Think of a fun car that comes with loads of personality and a Mini Cooper is likely to cross your mind. But many people wonder where are Mini Coopers made. Is it a British company or a German company?
There is a good number of people who believe that a Mini Cooper is a British car especially when you remember Mr. Bean driving in one. However, today BMW owns the Mini Cooper.
In this post, we take a look at Mini, how it all started and how the German automaker BMW ended up buying the company as well as look at where they are made.
To navigate throughout this post, you may just want to consider using our table of contents below.
- Mini Cooper
- Mini Cooper Reliability
- Mini Cooper Generations
- Clubman Vs Countryman
- Best Mini Cooper Year
- Frequently Asked Questions
Mini Cooper
Before we can learn where are Mini Coopers made, let’s first take a look at a little background of this infamous brand. Mini started out as a British brand but was later bought by BMW in 2000.
While the word Mini was used to denote the brand such as the Morris Mini and the Austin Mini, these two were sold as different brands even though they were essentially the same.
However, both Austin and Morris joined together under the same name Mini. This was back in 1969.
From then on many Minis rolled out of production lines up until 2000. BMW had bought the Mini brand from Rover Group and was planning to introduce a new generation which came out in 2001.
Till then BMW Group the now parent company of the Mini brand and has released new models and not just the standard two-door hatchback. It has also released the convertible five-door hatchback, the Clubman wagon, and the Countryman crossover. These changes occurred in Munich, Germany.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made – Where The Mini Is Made
That said and even if Mini is now under a German automaker, the largest Mini plant still remains in England. However, this doesn’t mean that all Mini vehicles are made in England.
There are two main locations that build Minis to serve the global market. The first is in Oxford, England where the Mini has been built since its early days. The second plant is in the Netherlands and another plant in Austria.
Mini Cooper Reliability
Now that we can answer where are Mini Coopers made, the brand rated average when it comes to reliability. Of course, different Mini Cooper models have different reliability ratings. If you want to get the most reliable car, it is best to avoid the Mini Cooper. On the other hand, if you want something that shows off British styling, and is quite the classic, a Mini Cooper is a great choice.
Mini Cooper gets a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5 by RepairPal. Out of 32 cars, the Mini Cooper ranks 25th. In the subcompact section, the Mini Cooper ranks 21 out of 21 cars.
One of the major drawbacks of the Mini Cooper is its high repair costs. It will cost you around $854 to repair the Mini Cooper each year. Cooper this to the average cost of repairing most vehicles which is $652.
A high cost of repair is just one part of the Mini Coopers that scores poorly on reliability. The other one is the frequency of repairs. The Mini copper has unscheduled repair visits of 0.6 which is way higher than the average 0.4 of most vehicles. On average, 12% of repairs in most vehicles are considered severe. The Mini Cooper has 13% of its repairs considered severe.
Many owners of Mini Coopers claim that the costs are quite high. But it seems that Mini is working hard to improve the build quality over the years.
That said, not all Mini Cooper models are bad, and there are those that have received great ratings. Some models come with excellent build quality and are both reliable and durable as we will find out later on in this post.
Mini Cooper Common Problems
So we’ve seen that Mini Coopers tend to get several expensive repairs. But what are the most common issues with the Mini Cooper?
Issues With The Front Radiator Support
As a result of their small build, the Mini Coopers tend to hit the curb much more easily when compared to other models. As the front radiator supports are built from plastic, they are prone to damage with regular impacts.
This is certainly not a car that you want to take off-road. The Mini Cooper is made to perform on road something that one can easily decipher considering the low ground clearance. That said, there are some newer models of the Mini Cooper that can hold their own off-road.
Hitting bigger bumps can damage the coolant hose. This can be expensive to replace.
Issues With The Transmission
First generation Mini coppers ha a lot of transmission failure issues, such an issue was so widespread that BMW had to offer a warranty on the transmission alone.
BMW stated that owners should avoid changing the transmission oil until the right time to change the oil has reached.
Issues With The Thermostat And The Water Pump
The first and second generations of the Mini Cooper had a thermostat housing leaking issue as well as regular water pump problems.
The thermostat which had a plastic housing was prone to wear and tear which would happen over time. Once the Mini Cooper reaches 50,000 miles, technicians should replace the thermostat housing as well as the water pump.
Issues With The Power Steering
The Mini Cooper is known to have issues with the electric power steering where it often fails. This caused BMW to issue a recall. This issue happened when the car reached 80K miles and the main reason behind its failure was low power steering and a damaged electric cooling fan.
The 2006 Mini Cooper model had the most of these issues.
Mini Cooper Generations
Learning the various Mini Cooper generations will also give insight into where are Mini Coopers made, or at least where they were first made. Mini was founded in1969 in England. The Mini hatchback and the Austin Mini were produced by the British Motor Corporation.
BMW would then launch the Mini in 2002 after the German company purchased Mini. Since the classic car was very popular several decades earlier, it also became a hit after its revival. US buyers in particular were very popular with the new version.
