Time to get the names right

This is something that has been bothering me for some time. So much so that I actually said something during one of the episodes of White Roof Radio. And quite recently at that. I know there are many of you out there that get confused on what your MINI should be called, and while this is by no means meant to be a difinitive guide, I certainly hope it’s a start.

What to call your MINI

If you have a 2002 – 2006 MINI Cooper without a supercharger, it’s called a MINI Cooper (or R50)

If you have a 2002 – 2006 MINI Cooper S, it’s called a MINI Cooper S (or R53)

If you have a convertible version of either of the above listed MINIs, call it a MINI Cooper Convertible or MINI Cooper S Convertible.

If you have a 2007 – current MINI Cooper without a turbo charger, it’s called a MINI Cooper (or R56 Cooper).

If you have a 2007 – current MINI Cooper S, it’s called a MINI Cooper S (or R56 S)

If you have a 2007 – MINI Cooper Convertible, it’s called a MINI Cooper Convertible or MINI Cooper S Convertible (or R57)

If you have a 2007 – current MINI Cooper Clubman, it’s called a MINI Cooper Clubman (or R55).

If you have a 2007 – current MINI Cooper Clubman S, it’s called a MINI Cooper Clubman S (or R55 S)

If you have a MINI Cooper (any variant), please stop calling it a ‘base Cooper’ or ‘base MINI’ or (here comes my twitch) ‘justa. None of these are correct and MINI has spent a fair bit of money in advertising to make sure that you know what the car is called.

Also, once more for good measure, if you would be so kind as to spell MINI with all capital letters for the current, BMW produced car and Mini for the Rover produced car of old (also called Classic), I think that would be pretty nifty.

Your time, as always, is greatly appreciated.