Alrighty,

I just test drove a 2007 MINI Cooper with a convertible top! It was super amazing while I was driving it with the top down, there were no blind spots at all. (obviously) But then when the test drive was over, and we were parked, I put the top up, and when it closed all the way, it was super DARK, and there weren't a lot of windows.

If someone with a little more experience, or time around and driving a convertible could share their thoughts, that would be great. I love the style, and the fun convertible, but I am a little worried that it would be harder to drive, with the blind spots, and all. And that funny little plastic window in the back. So I think I am going to go back and drive it with the top up, and then see!

ANY and ALL feedback is really appreciated.


-Matt

 

I've lived with an "05" cabrio for 3 1/2 years now and love it. If the temperature is over 50 degrees when I'm driving and it's not raining, chances are the top is down. Rear view kinda sucks with the top up, but you learn to look around just a bit more to be sure you're clear, and this usually is only an issue when backing up. I grant you it is a little dark in the car when the top is up, but forward vision is the same and side vision is a bit better without the pillar over your shoulder. I don't know that I would have ever bought a MINI hard top but the cabrio is great.

 

I love my cabrio!

I went from a 2005 MCS to a 2006 MC convertible. Less power, but more fun!

I have learned to be very aware in the cabrio. I slow down and make absolutely sure nothing is in my blind spot before I change lanes. I back into parking spots when possible. Oh, and my back window is made of glass. Being more careful in it is just something to get used to. There's nothing like it on a warm, sunny day!

 

I sold my '95 BMW 325i convertible and bought a 2006 MCS JCW convertible. I live in southern California, where a convertible is more useful more of the time than in many other places, but even if I lived elsewhere I think I'd go with a convertible because on the days when it's possible to have the top down -- i.e., no moisture coming from the sky and the temp is over 60 -- there is just no substitute. None.

Now, the obvious problem with a Mini convertible has already been discussed: When the top is up, the visibility to the rear is very severely compromised. The first solution is not to have the top up unless absolutely necessary. If that is not possible, the solution is: BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU BACK UP. My '06 has sonar in the rear bumper, which beeps when I'm getting close to something behind me, beeps faster as I get closer, and beeps a continuous tone when I'm within 12 inches. This is a very slick and useful feature, and I don't think I'd want to be without it. Even with it, however, it is crucial to keep turning your head and checking out what is behind you. And by crucial I mean CRUCIAL. You just have to heighten your awareness, and, when in doubt, STOP.

The other main problem with convertibles is wind, and wind noise. The guy from whom I bought my car had sprung for a windscreen, and I am amazed how well it works in cutting down the wind in the front seat. Unfortunately, it makes the back seat useless for carrying passengers -- but (1) I have not yet carried any passengers except my wife, and she gets to sit in front, and (2) the back seat is pretty useless for carrying passengers anyway. However, the windscreen does not cut down much on wind noise, meaning that you have to crank the stereo pretty high (and even then, listening to Mozart, say, with the top down is pretty much wasted). But again, this is one of the tradeoffs for having a convertible, and the advantage of being able to ride with the top down far outweighs this particular disadvantage -- and, in my mind, all other disadvantages.

By the way, the way the top goes up and down on the Mini is very nice, and quite quick -- much more efficient than the mechanism on the BMW (though the mechanism on the BMW looks slicker; it always reminded me of some kind of neat European wind-up toy). And the top's halfway position, basically a sunroof, is a nice feature as well, although the eternal question is, Why not just put the top down and DRIVE that sucker??

 

I have a question for the convertible owners... does the top leak? We're from Oregon where it rains... let me just be generous and say 50% of the time. Has anyone experienced this? I've heard of this problem with other soft top cars, but don't know about a Mini convertible.

