[Mat77]

Is the R52 a Cooper or Cooper S?
All comes down to history and maintenance really

The r52 is just a ‘one’.

 

[Mat77]

R52 is a convertible and R56 will be a hatchback. Do you want a convertible or hatch?
Chassis wise, there isn't a huge difference really. The R56 may feel more compliant and comfortable but it's essentially the same platform and a lot of parts are interchangeable. Main difference will be the engine, and this is why I'd personally stick to a 1st gen (R50, R52, R53), looked after the first gens are fairly reliable engines. I am bias though as I love the first gens, but go for the R52!

I really miss my R52!

R52 is a convertible and R56 will be a hatchback. Do you want a convertible or hatch?
Chassis wise, there isn't a huge difference really. The R56 may feel more compliant and comfortable but it's essentially the same platform and a lot of parts are interchangeable. Main difference will be the engine, and this is why I'd personally stick to a 1st gen (R50, R52, R53), looked after the first gens are fairly reliable engines. I am bias though as I love the first gens, but go for the R52!

I really miss my R52!

thanks for the reply. Love the look of your r52. I have driven the r52 and was left with a huge smile on my chops. It was a really mechanical feel and I loved the quirky nature. I’ve read a few posts here and there that say r52 over r56 , just interested to get more input. Thanks again

 

[Mat77]

You’re kind of comparing 2 totally different cars, rather than seeing what’s best.

If the R52 was a Cooper or Cooper S, you’d instantly compare that with the R56 Cooper. It’s about 20bhp off the top of my head difference, so not comparable for speed, even handling will be different.

I’d say drive the R56 and see which one makes you smile more.
Personally, depending on the price difference, I’d say get the R52 and a remap of around £200 to unlock the extra BHP that makes it a Cooper level.
It will still be different handling probably, but you’ll have the speed to go with it

Thanks for the input chalky. Much appreciated. £20 for a bit of extra bhp sounds like a plan 🤘🏼

 

[Mat77]

i miss my R52, it was a ‘one’ but you can do a bit with them as chalky says, i had a superchip bluefin, scorpion exhaust and k+n on it and it went from about 98bhp standard to 123bhp so cooper power, i wish i still had it to be honest being as i know its now scrapped over something that was fixable by the right person

ive now got an R53 cooper S and an R56 cooper diesel and of the two the R56 is my every day car and the R53 very rarely comes out to play, mainly because of the cost of running it, but also the R56 feels so much more refined, comfier, better put together etc than the older model R52/53

it all depends what you are after really, a bit of top down fun for the summer or a year round car, not that i found the convertible bad in the winter but i prefered to use the tin top more as it could get a bit windy in there

Cheers dude. I’ve been looking at your page and your projects are awesome. I really. Like the idea of fiddling about with a car again and the mini seems perfect.