The R53 MINI Cooper S is the Next Cult Classic

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When Rover and BMW were creating an all-new Mini in the late '90s, it was crucially important that the resultant car was recognisable, fashionable, and a hoot to drive. But as for a new Cooper S, they had a supercharged ace up their sleeve...
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00:00 Introduction
01:20 Rover and BMW
04:46 A New Cooper S
05:32 Advertisement
07:22 A Bee in its Bonnet
10:41 S is for Supercharged
12:34 Getrag Gearbox
14:21 BMW-Specified, Rover-Designed
15:18 Agility and Steering
17:30 Weighty Controls
18:32 Styling and Interior
21:35 Brimming with Character
25:22 Reflection and Conclusion

[@TwinCam]

The first 1000 people to follow the link will get a one-month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/twincam09221

[@ferralpip]

Nice video,but You missed the fact that form 2006 onwards BMW used engines jointly developed with Peugeot. The same engine Peugeot used in the 207 GTi and 208 GTi, except in the mini cooper s it was supercharged as opposed to turbocharged in the PUGS. Lol.. You're welcome 😄

[@TwinCam]

Missed? The R56 is the next generation MINI.

[@ferralpip]

@@TwinCam my bad🤣I did miss read your title great video

[@rickybaskerville4489]

@@ferralpip no the Peugeot engine was turbocharged the Chrysler engine was supercharged

[@Fore-Four-Dee-Too]

I have owned my 2005 R53 since the day I ordered it new. The things you complain about are picky and sort of ridiculous. I've been driving for over 30 years and have owned 200+ cars. My R53 is the most enjoyable car I have owned. You repeatedly state the car isn't practical, but never explain that opinion. I have driven mine as my primary vehicle for years. It serves almost all pourposes well. You can even fit a barrel of beer in the boot without folding down the rear seats. Complaining for the sake of complaining doesn't make a good review. There is nothing wrong with the R53.

[@ciroccomoody1242]

I’ve had my R53 S for 16 years and I still grin every time I get behind the wheel 👍😊❤️

[@Mr10SPRO]

What repairs have you endured?

[@chocthephotographer3226]

I only have mine for two months 😁😆😅😂😍

[@andrewingry2986]

got a 2005 plate 18 years old love it on 34,000 miles on the clock weekend car better than the to hatches today

[@rollstuhlmeister]

I'm actually starting to appreciate how amazing the original NEW Mini is. It's a classic in its own right

[@TwinCam]

I certainly think so!

[@tedecker3792]

To many Americans of Ed’s age this is a mini; they are blown away when they see an example of the original and how tiny they really are. I used to compete in autocross with my MG, and there were always a few minis there. With wide slicks and a few suspension mods they would lift three wheels and turn on the outside front tire! Always a blast to watch.

[@philtucker1224]

Still, as a teenager having an original mini back in the seventies, they were still plenty big enough 🥰🥰🥰

[@shaungreer3350]

honestly if you’ve flipped a classic mini you deserve a medal. I can only hope to own one one day lol

[@colrhodes377]

@@philtucker1224 I had a 74 Morris Mini 1000. It was cold, uncomfortable, noisy and loud but the most fun car I have ever had the privilege of owning. Over the years I've owned more than 50 cars but none handed as well as my Mini

[@philtucker1224]

@@colrhodes377 yes they were great! (Mine was an older 850 for a while and then we dropped an MG 1100 engine into it) - much better! 😊stay blessed buddy.

[@shizzlepecks]

The og minis are my favorite euro car that exists. But those who say the r50 aren’t proper minis are people who beat their wives. Facts.

[@moiseshdz170]

mini won the 2004 car of the year award in Detroit, thats when I ordered mine. I own my R53 since then until now. Since I retired 10 years ago, Im able to perform most repairs on my mini. The last repair was a new clutch, but I have dealt with everything from car door latch to harmonic dumpler to calipers and everything in between. I love the ride so much more now. Thank you so much for sharing the history/background of legendary Mini Cooper S!

[@MissionForward3]

I have a 2004 Cooper S that I've decided to trade for a 2013 JCW converible. It's bittersweet. I love my S even though I see the serious upgrade from the deal.

[@alexfluxx3358]

Every friend of mine who had sold their 1st gen new MINI, was looking for another one shortly after. This thing is pure gold! Unbeatable in terms of fun/TCO ratio.

