Supercharged Mini Cooper S Review! Not Too Fast OR Furious

The early 2000's brought personality to people's cars. However it also meant cars were quickly becoming "rice" or tacky when it came to taste and choice. This supercharged widebody John Cooper Works Mini Cooper is a relic from the Need for Speed Underground era. So what's it like driving a car from the time period so many of us today were influenced by? Let's go for a drive and find out!
#mini #nfs #underground
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[@r.five.3]

Fun fact, the R53 was designed by Frank Stephenson, He also designed the McLaren P1, 570S, Mp4-12C Maserati MC12 and the Ferrari F430

[@Butts0hboi]

He's also got a YT channel !

[@yoisthatahonda8410]

As soon as I saw the butterfly doors I was like man...then I heard the supercharger and was like neat😄

[@Eidrian111]

What kind of English is that?

[@zachsaul148]

Those are scissor doors.... Tesla’s model x’s have butterfly doors

[@MaxCJennings]

@@zachsaul148 tesla model x has falcon wing doors.

[@HiDDENk00l]

@@MaxCJennings which is just a pretentious name for gullwing doors.

[@MaxCJennings]

@@HiDDENk00l exactly.

[@Frostekzz]

I’m guessing that’s a “boost” light, not a shift light.

[@chrisjones2172]

Ikr unless it's set at 3k rpm

[@papalugo]

I’ve had my R53 for 18 years now and love it.

[@DeadGuyPlays]

Nice. Considering buying an 02 Six speed. I hear bad things about maintenance but I also hear how much everyone loves them.

[@Jacob._.0619]

YES NEED MORE MINIS ON THE CHANEL

[@eurotrash4643]

Couldnt agree more !

[@Mc88Flyy]

Their all in the shop for repairs 😅😏

[@emanuelvega56]

always thought they were girly cars, until i drove one....then i owned an r53 w full bolt ons for 4-5 yrs LITERALLY one of the funnest cars ive ever owned. the maintenance was bad and super tight to work under the hood, but the pain in the butt is well worth the smiles per gallon. P.S. i blew the motor racing but it lived a fun and hard 170k miles.

[@cleysoptique8749]

yup lol i just bought a f56 jcw making 300hp

[@BigSaulo]

I just bought a 06 mini S for $800. It just blew the head on it. Got anotber 05 mini S with a good engine for $400 that was rolled. I figure I'll swap the engines, keep the spare and build it up slowly. Ill sell all the extra parts and be into it for basically nothing. Im excited to get it started.

[@skinnykills5428]

@@BigSaulo did you ever get it started, brother?

[@BigSaulo]

@@skinnykills5428 I ended up selling it all for double what I paid for it. Then for a mk2 gti with tons of extra parts and also got a complete Audi TT convertible for a parts car (I can’t register the TT). All for $750. I figure I’ll swap the gti body onto the Audi TT frame and have an mk2 gti with a 225 1.8t Quattro. I got tool, lift, plasm cutter, jig saw, angel grinder, tig and mig welder, so it would hurt to try. I figure to get it up and running I’ll be into it for $1000. I already sold the extra set of snow flake wheels it came with for $300.

[@VentiTimes]

“Today ladies and jellomen”

[@Brohontas]

I have a 04 r53 aero. So I was happy to see this in my feed. I’m big rwd guy but god these cars are entertaining. I had to buy mine after getting on it during the test drive.

[@DAPP1J]

I love it personally + I own an R53 and they are awesome ( Also rare vent scoops in the UK)

[@Lethal_Venom]

Hearing this thing whine makes me want to go out and drive my 04 Cobra but we just got 10" of snow..and its cold as hell. Hoping for an early spring

[@jgregoryj1]

I have a 2004 MC40. After my father bought his 2003. I wanted one. Absolutely love my 2004 MC40. Such a blast to drive. I'll be at work and just see my car in the parking lot and just smile. And that supercharger whine. Don't get me started. That's the best thing about it. Everything else is icing on the cake

[@christopherwilliams9418]

Was that the one they dressed up to look like the Monte Carlo rally Mini?

[@AznFishyyy]

Just started watching this vid and im already smiling

[@EslayerTM]

ngl the sound coming off of this reminds me of when you first get the VW Corrado in FH1 if you slap a supercharger on it

[@Crushhyt]

oddly specific but true ;)

[@EslayerTM]

@@Crushhyt bit of a nostalgia thing that just popped in my head thats why lol

[@danielnelson4881]

Didn't that Corrado have a supercharger? EDIT: DUH! No was definitely a VR6.. Stupid me. Love that game.