Following the instantaneous hit, BMW went on to provide new models of the Mini with different body styles.
Mini started as a two-door hatchback. In later years, BMW released the roadster, convertible two-seater coupe, their door convertible, four-door convertible, and the crossover. All of them had an all-wheel drive system.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made – 3rd Generation Mini Cooper
This came out in 2014 and continues until today. At first glance, this generation of the Mini Cooper looks identical to previous models. However, this one comes with new engines. Some of these were present in previous generations.
They include:
- The 1.3-liter engine with 3 cylinders could produce either 75hp or 102 hp.
- 1.5 liter three cylinder B38 engine by BMW that could produce 136 horsepower
- 2.0 liter 192 HP four-cylinder gasoline
- 1.5 liter three cylinders 116 HP gasoline
- 2.0 liter 168 HP inline 4 turbo diesel
Sure these are not the type of figures that you would see with a Ford Mustang, but these powertrains manage to offer the Mini Cooper impressive performance and comfortable ride.
The 3rd generation of the Mini Cooper was 4.5 inches longer which resulted in more space for passengers and cargo.
In subsequent years Mini went on to make upgrades. With the 2015 Mini Cooper, the options that were in previous models came as standard. The three-cylinder base engine of the Cooper was upgraded to result in low emissions yet this didn’t affect the horsepower of the 2016 model.
The 2017 year saw Mini introduce the 7-seater special edition. There was an addition of the rear parking sensors and a rearview mirror with the 2018 model.
There were also a few upgrades in the exterior with the 2019 Mini Cooper model. This included taillights as well as Union Jack insignia that was integrated into the design.
The 2022 Mini Cooper features a bigger and much bolder grille. It has much lower fascia at the front as well as new styling.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made – 2nd Generation Mini Cooper
This one ran from 2007 to 2013. It looked pretty much identical to the first generation of the Mini Cooper. However, it did also feature new styling and design as well as new powertrains.
The front lights for instance came in two different housing sets. The second generation Coopers for one came with a turbocharged engine which instantly became popular with Mini Cooper fans.
In 2009 the Mini Cooper R57 Convertible came out. It featured a 1.6-liter engine that could offer 118 horsepower. It also had a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT transmission.
Just as with the Mini Cooper first generation there were plenty of luxury options with the second generation of the Mini Cooper.
There were more color options with the 2011 Mini Cooper model more tech options, new wheels, and a larger power train that could offer 121 horsepower. It also featured a standard six-speed manual transmission.
There was also the introduction of the Mini Clubman with the second generation. This was a slightly bigger model as per the other Mini Coopers available.
With generation 2, there were also a few changes with the Mini Cooper hatchback.
In 2012 the Mini roadster also came out as part of the 2nd generation.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made – 1st Generation Mini Cooper
The first generation of the Mini Cooper came out from 2002 to 2006. It was based on the original model which made it instantly identifiable. The Cooper S and the Cooper were part of the first generation of Mini.
That said this first generation Mini also launched the Mini Cooper Convertible John Cooper Works, and the Mini Cooper S convertible.
The Mini Cooper base model featured a 115-horsepower engine made in Brazil. It also came with a five sped manual transmission or CVT speed automatic transmission.
The first generation of the Cooper S came out as a performance spec. Here the powertrain was boosted up to 168 hp by the small supercharger. Sure these aren’t Lamborghini figures but for someone who prefers modesty and comfortable driving, the engine feels quite enough. The Cooper S also featured a 6-speed manual transmission. Buyers could also opt for the automatic transmission with the paddle shifter.
With the 2005 Mini copper, there was a slight upgrade to the car’s exterior and plenty of interior changes. The dashboard for once was increased in size from a 3-piece dash to a 5-piece dashboard. There was also a rearview mirror that was much larger. On the outside, there were changes in the headlight as well as the brake light adjustment.
All of the first-generation Mini Coopers featured a drive-by-wire electronic throttle as opposed to a mechanical throttle. Since the S trim supercharger occupied the battery’s space, the supercharger was situated at the back of the car. This in turn left little room for a spare tire.
This explains why all the Mini Cooper S models featured run flat tired.
Mini Clubman Vs Countryman
Now that we understand where are Mini Coopers made, let’s consider the elephant in the room – the Mini Cooper’s size. Many people looking for a car that will carry the entire family will likely not go for a Mini Cooper. It does not exactly offer a 3 row sitting like that on a Tesla.
However, since the reintroduction of the Mini in 2003 by BMW new Mini models have come up. You can now opt for the much larger Mini crossovers.
Minis’ largest choices include the Clubman and the Countryman. Even while these two models are much larger they still have the styling and personality of the much smaller Mini Coopers.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made, Clubman Vs Countryman #1: A Comparison
First off, at first glance, the Countryman looks more like an SUV while the Clubman looks more like a station wagon. That said, they can also both be considered midsized hatchbacks. While the Countryman rises higher both the countryman and the Clubman feature the same length.