[@thenewlife7588]

I just bought a 2004 R53 with 15K miles and it's the most fun one can have with their clothes on. I have owned two MR2's, two Civic SI's, and an EVO VIII. None of them put smiles on my face right from the jump like this Mini does. IMO, the car is brilliant in every respect. I see no issues with power delivery nor shifting. It's far and away the best handling car I've ever owned. Go-kart handling isn't hype as it exceeds expectations.

[@lesheath6216]

The handling is what makes this car such fun to drive, however I feel like the CRX is a little better all around for less money.

[@dsher503]

Do you have an S? Or JCW? I'm looking into getting an R53 in the next month or so and wondering if it's worth searching for longer to find a JCW. I've found a few 05 or 06 really clean S's but not sure how much I'd be missing out.

[@r53caspar]

@@dsher503 I would buy an s and then get a smaller supercharger pulley along with new headers and air intake from aitec, plus Mégane front brakes and you will be as fast as the John cooper works

[@michaelmorley7678]

So true and value is insane, got my 06 r53 for 3k back in '19 and fixed it up a little, got it to 205whp etc. etc. , more fun than my built 11 sec 04 wrx

[@johnhall8564]

Have you driven a Lotus Elise ? I’ve never driven a Mini but I’m in the process of buying a Cooper S R53 it will be interesting to compare the 2 cars……

[@TheCurlyP]

I freaking love mine for all the reasons you mention, it really is a stunning achievement in aesthetic and technical design, and just try not to smile as the supercharger spins up, I bet you can't

[@petervisor]

I bought my R53 new in 2004, and paid MSRP after a 10 month wait for delivery. The handling feels neutral until you reach the limit of adhesion, when it will gently under-steer. It spins a front tyre too easily in first gear. The seats are for XXL people. It averages 26 miles per USgal. There are just no new small desirable hatchbacks sold here in the US. After 18 years, this is still the best car for me. I love it!

[@myoldmate]

You are a really good motoring journalist. Top Gear, and the wonderfulness of the trio being the pinnacle of car sh*t, never to be replicated, you do a fine job. Please keep it up.

[@Stephenb033]

I owed an R50 for 3 years when the model came out. That car was a revelation. Sadly missed.

[@KAToriginal]

That review deserves a like and a sub! Proud owner of an ‘04 R53. Gem of a car, and some thoughtful predictive maintenance will keep it running happily and you smiling all the way. Can absolutely see the value for good examples increasing in future.

[@baseline957]

I had a 2003 mini S, and had to sell it about a year and a half ago. I regret it so much, that I’m probably going to end up trading in my car and picking another one up. Absolutely hands-down the best car I’ve ever driven, I miss it every day 😂

[@sleepercell9926]

Gearbox is one of the best things in that car. I love the gearbox.

[@equaliser2265]

6 speed in 2003, was very advanced.

[@peteglanton9259]

I used to think they were just style over substance, until I drove one. I bought it 10 minutes later and I’ve had it 7 years now. Perfect driver’s car.

[@Ambrosonic]

I plugged in a Sprint Booster throttle response unit on my 03 S. It fixes all the lag, and I run it in race mode. I put it back to stock last week just to test it out, but it`s not the same car without it. I`m sure you can add a program to tune throttle response, but an easy solution is the Sprint Booster.

[@jkk244]

Great video. Very well presented. I bought one of the very first R53 Cooper S models sold in the United States more than 20 years ago and I still love it. It continues to make me happy every time I drive it.

[@GTFour]

Find someone to let you drive one with the John Cooper Works (JCW) engine upgrade. Was a factory option with a worked head, larger injectors, tuned ecu, supercharger pulley and I think different airbox. They absolutely fly! There was also JCW body kit and suspension. You can have any without the other. All 3 quite rare.

[@finditfixitmechanics]

Nice video, you nailed the feeling people get when driving a R53 with the Supercharger and the six speed. One of the funnest Mini’s to own and reasonably easy to work on.

[@davidmbell]

Had the slightly revised 2004 R53 Cooper S for a few years. Had a Kavs reduced pulley on it and went like the proverbial off a shovel! Very thirsty though and swapped out runflats for normal tyres. Loved it.

[@322DanielK]

Good review, it's strange why this video is so deep in the search, I already started to think that no one had done reviews on the S R53 until I came across this miracle in the depths

[@robbied1468]

Really good looking car - Sadly, (in my humble opinion) subsequent iterations and updates consistently climbed higher and higher up the ugly - today’s car doesn’t work for me at all.