[@EslayerTM]

@@danielnelson4881 well you could put one on i think

[@bigdaddyc1997]

Would love to have a r53. I have a r56 and I would love to hear that whine from a r53

[@betterthenyou99]

What's the difference be the 53 & 56?

[@geraltofmordor]

@@betterthenyou99 If I'm not mistaken the R53 is the generation with the supercharger and the R56 is the generation with the turbocharger

[@eurotrash4643]

I got both and verify it’s fun ! Also have f56

[@betterthenyou99]

@@geraltofmordor that's very cool. I heard these in general had cooling issues and just never got into them. Good to know tho. Thanks.

[@geraltofmordor]

@@betterthenyou99 You're welcome

[@theslowwrxy3662]

I love the supercharged minis, I had a chance to buy one and I should have done it! Great review David.

[@ilovecabbagges]

i doubt they are gonna rise in price but if they do i’m glad i got one

[@lakai958]

needs wheels with better offset imho to fill out those huge fenders

[@Viking445]

Man that shift light is going bonkers LMAO

[@AnkleStabber]

I have an r53 with a smaller pully and a ton of other fun things and ive been waiting for him to review one forever I just wish it was like a clean one not a ricey one lol

[@skinnykills5428]

Same, the video just hit my feed and was hoping it’d at least be a facelift jcw with an aero kit

[@Stabb3dByAJAX]

My first car....same color & model. Miss that thing

[@OrkishEngineering]

Yeah I own the base model, and it's my first car! Blue, white top, and white stripes.

[@williamrose3987]

I have an 03 Mini Cooper S, but it's mostly stock. They are brilliant.

[@mintyzee3000]

I literally just bought a supercharged mini s so this video is one time!!

[@jeffbrace5357]

Same I just bought mine Sunday! 05 6 speed 😈

[@jono202]

I adore mine. 06 JCW and just rolled over 22K miles. Most fun car I've owned.

[@xanderm3027]

22k?!!!!!!

[@jono202]

@@xanderm3027 yeah, it's been babied.

[@kev_pe3848]

Dang, I just looked at what podcast I'm listening to tonight and found you on the Smoking Tire podcast

[@Official_MikeyT]

I get the feeling that this thing would get enough lift off snap oversteer to make a Fiesta ST feel tame.

[@jasminegoin5006]

LMAO, this is a funny video! 1st dudes trash talking, but in the end he's in love. 💕 #R53Driver

[@KrausesCars]

The headlights is only on the r53-55 it stops after the r56 turbo version I believe

[@Triplez43]

The sound reminds me of the Italian job

[@MyNameisStorm]

I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's exactly what it sounds like!!

[@SCREAMILLUSION]

Not to be that internet guy but I feel different wheels and adjustment to the stance, that bodykit wouldn't look half bad. The doors though not a fan of.

[@cincyjro1]

Personally owned 3 R53 MINI's and currently own A 2005 JCW R53 and a 2012 Cooper S R56 (non JCW). The 2012 is more comfortable for daily running but my R53 is my toy. It is, as you put it, a more nostalgic or traditional drivers car in the sense you feel more connected with the road. I'll always have an R53 but the R56 I can trade in anytime... This one could be better but could be worse. I've worked on thousands of cars in my life and seen some pretty hilarious stuff and some frightening stuff. The lambo doors are hanging in the hilarious area while the invisible 'NOS' system seems a little scary... if it's actually there. If it is I'd say it's installed on the intercooler outlet horn (drivers side top). The lines would be visible. Maybe make an in depth video about under the hood. We MINI people will be able to tell you of it there and if we see anything else to be concerned about.

[@ChrisNieves]

Love my r53

[@gabrielmorris527]

The buttons on the back of the steering wheel are for the radio. Don't really know which buttons do what, though. The cruise control would be on the front of the steering wheel below the horn buttons.

[@foggyj4474]

Mini’s aren’t obviously fun cars until you realize what it has that makes it so good! Aftermarket mods are great, they look awesome, and you can see everything. No blind spots at all.

[@condimentcars]

Steering wheel controls on back confused for flappy paddles are radio controls. have same in my car if aftermarket radio installed can be mistakenly disconnected/ deactivated. Mine I had saved and has funtions still of volume randomize tracks, and go to next song.

