R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) Archives

MINI Cooper Quality: How the Brand Went From Dead Last to Top 5 in Reliability

Aug 18, 25Aug 19, 25

For years MINI carried a reputation that was equal parts thrill and headache. On one hand, the cars topped “fun-to-drive” lists with their go kart handling and cheeky style. On the other,...

How MINI Conquered the U.S. 23 years Ago With a Small Team, Small Budgets and Small Cars

When BMW of North America agreed to import the newly reimagined MINI Cooper in the early 2000s, most assumed it would be an unmitigated disaster. Small cars have never had it easy...

Jul 29, 25Jul 29, 25

2nd Gen MINI Cooper | 2006-2014 3rd Gen MINI Cooper | 2014-2024 4th Gen MINI Cooper | 2024 - 2031 Accessories MINI Clubman MINI Cooper MINI Countryman R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

Our Favorite MINI Mods That Actually Make a Difference

Skip the mirror caps—these are the upgrades that count. Whether you drive an R53 with a supercharger whine that sounds like a swarm of angry bees or a brand-new U25 Countryman that’s...

Jul 18, 25Jul 18, 25

Classic Mini | 1959 - 2000 JCW MINI Cooper R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S) Video

Video: The Origin of John Cooper Works & A Look at the First JCW MINIs

The name John Cooper has been intertwined with the MINI story since the early 1960s, leaving an indelible mark on the brand’s DNA. However, the story of how the brand was created...

Jan 19, 25Jan 19, 25

MINI Cooper R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

Why the R53 MINI Cooper S Is Becoming Both A Collectible Icon & Disposable Used Car

Don’t look now, but the original new MINI—the R50 and R53—is starting to catch the eye of collectors. However, it’s not as simple as prices steadily climbing. Instead, two distinct markets are...

Jan 13, 25Jan 12, 25

MINI Concept Cars MINI Design R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper)

The Secret War That Shaped the MINI Cooper’s Future

As MINI plots its future, it’s worth stepping back to one of the most transformative eras in the brand’s history—the 1990s. This was a defining decade when BMW found itself at a...

Jan 2, 25Jan 2, 25

MINI Cooper R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) Video

Revisiting the R50’s Debut: How the Press Fell for the New MINI

It’s hard to believe, but the R50 MINI made its grand entrance at the 2000 Paris Motor Show over 20 years ago. Enthusiasts were smitten from the start, but what did the...

Jan 1, 25Jan 1, 25

1st Gen | R52 Convertible MINI Cooper R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S) Special Editions

A Guide to the R50, R52 & R53 MINI Cooper Special Editions

The R50, R53, and R52 generations of MINI are celebrated for their classic styling, perfect proportions, and visceral dynamics. But if you’re looking for the perfect used example, you’ll want to get...

Dec 24, 24Dec 24, 24

MINI Cooper R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper)

R50 MINI Cooper Launch Relived with the First-Ever Photos & Press Release

When the sheet was pulled off, wows could be heard from an audience. Even the most jaded automotive journalists seemed to be stunned at what BMW and the Rover team had pulled...

Dec 19, 24Dec 19, 24

1st Gen MINIs | 2001-2007 1st Gen | R52 Convertible MINI Concept Cars MINI Design R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

MINI’s Secret Concepts From the 90s That Almost Changed the MINI Cooper Forever

If you think the new J01 MINI Cooper EV is a radical departure, wait until you see what MINI was cooking up in the 1990s. As MINI ushers in an entirely new...

Jan 23, 24Apr 17, 24

1st Gen MINIs | 2001-2007 MINI Marketing R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

A Look Back at MINI Mavericks – An Early Ad Campaign From MINI USA

After weeks of new MINI news we wanted to dig into the MotoringFile archives for a blast from the past. Behold the MINI Maverick trading cards from the MINI Maverick campaign. Mavericks...

Aug 1, 23Aug 1, 23