman. By sheer luck we've stumbled on it. We now are third owners. It's amazing to know most "millionth" cars end up in factory storage or at heritage centers, but we take pride in driving the two millionth as a daily, cause that's what it is meant to do....: Drive! .... Maybe not too Furiously😂. You can see it driven by David Cameron at the Cowley plant shortly after being built in August 2011: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o36Ulp6vaK6FfZI

[@mattw8332]

I had my 1990 Rover Mini 'Racing Green' when these came out. I went to the launch event at my local dealers and sat in one (a 'One' spec I think). I was very impressed: 100 times more comfortable than my classic Mini.

[@Sd1v8v]

I had a rover mini racing green untill last year, a fun little car but had no place to keep it. So I sold it to a guy in the lake District.

[@themightyimp08]

I laughed at the cup holder bit. I've had mine from new (October 2001) and must say that anything bigger than a coke can isn't going to fit. And even then, you need to drink about a third of it before putting it in or it will spill as you angle it into the holes.. and then, the rubbers will pull the silver surrounds off as you try to remove the can..

[@nicholasr6381]

love the interior.

[@markonmotoring]

Think I've heard that about the tail pipe somewhere before. Back in the late 90s I was bent in having an origiinal mini as my first car, looked at a few but ended up with a Renault 5 instead. Liked to look of the early BMW Mini at launch but never did buy one. Personally I prefer these to the current chunky looking versions with the big tail lamps. Think I've been put off by reports of reliability (and cost) issues with things like failing steering racks for example. Part of me is still curious though and I did like the look of that Mini Goodwood you previously tested.

[@eliechevarria7889]

It is 2022, and my R 50 is 17 years old with 182,000 miles on it. I absolutely adore this car but as others have mentioned if you own one you have to be prepared for all of the maintenance. It was one thing when parts of the car were breaking down left and right soon after I purchased it because it was still under warranty but once that warranty expired, Lord knows how many thousands of dollars I have put into repairs and replacement parts.

[@ash7990]

These to me feel very much like a Rover product. There's lots of designs, parts and materials which are so very Rover. 75 style dashboard, 75 style rear suspension, curved waste line below the window like the Rover 200/25. Alloy wheel design, door mirror design etc. very Rover. The door card texture/material feels the same as my Rover Streetwise did. Some parts are the same - door pins, door locks, rear seat locks etc.

[@baronvonjo1929]

My neighbors had a convertible manual. We drove it one time and it was pretty cool. But also super impractical and cheap interior. The back seats were literally soft touch plastic. I didnt even know car manufacturers did that.

[@mbarker]

Well timed video! Happy you saved your Y-Reg Mini review for a special occasion. Mixed feelings watching though... recently metal debris was found in the oil of my second gen Mini clubman s and the engine is on death's door. It's parked up on the side of the road and I'm without a garage to fix it in.

[@WILLIAM1690WALES]

Considering it is 20 years old it does not look outdated it still looks modern retro looking testament to the design team from BMW and I like to think British as well

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video!

[@albertrodriguez4190]

I like your honesty

[@rimmersbryggeri]

The front cup holders are for lead weights to put camera gimbals in.

[@Thereal_prettyinblack]

Great review! Hate people doing "mini tours" showing buttons and stickers, huffing and puffing without actually a piece of history, feel or taking it for a ride. Worse are the girls with long fake nails pressing buttons, keep saying "like" and "andsoon" and not having a slightest idea how to open the bonnet. Thank you, that was a joyous ride!

[@mr-wx3lv]

Thanks Matt, interesting video. I didn't like the new mini when it first came out, cos I thought it was just a spoof and a fashion accessory. It didn't have that people's car ethos of the original. But looking back, it's not a bad design at all...

[@johnedwards3198]

Cup holders that don't hold cups... "BAD MINI, BAD CAR!!"

[@tonys1636]

Back when it was designed take away tea and coffee cups were only 7oz's, think US Solo cup size but in white.

[@johnedwards3198]

@@tonys1636 I think that's what they now call Energy Drink sized cans... 250ml of Torro Rosso

[@gratigo1]

The new beetle had basically the same useless cup holders when it first came out haha

[@Nickoboss29]

Hands down this is the best and only modern Mini

[@Bombastic_Spastic]

Ive not long bought an R53 (on a 53 plate coincidentally) and I wish I'd have bought a mini sooner!

