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Mini Cooper

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Mini Cooper Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior & Models in Australia

There are few more famous cars in the world than the Mini Cooper, which was reinvented under new owners BMW in 2001.

Despite its new German masters, Mini hatchbacks and crossovers are built in the company's Oxford, UK plant. From humble three-door origins in 2001, the Mini line-up has grown to incorporate an array of bodystyles and sizes, from the larger but still small Mini One right through to the Mini Countryman SUV, which is in its latest guise the largest Mini ever made. What hasn't changed for the still-cool Mini brand, though, is the level of personalisation that can be added to make the car truly yours.

Current prices range from $29,900 to $41,989 for the Cooper S and Cooper John Copper Works, respectively.

This vehicle is also known as Mini (marque).

Mini Cooper Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Mini Cooper varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $16,830 and going to $44,550 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2018 Hatchback 1.5L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $16,830 $44,550
2017 Hatchback 1.2L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $13,860 $44,550
2016 Hatchback 1.2L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $12,430 $40,040
2015 Hatchback 1.2L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $11,990 $36,520
2014 Hatchback 1.6L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $9,790 $31,900
See All Mini Cooper Pricing and Specs

Mini Cooper Colours

Mini Cooper paint colours include Nanuq White, Midnight Black II, Blazing Blue, Chilli Red II, Sunny Side Yellow, British Racing Green IV, Melting Silver III, Ocean Wave Green and Legend Grey.

  • Nanuq White
  • Midnight Black II
  • Blazing Blue
  • Chilli Red II
  • Sunny Side Yellow
  • British Racing Green IV
  • Melting Silver III
  • Ocean Wave Green
  • Legend Grey
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website.

Mini Cooper Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Mini Cooper here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Is it hard to get the charger off a Mini Cooper?

    Hi Jeanie, assuming you mean the turbo-charger, it is located at the front of the engine, behind the heat shield. It isn't too difficult for an experienced BMW/Mini mechanic to do the job, but the turbo itself may be expensive to replace if it is seized, and you may also be faced with high hourly labour rates going to a BMW/Mini specialist, so do shop around. Please do ensure that you speak to a specialist who has worked on Minis before.

    Here's a top tip: assuming also that your Mini is from 2007 to 2014 (R55 through to R60 series), call up Peugeot specialists too, as the 'Prince' engine in Mini turbos is exactly the same as the ones used in some Peugeot 207, 308, 508 and RCZ models from about 2007 to 2015. Later Minis (from 2014 to date with an 'F' designation like F56) use an entirely different engine, so if that's yours, disregard the Peugeot specialist.

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  • Is a new Kia Cerato a good 2015 Mini Cooper replacement?

    You can get a good feel for a car’s quality simply by looking at things like the paint finish, the panel fit, the feel of the doors as they open and shut, the touch of the trim and plastics in the cabin. Kia’s quality is generally good; I can’t see any reason why you should be disappointed with the Cerato.

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  • What electric car should I buy?

    We can understand your feelings about the centrally-mounted screen in the Tesla, though you do get used to it surprisingly quickly.

    As for the other models you’ve mentioned, we’ve had to get the crystal ball out to attempt to answer you!

    The Polestar 2 will be on sale by the end of 2020, if all goes to plan. The company will be pushing hard to make that happen. 

    The VW ID3 is likely not going to be here until 2021, likely the mid or latter part of that year. It certainly has a lot of potential, and with pricing set to start below $50,000, it could well be The People’s (Electric) Car. 

    There are other options coming, though it depends on your diary and your budget.

    You could consider the Tesla Model S, which may have been around for a while, but that also means it has a more traceable reliability history. It has a digital instrument cluster in the regular spot as well.

    Have you looked at the Jaguar i-Pace? It has a claimed range of 470 kilometres, though it is on the pricey side of the equation, starting from about $125,000.

    Indeed, a high price tag is a common theme among those EVs with big battery capacity and expansive driving range, because you’re basically covering the cost of the batteries with your money.

    For instance, there’s the Audi e-tron quattro, which is due here in early 2020. That model will have a range of “more than 400 kilometres”, and - we suspect - a price tag above $120,000. 

    The Mercedes EQC is about to go on sale, too. Range for that mid-size SUV is pegged at about 450 kilometres, but again, you can expect a high price tag.

    If 2021 isn’t too long to wait, there’s the Volvo XC40 Recharge coming then. Based on our previous experience with Volvo XC40s, it’ll be a great small SUV, with predicted range of 400km - though we think that’s understating it, because it has a 78kWh battery pack, and it has AWD too.

    At the more affordable end - though admittedly still not quite meeting your expectations for range - there’s the very impressive Hyundai Kona Electric, which has a WLTP range of 449km, and a price tag of around $65k. It isn’t all-wheel drive though.

    And MG is about to launch a real upstart in the segment, with the ZS EV hitting showrooms soon for $46,990 drive-away, albeit with a range of 262km. It’s also FWD only. 

    The Mini Cooper SE will also arrive in mid-2020, with pricing set to be less than $60k. But again, a range of 270km will likely rule it out for your needs, and its 2WD as well.

    Another new small EV due next year is the Mazda MX-30. Pricing is still to be confirmed, and range isn’t great at about 300km. It’s FWD too. 

    In short, at this point in time - and out towards the end of 2020 - it looks like you’ll either need to spend a big amount of money on a premium EV to get the best range possible, or you’ll have to get used to the Model 3’s screen. You could always get an aftermarket head-up display fitted…

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  • Nissan Juke 2019 or Mini Cooper 2018: Which should I buy?