[@chrisblay]

I’ve owned an R53 Cooper S JCW for five years now. It’s the modern Mini that most closely aligns to feel and characteristics of the original Mini. Always puts a smile on my face when driving it and love the super charger sound, which gives an impressive power boost when needed. I’ve driven the later generations of modern Mini as well and although they are more comfortable, the R53 is the most fun to drive.

[@petem6226]

I've got an R53 JCW210... there's nothing wrong with the throttle in it. 😉

[@domc327]

I've had 3 over the years, and currently have a british racing green R53 with white accents sitting in the driveway. It's a fantastic car to drive and I have a lot of love for it. Unfortunately its a pita to work on and constantly having small issues so I find myself driving my FRS more and more while the Mini has fallen to winter beater duty.

[@garylake1676]

Great video, I had a Cooper S at launch, I then had the JCW upgrade, I must have had around four R53 JCW's as I got a new one every two years. These days, I have a GP1 in my collection, I agree that the gear changes were not smooth, however, the GP1 with the sound deadening removed to save weight, sounds like the engine is screaming when the supercharger builds up the power.

[@lewisteer183]

Great cars, I'm a fan of the r56 as well tbf, both proper fun little cars

[@garylake1676]

@@lewisteer183 I am as well, I had a few new R56's in my time, as with the R53, four I think. I collect the R56's now, two JCW Coupes, three JCW Roadsters, and one GP2, so all the two-seater models. The third generation does not do it for me, my daughter has had a couple of JCW ones, the second with the auto box, but for me, they have lost the Mini feel, that went with the R56 came to the end of its production run, and looking back, the GP2 was the end of era. I did have a deposit down for a GP3, but that auto box put me off, not for me. .

[@darrenlucas2768]

Enjoyed that buddy thankyou. For anybody watching...dead throttle easily made better by an electronic controller to speed up it's opening....eBay ones work just fine for about £50, and with regards to tuning them it's fairly easy to get them to around 190 to 200 bhp with simple supercharger gearing mods, 30% larger intercooler ...plus opening up the airbox to breathe and an exhaust makes the sound truly epic,and so cheap to do as well if you look on line...these engines are bullet proof and can take 400bhp on stock internals But be warned...when you start spending on them,it becomes addictive .

[@robertblackburn752]

My 2019 Mini Cooper S is a never ending source of joy. The noise it makes when the turbo kicks in is magic! Minis have this ‘planted’ on the road feel the faster you go.

[@declanedwards1827]

I have two first gens, r50 park lane and r52 cooper s and absolutely love them, and to be honest love gear change feel, feels purposeful and solid, not sloppy and light

[@awaisdon2868]

Completely agree

[@julianrobinson0]

Absolutely phenomenal video. Makes me love my R53 even more.

[@leeandjancruise]

I have a 2019 JCW with all the toys, yes it's a modern one and I love the looks, the comfort, the ride, the 230 horses, the handling and in white/silver with a red top it's the dogs shiny bits. As it's now three years old I've recently test driven a Porsche Macan, a Cupra Formentor, a Volkswagen T Roc R and a boring 4 series BMW, none of these excite me as much as the Mini so I can't see any new car in the near future, if I had to change anything on the car I'd like a BMW badge on the steering wheel and on the outside in a discreet location a badge 'MINI by BMW'.

[@stephenwhitworth7701]

Hello Ed, long time viewer, first time commenting. I love the detail you embed in every review and your shared views. Tonight I purchased a 2003 R53 Cooper S. My first ever drive of a R53 was earlier this evening - I bought it. I have to now derided the modern mini for many of the reasons you have raised in this video - my appreciation of the cars fundamentals aligns perfectly with you descriptions. I have never felt a gear change as I did tonight, strange/different, I needed more time to perfect it - you raise this about half way through your review. Connected and a great sense of knowing what the car is doing - a wonderful sense as my drive progressed. A blend of the BMC/Rover view and the end result. I ended my drive with a confidence that a purchase was the best thing to do. I believe I now own a fantastic classic car; your review has confirmed it. Keep up the great work.

[@gazp2194]

You are getting better and more popular with every vid. I really hope you become a top youtuber.you deserve it

[@leemanton766]

Great video, love my r53, gives me the same grin & giggle you had every time I drive it! The 2 issues you mentioned are easily rectified on these, gear change, probably just worn, new bushes & a grease & you get a really slick shift! Throttle response can be vastly improved & made adjustable by fitting a sprint booster!