[@stonerjoshua6848]

My brothers cooper s r53 was a beast 💪

[@ozzyprod9332]

I had one of those and man I miss that mini

[@robsorgdrager8477]

I don't care if turbos are more efficient.....on the street a big , noisy eaton makes driving better😈 The early ones had an engine that looked like it came right out of a neon. The first time I lifted the hood on one of these at work I was like, " oy! This thing has a neon engine in it " 🤭

[@brodyhanna7443]

So widebody, Nice Built motor? Coils? "Everything"

[@motogte]

They are little go karts esp on an uk or irish b road.

[@victorbecerril8548]

10:13 is how every daily driven r53 mini owner feels

[@kennethelliott5985]

Thats traits of that getrag 285 transmission in both the mini cooper s and the svt focus

[@dhoward471]

The back buttons are audio controls cruise control is on the front of the steering wheel and only the first gen mini’s head lights goes up with the hood. Great video tho!!

[@CPMUNSEY]

I’d drive the wheels off of this thing!! Very cool build👌🏽🔥🔥👊🏼

[@calebmatthews-lynn3250]

Was this in Tasmania Australia, because I swear I saw and heard this this afternoon

[@dannyrivas5125]

That dude in blue check out tuning shed Chanel they got a compound charging Mini Cooper there working and they race it . They make crazy amount of torque out of and there still working on it there planing to put a dsg on it

[@Kingcadillac816]

I driven one turbo and one n/a man it was a blast toke me right back to go cart except way funner and actual car steering and smallness and it had good low end I really injoyed it the steering was crazy that I would turn corners with no arm movement really compared to most American cars I think they packaged those very well wish they all maid 200+ up though cause it's hard to find anything cheap except a n/a models Like gut one swap everything over from a 93 eclipse gsx

[@rickynelson9647]

Aye r53 gang!!!!

[@marlonelmorefreedomisoursn9744]

add this One to the list of tm mini coopers I want to drive

[@AaronHendu]

Some different wheels would make a world of difference.

[@logicn.reasoning9744]

What was up with the shift light? It looked more like an acceleration light.

[@nototherwisespecified]

Boost light, like a 73 firebird turbo

[@bigboy9957]

My next door Neabor has a mimi cooper that is my alarm clock every morning and if he is not on the gas then the mini is popping like crazy and shooting flames

[@channelsettings8931]

What if that nos button is the red button on the wiper stalk behind the steering wheel? 🤔🤔

[@georgebull7526]

That's the alarm light.

[@DissFooJosh]

We need another jasmine or nessa drive soon

[@robindodd4761]

I has a xr8 ute loved it 5,4 v8 i now have a 2007 mini jcw i have to say i like it more the its power right away why it was useed in the spit fire

[@papalugo]

Steering wheel buttons are radio controls, to change volume, track, and input.

[@Powersproductions130]

Controls on the back of the mini are radio controls. One side goes through radio presets and the other side is volume controls.

[@danielnelson4881]

Back of the mini? Like the back of the car? There are radio controls on the back of the car? What

[@SPIDERMAN2015]

I would say the steering wheel of mini remind me of Chevy impala 2000-2005

[@pulseweld]

I have a fiat 500 and the amount of aftermarket parts and body kits would boggle your mind.

[@don_huzan]

My Italian friend had a 2018 fiat 500 abarth and he wrapped it around a tree after a night of drinking. That car was actually a hoot though, even tho it wasn’t the fastest.

[@toddsupraman7609]

Why is the shift light on at such low rpm if it has nitrous where is the bottle and lines

[@coreyclark2692]

That's what I was thinking, lines should be fairly obvious if it had a nitrous system on it

[@kevinW826]

@@coreyclark2692 same here

[@danielnelson4881]

@@coreyclark2692 Easy. No nitrous.

[@danielnelson4881]

I don't think we could see the light change fully.. Just it turning yellow in preparation.

[@gaydes1012]

my aunt has a mini convertible with the supercharged 4cyl and a 6 speed manual and it's soooooo fuuuuuuun! that car and my VW have made me a believer FWD cars are the sauce!

[@condimentcars]

6 speed* are all s

[@gaydes1012]

@@condimentcars I forgot thanks for reminding me

[@condimentcars]

@@gaydes1012 no issues Atleast it’s a manual!

