1st Gen has DIN sized easily replaceable stereo head unit, 2nd Gen doesn't 1st Gen has hood latch release on passenger side (not sure about 2nd Gen)
Not to hijack the thread, but to answer your question. Both 1st or 2nd gen cars are a lot of fun. The 06 sounds good and you will have loads of fun. I'm a 1st gen guy(well kind of there is still a 1st gen in the family). You may want to start a new thread with this question. If you do it will be fun. Some of us are opinionated. Not me of course. Welcome to MA where we are one big happy family.(just some of us drive good looking cars)
Having both gen's of MINIs in our household I'd say the second gen has had the rough edges of the 1st gen polished off. They both are MINIs, but I like the rough edges a bit more. I do enjoy driving Babs justa clubster. More of a smooth old fart drive. :wink:
People often overlook the position of the side mirror controls it's on the driver's side door, not in the lower center console anymore, right?
Front cup holders have more space for taller cups. I dislike the wonky cup holder that swivels around whenever someone hits it.
Maybe that's why I'm partial to the older gen. I'm older too. I love my wonky cup-holder, holds my coffee & other things. The ones in the 2nd gen aren't as useful. Gizmo's don't fit in them.