Since September 2008, I have a new job, without a lease car. I barely considered going back to using the White Cooper as a daily driver; I couldn't bare seeing it run away from me as it did before I got a lease car. After a lot of calculating, I decided I should get a new Mini of my own. I found a nice 2002 Cooper, in Chili Red, with a white roof, wing mirrors and bonnet stripes.
Update 25-9-2017: This car hasn't been in my posession for quite some time now. A '04 Chili Red Cooper and an '11 Volvo V50 have followed in its path.
I took the soundkit of the Checkmate before returning the car (I did pay for it myself, after all). Not all components can be used; the updated ECU software I had to leave in the Checkmate, and the modified air filter lid will not fit on the pre-2005-facelift model. Some under-bonet cosmetics, as well as the JCW exhaust, could be fitted to the new car. Instead of the Soundkit airfilter, I'll be fitting a K&N cold air intake soon.
Engine
- 1598 Tritec engine
- John Cooper Works Soundkit exhaust (catback)
Gearbox
- Standard manual gearbox (Midland 5-speed)
Brakes
- Standard disk brakes all round
Suspension
- McPherson front struts
- Z-link back suspension
Wheels/tyres
- Silver Mini S-Spoke wheel
- Pirelli P Zero Nero 205/45R17 tires
Exterior
- Chili Red
- White roof
- White wing mirrors
- White bonnet stripes
- Chrome grill, bumpers, boot handle
Interior
- Black cloth and black leather upholstery
- Mini Sports seats
- Heated seats
- "Patina" interior panels
- "Wave" radio/cassette playe
- CD changer