[@CRatcliffe]

I wish this had been done to anything other then a jcw lol im fine if it had been to a regular s but the jcw were so rare in the factory supercharged setups. Also those front brakes are not factory for that generation im guessing those were swapped from the r56 turbo generation jcw.

[@cincyjro1]

2002 didn't have a factory JCW option. It was a dealer add on back then and was mostly bolt ons and an ecu tune. Stock JCW was 200hp. 2005 they rolled out the factory JCW option with better tune (210hp), shorter gears and lightened a few kg. Also did away with that awful steering wheel :p.

[@PeacewiththeGraces]

Owning the same gen mini, part of me loves this and part of me hates this lmao

[@CaptainCJ97]

Nice color

[@loveless_blades1115]

So would be a hellkitten since it has half the cylinders of a hellcat?

[@rhull3939]

Didn't make it all the way to hell. It's a gravekitten.

[@SuperAfranks]

Did some trading about a month ago for a 2009. Pretty little thing, but not supercharged...😓. Wish it was a standard as well. But hey, its getting 36 mpg.

[@renegallegos3226]

This is dope

[@VentiTimes]

You’re first

[@michaeleddie791]

I have a 1987 Shelby charger if you want to do a video on

[@soapotterbox9380]

i kinda love it

[@Masterphr-og7db]

I love mini bit now not so mini do like the supercharger on the early ones

[@mr.cd5394]

This car has been in my driveway and it’s stupid cool 😂

[@RevolutionUprise]

Definitely looks like a fun little car.

[@jonathanpatten3173]

All it needs is a little bit of underglow and I'm down I would drive that everywhere but I'm also 30 years old the perfect age for those cars

[@that1ej103]

The supercharger wasn’t updated on a jcw. It’s just a smaller pulley. 11%. And I believe a slightly bigger head, different exhaust, and that’s about it

[@ogbobby5128]

I SEE THE RED BUTTON FOR THE NOS LOOK BY THE SIGNAL STOCK

[@ccms457]

Its nice IMO

[@robertsomerville320]

LOL, i kinda like it. Having driven them, and having owners that have told me to steer clear of them due to unreliability, it's still got a certain fun factor that makes you want to keep driving... until they break. But All in all a cool car.

[@henryseekins7346]

I want one!

[@Zayd0o0o]

Mini with a whine! Lmao. This what I love about cars, people with crazy and funny projects

[@thegingercarguy]

Yes.

[@theworksho3947]

Cooper S was already supercharged.

[@lewisashton160]

These cars are class on UK roads 👌

[@jordanhughes1245]

I wish my mini worked!

[@AlexJMerry]

Now that’s a good time, now review my b6 passat

[@internetperson8146]

Dang

[@J2498]

I would take it to Pikes Peak and enter it.

[@Dirtbikedude399]

It's for sale in Chattanooga, TN on facebook marketplace. $10,000.

[@Does_it_come_in_black]

The steering wheel reminds me of the one I had in my dodge neon 🤮

[@256hondahoodrats8]

I know the owner personally of the Mini Cooper! It is a neat car!

[@WilliamDye-willdye]

Future "That Dude in Blue" episode: I drive Project Binky! Also, say hello to my new grandson!

[@scarecrow33]

It’s sounds good inside because Mini mics the motor and plays it through the speakers, lol

[@LonelyGamerVibez]

Do you have any pictures of the center hub? Is it a stock speedometer or is it custom? I’d love to see more of it. Check out my R53 on Instagram @Slyfox.53

[@cincyjro1]

That's the original NAV pack with column mounted speedo and tach. There should be a NAV cd unit in there somewhere also.

[@alineharam]

"The bee's knees..."

[@TheJoeScan]

I miss my R56.

[@jimmys_mk8209]

I miss my mini.. :(

[@andrew-1_plastic_35i8]

I miss my mini, even though it was a cooper s countryman, it still handled like it was on rails and the 6 speed manual kept it fun when I wanted to get the revs up

[@_tokii__]

Why the inside look bigger than it actually is

[@2cornersahead]

A first gen new mini John Cooper works from 2005-2006 actualy has more HP than the 2nd gen new mini Cooper John Cooper works.and the buttons behind the steering wheel are radio controls.

[@ianrossman3209]

I miss my r53

[@FRKahs]

That thing looks sick... both cool and bad. (sounds cool tho)