Mini Variant Buyers Guide
Modern MINI|January - February 2017

The boom in second generation MINIs gave clues as to how BMW planned to develop the brand; here’s more about these MINI variants and why they’re still worth a look

Martin Collins
Mini Variant Buyers Guide

The second generation R56 MINI hatch, launched back at the end of 2006, was fully established in the eyes of MINI buyers with the arrival of the first generation R55 Clubman and Cooper D diesel hatch in 2007.

But MINI’s desire to offer more models based on the R56 didn’t stop there. First came the second generation Convertible in 2009, followed by what are sometimes described as the ‘Oxford Duo’ – 2011’s Coupe and 2012’s Roadster – and finally the R55 Clubman-based Clubvan in 2013.

Want to know more about these modern MINI variants? Read on, as we have brought together all the information you need to help with a buying decision.

MINI Convertible

Drop top MINI fans had to wait till 2009 for a convertible version of the second generation car. Still, the R57 was worth waiting for, with improvements made most importantly to how it drove, a smoother-looking folding roof to sharpen the look and even some extra boot space, totalling 170-litres with the roof up. The 122bhp Cooper, 184bhp Cooper S and the fastest 211bhp John Cooper Works (JCW) models were available at launch. The 98bhp One, 110bhp Cooper D and finally the 143bhp Cooper SD followed soon afterwards.

Around £3,500 is all you’ll need to bag the earliest, highest mileage second-generation Cooper. Believe it or not the entry-level One is harder to find and thus more expensive, with prices starting at around the £6,000 mark for a 2009 car. £5,800 is the opening price for the more powerful Cooper S and if you can find one, the fastest MINI Convertible (the JCW) will cost £7,500, again for a 2009 car.

Denne historien er fra January - February 2017-utgaven av Modern MINI.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January - February 2017-utgaven av Modern MINI.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA MODERN MINISe alt
What Goes Round Comes Round
Performance Mini

What Goes Round Comes Round

Thought lambo doors have had their day? Wrong – vince wong’s highly detailed build is here to show that eyecatching mods are timeless. And this build’s about far more than a set of fancy doors…

time-read
6 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
The Full Works
Performance Mini

The Full Works

After cutting his teeth on a Mini Roadster, morgan gray managed to get his dream car – a fully loaded, Jen 3 John Cooper works, and he uses it properly, too…

time-read
5 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
Performance Mini

How To…De-Chrome A Mini

De-chroming is a quick, easy, and very effective way to improve a modern mini’s looks and appearance. Here’s what’s involved…

time-read
7 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
Purple Haze
Performance Mini

Purple Haze

THE SPIRIT OF THE SIXTIES IS STRONG IN THIS BLACK EYE PURPLE R53 – AND YET AT THE SAME TIME, IT’S A THOROUGHLY MODERN BUILD, HIDING HILARIOUS PERFORMANCE BENEATH ITS SPANGLY DISCO PAINTWORK…

time-read
5 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
Driven: Mini Cooper S 60 Years Edition
Performance Mini

Driven: Mini Cooper S 60 Years Edition

MINI HAS A REPUTATION FOR MAKING SPECIAL BIRTHDAY EDITIONS, SO MARTYN HAS BEEN DRIVING THE LATEST TO FIND OUT IF THE COOPER S 60 YEARS EDITION IS A WORTHY CONTENDER…

time-read
4 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
Cruel Sport
Performance Mini

Cruel Sport

UNFORTUNATE MISTAKES HAVE SHOWN ALEX JUST HOW FINE THE MARGINS ARE IN THE PRO CLASS, AND JUST HOW CRUEL MOTORSPORT CAN BE AT TIMES…

time-read
4 mins  |
Nov - Dec 2019
Modern MINI

Purple Passion

Steve Davidson dreamed of owning a Cooper S since school and we reckon his BMW-wheeled R53 has been worth the wait.

time-read
9 mins  |
March - April 2017
Modern MINI

Family Business

MINIs have been a part of Antonio Sapata’s whole life, leading him to build this R53 with unique custom touches as a tribute to his uncle.

time-read
5 mins  |
March - April 2017
Mini Variant Buyers Guide
Modern MINI

Mini Variant Buyers Guide

The boom in second generation MINIs gave clues as to how BMW planned to develop the brand; here’s more about these MINI variants and why they’re still worth a look

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2017
Mini One D ClubMan
Modern MINI

Mini One D ClubMan

First came the Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD and ALL4 Clubmans. But we’ve just spent some time with the one that MINI told us wouldn’t be built – the entry-level One D.

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2017