A Guide To The Different Variations Of The Bmw Mini

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People new to MINI2 and the MINI in general, often appear to be a little unsure over what changes and versions of MINI have been offered since it's 2001 introduction. Those familiar with the MINI often use phrases such as facelift, R56, second generation and so on, which can be a little bewildering for others.

This is a small, visual "spotters guide" to the main changes and updates for the MINI, including all major model updates. We have not included region specific options or limited editions to try and keep this guide as clear and concise as possible. We hope you find it useful.

The First Generation: MINI One, One D (Diesel), Cooper & Cooper S 2001 - 2006 (2007 some markets).

The first incarnation of the new MINI , which started production in 2001 included all major hatchback models. The One, One D (Diesel), Cooper and Cooper S. The One & Cooper began production and sale in some markets in 2001, ahead of the MINI Cooper S in 2002 and the One D, which was launched in 2003.

In July 2004 the first generation MINI had a "facelift" to coincide with the launch of the MINI Convertible. The new models had different (smooth) grill surrounds, new front and rear bumpers and headlights. Inside the face lifted MINI has a three piece rather than five piece dashboard, a new Getrag gearbox for the One and Cooper, and many other revisions. The Cooper S also jumped from 163 to 170 hp as standard.

The MINI Cooper, One and One D had the internal product code of R50 and will sometimes be described as such. The MINI Cooper S had the code R53 and the Convertible (confusingly, all models) is the R52. This is for all MINIs, both before and after the July 2004 facelift.

To add to the confusion, "model years" are often used to describe the updates and revised models and these usually change in September, but some changes and options became available "mid season" and thus the model year descriptions can be misleading. The "facelift" MINI in July 2004 is also considered the 2005 model year MINI.

The Second Generation: MINI Cooper & Cooper S 2006 - (2007 some markets).

At the time of writing the second generation MINI is just about to be launched in some major markets for late 2006, in others the car will be launching in the first quarter of 2007. The second generation MINI is a major overhaul of the car, every external body panel is new and the interior has been totally overhauled. The second generation MINI (AKA R56, the internal code for all hatchback variants) also features new engines made in the UK at BMW Plant Hams Hall.

Once again the "at a glance" changes are to the light clusters, new rear light clusters are wider with big chrome surrounds, the front indicators are now in the main cluster with the headlights and there is only one additional front light cluster for sidelights and optional fogs.

MINI Cooper 2001 - 2004: aka R50, Pre-Facelift

Note the large bumper inserts (can be body coloured) and textured grille surrounds. Other "pre facelift" external features are the different headlights (interior/bulb layout, dimensions unchanged) and rear light clusters with reverse light in the bumper. The MINI Coopers shown are both Chili Red.

MINI Cooper July 2004 - 2006 (2007 some markets): aka R50, Facelift, '05.

The facelift in July 2004 included new light and bumper designs, as well as a smoother grille with less slats (similar to previous Cooper S and One D grille slats).

MINI One 2001 - 2004: aka R50, Pre-Facelift

The MINI One is very much the same as the Cooper, although it came with a matt black grille finish as standard instead of chrome on the Cooper. This MINI One is in Indi Blue.

First Generation MINI One July 2004 - 2006 (2007 some markets): aka R50, Facelift, '05

Shown here in Black Eye Purple (AKA Purple Haze)

MINI Cooper S 2002 - 2004: aka R53, Pre-Facelift

The MINI Cooper S didn't change as dramatically as the One and Cooper with the July 2004 update, as these pictures will illustrate. Note the grille surround and lights as the main exterior changes. The Cooper S here is Electric Blue with standard body coloured grille slats.

MINI Cooper S 2004 - 2006 (2007 some markets): aka R53, Facelift, 05

The MINI Cooper S received a small power boost and revised gear ratios, along with cosmetic changes in July 2004. The model shown here is in Hyper Blue.

MINI One D 2003 - 2004: aka R50, Diesel

The MINI One D was the final hatchback in the range for the first generation MINI. Introduced in 2003 to several markets it featured a 75 bhp engine sourced from Toyota, mated to a six speed Getrag gearbox. The One D below is in Liquid Yellow.

MINI One D 2004 - 2006: aka R50, Diesel

The MINI One D, like the S, had only minor changes with the facelift in July 2004. In September 2005 the MINI One D received a spec change which increased the horsepower of the engine from 75 to 88. The MINI One D retained the larger chrome bumpers through it's life cycle, and had "Cooper S" style side skirts as standard. This "facelift" One D is in Chili Red.

MINI Convertible (One, Cooper & S) 2004 - : aka R52, Cabrio

The MINI Convertible was not offered as a Diesel, but all other models were covered, as it was introduced in 2004 the Convertible has all the "facelift" features. The biggest giveaway you're looking at a Convertible must really be the large fabric roof. The Convertible will not be updated in 2006/7 with the hatchback MINIs, the second generation Convertible MINI is due at a later date. The Cooper is "Hot Orange", the S is "Cool Blue", both exclusive to the soft top MINI.

The Aerodynamic Package (AKA Aero Pack, Aero Kit).

To confuse matters a little more, MINI offered an Aero Kit on the MINI (all variants) for the first generation, the full kit included a honeycomb black grille, different front and rear bumpers and side skirts, as well as an aero spoiler. You could buy separate components of the kit. This kit looks much the same for pre and post facelift MINIs, as shown below on the Pure Silver (pre facelift) and Chili Red (facelift) MINI. Although often promoted together, the Aerodynamic Package is not related to the various "Works" tuning options. The black inserts on the Red car around the fog light area were optional stick on items and do not indicate a "facelift" MINI.

The Interior Changes.

The July 2004 facelift changed the interior of the car, the door cards/handles/arm rests became more curved (away from the door), the dash became a three part dash with the airbag moved above into the soft plastic area, and other changes also took place. Most of which you can see below in the two examples, pre facelift first. The Sat Nav shown in the second photo was an option from the start, which moves the speedo above the steering wheel alongside the rev counter.

The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit. Limited edition of 2000 cars, 2006.

The "MINI GP" as it's also known was a unique model at the end of first generation production. The car was basically the same in all countries it was offered, and although a unique, power boosted, two seater special edition (finished at Bertone in Italy) the car is still an "R53" MINI, the same as all other first generation MINIs. The GP came in one colour, Thunder Blue.

MINI Cooper 2006 (2007 some markets) - aka R56, Second Generation

The updates to the second generation are too much for us even brush the surface of in this brief visual guide, but the pictures should illustrate the "at a glance" difference for the more casual MINI spotters out there. As with the facelift before it, the 2nd generation is most obviously spotted from it's bumpers and lights. The Cooper shown is in Chili Red.

MINI Cooper S 2006 (2007 some markets) - aka R56, Second Generation

The same can be said of the second generation S as the Cooper. At the time of writing there are no official images of the R56 One or Diesel. The Diesel will be slightly different again in style to the petrol models. The S shown is in Laser Blue.

MINI Cooper & S 2006 (2007 some markets) - aka R56, Second Generation

This is a shot of the interior of the second generation MINI.

The Aerodynamic Package (AKA Aero Pack, Aero Kit).

For the second generation MINI, the Aero Kit and many other tuning and style related items were promoted under the John Cooper Works banner. The following pictures show a car fully kitted with various John Cooper Works options, including the front and rear bumpers, side aprons and grille that form the new Aerodynamic Package.