R50 MINI Cooper: News, Reviews, and Buying Guides

The Cancelled Alpina MINI: The Luxury MINI That Almost Happened

Jan 20, 26Jan 18, 26

In the long and occasionally strange history of modern MINI, there are a few fascinating what-if stories. One of the most intriguing is the Alpina MINI project. It is a car that...

The MINI ACV 30 – A Look Back at MINI’s Most Wild Concept

Every few years MINI design circles back to the same source of inspiration. The ACV 30. The radical little concept that not only previewed the rebirth of MINI but helped reorient the...

Dec 4, 25Jan 20, 26

1st Generation 2001-2007 2nd Generation 2006-2014 3rd Generation 2014-2024 4th Generation 2024-2031 F54 | 2015 - 2024 F55 Four-Door Hardtop F56 Hardtop | 2014-2024 F57 Convertible F60 | 2016 - 2024 F61 Paceman F65 5 Door | 2024 - 2031 F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) F66/J01 Hardtop | 2024 - 2031 F67 Cooper Convertible MINI Clubman MINI Cooper MINI Quality R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R53 MINI Cooper S R56 MINI Cooper (2006 - 2014) R57 Convertible R58 Coupe R59 Roadster R60 | 2010-2016 U25 | 2024 - 2032

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

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,...

Aug 18, 25Aug 19, 25

1st Generation 2001-2007 MINI Cooper R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R53 MINI Cooper S

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

Accessories F66/J01 Hardtop | 2024 - 2031 MINI Clubman MINI Cooper MINI Countryman R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R53 MINI 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 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R53 MINI 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 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R53 MINI 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

ACV 30 Concept MINI Concept Cars MINI Design MINI Spiritual Concepts R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006

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 20, 26

MINI Cooper R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 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

MINI Cooper R50 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006 R52 Convertible (2004 - 2007) R53 MINI 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 MINI Cooper | 2001 - 2006

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