If you have been wondering if you can take your Mini Cooper offroad, then you can probably do this with the Mini Countryman.
While the Countryman and the Clubman both have the original family traits that you can expect to find a Mini they offer more cargo space and plenty more space for passengers.
But how about the price? Well, there is not much difference here either. The Countryman has an MRSP of $33,250 and the Clubman costs $31,750 for front-wheel versions.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made, Clubman Vs Countryman #2: Performance
The Countryman and the Clubman have a 189 Horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain that connects to a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission. Since the Clubman is much lighter than the Countryman is, it is much faster in a drag race.
The Clubman is able to move from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds while the Countryman did the same in 6.8 seconds. When you compare this to many other luxury SUVs available on the market, this is still impressive.
Both the countryman and the Clubman bring in Mini’s interior design and those who are fans of the Mini’s interior design then they will feel at home in both these cars. Other people however might find the many colors, designs, and materials less appealing. For the more playful type, then this is a welcome feature of the Mini.
The infotainment system had a regular rectangular shape. It seems however out of place in a car that exemplified curves and circles. Mini probably discovered that having a circular entertainment system would probably be a lot more expensive.
Where Are Mini Coopers Made, Clubman Vs Countryman #3: More Space
As the Countryman is much larger, it also offers a much higher rood and more headroom. This also adds to the impression of more space. There is plenty more space in the rear seats in the Countryman when compared to the Clubman. Furthermore, there is also a much wider rear-door opening in the countryman. This makes it much easier to add in a child seat.
Speaking of space. The Countryman and the Clubman have very similar cargo spaces. They will pretty much carry the same amount of cargo. Taking a carry-on suitcase as an example, both these cars will carry 5 in the trunk and 16 with the rear seats foiled.
That said both have a different design with the doors to the cargo area. The Clubman features side hinged doors that open at the center while the Countryman has the traditional lift gate that opens up all the way. This means that the Clubman has two smaller wipers while the countryman features one large wiper.
Best Mini Cooper Year
Let’s take a look at some of the best Mini Cooper years which will certainly serve you well even when bought used. Granted, Mini Coopers aren’t considered reliable cars and they are quite expensive to maintain and repair. In fact, for such a small car, maintenance costs are quite high.
However, there are some Mini Cooper models that can prove a great bargain when bought used. These performed the best compared to many Mini Cooper Models.
The 2006 Mini Cooper
This is one of the most reliable Mini Coopers despite it being a first-generation Cooper. It promises a fun and engaging drive as well as a stylish package. Customer satisfaction rating gave this model a 3 out of 5 while Consumer Reports gave the 2006 Mini Cooper a 4 out of 5.
That said the 2006 Mini Cooper is not devoid of issues. Some of the more prominent and frequent ones were loss of power steering and issues with the transmission. That said with proper maintenance, the 2006 Mini Cooper is one of the best models of Mini Cooper that you can get.
The 2016 Mini Cooper
Consumer Reports also gave the 2016 Mini Cooper a reliability rating of 4 out of 5. This model came in a 4 Door Hardtop, 2 Door Hardtop, or a Convertible version.
It is not very often that you find a Mini Cooper with such a good reliability rating so this one is worth a look. Considering that it is several years old, the 2016 Mini Cooper can come with a great deal.
Some of the best features of the 2016 Mini Cooper include a great fuel economy at 30 miles per gallon, top-notch build quality, as well as excellent handling. Note that newer models of the Mini Coopers also do well in reliability but there is just no missing the 2016 Mini Cooper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Mini Cooper
Mini started out as a British brand but was bought by BMW in 2000. Mini Cooper is now therefore under the ownership of BMW. The various models are made between two manufacturing plants in England and Germany.
Who Owns BMW
The Quandt family owns half of the BMW groups and have been long-term shareholders. The other half of the company belongs to the general public. Stefan Quandt owns 29% of the shares of the company. He is an industrialist as well as an engineer. Sussanne Klatten who is the sister to Steffan Quandt owns 21% of BMW shares and the public investors own 50% of the shares.
Are Mini Coopers Reliable
RepairPal gave the Mini Cooper a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5. Out of 32 cars, the Mini Cooper ranks 25th. That said, the Mini Cooper was also named 21 out of 21 in the subcompact section. The reliability isn’t so impressive as a result of the high repair costs and the high maintenance of the Mini Cooper.
How Much Is A Mini Cooper
The cost of a Mini Cooper will depend on the model. The 2022 hardtop 2 door costs $22,900 to $32,900. The 2002 hardtop 4 door costs $23,900 to $27,900. The Mini Cooper Clubman costs $29,000 to $39,500.
How Long Does A Mini Cooper Last
If you drive the Mini Cooper conservatively and do proper maintenance, the Mini copper can last anywhere from 200,000 miles to 250,000 miles. Assuming your drive 15,000 miles each year, you can expect the Mini Cooper to last you anywhere from 13 to 17 years before maintaining the car becomes uneconomical.