[@LIFpwn]

Considering it as a weekend driver, but its price is skyrocketing and I can't afford owning two cars at the moment, but one day it will be in my garage. I drove one of these for like 20 minutes and I've had a massive smile on my face

[@GTFour]

If the prices are skyrocketing later is the wrong time to buy

[@lukefosterphoto]

Cracking video! I have the 2005 Checkmate R53 and it’s an absolute dream to drive with the factory fitted LSD, pano sunroof and other bits and bobs. I’ve had it for 8 months and still can’t get over how much poke it has. My last car was the R50 and my first car (10 years ago) was a 1983 Austin Mini Mayfair and there’s so many points you touch on with comparisons between the minis that I very much agree on!

[@daudder]

an absolutely stunning car, unique with nostalgic design that is, perfect. great video!!!!

[@OXOtwo]

Really enjoyed the video. Absolutely love the Mini Cooper S. It's definitely a future classic.

[@GenaF]

I have an F56 and also an R52. I love them both. My best Buddy has an R53. Gorgeous car!

[@gt197]

Great review. These R53s are becoming hard to find now in reasonable condition, so a good one will command a high price..

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

I miss my R56 Mini One Graphite, mine was only a 1.4 but what a cracking little car, it was, it handled like a dream, and once I stuck a noisy exhaust system on it, it sounded ace and looked good with the bigger 18inch alloys on it. Excellent Review Ed, can tell you enjoyed the noise of the supercharger a car that puts a smile on anyone's face.

[@The_BenboBaggins]

I really didn't want to like the BMW Mini, being a die-hard classic Mini fan and owner. Then, a couple of years after selling my last classic I drove a 2018 Cooper and you could feel the essence of the Mini in it. Once I'd done that it was game over for me - I started looking for R53s a couple of years ago, because supercharger, obvs. And about 18 months ago I bought an 04 plate Cooper S and completely love it! It's nowhere near the same as any of my old Minis, but the spirit is there.

[@boredsund]

I loved my little R50 mini - as a single bloke, I found it very practical. And much more so than the classic mini I had as a student.

[@grayfool]

Definitely the pick of the bunch. Huge fun and great looking. I would suggest not riding in the back though. I tried it a couple of times and, on the rather lumpy roads in the Cambridgeshire fens, I was nursing a headache from the constant contact with the roof. Fun for about two minutes. Best to just use the drivers seat then all is good. Good job Ed.

[@NudnikShpilkus]

Got my '03 S in '09 with just 36000 miles. It's up to 220k miles now. Virtually every repair has been used as a chance to upgrade performance, so it makes more HP than ever, without breaking the bank. Gotta love all the little quirks, like the cruise control that overshoots when resuming speed, like a '70s cruise control, the speed increment having been left in km/h so 8 clicks increases your speed 5mph, and the bonnet latch being on the (US) passenger side. Upgraded the cylinder head 20k miles ago to a Thumper TPR2 and 405 cam when it was due for head work. The cylinders still had factory hone crosshatch at 200k miles! Brilliant engine. Recently upgraded the supercharger to the Harrop TVR900 kit when the rebuilt M45 was at around 100k miles and the water pump was starting to leak. Got scoot when I stand on the throttle. Shooting for a million miles in this car. To paraphrase those 2nd Amendment types, "You can have my MINI when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers...." :)

[@NudnikShpilkus]

Plus, it has better towing capacity than my 4WD Jeep Patriot. LOL!

[@plym1969]

Ed you've excelled yourself with this review. A great video for a very interesting car.

[@neilmeredith7045]

What a great review of a great car. Keep it on cam and they sing.

[@brentbender7988]

I own a 2003 Mini S that just turned 100K in the USA. I'm 76 years old and love it. I've owned several BMWs and dozens of other brands. My Mini is my all time favorite, hand down!!! Love to drive it.

[@Zadster]

Superchargers are great, so long as you aren't paying the petrol bill. The BMW Mini is a bit like the Ford Focus, in that they got it so right with the first design, and then proceeded to make it just a little bit worse with every evolution.

[@vaux_wolf4281]

Absolutely spot on, I mean why fix something that isn’t broken!

[@marcelivovangerwen1961]

The last British engineered true MINI supervised by BMW but all british 🇬🇧 What a joy to own and drive!

