hello all i am going to buy my first minicoopers.. i need some help first..

1ST-is there any major difference from the 02-06 vs the 07 and newer. is one better then the other faster etc..

2nd- will i be sorry if i dont buy a john cooper works vs the mini coopers.. or can i make the s compete with the cooper with some mods..

3rd- is there a year that was good or bad to know..

thanks all. when i know these things i am going to get one.. asap

 

1. Major difference between 02-06 (Gen1) and 07-on (Gen2) is that Gen1 is supercharged and Gen2 is turbocharged. There are many other differences. Gen1 and Gen2 are different cars and people like each generation for different reasons. You need to drive both types (generations) to feel and see which you like better. In general, Gen2 is faster.
2. You should drive a JCW verse S of both generations. For Gen1 there is a bigger difference between the S and JCW than for the Gen2. For Gen1 you can modify an S to get JCW performance. I am not sure how easy it is to mod a Gen2 S to obtain JCW equivalent.
3. For Gen 1, years 2005 and 2006 are best. For Gen2, 2008 and on are better.

 

thanks for that.. i am researching all i can.. i drove the s and liked it alot. i think i am leaning toward the newer gen 2. 07 on.but am still open to the 05-06 also.. just want to make the right choice.. once..
im open with the s or the cooper works just want to know if ill be sorry with not going with the cooper works.. or like all other of my cars just mod it out little by little..

 

There are various JCW options avaialble for the cars so when shopping be aware of what specific JCW options were ordered for the car.
For example the Gen1 cars had three different JCW options that were individually ordered; there were Engine, Suspension, or Brake options. Usually when someone says there Gen1 car is a JCW car it just has the Engine option.
The Gen2 stock brakes are the same as the Gen1 JCW brakes. The Gen2 JCW brakes are very nice.

 

sounds good.. i trying to not learn from my mistakes with this car and build.. done it in the past and wished for something else.. trying to figure out the best year i should be buying..

 

Take a look in the NAM Marketplace for used Mini's.
There are alot for sale and they are usually maintained better than something you find on a dealers lot.