Haven't had a small, fun car for a while, and it's time for something amusing. Originally thought a Clubman S would be good, and found a 2011 manual with sunroof and harmon kardon. Problem is all those holes in the body make me wonder if it will be a noisy rattle trap after a few miles. Now I'm thinking a regular Cooper S - no sunroof, 16-inch wheels, and harmon kardon sound. I'm imagining it will have the tightest body/chassis and a ride that won't be too busy on a long trip (hence the small wheels/tires. Yes? No? This car will be primarily a toy, but a toy that I'll occasionally use on long road trips. Advice?

 

My car rattled for a while and it sounded like the sunroof. Turned out it was rear bushings on the suspension.

The sunroof is noisier on the highway (wind noise)... especially in very cold weather.

You also have added weight, and it's weight up high if that is important to you.

But personally, I wouldn't really consider a MINI without the sunroof. I leave if in the vent position often, even in light rain. With the shorter summers, I always have the roof open. It also makes the cabin nice and airy.

Remember the car is made in England... might be too much to ask for it not to rattle at some point...

 

I've driven the Gekko on many trips to the bay, several 2000+ mile road trips, and once from Las Vegas to Oregon in one 14-hour bomber run. While not as insulated from the road as bigger cars, I have never been uncomfortable on long trips. Even my wife who has back issues said the MINI was more comfortable than her Mustang (though that was mainly due to the seats).

IMHO, it's a perfect toy that will also take you cross-country, a great daily driver, and loads of fun all around. Sunroof is nice, absolutely, but not as critical as getting an S version for zip factor, and it goes w/o saying, a manual tranny.

I've read that the R56's have a little better ride than the R53's, but my Sport Suspension never bothered me on long trips, and it's nice and tight.

Good luck in your search!

 

Small and fun I can buy. Amusing I can't.

It's a lot of engineering in a small package that is fun, exciting and really needs a driver not a passenger to drive it effectivley. The R56S with or without a sunroof will give you exactly what you are looking for. An S without sport suspension is perfect for long trips. Especially if you don't intend to track your car.

Motor on.

 

Don't let the HK be a deal breaker. At motor-tober, I brought a high end cd which I use for testing high end home systems,,, not much difference. The HK was a bit brighter with A-pillar tweeters. I was worried about not ordering the HK on my MCS, but now I can sleep after testing. Besides there are several threads on here about upgrading to a MUCH better system...

 

The H&K in my JCW rocks.

 

Thanks folks, appreciate the input. Do any of you have opinions or experience regarding structural integrity of the Hardtop vs the Clubman? One of the reasons I'm avoiding the sunroof is body flex and noise - but maybe it's not a big issue.

 

I don't think that's going to be an issue. If you want what a sunroof gives you then just get it. It's not going to diminish what the car is. As for hardtop v. Clubman, unless you need extra boot space just get the hardtop.

 

To the OP. A clubman does not lend itself to the same level of fun as the R56. As the PP said unless you need the space or are willing to compromise the fun factor then the R56 is the way to go. It matters not whether it has a sun roof or not. If you are not going to track the car then you will not notice any difference in body flex. Both of our 2009 cars had not squeaks or rattles and both has sunroofs. If it concerns you then get sport suspension and put a strut brace in. Good to go.

 

I think you run the risk no matter which way you go.

MINIs are known to have rattling issues, and the S is no exception. It has a very stiff ride, so if you encounter poor roads, rattles will likely appear just as fast as with a model with a sunroof.

That said, I've driven older model MINIs that were tight as a drum - no rattles whatsoever.

I think it's more about who screwed in the dash and parts at the factory the day yours was built rather than with the engineering.

I would recommend getting the car you want and not worry too much about it. It go bad or good either way.

 

My Clubman has a sunroof and has never rattled anywhere.

I live out in the boondocks and the roads are all chip sealed rather than having real asphalt or concrete. If those roads can't coax a rattle out of the MINI, nothing will.

Dave

 

In theory, the slightly longer wheelbase of the Clubbie should allow for a slightly better ride for long-distance cruising. It would be slightly less agile due to that as well.

The sunroof should not be much of a factor in chassis strength. The hatch opening, being larger and on the end of the car, will probably be a far larger contributor to (eventual) flex.

 

You've come to the right place then! MINI's are all about small and fun.

I have an '02 MCS with a sunroof, and it doesn't have even the slightest bit of rattle. On long road trips, I wouldn't want to be without the sunroof. Despite the wind noise (which isn't all that bad when it's open), it's nice to be able to get fresh air into the car without being pummeled by wind.

 

Love my sunroof too - worth every penny!

 

Don't miss the sunroof on our '12 Cooper. Our BMW has a sunroof and it barely ever gets opened. Having a solid roof with no potential for leaks in the Seattle rain is nice.

 

I don't think I would miss it either if I didn't have it. Looking back it's closed more than open that's for sure. And hey it never rains in Seattle.

It's also why I opted for the Coupe rather than wait on the roadster.

 

Damian,

As for noise due to two big holes on top of the Clubman for the sunroof, I personally don't notice it is too noisy. But I suppose this is a personal tolerance. I don't noticed any squeaks in the car on hard turns. But not saying they are there or not. When I first got my Clubman, I drove it a few hundred miles without the radio on. Just so I get a good feel of the engine noise, road noise, and other noises it makes. Maybe you should test drive Mini's with and without the roof option.

Another thing on noise/rattle:
Before I ordered my Clubman, I did a lot of research on the wheel size and suspension. I use my Clubman as an everyday car pretty much, goto work, run errands, etc.. And I do go on weekend drives and road trips with it. So ride comfort is more important for me, as opposed to performance. That being said, the general concensus I got from the folks on this forum is to go with 16" and NO Sports suspension. These two options will yield the most comfortable ride and comfort. The Sports suspension will make the ride more stiff, and adding the 17" wheels will make it tougher. My friend has the 17" and Sports suspension, she immediated noticed that my Clubman rides a lot smoother than hers. And this is before I told her what options I got. She said that her second Mini will have 16" and no Sports suspension.

I would get the sunroof again, IF I get another Mini....

BTW: Get the HK audio. The basic audio system is pretty weak.