- Tractable 1.6-litre petrol engine
- For Cooper S, responsive and free-revving supercharged engine
- For manual transmissions, precise operation; clutch has a light and progressive action
- Engaging dynamics and agile handling
- Accurate steering provides excellent feel
- Suspension lacks compliance
- For Cooper S, firm seats lack support
- Cramped rear seats
- Small boot
Review: Mini R50.I/R53.I Cooper (2002-04)
Overview
Released in March 2002, the Mini R50 Cooper and R53 Cooper S were small, three door hatchbacks. Manufactured in Cowley, England, the front-wheel drive Cooper range consisted of naturally aspirated R50 Cooper and supercharged R53 Cooper S models. From September 2003, both the Cooper and Cooper S were available in John Cooper Works editions.
Tritec engines
Of the engines,
- the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre Tritec four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, multipoint sequential fuel injection, a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 10.5:1; and
- the supercharged 1.6-litre Tritec engine had a Roots-type Eaton M45 supercharger with an intercooler and a compression ratio of 8.3:1.
Dimensions and suspension
The Cooper was 3626 mm long, 1688 mm wide, 1413 mm tall and had a 2467 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Cooper had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension.
| Editions | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper | N/A | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 6sp CVT |
85 kW at 6000 rpm | 149 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| John Cooper Works | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 6sp CVT |
93 kW at 5750 rpm | 155 Nm at 4750 rpm | |
| Cooper S | N/A, Monte Carlo |
1.6-litre s/charged petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 120 kW at 6000 rpm | 210 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| John Cooper Works | 1.6-litre s/charged petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 147 kW at 6950 rpm | 240 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Cooper included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side thorax airbags, full length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, corner braking control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Cooper S was also equipped with electronic stability control and traction control.
Features
Standard features for the Cooper included 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a height adjustable steering wheel, tyre pressure sensors, a trip computer and immobiliser.
The Cooper S was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, combination cloth/leather seats and front fog lights.
August 2003: Cooper update
In August 2003, the R50 Cooper and R53 Cooper S were updated. The standard Cooper gained 16-inch alloy wheels, contoured sports seats, illuminated vanity mirrors and front row reading lights; the CVT models were also equipped with steering-wheel gearshift paddles. The Cooper S variants were further equipped with cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel.
Mini Cooper: John Cooper Works (JCW) kit
From September 2003, aftermarket and dealer-fitted John Cooper Works kits were available for the Cooper and Cooper S. For the standard Cooper, the John Cooper Works kit fitted with a new, higher compression cylinder head including valve gear, modified ECU, free-flowing air filter, JCW muffler, silver JCW engine cover and front and rear ‘Works’ badging. For the Cooper S, the John Cooper Works kit consisted of different spark plugs, a modified Eaton supercharger with coated rotors (replacing the standard Roots-type supercharger) and increased boost pressure (from 0.7 bar to 1.0 bar).
2004 Cooper S Monte Carlo
In 2004, a limited-run Monte Carlo edition of the Cooper S was released to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Mini Cooper’s victory at the Monte Carlo rally. Compared to the Cooper S, the Monte Carlo edition was distinguished by its 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels finished in anthracite gray, rally-style driving lights with chrome bezels, xenon headlights, red and black leather upholstery, carbon fibre dashboard panel, Chilli Red paint finish with white roof, commemorative markings on the bonnet (’33-EJB’), 40th anniversary rally graphics and magnetic door plaques with the number ’37’.
Review: Mini R50.II/R53.II Cooper (2004-07)
Overview
Released in September 2004, the R50/R53 Series II Cooper range introduced mechanical changes, a subtle facelift and revised equipment levels. For the standard Cooper, there was a new five-speed Getrag manual transmission, while the Cooper S was fitted with a new supercharger which operated at a higher speed (providing greater supercharging pressure), modified inlet and outlet ports, injectors with higher throughput and adapted engine management. For both Cooper and Cooper S models, gear ratios were also revised and, from 2005, the Cooper S was also available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Visually, the Series II Cooper could be identified by their new grilles with three horizontal chrome bars (previously four bars), clear-glass headlights and revised bumpers and tail lights.
| Editions | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper | N/A, Chilli, Checkmate, Park Lane |
1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 6sp CVT |
85 kW at 6000 rpm | 150 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| Cooper S | N/A, Chilli, Checkmate, Park Lane |
1.6-litre s/charged petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
125 kW at 6000 rpm | 220 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| John Cooper Works | 1.6-litre s/charged petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 154 kW at 6950 rpm | 254 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Features
As a result of price cuts, the R50.II Cooper was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels (previously 16-inch) and standard seats (previously contoured sports seats), while chrome bumper trim was also omitted.
Similarly, the R53.II Cooper S was fitted with ‘Space’ cloth upholstery (previously combination cloth/leather), but was fitted with 16-inch ‘X-lite’ alloy wheels with ‘Sports Plus’ suspension settings.
Cooper Chilli and Cooper S Chilli
Chilli editions of the Cooper and Cooper S were introduced to provide buyers with a greater range of features. Compared to the standard Cooper, the Cooper Chilli added 16-inch ‘5 star’ alloy wheels, cloth/leather sports seats, cruise control, front fog lights, a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, adjustable front seat lumbar support, height adjustable passenger seat and rear spoiler.
The Cooper S Chilli was further equipped with 17-inch ‘S-Spoke’ alloy wheels, a Harman/Kardon eight speaker sound system, climate control air conditioning and xenon headlights.
Cooper Park Lane and Cooper Check Mate
In February 2006, Park Lane and Check Mate editions were released. The Park Lane editions were distinguished by their 16-inch ‘Bridge-spoke’ alloy wheels with runflat tyres, eight speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, climate control air conditioning, Panther Black English leather upholstery, sports seats, duo-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel, Park Lane Royal Grey metallic paint, silver roof and chrome mirror; Cooper S models were also fitted with xenon headlights.
The Check Mate editions featured 17-inch alloy wheels with Sport Plus suspension package, Space Blue Checkmate cloth/leather sports seats, two-tone steering wheel, power glass sunroof, anthracite headlining, four-gauge center binnacle-mounted Chrono pack, Space Blue metallic paint, chequered flag decal, silver mirror caps and silver roof finish.
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