[@Andrew-mv5zt]

A very good in-depth review video! However as a a fan of the R50 I want to scream 'not another R53 Cooper S review' video. Judging by the videos on the 1st generation MINI on KZbin, you'd be excused for thinking the One and Cooper never existed. Hope you get to try a standard R50 soon - they are without the fun supercharger whine, but are significantly more economical, reliable and I think a more usable day-to-day car, and 99% as fun.

[@TwinCam]

I'd love to do a video on an R50. But I haven't been offered one. I can't make a video on a car I have no access to.

[@RussellMiddleton]

Great review, and interesting model history. I have a R52 Cooper S JCW convertible with 48k miles in California, and it's a ton of fun. Previously had a Boxster, Cayman, Elise, MX-5, MR2 etc - the Mini makes even a supermarket trip good fun, whereas those cars needed the right road on the right day. I find there's a real sense of occasion each time I take it out, and it gets a lot of compliments too. Recently spent a day in a new Z4 which was numb in its steering feel and entirely lacking in character. Couldn't wait to get back in my little $7k Mini. I struggle to think of a better bargain at the moment. Surely a future classic. Surprisingly they're also great cars for tall people. I'm 6'4 and fit better than in any sporty car I've previously owned.

[@DesmoDreams]

Thanks. Very informative!

[@philtucker1224]

Hi Ed, sorry to be late watching this but just wanted to say “brilliant as usual” 😊👍👏

[@Emberescan12]

We had a 2005 Mini Cooper S when it was virtually brand new, fantastic fun to drive, but lots of issues with the gearbox and flywheel under warranty we decided to get rid of it. Also the R50 Minis are the best looking of all the modern Minis, they've just got bigger and uglier over the years. You also need to remember at this time many manufacturers were launching retro models, either remakes of a classic or something that looked retro (VW New Beetle, PT Cruiser, etc), so the Mini was launched at the right time, and the marketing for them was brilliant. The throttle response can be tuned to improve the response. Also it's worth saying the R50 Mini was one of those rare cars that was classless. I'd love another R53 as the supercharger whine was addictive. You ought to keep up the retro theme and review a Beetle 1.8 Turbo, or V5 Sport, completely different to the Mini obviously but all of this retro renaissance era.

[@miguelrodriguez3683]

Great Video! thanks a lot!

[@RoxhamCottage]

Great video! About 6 months ago I sold my boring Nissan Micra, after owning a series of other car just like it, and finally bought something I've always wanted -- a Mini! I live in central Canada and older cars are pretty rare given our 5 plus months of solid winter. I knew very little about the new Minis; I ended up getting a 2010 R55. There were only three R55s for sale in the entire country at that time. I was also interested in a really nice R50 but this is my only car and my daily driver so I was afraid of getting some too old to maintain. If I had to do it over again, I'd go for the R50!

[@brianaslett4154]

They're great little cars, but as my mechanic put it "a little delicate". I sold it when the maintenance costs became a problem. By the way - I changed the gearbox oil on mine at about 135 000km and it made a world of difference to the gearbox and gear change.

[@evansisgreat]

2:18 just a quick fact check,some early model MPIs (97-01) minis did receive official Rover badges at the top of the B pillar. Only about an inch high, but they were there.

[@TwinCam]

Certainly not in the UK. But if we’re talking about overseas markets, many Minis from 1988 onwards had Rover badges on the bonnet. Japan being the primary example.

[@kelvin262681]

Great in-depth review and just what I want when I’m researching about R53. And to top it off the background looks incredibly familiar to me until I realised it’s Lancaster!!

[@stroopwafel6141]

I love the first version of the modern Mini. Best looking compared to it's successors. Like the Fiat 500 one of the cars one still can recognize from a distance. Thanks for this in depth video, you're a great narrator.

[@emmagreaves7404]

Had one of these on an 04 plate in the same colour as this one and absolutely loved it. Fantastic fun! Only sold as emigrated for a few years but totally regretted doing so. Had I had a place to store it, I would have done…

[@Hidyman]

Just got an 05 in Pepper White this year. Had to do some maintenance, but none of it was too hard or expensive. It had 115K miles on it, replaced the timing chain tensioner and Cam position sensor. Did an oil change (added a Fumoto). Went ahead and replaced the valve cover gasket. All pretty easy. These cars do have a problem with mushrooming the strut mounts because the struts are so hard, but I got a set of Strut Tower Defenders and fixed that issue. They handle extremely well and are super fun to drive. Did the one you drive have the cackling exhaust, because it sounds great and is super fun (especially with the JCW exhaust). My wife want's her car to do it, too. 8^)

[@davidspendlove5900]

Bought one of these on its release 20 years ago and loved it.The supercharger whine reminded me of the transmission noise in the original mini and I never tired of this.Residual values were amazing.I heard these cars cost more to produce than the 3 series.I did own the subsequent turbo versions but these were not as enjoyable and the quality of the car had gone down.The current offerings are dreadful.

