Overview & Reviews

For 2006, the Mini Cooper can be equipped with a new Checkmate package, which includes special wheels, stability control, unique trim and graphics, HID headlamps and foglamps. The John Cooper Works package, formerly a dealer-installed option, can now be fitted at the factory.

• Not enough horsepower in base model, questionable seat comfort, not much room for passengers and cargo, some low-grade interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 133.00

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  Devil in the Details - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By jim - June 18 - 3:06 pm

  Loud...very loud road noise from lack of any soundproofing insulation whatsoever and those iron run-flat tires. At speeds over 30mph, be prepared to blast the radio/CD player. Windows...could the doors have been made just a little taller to fully retract the side windows? Underpowered in the automatic transmission. In urban traffic where one has to floor it to enter a lane, the darn thing goes to top rpm and dies. Overall the car needs about 50-75 additional horsepower.

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  Theres Nothing Wrong with My MINI - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By ElmerFudd - June 11 - 6:43 am

  My all black 2005 Cooper S draws in the guys and the girls. Its hot fun to drive, everything always works, it has no sqeaks or noises, and has lot of pure driver pleasure for the gearhead. The mid-60s interior and deep throttle rumble evoke the golden age of sports motoring, but without the pools of oil under the engine and jiggling the under dash wires to get the starter or radio to work. I live in the land of exotic machines (San Francisco), but my all-black Cooper has the highest fun/dollar and status/dollar ratio of any of them. Oh yes it is really easy to park, and surprisingly practical for around town with 3-4 people in it and for longer trips with two. Buy it or youll never forgive yourself.

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  The Most Fun You Can Have in a Car - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By J. Cooper - June 4 - 8:00 am

  The MINI Cooper S is as fun as driving gets. According to every woman the see it its "adorable" Ive not yet been impressed with the fuel economy but its still new and still cant get used to the center console gauges, but its a small price to pay for this much fun.

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  My Ford was more reliable. - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By bstndance - June 3 - 11:13 am

  I leased my Mini and had a great two year relationship with the car. Suddenly, after the two year mark its all downhill. It started with the fan always running even when the car was off. That turned into a water pump problem. Then the check engine light comes on randomly. The interior falls apart easily. The mini emblem on the steering wheel popped off when I pressed the horn. The windows and sunroof sometimes open when I unlock the car using the electronic fob. Now, the battery suddenly up and died in the middle of the day. I ran into a store for 15 mintues, came out and it was dead. Got jumped but the car died again the next day. Cant wait for my lease to finish!

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  better than my corvette - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Mr. B - May 23 - 10:20 am

  I have had the competition and this is the best. I had a porche 914, a mazda miata and a corvette. The mini blows them away. Everyone said i was crazy foe selling my 2002 corvette for a mini cooper but it was a good choice. The mini is not tempermental and can be driven as a daily driver instaed of just a sunday driver like my other "Toy" cars have been. I cant stop revving and driving it hard. I am a big guy (300lbs) and fit very comfortably in it. It also has goos storage whwn the rear seats are folded down. Mine is pepper white with a black top and black stripes. I also upgraded the wheels to 17s. I also got the automatic transmission which I highly recommend. Its exactly like a stick!

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  Failed at only 23,000 miles - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Trevor - April 30 - 4:16 am

  Driving the Mini Cooper was fun. I think everyone already knows this. Ownership wasnt so fun. The trim around the windows is poorly done, I was going on my 3rd windshield due to previous windshields cracking and the main computer command board failed. It could no longer tell the automatic transmission what to do. At only 23,000 miles! Not good. I got rid of it. Oh, the dealership claimed the car wasnt wired properly either. On the 4th visit? Yikes!

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  Good things come in small packages - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By 2MANYCARS - April 29 - 5:33 am

  A pocket hot rod, Goliath killer. I have all the high perf. options and love the overall package performance. A couple of laps at Sebring surprised my brother who races a Porsche there. Stable, fast, excellent brakes, peppy engine. If you want thrifty car, buy a VW diesel. This is about fun and "low self esteem ", they will look at you for sure. Bought HK Sound and Chrono Package. Love them. Chili Red with Silver top different look altogether from Red/White. Would buy again.

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  Love My Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By JOHN GUIDA - April 28 - 5:56 pm

  I have read some of your reviews. Some were negative about this cars pep. I have been suprised to the opposite. The Mini Cooper has more pep than I expected it to. Therefore I am thrilled with my Mini Convertable (not the "s" model). Your profesonal reviews had me a little nervous after ordering the car. Im assuming youre using teenagers to do your reviews. Im forty eight years old and this is the most fun car I had ever had to drive. If you want to see a cheap interior look at the Pontiac Solstice. Mini has thought of features on this car that I would have never expected.

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  Buy A John Cooper Works - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By sportscarnut - April 4 - 4:00 pm

  I bought my 06 JCW over a year ago, and I have no regrets. This is my third BMW, and reliability has been on par with my prior cars (about average), but it is a blast to drive! The ride is certainly on the rough side, and there is a good amount of noise from the wind and a/c, so be prepared to crank up the radio. My JCW is rated at about 40 more hp than the S, but you really dont notice the difference in power unless you rev it hard. The noticeable difference w/ the JCW is in the limited slip differential, the aero body kit, and the brakes. Cornering versus the standard S is night-and-day difference. If you are a guy, stay with dark colors as light colors look cutesy on this car.

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  After a Year and a Half - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Robert - December 19 - 11:30 am

  I really enjoy this car and Im glad that I bought it. I purchased the S model and added the moonroof, fog lamps and DSC. The moonroof is outstanding, I like the DSC but if I didnt have the fog lamps, I wouldnt notice. I havent had any problems, but after 20,000 miles there are a few rattles and squeaks (particularly in the brakes on a cold day - the dealer told me that that was because of the brake pad composition). Its gas mileage is good, even with having to buy premium gas (I just filled it today and spent $32 in NJ). All in all, this car is still a blast to drive and I always get a question or two at the car wash about it. Im happy with my 06 Mini Cooper S!