We've gathered a cross section of great information to help when buying a used or new MINI as well as shopping for parts and accessories for the correct MINI Cooper generation / model you have. While this is not a true buyers guide for MINI Cooper models we do cover some great info to be aware of when shopping.
Our online catalog is full of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories for EVERY model MINI Cooper and EVERY year (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and beyond.
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The production DATE of your MINI is listed on the drivers side door jam.
R-fifty WHAT?
MINI Cooper models are categorized using the letter R, F, J, or U and then 2 digits. There are some inconsistencies but for the most part they are pretty intuitive. Generation 1 and 2 MINIs start with the letter "R" while the generation 3 MINIs start with the letter "F." Generation 4 MINIs also share the F prefix but also the J and U.
Body Styles
Hatchbacks/Hardtops (R50, R53, R56, F56, and F66 models. Electrical or Hybrid hatchback include the J01 as part of the generation 4 range) are defined as any 2 door MINI Cooper that seat 4 and have a 'hatchback' type trunk that hinges from the top of the roof and has a boxy overall shape (not to be confused with the R58 Coupe). MINI started referring to this model as the 'Hardtop' when they heavily diversified in 2011.
Four Door Hatchback (F55) was released in 2015 and is basically a stretched Hatchback with 2 extra rear passenger doors and is sometimes called the 4 door hardtop (totally confusing too). It is NOT the Clubman which has dual barn doors in the rear and is NOT the Countryman which is the larger SUV model that also has a top hinge trunk.
Convertibles (R52, R57, F57, and F67 models) are the 2 door MINI that seats 4 and have a convertible soft top.
Clubman (R55 and F54 models) are the slightly longer than the hardtop MINI model and have either the 3rd door on one side (or 4 door type released in 2016). Clubman have the dual side hinged rear doors.
Coupe (R58 model) seating for 2 and have a large glass-filled rear hatch. This is a less common MINI body style but has a distinctive roof line which some describe as a helmet.
Roadsters (R59 model) are similar to the Coupe in that they only seat 2 but are a convertible.
Countryman (R60, F60, U25) the larger models that have 4 doors and more bulky appearance. They look like a small SUV and have a taller/fuller body than other MINIs. The Countryman is different from the Four Door and Clubman models and is often confused with the Clubman. Please review the images carefully to confirm your model.
Paceman (R61) is nearly identical to the Countryman but only have 2 doors yet seat 4. Paceman are fairly rare and had a short life span of just 5 years from 2011 to 2015.
Aceman (J05) is a new model in the generation 4 range and will replace the Clubman but be very similarly scaled to the original R60 Countryman and has 4 doors.
We cluster MINI models into 4 basic generations describing the major design changes and major model upgrades. Each cluster is listed below referenced by Generation 1, Generation 2, Generation 3 and Generation 4. With few exceptions NOTHING from a Gen 1 MINI will work on a Gen 2 MINI so forth. Many other retailers have not updated their websites and have the wrong fitments listed for product descriptions. We put a ton of effort into keeping our descriptions and categories up to date, but if you find an error please let us know via email.
