Security of Convertible Mini

[dandrewk]

*** Also posted in 1st Gen. MC section, so new owners can also comment ***

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Greetings - potential new Mini owner here. Potential as in "probably this weekend".

We are wrestling with the idea of a convertible Mini. There is a seductive allure about riding these marvels in open air, and I do love the look of the convertible with the top up or down. Less boxy than the hardtop version.

There are a couple of (potential) downsides to purchasing a convertible vs. the hardtop:

1. Financial - with dealer premiums, a Mini convertible could easily be $5k more than its hardtop equivalent.

2. Security - having a canvas top does make it a bit easier to break into, either to steal contents or the entire vehicle. Having someone cut a hole in the top could turn out to be a VERY expensive headache.

It's #2 that I want to address. Just how -less- secure is the convertible vs. the hardtop?

I understand many convertible owners of any make leave the top down when parking (good weather, obviously), either hiding or removing any valuables. Some also rely on auto alarms and motion sensors. Having never owned a convertible, I have zero personal experience in this area.

I guess the question is: How much of a problem have any of you convertible owners had in this area? I've posed the question in a general, non-auto forum and the response had been nearly universal: Convertibles may be easier to break into, but in reality suffer no more problems than hardtops.

I will be parking the vehicle during the day in what I would describe as a "marginally dodgy" area, so security is important.

Any guidance or experiences regarding this issue is deeply appreciated.

[AustinS]

Just my thoughts/opinions, but:

As to whether to buy a convertible over a coupe?
If I couldn't have the convertible, I wouldn't have a Mini.

I hope you are considering the "S" cause...
If I couldn't have the "S", I wouldn't have a Mini.

And of course you plan on getting the 6-spd., right cause...
If I couldn't have the 6-spd., I wouldn't have a Mini.

As to the $5,000 premium for a convertible, so what, it's only money.

And as to security:
1. Be sure to carry insurance
2. Put the top up when parking in "marginally dodgy" locations.
3. Lock the rear seatbacks and secure your nice stuff in the trunk.

But remember, "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."

I hope I have helped you decide and in case you missed it, I have a Laser blue "S" convertible w/6 spd.

[Ken Laws]

I've had nothing but convertibles for my entire adult life ("adult" is relative.) I learned fairly early on that it's much cheaper to replace something stolen from inside a convertible than it is to replace the convertible top (even more so with a car like the MINI, with a real rear window and built-in defogger.)

If I have anything nice in the car, I do what Austin does and stick it in the trunk.

Now, nobody has ever stolen my whole car. I've only had people take things like the stereo. And if you have the stock stereo (quite nice in the MINI,) I don't think you have anything to worry about. A thief would have to take, well, basically your whole console.

As for stealing the car, I'm pretty certain it's more complicated than just sticking two wires together like in the old days. I'm not even sure it's possible to bypass the electronics that sense the presence of a key.

I've had an S convertible since June. I love it. Jenny is the best car I've ever owned by a wide margin.

"If you have the means, I highly recommend it." - Ferris Beuler on the MINI convertible.

[gawannamini]

I have had 9 convertibles over the past 30 years. I have never had a breakin or damage of any type. I put the top up and keep anything of any value out of sight in the trunk. I do lock the doors but understand that some strongly feel this should not be done.

New BMW products including MINI have extensive antitheft measures and can not be simply hot wired. If you don't have the key - the engine will not start. The MINI radio is built in and not a separate unit as radios used to be.

Convertibles are amazing and nothing beats the top down on a summer night or beautiful days. IMO the rewards far exceed any additional risks. I would get the S as the convertible is a little heavier than the hatchback and the S convertible is a fantastic ride Had a bad day?? drop the top and find some twisties and all is right again

[TRL]

I completley agree with gawannamini. I bought my first convertible at 18, and my most recent at 60. Never had one top vandalism or theft issue. I might add that during that time I lived in NJ, briefly in VA, and PA. Not in terrible areas, but we are not talking about Kansas either.

The only radio I ever had stolen was from a sedan I owned. I do sometime leave the top down when parked depending on where I am. Naturally, if I do I make sure briefcases, GPS, etc, are locked in the trunk. With the top up I treat it the same as a sedan. Is it really that much more tempting to slash a roof than break a window? I always lock it in either case.

Get good insurance (I never have made a convertible related claim of any kind) just so you can sleep better. Driving with the top down is one of the few remaining joys that is not either illegal or prohibitively expensive.

[Quinoa]

If you're just running into a store / restaurant for a little while, leave the top down and take everything with you (assuming no rain). Maybe get a couple of black towels and toss them on the seat as you leave, in case someone throws a milk shake or cigarette butt into your car. You might put the windows up to deter drive-by vandalism.

Nobody is going to try to steal the OEM radio / nav system, but they may very well rifle through your glove box and under your seats. Leave nothing of value in your car. Your main concern is youth vandalism and opportunity theft. Car theft will be difficult without the fob, but if a pro wants your car it's gone.

Overnight - put the top up and lock it, but again leave nothing of value in the car, ever. Someone may very well knife your top, but there is little you can do about it. If you leave the doors unlocked you may find a homeless family squatting in your car some day ..

Carry full comp insurance with a modest deductible. It's just a car.

edit add: We've never had any problems with leaving the top down for several hours in parking lots. I've also ridden motorcycles all over the US over the past 25 years. Other than drunken tip-over vandalism in a college town, the only "issue" I've ever had with the bikes is people letting their kids sit on them - oh, and cats.

[Ken Laws]

Originally Posted by Quinoa

You might put the windows up to deter drive-by vandalism.

Also, if the windows are up and you come back to find something missing, you can rule out midgets (but not midgets with rope. Don't ask how I know that.)

[zanary]

I agree with everything said so far. The only one thing I would add is that the Mini Alarm is pretty good, but I do question the "dodgy" motion sensor which is part of the alarm. While it does work, it senses motion in the driver and passenger footwells only (basically the seats bottoms and lower as the manual states) and at that only the fronts. However if you happen to hit the driver or passenger seats while trying to take something from the rear seats, it will also set off the motion sensor.

I wish Mini had extended the heigh of the sensor to go up to the height of the doors while the windows were down, but I think I'm asking far too much of them.

On thing, do not part under a tree with your top down. A falling leaf or acorn will set it up if it falls in the foot well sections.

Oh yeah, if you do get the Comfort Bluetooth with iPod/USB and also purchase the iPhone 3G/3GS cradle for the center arm rest, remember to take out your iPhone in the night if do you leave it there to recharge. I can't tell you how many times I've woken up in the night realizing that my 3GS is still in there, albeit with the top up, but still. There's no lock on the center arm rest...

BTW, Interchange Yellow with the Interchane Yellow Cloth/Leather is one awesome color combination. Just ask Jeremy!!!

[Jeremy1026]

Originally Posted by zanary

BTW, Interchange Yellow with the Interchane Yellow Cloth/Leather is one awesome color combination. Just ask Jeremy!!!

I didn't pay extra for that, I have the standard black checkered cloth.