2012 Mini Inspired by Goodwood

Finished in Diamond Black and Cornsilk leather, ‘BN62 TRZ’ is one of the fabled MINI ‘Inspired by Goodwood’ editions, a car that is, like the Yeti or an honest politician, more talked about than seen.

But what a treat when you do find one because their discreet coachwork hides one of the most sumptuous interiors of any car, regardless of price. In the spirit of the Aston Martin Cygnet, the MINI’s advantage over its rivals is that the car it is based on is so good. (The fact it wasn’t a cynical exercise in emission dodging helps too, of course…)

And this is an absolute peach of an example with 20,000 miles on the clock, a impressive service history and an advisory-free MoT record, making this one that will appeal to both the collector with an eye on its future residuals as well as the city-dweller looking for a well-appointed runabout.

Those of you’ve who’ve been around classic cars for a while will appreciate how tough black is as a colour to carry off. Ruthless in highlighting even the mildest of flaws, it’s a colour that leaves neglect nowhere to hide.

And yet, when it’s applied and cared for as well as it is here there’s no finer tint – and of all the various shades of black available, Rolls-Royce Diamond Black surely has to be the best. A stunning metallic more usually seen on the firm’s Phantom and Wraith lines, it boasts an exceptional depth of shine as well as shimmering flecks of green and purple.

Mind you, with only 20,000 miles under its wheels, wheels that were refurbished in November 2021, the condition of the coachwork is, perhaps, less of a surprise.

While we’re on the subject of wheels, the 16-spoke, 17-inch alloys are not only still unmarked, but the service in March 2024 showed the four Bridgestone tyres had very even wear with three of them showing 7mm across the three points measured, while the fourth tyre had a still very respectable 6mm.

Returning to the coachwork, the ‘Inspired by Goodwood’ badges are present and correct, the lamp lenses are bright and free of cracks and chips, and the purple brake calipers make a refreshing change from the more usual red.

The rear view, the one most other drivers will get to appreciate given a modest straight, is delicious thanks to a winning combination of twin exhaust pipes, a roof-mounted spoiler, and the rear diffuser. The designers also chose not to fit the usual model badges either, presumably for extra stealth.

As for the pointy end, the bonnet scoop lesser cars feature has been deleted; need we repeat that this is not a car that shouts?

The front is in a very good condition too, and even the front valence, which sits quite low, is free of scuffs and marks.

There are other nice touches, including a polished alloy door handles and fuel filler cap, and a smattering of chrome trim around components such as the radiator grille and headlamps.

Overall, the MINI is in an excellent condition despite being a dozen years old; we’ve seen more visible wear on a three-year-old car.

Flaws are few and appear to be limited to damage to the nearside wiper arm, something that would be a cheap and easy fix. The seller would have sorted it out himself, but he only discovered it when he lifted the indoor car cover as our man arrived to transport it here…

If the outside is discreet, then the designers at Rolls-Royce were given free reign inside, raiding the corporate parts bin of luxuries such as cashmere, Connolly ‘Cornsilk’ hide, Nappa leather, burr walnut, and piano black veneer.

Heck, even the ‘Inspired by Goodwood’ font is one that had previously been reserved for use on Rolls-Royce motor cars.

That Cornsilk Connolly leather is used extensively, covering the door cards, centre console, dashboard, instrument surrounds, air vents, and side pillars in addition to the seats.

And what seats they are! It’s all very well trying to describe how extensive the leather is but you really have to open the door, sit in the butter-soft and ultra-comfortable chairs, and breathe in deeply to appreciate just how wonderful the cabin is.

The headlining and sun visors (including those at the side), for example, are made of cashmere. Burr walnut is sprinkled liberally around and is supplemented by Piano Black. Soft black Nappa leather is used for places like the top of the doors and dashboard, and a set of lambswool over-mats are in the boot, a boot that also contains a rubber mat to protect the stitched Cornsilk trim.

Yes, that’s right; the MINI even boasts Connolly leather trim on the floor of the boot, all the better to prevent your Louis Vuitton luggage getting marked.

It’s stuffed full of toys too including heated front seats, a front armrest, parking sensors, and extended interior lighting as well as the usual suspects like cruise control, cupholders, air-conditioning, a leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel, and electric windows and mirrors.

As for entertainment, when you get bored of the R56’s bewitching chassis and switchable driving modes you can take advantage of the MINI’s entertainment centre that includes MINI Connected, a sat-nav, Bluetooth connectivity, a DAB radio, and a Harman Kardon speaker system.

As for its condition, it looks like new throughout with the sole exception of the outer edge of the driver’s seat, which has softened and creased just a little – but we do mean ‘a little’.

Everything else still looks – and smells – as it should.

The MINI’s service history is impressive and recorded as follows:

• 09.01.2015 and 4,982 miles – service by Sytner Oldbury
• 10.11.2015 and 6,811 miles – service by Sytner Oldbury
• 06.10.2016 and 7,757 miles – service by Sytner Oldbury
• 02.11.2017 and 8,448 miles – service by Sytner Oldbury
• 18.06.2019 and 9,256 miles – service by Mick Coop Motors
• 05.08.2021 and 13,615 miles – service by MINI Battersea
• 11.11.2021 and 14,349 miles – service by MES
• 01.11.2022 and 18,248 miles – service by MES
• 06.03.2024 and 20,298 miles – service by James Paul
• 13.03.2024 and 20,316 miles – service by Marshall Salisbury including fresh brake fluid, a new microfilter, and a clean sheet of green marks for every area that was checked
• 07.05.2024 and 20,422 miles – a new battery was fitted by Marshall Salisbury

As you can see it fires into life as easily as every other well-maintained, fuel-injected modern car. It also offers a fuss-free idle and revs nicely. The onboard computer is also free of no faults, which offers further reassurance.

With a six-speed automatic gearbox, a nimble chassis, and 181bhp, we can’t imagine a better car for city driving. But, when you do reach the open road, you’ll be gratified to discover it’ll reach 62mph in seven seconds on its way to a top speed of 139mph.

The cosmetics are equally impressive: the engine bay gleams and needs nothing other than continued dedicated curation, and the underside is every bit as good and still features all the factory protection.

Even most of the fasteners and brackets are free of surface rust, so we don’t imagine it’s seen much wet-weather or winter use.

As you’d expect, the MINI’s MoT certificate, which is valid until March 2025, was issued with no advisories, just like every single one it’s ever had.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the MINI comes with two keys and a wealth of paperwork to support its excellent service history.

If you merely want to get behind the wheel of a 2012 MINI Cooper S there will be far cheaper ways of doing it than by buying this one.

But then this is much, much more than a MINI Cooper S. Yes, it’s got that legendary car’s performance, but it’s also got the same luxury cabin as a modern Rolls-Royce in a city-friendly package that is as much fun on a track or autobahn as it is Knightsbridge.

It’s a crowd-puller too, as the seller discovered when the Cooper Club asked him to display it at Beaulieu, where it attracted an awful lot of interest. The consensus was that MINI has done a fine job of maintaining the tradition of building hand-crafted luxury cars on a humble platform.

It is, therefore, quite possibly all the car you’ll ever need, which makes our guide price of between £23,000 and £28,000 feel like staggering value to us – and that’s without factoring in its future potential given its rarity and condition.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.