Mini R numbers

hats199

Hi,

Went to check out a MINI one today, 2006. I asked the dealer what the r number was and he feigned not knowing. I had a look at the vrc and the only r number was ra32. I had a quick look on the mini forum but it didn't really clear it up. Does anyone know is a 2006 MINI one a certain r number by default or is it something that is written somewhere ?

Thanks

Drummerboy08

Do you mean model code, i.e. R56 for the current model hatch?

hats199

Exactly

colm_mcm

R50 is first generation, R56 is second generation.
Not surprised he didnt know tbh, why is it important to you?

Second generation came in late 06. Easy way to tell the difference is the R50 has the reverse light in the middle of the bumper and the R56 has them in the rear clusters.

hats199

From my forum scouring it appears that that the second generation are a better car, with lots of bug fixes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a 2006 could be first or second generation as the second gen started being made around 2004-2006. I think though that if the dash is a 3 piece rather than a 5 (which it was) that means it is second gen?

colm_mcm

Can you post up a link to the car?

SleeperService

RA32 is some subdesignation for different configs for different markets etc.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=65771377052&showus=on&showeur=on&series=R50

1.6, One, RHD from what I can make out.

SleeperService

hats199 wrote: »

From my forum scouring it appears that that the second generation are a better car, with lots of bug fixes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a 2006 could be first or second generation as the second gen started being made around 2004-2006. I think though that if the dash is a 3 piece rather than a 5 (which it was) that means it is second gen?

You may be getting mixed up between facelift R50 and actual second gen.

hats199

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mini-one-1-6i-16v-one/6263082

They had to jump start it to get it going, and I noticed some funny rattling from the dash. The dealer said he would service it when I bought it but I figured handing over money for a car that doesn't even start would be a bit thick. So, its being taken to the mini dealer in Athlone to check it out.

colm_mcm

Well that's from January 06. r56 didn't come till October.

Neilw

That's a facelift first gen car, I had a jcw and it was an R53 but I think the mini one goes by the R50 designation.

SleeperService

R50, post facelift version.
We're falling over each other with answers this evening lads!

dougie-lampkin

The R56 was introduced very late 2006 (November or December), it's unlikely for an 06 to be an R56 but not impossible. The second gen has a better engine, with a PSA engine as opposed to the Brazillian sourced R50's. Arguably a very early R56 would have more bugs than a runout R50 that would have the very latest part revisions.

An easy way to tell them apart from the front, the indicators are in the headlamps on the R56 and on the lower bumper on the R50. There's also a start button rather than a traditional key start on the R56.

I wouldn't criticise a dealer for not knowing what an "R code" is. Do you know the difference between an E110 and E120 Corolla? Or a B5 and B6 Passat? Or a type 176 and type 188 Punto? You can't expect a salesman to be an expert in model nomenclature, particularly if you didn't go to a MINI main dealer. It's his job to sell you the car, not to have an in depth knowledge of factory codes.

hats199

Why do you think I criticised him? I was surprised he didn't know, after a few minutes of looking at minis online I've come across talk of R numbers many times, so for a dealer to never have heard of them is somewhat unusual. I do not know the differences between those models, but then again I'm not a car dealer. If I were I would hope that I would, but if I didn't I would make every effort to find out for the customer. That's how I behave in my own job so I suppose I expect the same from others.

Drummerboy08

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

I wouldn't criticise a dealer for not knowing what an "R code" is. Do you know the difference between an E110 and E120 Corolla? Or a B5 and B6 Passat? Or a type 176 and type 188 Punto? You can't expect a salesman to be an expert in model nomenclature, particularly if you didn't go to a MINI main dealer. It's his job to sell you the car, not to have an in depth knowledge of factory codes.

Its his job to also know the product he's selling, so yeah I kinda would expect him to know it. Nothing worse than being asked a question by a customer and not knowing the correct answer.

Most salesmen should be fairly up to speed on these codes for the main brands such as VW/BMW.

dougie-lampkin

hats199 wrote: »

Why do you think I criticised him? I was surprised he didn't know, after a few minutes of looking at minis online I've come across talk of R numbers many times, so for a dealer to never have heard of them is somewhat unusual. I do not know the differences between those models, but then again I'm not a car dealer. If I were I would hope that I would, but if I didn't I would make every effort to find out for the customer. That's how I behave in my own job so I suppose I expect the same from others.

That's the impression I got from your post, that you were criticising him for not knowing the model code. Fair enough if you weren't. I have to agree, he should have made an effort to find out for you, even if he had to look it up or speak to someone more technical.

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Its his job to also know the product he's selling, so yeah I kinda would expect him to know it. Nothing worse than being asked a question by a customer and not knowing the correct answer.

Most salesmen should be fairly up to speed on these codes for the main brands such as VW/BMW.

It's quite possible to know the product you're selling without knowing the factory code for it, it's a pretty insignificant piece of info. If you asked him the power to weight ratio, the DGVW or the gearbox oil capacity would he know offhand? Probably not, and I wouldn't expect him to. I'm sure he could find out, though.

This isn't a VW or a BMW, it's a MINI. There was more Suzukis sold than MINIs last year, they're not a common car with a 0.6% market share. It's not fair to expect a salesman to know such a technical piece of information on 0.6% of his stock. If you asked a non Suzuki dealer what's the difference between a HT81S and HR81S Swift, what reaction do you think you'd get, bearing in mind the Suzuki is a more commonly sold car?

hats199

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

The second gen has a better engine, with a PSA engine as opposed to the Brazillian sourced R50's.

You think this is an insignificant piece of information?

Donnelly117

hats199 wrote: »

You think this is an insignificant piece of information?

If its not a MINI main dealer I wouldn't expect the guy to know that sort of info to be honest. It might be the first MINI hes ever sold for all you know. Maybe he knows the models of every BMW or Merc ever made. You cant expect him to know a factory model ref number for ever car on the road.
Who ever said dealers should know the codes for common cars such as BMW/VW... I dont understand why you think this. I see no reason why a Ford dealer should know BMW model codes etc...

To be honest this is research you should be doing before you go to look at the car. An R50 and R56 have more then enough visual differences to be able to tell them apart.