This small car has one of the most devoted fan bases in the car world for a good reason. You know you’re in something special as soon as you grab the unique, chunky door handle, sit down in the low-slung driver’s seat, and see the big, famous speedometer smiling back at you from the center of the dash.
Driving a first-generation “new” Mini (the R50, which was made from 2001 to 2006) is something you should do. It’s the “go-kart handling” that everyone talks about—how quickly and sharply it responds, making you feel completely connected to the road. It’s the cheeky, classic look that still gets people talking after 20 years. It’s the way it moves quickly through city traffic and makes you feel like you’re in a scene from The Italian Job.
We understand. We love them too. But as a Perth wrecker who sees these cars every day, we also know what it’s like to own an R50.
The Dark Side of the R50: When Your Mini Isn’t Fun
As these great little cars have gotten older, some “character traits” have become well-known and annoying. If you’re a pet owner, you probably feel that cold pit in your stomach when you hear that sound.
It could be the whining from the power steering. That high-pitched, electronic “whirrrrrr” that is always there, getting louder and quieter as the engine revs up and down, even when you aren’t turning the wheel. The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, which is known to be very expensive, is making this noise.
Or, even worse, it could be the CVT Shudder. If you have an automatic R50, you know how scary it is. That little pause, the shudder when you pull away from a stoplight, or the feeling that the car is slipping. You take it to an expert, and they just shake their heads, suck air through their teeth, and give you a number that is, to be honest, more than the car is worth.
Then there are the “little” things. The sudden “CRUNCH-THUD” when your window regulator breaks and the glass falls into the door. The cracked plastic coolant expansion tank that leaks all the time. The lights on the dashboard that blink for no reason.
All of a sudden, your fun-loving car looks like a bottomless money pit. Dealerships charge a lot for new, real parts. New, cheap aftermarket parts from the internet? They don’t fit right most of the time, they don’t last, and they can sometimes make the problem worse.
You feel trapped. You love the car, but you can’t afford to fix it.
This is where we come in.
A New Hope for Mini Owners: The 2004 Silver R50 is Now Wrecking!
WA Auto Parts is happy to let you know that we have a new arrival at our Perth wrecking yard. It’s the answer you’ve been looking for.
We are currently taking apart a 2004 Mini Cooper (R50) 3-Door Hatch in Pure Silver Metallic for work.
This car isn’t just “wrecked.” This is a person who gives. There are a lot of real, high-quality OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts here that can give your Mini a new lease on life. Our skilled team is currently taking apart this car piece by piece, testing each one, and keeping them from being crushed.
The Donor Vehicle Specs: Our Latest Arrival
These are the important numbers for the car we’re going to wreck. It’s important to know these things in order to get the right part the first time.
- Mini
- Cooper Model (This is the naturally aspirated model, not the “S” model with a supercharger.)
- R50 Series
- Year: 2004
- Color: Silver Metallic
- Three-Door Hatchback Body Type
- 1.6L 4-Cylinder engine (the “Tritec” engine that works well)
- CVT Automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission) is the type of transmission.
The last point is the most important one. This car has the same automatic transmission that a lot of Mini owners need.
A Deep Look at the Ultimate R50 Parts Goldmine
Let’s go over what this car can do. We broke this down into the “make-it-new-again” cosmetic parts, the “annoyance” parts that are common, and the “car-saving” mechanical parts.
Category 1: The “Career-Ending” Mechanical Failures (SOLVED)
These are the things that cost a lot. The parts that make you think about whether to fix your car or throw it away.
The CVT Automatic Transmission (The Holy Grail)
The Problem: The R50’s CVT automatic gearbox is definitely its worst feature. Some signs are shaking when you take off, revs that go up and down, slipping, or not engaging at all.
The Nightmare: A new BMW/Mini is impossible to imagine. Rebuilding is a risk and costs a lot of money.
Our answer: We have the whole, tested CVT automatic transmission from this car from 2004. We have drained the fluid and looked at it, checking for metal shavings. Without a doubt, this is the best, most cost-effective, and smartest way to keep your automatic Mini from going to the junkyard.
The Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (The Whine-Killer)
The problem is that annoying, high-pitched noise that won’t stop. The electric motor on the power steering pump is broken, which is what causes it. At first, it’s annoying, but when it finally dies, steering feels like it’s stuck in wet concrete.
The Nightmare: This part is well-known for being very expensive from the dealer because it is a complex, all-in-one unit.
Our answer: We have the real, tested power steering pump and fan assembly from this car. Imagine being able to drive your Mini in silence again, with that perfect, heavy steering feel. This part tells you what to do.
The 1.6L Tritec Engine Assembly
The Problem: The Tritec engine is usually strong, but it can wear out after 20 years. Overheating can happen because of a broken cooling system, a blown head gasket, or just normal wear and tear from high mileage.
The Nightmare: Rebuilding an engine is a huge job that takes a lot of work.
Our answer is that we have the whole 1.6L long block. This is the best “heart transplant” for a Mini whose engine is worn out or broken. It’s a real, OEM-quality engine that is ready to go.
Category 2: The “Death by a Thousand Cuts” Failures (The Annoyances)
These little problems that happen all the time drive you crazy and ruin the “premium” feel of your Mini.
Window Regulators: The “CRUNCH-Thud” Fix
The Problem: Is there a sound that hurts more? You push the cool toggle switch, and instead of the window sliding down, you hear a horrible “CRUNCH” and the glass falls into the door. The plastic clips are broken.
