The first Mini Cooper car that built by BMW Group was launched in 2001. The Cooper is different from MINI One in terms of more powerful, better handling and it has a different grill surround. Some Cooper models had a different type of front and rear bumpers as well as new headlights than the Mini One.

The Mini Cooper model from 2001 – 2004 are known as “R50” or “Pre-Facelift”. R50 pre-facelift can be differentiating by:

• The bumper is roughly larger and it is installed with textured grille surrounds
• R50 headlights or headlamps interior and bulb layout is different, but the dimensions are unchanged.
• The rear lights clusters with reverse light in the bumper.

Mini Cooper model from July 2004 – 2006 are known as the “R50” as well but this time with the “Facelift”. It is almost similar to pre-facelift Cooper but the light has been changed. Facelift Cooper’s bumper has also been changed to a newer design together with a smoother grille with fewer slats which the gap can be seen is a little bit bigger than previous design.

All Mini models have R-series model numbers assigned to all the cars. These R-series numbering are the legacy of the Mini’s original development within Rover Group, it just like the classic designation which known as “Mark“. The designations are known as:

• R50: “Mk I” Mini One and Cooper (2001-2006)
• R52: “Mk I” Mini Convertible (2005-2008)
• R53: “Mk I” Mini Cooper S (2001-2006)
• R55: “Mk II” Mini Clubman, S and D (2008-present)
• R56: “Mk II” Mini One, Cooper, S and D (2007-present)
• R57: “Mk II” Mini Convertible (2009-present)

The design for Mini Cooper R50 is obviously bigger and larger than the classic Mini Cooper, but it has won a thousand of millions’ cars lover heart to drive it. Besides, the Mini Cooper has won 3 out of 10 Most Outrageous Paint Jobs of 2008 as well.