Mini Cooper – Occasion purchase advice

Many fans of the Mini took a breather, because it soon became apparent that this third generation from 2014 had lost almost nothing in terms of driving pleasure. It became even quieter and better finished. And the brand said goodbye to the PSA engines and switched to BMW. More news: when this longer 5-door came, it turned out to be still super fun to drive.

Since its launch in 2001 until this came out, 2.7 million Minis had been sold. Never change a winning team. So from the outside you don’t see much difference between generation 2 and 3.

Especially inside you see the changes of this generation: the biggest novelty is that the large round clock in the middle of the dashboard is no longer a speedometer. The screen is incredibly multimedia and the system is user-friendly, including a touchpad.

Also inside it is still plenty of Mini. With the rocker switches at the dashboard and at the ceiling. It’s also nice that the speedometer is right in front of you again. And the window controls in the doors. Where they belong.

The Mini from 2014 has become almost 10 centimeters longer. This has mainly benefited pedestrian safety, thanks to an extra foldable bonnet. The interior space has not benefited from this.

Lighter chassis

You have to drive such a Mini. That cooper engine is eager but not noisy, steering direct and really attacking corners. Thanks to a new and lighter chassis.

And in addition to a very extensive stability system, it now also has an electronic differential lock (Electronic Differential Lock Control, EDLC) on board. And if things threaten to go wrong, the Mini can easily be corrected.

Even as a five-door, the car is still super agile, and the even stiffer body helps with the playful handling, still that go-kart feeling behind the wheel, where you sit wonderfully low and protected by that high dashboard. Very strong point of this car.

With a rotary knob at the lever you can influence the driving character. You can choose from Sport, Mid or Green. Steering and accelerator pedal responses and switching moments of the automatic transmission are controlled by the system.

Tight was the disadvantage of a Mini, is a stiff suspension still that? Well… let’s say. YES

The new 1.5 liter three-cylinder petrol engine (136 hp) in the Cooper picks up nicely and you really don’t have the feeling of being on the road with a three-cylinder. It makes the Mini fast enough and works exemplary with the 6-speed automatic. The 192 hp Cooper S adds a hefty shovel on top of that, but this one is just fun too.

Many auxiliary systems

You can see from the accessory list that the Mini comes from BMW’s kitchen. Many auxiliary systems that BMW also supplies. That is often a good sign because it takes the car to the next, higher level, although it does have its price tag.

Efficient Dynamics, BMW’s successful formula for making cars both faster and more economical, is now also bearing fruit at Mini.

What are the weaknesses of the Mini?

The second generation of the New Mini had problems with the 1.6-litre turbo engine. And the third generation got those BMW engines, but the new 1.2 and 1.5 three-cylinder in the One and in the Cooper were not flawless either. There a modification of a bearing in the crankshaft was necessary, which turned out to be too weak.

A broken cable at the starter motor is also an ailment that occurs more often in this generation of Minis. And that simply does not start the car. Very annoying

Yes, it is also stiff and no, it is still not practical. But this five-door Mini is too nice to pass up.

Sporty to drive, good looks and a special interior.

Anyone looking for a good compromise is well served with the five-door hatchback. Thanks to its increased length and wheelbase, it is more spacious in the rear than the three-door. The Cooper is strong enough with its 136 horsepower. And those driving characteristics are and remain fun. Enjoy going to work every day!