[@KLUTCHdot58]

How fantastic to see that car! I saw it unveiled as scothall Leeds. I feel old now but glad it's still on the road! Perhaps they will be as sought after as the G WAC Discoveries.... Thinking on I may have a photo of it in my boxes of junk. I will have a look when I'm allowed in my mother's house!

[@furiousdriving]

That would be incredible, Ive been searching for a picture of it in the dealer, even called them but the person I spoke to didnt think they had kept anything from the launch. If you do come across it please do send or email a copy

[@KLUTCHdot58]

@@furiousdriving I hope I still have it. It would be excellent to see the photo with the car! I don't remember bringing any brochures back or anything like that as I was there through work rather than as a customer.

[@geoffreyrawlings9736]

Excellent information love the BMW mini .just goes to show what Rover could have achieved if if they looked outside the box.Thanks

[@hhgttg69]

build date will say May 2001, not may 1st.

[@jkk244]

It’s easy enough to go online and, using the VIN, research to find the actual build date. I suspect Matt did that to arrive at 1st May 2001.

[@hhgttg69]

@@jkk244 according to mini Y register the build date was 3rd may 2001

[@zzhughesd]

Crickey I was sold something on a Furious Driving vid.

[@themightyimp08]

I also chuckled at the airbag warning light @18:53 We've all been there with the 2001 minis.. pretty easy to fix, but is an MOT failure, so we all get good at fixing them or pay through the nose at the dealership

[@furiousdriving]

Ive had to sort it every MOT! Wiggle stuff and it goes out long enough to get a pass

[@themightyimp08]

@@furiousdriving most people disconnect the battery, and replace the connectors under the seats with new connectors, better still, use 2 sections of a connector strip to eliminate the problem caused by the quick release mature of the oem connections

[@petshopb]

Very good video, thx

[@ronmccullock1407]

Fantastic review of an icon

[@robertstancliffsr9575]

I often get compliments on my red and white 2003 R50. I only have 23,000 miles on it so I can't speak for durability. Problems I have had are having to get the fuel pump replaced, and problems with the power locking system. It's fun to drive. The Midland 5-speed shifts smoothly and I have had no problems with it. It feels a lot quicker that a 112 HP car would be expected to feel..........

[@furiousdriving]

Hey are enormous fun, I don’t drive mine much in winter and I guess you don’t, they last well but look out for the fuel tank hanger strap rusting out, not expensive but or technically difficult but tricky as the tank will drop out when it’s taken off!

[@kf-dk5pb]

Hi great video thank you, could I please ask how reliable your car has been, as my wife is considering purchasing a first generation Cooper, but I’m a little unsure after reading several horror stories online. So could I please ask your opinion and experience. Cheers paul

[@debbiepeter112]

Mine will be 20 years old in October 👍

[@TVtwarn]

Bit late to the party but I’ve just bought a 51 plate cooper I hated them at launch as I owned my second mini at the time (an 86) I still own a classic mini albeit a clubman estate These cars have grown on me considerably

[@owenprice8377]

My January 2002 r50 with only 80,000 miles and original clutch, is still going strong. 19 years and counting

[@robertstancliffsr9575]

I have a red 2003 Copper R50 with a little over 20K miles. I am now driving it more and enjoying it a lot. I recently had to have the power locking system replaced and that cost me 450 bucks. Still, I like the car a lot and get good comments on it often....Mine is a Midland 5-speed so I appreciate the 80,000 miles on the clutch comment.....

[@mini50]

2003 R50 71,000 miles here 😄 The clutch, gear box and engine are very strong indeed. I almost replaced everything else though...

[@vspencer9764]

I haven’t used my immaculate 20 year old Cooper for about 6 months now and it just sits up the side of my house since it went through its ticket and it’s meant to be going to my girlfriends daughter but every time I take the cover off I think wow as the style looks as amazing and as fresh now as it did 20 years ago. My only gripe is don’t buy one like mine with the sports plus suspension package as it knocks your fillings out and obviously bin the run flats. My stainless door plate came unstuck but they’re only about £20 odd quid from BMW and I’ve named my Frank as I found a 2001 10 franc coin under the seat.

[@zzhughesd]

Making me feel old remembering it coming out at 24