As in the title just looking at one this afternoon and was just wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for.
Thanks

Are you going anywhere nice on your holidays? 😉

MrsBeanZ had a couple , Cooper S and a Cooper . Noisy , poor rear visibility and with the hood down it messed her hair up – even with the proper air deflector fitted .

Can’t help on the year – Mrs North drives a 2015 Cooper S.

Plus points: it’s s Mini and they’re well made. Cooper S is properly quick. Rear seats are usable (if not for extended periods). Handles superbly. Electric roof v easy to use.

Minuses: like all convertibles, the chassis isn’t as stiff as a hardtop – some scuttle shake. Avoid run flat tyres like the plague – they make the ride unbearably crashy. Windy in the back with roof down.

Ignore the hairdresser jibes – they’re fun. Why shouldn’t a car deliver that?

A housemate had the original supercharged Cooper-S, accelerated like someone was kicking you in the kidneys, and AFAIK never went wrong.

My GF has a 55 plate mini cooper. Engine was made by peugot but we have only had a couple of issues with it losing coolant and burning oil… Not the best car she’s had, but not the worst either.

Very harsh ride though, bear that in mind if you live somewhere with roads that the council doesn’t care about.

As you go up the range – one, cooper, cooper s and then Cooper works the ride gets harsher and the grin on your face gets bigger.

MrsFla has a Cooper S (2012) so not strictly applicable but we (ok I) found the one and cooper a touch under powered and the works far to expensive so settled on a Cooper S

Its like driving a go kart – fairly direct, good fun BUT harsh and slightly skittish

Go for it -great fun, but you will get hairdresser jibes

A 2006 convertible would still be the original R52/3. The replacement came out in 2009.

I had three hatchbacks (One, Cooper and Cooper S). Bear in mind that they first came out in 2001, they’re feeling pretty old these days and are pretty darn small. However, I think the original BMW MINI is by the prettiest of the three generations by some distance.

They weren’t without issues but by the end of the production run, they were pretty good. The engines are pretty simple so any niggle shouldn’t be too painful (the replacement cars suffered from timing chain issues – the dreaded death rattle). Steering columns do fail and the electrics can be problematic. The gearboxes on the very early cars were notorious but at the age you’re looking at you should have latter gearbox which was more reliable.

Of the three I had, the face lift One was bay far the most reliable and it had done loads of miles. The only issue I had was the clock gaining time. My Cooper S was a bit of a lemon but was dealt with by warranty. The face lift cars gained little updates like low washer fluid warning and trip computer, revised headlights etc which the convertibles should all have.

The original cars have much heavier clutch, gearbox action and steering than the second generation versions. The steering is noisy but it really is a case of they all do that.

I really loved mine (aside from the One but that replaced the S when I changed jobs and needed something more fuel efficient). Having had the One, I don’t see the point in buying it – running costs are virtually the same as the Cooper (same engine, detuned with a more restrictive exhaust to further reduce power) but noticeably slower. The Cooper is the sweet spot for running costs and performance IME plus you can get the Chilli pack which brings nicer seats etc.

They shouldn’t be too bad to run these days because there are loads of second hand spares available through the likes of Mini Matt that can take the sting of costs plus lots of very good specialists.

My mothers had a 59 plate from new. Nothing bar consumables.
They aren’t comfortable on long journeys (IMO) and are noisy at motorway speeds (granted that isn’t it’s intended use)
I always enjoy driving it on country lanes etc.