    A: You’re right; every car has its positives and negatives, so try before you buy. Sit in them, drive them, and assess them for your particular needs. There are no hidden nasties in the Juke or Cooper A to worry about. You can negotiate on anything, everything is up for grabs, so have a go and see what you can win.

     

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See All Mini Cooper Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Mini Cooper Interior

The Mini Cooper has a far-more pared-back interior and dashboard presentation than the previous generations under BMW control. As a result, the cabin feels airier and more spacious than before.

Based on the previous (F56) body and platform, there is sufficient space for four people, though the front seat area offers far more room to stretch out than the cramped rear bench.

For this fifth-generation model, the dash is dominated by a 240mm OLED circular display, taking care of most multimedia and vehicle functions, including speed, fuel and other instrumentation/operation data. There is also a head-up display ahead of the driver, also with instrumentation information.

Most amenities are present, including USB-C outlets, a smartphone charger, plenty of storage, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.

Mini Cooper Interior

Mini Cooper Engine

The Cooper C features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, bringing 115kW of power at 6500rpm and 230Nm of torque from 1500rpm to 4600rpm. This compares to the Cooper S, that instead employs a larger, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit, to deliver 150kW at 6500rpm and 300Nm between 1450rpm and 4500rpm.

Both versions are mounted transversely, and drive the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Sadly, no manual transmission is available.

Mini Cooper Engine

Mini Cooper Accessories

There are two Cooper models on offer – the C with a 115kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and the S with a 150kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The Cooper C starts off with the Core. It includes sports seats, climate control air-con, a 240mm circular touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, a smartphone charger, ambient lighting, a head-up display, a reverse camera, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and a basic cruise control set-up.

Stepping up to the Cooper C Classic brings adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, “augmented reality” sat-nav, front seat heaters, a glass roof and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Then there is the Cooper C Favoured, ushering in a glass-roof sun protection feature, premium audio with 12 speakers, JCW sports seats with electric adjustment and memory and more-upmarket trim.

The Cooper S, meanwhile, kicks off with the Classic, then Favoured and tops out with the JCW Sport that brings more aggressive styling inside and out, adaptive suspension, paddle shifters and stronger brakes.

Mini Cooper Accessories

Mini Cooper Wheel Size

The Mini Cooper has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 175x65 R15 for Hatchback in 2018 with a wheel size that spans from 15x5.5 inches.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2018 Hatchback 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches
2017 Hatchback 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches
2016 Hatchback 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches
2015 Hatchback 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches
2014 Hatchback 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches 175x65 R15 15x5.5 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mini Cooper Wheel Sizes

Mini Cooper Dimensions

The dimensions of the Mini Cooper Hatchback vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2018 Hatchback 1414x1727x3821 mm 124 mm
2017 Hatchback 1414x1727x3821 mm 124 mm
2016 Hatchback 1414x1727x3821 mm 124 mm
2015 Hatchback 1414x1727x3821 mm 124 mm
2014 Hatchback 1414x1727x3821 mm 124 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mini Cooper Dimensions

Mini Cooper Fuel Consumption

The Mini Cooper is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel, PULP and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 3.7L/100km for Hatchback /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2018 Hatchback 3.7L/100km 1.5L Diesel 6 SP MAN
2018 Hatchback 4.7L/100km 1.5L PULP 6 SP MAN
2017 Hatchback 3.7L/100km 1.5L Diesel 6 SP MAN
2017 Hatchback 4.9L/100km 1.2L PULP 6 SP MAN
2016 Hatchback 3.7L/100km 1.5L Diesel 6 SP MAN
2016 Hatchback 4.9L/100km 1.2L PULP 6 SP MAN
2015 Hatchback 3.7L/100km 1.5L Diesel 6 SP MAN
2015 Hatchback 4.9L/100km 1.2L PULP 6 SP MAN
2014 Hatchback 3.7L/100km 1.5L Diesel 6 SP MAN
2014 Hatchback 4.9L/100km 1.2L PULP 6 SP MAN
2014 Hatchback 5.8L/100km 1.6L ULP 6 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Mini Cooper Pricing and Specs for 2018

Mini Cooper Seats

The Mini Cooper is a four-seater three-door hatchback.

All models come with sports seats, offering plenty of adjustment and lots of support. In some grades, they are electrically adjustable and have heating elements too.

The rear bench is divided into two, with the backrests folding to increase luggage space. There is some degree of comfort, but access to the back row is restricted by tight apertures.

Mini Cooper Seats

Mini Cooper Boot Space

The Mini Cooper has a boot capacity of 210 litres VDA. It extends to 725L with the rear backrests folded down.

Mini Cooper Boot space

Mini Cooper Speed

The Mini Cooper C can sprint from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in 7.7 seconds, on the way to a top speed of about 225km/h. Stepping up to the Cooper S, that does the 0-100km/h sprint time in just 6.6s, for a 242km/h top-speed run.

Mini Cooper Towing Capacity

The Mini Cooper has no towing capacity for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2018 Hatchback 0kg 0kg
2017 Hatchback 0kg 0kg
2016 Hatchback 0kg 0kg
2015 Hatchback 0kg 0kg
2014 Hatchback 0kg 750kg
See All Towing Capacity for Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper Range

Both Coopers run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, with the Cooper C averaging 6.0L/100km, while the Cooper S returns 6.3L/100km. With a 44L fuel tank, the potential range-average is up to around 730km.

In terms of carbon dioxide emissions averages, this translates to 137 and 145 grams per kilometre, respectively.