Our answer is that we have the full, tested window regulators and motors for both the driver’s side and the passenger’s side. This is a cheap, simple fix that makes a big difference every day.
The Cooling System (The Engine-Saver)
The Problem: The R50’s cooling system is known for having weak plastic parts. The clear or white bottle that holds the coolant expansion tank turns yellow, gets brittle, and cracks. There is a leak in the thermostat housing. The fan in the radiator stops working, which makes the car overheat.
Our answer is that we have the whole cooling system. The radiator, the electric fan that cools it down, the expansion tank, and all the hoses. Don’t take the chance of your engine overheating and dying; get rid of your old, brittle plastics and put in these new, high-quality parts.
Electrical Problems (ECU and BCM)
The Issue: At times, a Mini just acts strange. The lights blink, the indicators don’t work, and the central locking doesn’t work right. This is often a sign that the Body Control Module (BCM) is failing, usually because water got in.
Our answer: We have the right parts: the main engine ECU, the BCM, and the key. You need to swap this important “set” to fix those electronic problems.
Category 3: Bringing Back the “New Car” Feel (Cosmetics and Interior)
This is the fun part. Bringing your 20-year-old car back to life.
The Famous Inside
The Central Speedo: Is your big speedometer scratched, faded, or have the lights gone out? We have the whole central cluster, and it works.
The Seats: After 20 years, a driver’s seat can look like it’s been around for 20 years. Ripped bolsters, cigarette burns, or foam that has fallen apart. The cloth sport seats in this car are clean and complete. An upgrade that is perfect and easy.
The Steering Wheel and Trim: When the steering wheel is worn out, the whole car feels old. We have the real steering wheel, all the silver trim pieces for the dash, the toggle switch bank, and the original Mini CD player/head unit.
The “Pure Silver” Outside (The Easiest Fix)
- The Problem: Dings in the car park, small fender benders, scratches from keys, or a lifetime of stone chips.
- The Nightmare: It costs thousands to go to a panel beater. They need to fix, fill, prep, and match the paint.
- The Solution: The simplest fix is to not fix anything. Just add a new panel. We have:
- Both fenders (front guards)
- The hood (bonnet)
- The whole front and back bumpers
- Both doors, the driver and the passenger
- The back tailgate or hatch, which has a glass window, a wiper, and a spoiler
You can just bolt them on and go because they are all the same Pure Silver Metallic. No mixing or painting.
Wheels, Lights, and Glass
Alloy Wheels: This car comes with a full set of 16-inch alloy wheels. They’re great for upgrading your base model, replacing a wheel you’ve “curbed,” or making a full-sized spare.
Headlights: Are your headlights yellow, cloudy, and too dim to see? Ours are clear, bright, and ready to shine on the road.
Taillights: A broken taillight is a problem right away. We have the real taillight assemblies that haven’t faded.
Why should you trust WA Auto Parts? We’re the Wrecker Team in Your Area.
This business is all about trust. You are buying a used part, so you need to make sure it is a good one and that the people you are dealing with are honest.
WA Auto Parts is a top wrecking company in Perth that specializes in used car parts and spares, cash for cars, and removals.
When you call us, you’re not just calling a parts store; you’re calling a dedicated wrecker with a team of experts.
We really do know Minis. We are familiar with the R50. We know which parts don’t work. We know what to look for. You can talk to our team, and we’ll know exactly what you want and why.
Real OEM Quality: Mini/BMW made the parts for this car in 2004. They are made to fit perfectly, work perfectly, and last. You get the same quality as a real part for the price of a fake one.
This is the bottom line: huge savings on costs. You are saving hundreds of dollars, and in the case of the CVT gearbox or the power steering pump, thousands of dollars. This is what keeps these great, classic Minis on the road for fans to enjoy.
Wrecking and recycling car parts is one of the best things you can do for the environment. We save a lot of energy and raw materials by salvaging every part from this Mini.
Is your car ready to retire? We Give You Money!
This Mini is the star of the show today, but don’t forget that we can wreck any car make or model.
Your own Mini might be too far gone. The rust might be too bad, or the CVT failure might have been the last straw. Don’t leave it on the lawn to gather dust and spiders.
WA Auto Parts gives the best cash for cars in Perth. We buy cars in any condition, whether they run or not, are broken, are no longer needed, or are just old and tired. We have everything you need in our yard, from Holdens and Fords to Toyotas, Mazdas, Hyundais, and other European brands.
And here’s our promise: we will tow your car away for free. Call us now to get your car towed away today. You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll give you a fair price over the phone, pay you cash right away, and our tow truck will take the car away for free. It’s that easy.
Don’t Wait—These R50 Parts Will Be Gone!
We need to be honest with you. At our wrecking yard, a Mini Cooper R50 is a very popular car, especially one with a good automatic transmission. It will be stripped down in no time at all.
The CVT gearbox and power steering pump are two parts that are in high demand and often fail. These will be the first to go. The Mini fan clubs and specialty shops are already calling.
This is your chance if you own an R50 and have been dealing with one of these issues.
Stop putting up with the whining. Don’t be afraid of the shudder. Don’t let the “crunch” bother you. Make your Mini the fun, fast, and dependable car you fell in love with again.
Call WA Auto Parts right now to talk to our parts experts.
Call (08) 9358 1392 If you ask for parts from the “2004 Silver Mini Cooper R50 Wrecking,” we will check our live inventory, confirm the part’s condition, and give you a price right away.
We are based in Perth, Western Australia, and we can send parts to any part of Australia. Call WA Auto Parts today so that your Mini dream doesn’t die.