[@JohnCarlyle]

Superb review. Mine's been a daily for 10 years. Fuel economy is appalling, some questionable design/mechanical decisions, but overall fantastic.

[@mgg4879]

Great video.. I’m 60 and have just bought a Coope S having wanted one for years and not being able to afford one new when they came out. I loved the historical overview and the details about the engine and suspension. Your delivery was excellent. Many thanks

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Mike, that’s very kind of you to say 🙂

[@ChrisJones555.]

My mate let me drive his R53 a couple of weeks ago it's a proper B road weapon! Great fun and the supercharge whine is epic! 👍😁

[@jamesconnally8250]

Terrific review! I’m really fond of this generation MINI, but also the R55 Clubman, which still has heaps of charm and character (despite having turbo). I really wish BMW would go back to the R-series cars, but make them more reliable.

[@adrianrobinson8458]

I have just recently bought a mini cooper S R53 supercharger, what a remarkable little car, mine is a 2005 i got it at a good price, i intend to put some small mods on it, performance exhaust ( not pop and bang) new intercooler etc, its putting out 170bhp, im staging it 100bhp more, im keeping it all stock looking on the interior and exterior with the original mini-lite style alloys, upgrading the brakes, etc, when its all done i will not be selling it. 😎👍🏽

[@squealingtyres]

Parking up outside a leisure centre for a football game. My mate reversed one of those straight into the front of someone else 😂

[@stewarthumphreys8960]

June 2002 according to williams BMW of Bolton i was the 3 recoded registered new owner in the uk at the time of collection of a Cooper S.. electric blue fully loaded Inc sat nav.. loved the car.. 6 weeks after i got it i was offered much more money than what i had paid for it so i let it go.. at the time there was a 7 months waiting list.. Fabulous car..

[@exgtt2061]

Brilliant review! You’re right they are so undervalued ATM, £6k-£7k buys a super low mile mint R53. The same money buys a scabby Impreza with 12 owners and a ticking time bomb of a motor. There are a surprising amount of low mile, low owner barely driven R53’s out there. I suspect quite a lot were bought new by people of a certain age who remember the original and wanted a fun weekend car. Getting them up to modern GTi performance is only a pulley swap away but I’m happy with the standard 170bhp. It’s more than enough to have fun on the back roads and when looked after - capable of 150k+ miles. I hear there are a few in the US with 250k+ miles on their original engine. The clutch/gearboxes of the S were massively over engineered from factory. They can handle insane power.

[@johnmull59]

Great video, very informative and love the enthusiasm......now, should I go and buy one🤔

[@radovancavallinzerjal9241]

I love that car very much ,the engine and stile wise. A real icon! What they have done afterwards with a styling in the future generations after r53 don’t like it whatsoever. Always wanted one like this one but at the end have purchased Abarth 500 which I am happy with. Perhaps in the future if I find a good second hand one I may get one just for fun! Warmest regards and congrats on your channel!👏👏 P.S. Perhaps if you consider, do one on a little Abarth 500🔥🔥🔥

[@zokusharuuku1091]

I agree with completely everything having driven many r53 and r56 minis minus one point. I enjoy the notchieness of the shifter on these cars and gives the car a fun feel when you shift. It’s not hard at all to shift so I’m not sure where you’re getting that idea but it’s one of the more fun cars to shift, never grinding or preventing you from going into gear. The clutch feel is perfect not heavy by any means. It’s not super light like a Miata or other cheap gas saver so it gives you a good sporty feel. The gas pedal really does have to be pressed twice as far down as most other cars before anything happens not because of the engine but because of bad pedal tuning. This is quite annoying because if you don’t give it three times the gas you’d expect to from a stop you’ll likely stall it. This has been slightly fixed in newer r56 minis when you put them into sport mode but imo you shouldn’t have to put a car into sport mode to have normally responsive throttle. There is a way to tune and fix this but it’s not the easiest thing to do.

