DecodedCars2006 MINI Cooper
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Convertible FWD, Classic/Cooper 2dr Hatch FWD, S 2dr Convertible FWD, S 2dr Hatch FWD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 24 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 142.9–144.1 in
- Curb weight
- 2,524–2,844 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 44% better than the average 2006 minicompact car (19.4 MPG).
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 MINI Cooper is a minicompact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 143 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,701 lb (2dr Convertible FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (24 city / 33 highway), 44% better than the 2006 minicompact car average of 19.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Cooper — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Cooper →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible FWD | 143.3 in | 66.5 in | 55.9 in | 97.2 in | 57.5 / 57.5 in | 2,701 lb | 61/39 |
| Classic/Cooper 2dr Hatch FWD | 142.9 in | 66.5 in | 55.9 in | 97.2 in | 57.9 / 57.5 in | 2,524 lb | 61/39 |
| S 2dr Convertible FWD | 144.1 in | 66.5 in | 56.3 in | 96.5 in | 57.5 / 57.5 in | 2,844 lb | 59/41 |
| S 2dr Hatch FWD | 144.1 in | 66.5 in | 55.9 in | 97.2 in | 57.1 / 57.5 in | 2,679 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 28 | +44% | $2,950 | 317 |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +39% | $3,050 | 329 |
| Cooper | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +34% | $3,150 | 342 |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | +29% | $3,300 | 355 |
| Cooper S | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 24 | +24% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Cooper S | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +24% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 24 | +24% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +24% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Cooper S JCWorks GP Kit | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | +18% | $3,750 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 MINI Cooper under the current (2011+) test program.
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 6, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V205000 · 91,800 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
- Risk
- An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
- Fix
- MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Not every 2006 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 63 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Steering — 50 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 77,102 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Cooper years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 6 |
| 2024 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2021 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 7 |
| 2020 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 13 |
| 2019 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 2018 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2017 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 3 | 34 |
| 2016 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 4 | 51 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →