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Mini Cooper 1st BMW Generation (R50/R53)

2002–2006 · R50/R53 · hatchback

First-generation BMW-era Mini Cooper. R50 (base Cooper, 2002-2006) used the Tritec 1.6L naturally aspirated four-cylinder (a Chrysler/BMW joint engine built in Brazil). R53 (Cooper S, 2002-2006) used the same 1.6L block with an Eaton M45 supercharger. Manual or CVT (base) / 6-speed manual or Aisin auto (S). R52 was the convertible. Pre-Prince-engine, pre-BMW-N-series.

Watch out: Tritec engine: power-steering pump electric fan failure, water pump (plastic impeller) at 60k-100k miles, and CVT transmission failure on R50 (the auto-trans option). R53 supercharged Cooper S: supercharger nose-bearing wear, supercharger fluid service (often neglected), and clutch wear. Both cars are mechanically simple to work on but high-mileage examples often need significant catch-up service.