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

Frank Stephenson another underrated car designer, added to the likes of Raymond Lowey, Giovanni Michelotti and David Bache. I am not a fan of the new MINIs, those Union Jack rear lights are so stupid, and the size of the new ones make an Austin Maxi look tiny, even my Super Snipe looks small next to one. You must try an Audi A2 from the early 2000's, a car that the garage I use hates, I am using one due to both fuel pumps going on our Rover 75. Wonder if those are made in Germany? My former boss has gone electric, so has kindly lent me his little Audi, love it for it cleverness, even the daft bonnet. Great handling car too! Your uploads are getting better all the time. Keep up the good work.

[@shannonwittman950]

Before I purchased my 2005 Mini (I'm a Yank and wanted a small European car), I was looking into the Fiat 500 Turbo (or Abarth). Whatever anyone may say about the 500's build quality or relability -- it turns out the 1.4 engine is pretty reliable when properly maintained. And surprise-surprise, that engine is Chrysler engineered! My only complaint is that they went with a cam belt instead of a chain. Odd because their 2.4 engine (Fiat 500X) has a cam chain. Anyway, the Mini won out with me and I'm completely bonkers about owning and driving it.

[@TwinCam]

The 500 is a curious thing to study in the UK, because the basic car is now 16 years old, and is still incredibly successful. They're *the* standard choice of car for a teenage girl here, and the Abarths are considered brilliant little weapons. But here, as elsewhere, Fiats have a perceived quality/reliability problem. But the 500, despite some convoluted service techniques, has proved itself so successful that it's managed to pull away from that Fiat perception and just be considered a great little car, and that's funny, because the MINI has never quite managed that.

[@JuanSanchez-kv9yl]

Excellent watch, up there with Jeremy Clarkson. I thoroughly enjoyed your feedback because being a proud owner of a Mini Cooper R50 and an R53 S I am also pretty sure they will rocket in value in 10-15 years time.

[@Mini-Driver]

We have 4 (two R53's & two R52 S models) of these that I maintain and I love them.

[@darrenholmes3142]

Had one of these for a while with a few engine mods and performance exhaust to match 220bhp small pulley and remap all I can say is it was a riot not good on fuel but the torque steer was… interesting!!! 😃🤪

[@honestreviewer3283]

Another great review. The first generation, Frank Stephenson-designed cars are a masterpiece. I have a 2005 R50 that I've owned since new and love it, but I do not like any other of the new MINIs (i.e., past 2007). These cars are easy to work on, fun to modify (my R50 makes 150hp at the crank), and are a blast to drive (especially with a manual transmission)!

[@freddieparrydrums]

R52 was till 2008 :)

[@honestreviewer3283]

@@freddieparrydrums Yes, that was the only Gen. 1 car that went past 2007.

[@Modmaann]

Not easy to work on thought

[@honestreviewer3283]

@@Modmaann I do all the work on my MINI. Started with small jobs, and got more confident and skilled from there. There are tutorial videos for pretty much everything you need to know to maintain these cars.

[@roberttaylor6295]

😄 Ed, I hate you! I hate you as I seethe with all-consuming jealousy at getting behind the wheel of the tribute to the original Mini of the days of my rallying yore. They were and are a whole bundle or exciting and rapid fun. My first experience of when was when the local rallying butcher friend bought one to the club night, and we all had a go - and were utterly amazed not just by the performance but the proverbial to a blanket handing. The baby seem even a great deal better and to use and a proverb, it sounds like the dogs unmentionables! A thoroughly enjoyable and most competent video as we all now expect from the testing new kid on the motoring block - albeit you have reach the memorabale three years of doing it! Lol. Thank you. Rob

[@rob1971]

Great seeing you enjoy yourself having a blast about the lanes Ed 🚗 I remember test driving one when they came out and they were a a lot of fun to drive 😊 I've always thought there's something a little off about their proportions though, especially to length of the doors relative to the body when combined with the rather bland rear silhouette when viewed from the side. Maybe that's just me though...

[@Infini327]

The GP1 fixes that with a few exterior bits and a spoiler. Installed a similar wing on mine and it completes the car.

[@Jonathan-qz9kd]

R53 is the biggest barging out there for driving experience I have driven loads of cars and this is one of the best I have even driven it’s shocking how much of a barging they are!

[@mikeenglish6401]

Ah Ed, memories! I remember being tempted to buy a new AX until I realised it to be the flimsiest car I’d ever been in. By comparison, you are correct in viewing the Saxo as ‘normal’ by Citroen standards! Mike

[@tylert6573]

Interesting fact about the gearbox. It's the same unit as the one found in the st170 Ford focus.

[@barry7608]

Thanks I was hoping it would be a good review. My first car was an Australian Mk1 1275 Cooper S and I was in love from the start. I would love to have driven one of the new type…never mind

[@simmadpaul2880]

I had a Mini Cooper S R53 Works GTT. Bit of a mouthful but basically the 210bhp Works version with further upgrades by the guys at GT Tuning near Blandford. The whine of the supercharger was insane. The power was instant and very linear. Just kept pulling and pulling. Never had it on a dyno but must have been 250bhp. Nice car. One of those cars I wish I'd kept a hold of. Got rid of it just before it got to its 100K service which apparently costs £1500. Ouch. Interior wise mine had a central satnav and 2 dials b3h8nd the steering wheel milometer and rev gauge. I bought the chrome bezels which made the Interior a bit more classy. Loved the heated seats. As for the wheels I hated the run flat tyres they made the car tramline. I got rid of them at the first opportunity. Great car but what the hell did they do to the styling the mini of today looks shite. Passenger impact rules have destroyed the design don't get me started on the Countryman.

[@jonathanmagee9967]

Quite funny to see the old Top Gear style still alive and well, all the one liners and emotion in the presenting

[@version736ha2]

Love the clatter you can hear unique to the mini

[@joshseidel2814]

Will never give up my r53! The best car for having fun ever created!

[@NotDecided420]

Got one, and it is as fast af for the size of the car and the size of the engine. I absolutely wrecked some people in it earlier, and it's only the 160bhp stage 1 upgraded version. I love it. Already been through the number 2 cylinder rethread that everyone has to look forward to who owns this car. 100k+, and wait for that number 2 to explode out of the head.

[@matthewcoleman1485]

I own an R53 (facelift) with only 63k on the clock in Liquid Yellow. My wife loves it for the country lane commute and my kids love its looks! Was only meant to have it for a year but nearly 6 years later we still can't part with it

[@robertdemeny251]

One of my neighbors has a Mini John Cooper Work. It sounds like a thunderstorm when he takes of.

[@davidwright1605]

I enjoyed this review. For me BMW were not trying to create a successor to the original Mini, their focus was almost entirely on the Cooper and Cooper S. They were trying to create a small sporty hatch rather than the everyman car the original Mini was. A baby BMW. I bought a standard Cooper in 2002, and I kept it for 15 years - the longest I've ever kept a car. And a key reason was that like you I felt the newer Minis were going in the wrong direction. I have a pattern of alternating between sensible cars (Escort Mk2, Escort Mk4, Polo) and sporty cars (MG Metro, XR2, 205 XS, Mini Cooper) and finally replaced the Cooper with a car which is more like a spiritual successor to the original Mini - the VW Up! - which focuses on fuel efficiency and space efficiency but which just happens to be fun to drive,.

[@paddlelikemad3584]

When you consider the cost vs, the experience that is delivered to the senses, the value makes the more expensive venue unnecessary. The closer I get to that go kart type handling,the power delivery just seems secondary! I hope that makes sense to you because I can make believers after giving someone a ride to the point where they begin screaming, I take great joy in that!

[@MarcusTDM]

Yet another great video! Love all the history etc and I’m glad you state what I always tell people. It’s not the BMW MINI, it’s the part of Rover that BMW kept. BMW kept and saved Cowley to build the MINI. So it’s the last remaining bit of Rover and thank god they kept it otherwise it would now be the SAIC MINI! After watching this I’m now in a dilemma, I was looking to buy another MG ZS, but now I’m swinging towards one of these!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks again Marcus :) I do love a ZS V6, but I'd have a MINI. Cooler car with a better interior, IMHO. That being said, a ZS is endlessly more practical.

[@MarcusTDM]

@@TwinCam I’ve got a Cmax for practical! A 180hp 1.6 ecoboost though!

[@jbenekeorr]

I had a facelift JCW in this very colour for 4 years, I was given it for free with loads of miles on as a non runner and fixed it up with relatively little knowledge. Absolute belter of a little car. I can’t subscribe to the ‘Not a real Mini’ brigade. Move on and enjoy it for what it is. Of course nothing but an original Mini would ever live up to the name but this first generation does a great job of capturing the spirit. My Mum has had a Cooper S without the JCW pack for 14 years. It has been utterly reliable because she’s looked after it and it continues to put a smile on her face. The ride is rotten though, even without the runflats 😂