Sorry for hyjacking your thread Matt

 

I've had my MCS JCW convertible for about 3 months, and the top has not leaked once. Of course, it has not rained a drop since I've had the car, which might have something to do with it. (But seriously: It does not leak at the car wash, where the "rain" comes down pretty hard. So I think it's safe to say it won't leak in real rain either. When and if it rains, I'll let you know if the top leaks.)

 

One more quick note for the OP: The back window is glass, not plastic. And it has a defroster. I believe this is true for all non-classic Minis.

Don't forget to pack some sunscreen!

 

I'm bumping this to see if anyone else has opinions to share, cause I know Matt is still looking into the convertable and this thread didn't get a lot of nibbles. Anyone else have thoughts about their Mini Convertables?

 

my 2009 MCSC roof has leaked (from the front, pillar/drain tube) since the day I got the car. It's gone back 3 times and nobody can fix it.

 

2005 Liquid Yellow Cabrio here. 80k+ & never a drop leaked into the car with the top & windows closed.

With that said, everyone who owns a MINI Cabrio should drive in in the rain with the top down at least once to expierence the water shooting over your head like some sort of force field protecting you. It amazes everyone I have taken for a ride on the freeway, in the rain, with the top down...Good Times!

Driving with the top down in a snow storm is just as fun...Maybe I just play too much

 

This is AMAZING!!!! I want one even more now!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

Pros: You get to bathe in the sunlight.
Cons: You bathe in sunlight.

To improve the visibility in my Coupe, I installed MultiVex side mirrors. I really like them. You do have to get used to the fact that "objects may appear farther away than they really are" but once the brain is calibrated, I find them very useful.

 

I wouldn't too worried about the top leaking. All convertibles leak, its just the nature of the beast. My Miata did it. My loaner convertible did it. And if it doesn't yet, it will once the car ages a bit more. Remember, even the oldest convertible is still only 4 or 5 years old.

 

I've had my Cabrio since APR 2005. just hit 49,000 today as a daily driver.

First, no leaks ever.

I've also driven the new Carbio (R57) on a couple of occasions...(once for a whole weekend)

• PROs - with the top up, the R57 has a much better view through the rear window due to the wider window and the rollbars dropped when compared to the R52. I didn't have to mess with the mirrors as much so blindspots weren't an issue for me.

• CONs - the R57 should have made PDC standard. While the view is better, its not as good as any non-cabrio. maybe with more drive-time, it might not be a con for me.. but I'm used to the PDC.

• CONs - with the top down, the R57 had a more obstructed rear view compared to the R52. while the rollbars are tucked down, the roof collapses just below creating a high backend. when using the rearview mirror, cars seem to disappear when behind. At first, I thought it was just me since I'm only 5'6".. but a friend who has an R57 and is over 6'0", has the same complaint. I also heard the same comment from someone at the dealership recently.

If you really want the R57, I say get it. As long as you're comfortable with it, go for it.

 

i agree, if you're even remotely seriously considering it, i would just do it. i've had mine for just over a month and i love it. it was way more than i ever thought i'd spend on a car (financed pretty much the whole darn thing) but there's just nothing like that free feeling w/ the top down. i was considering a number of more 'sensible' cards like the prius, altima hybrid, even a cube so i tried to imagine what i would feel a few years down the line with each choice and a month after driving off in what some see as the biggest impulse buy i've ever made, i can honestly say that i'm sure i won't regret doing so.

i can't wait to try top down driving in the rain!

 

I would have liked to have gotten a convertible myself, but was put off by the fact that some track events wouldn't allow them without installing an aftermarket roll bar for safety reasons. So, I got the hardtop but really might consider the MINI Speedster as a second car when it shows up in a few years.

 

08 MCS Cab and no leaks

 

Drove a Miata, S2000, Sky, and Z-4 before I bought my second Mini Convertible. Only Issue with the first one was the CVT transmission. After driving the others I always enjoyed getting back into my Mini (even with the CVT) as it was more comfortable and I liked the characteristics more. Only one with a back seat. I bought an 09 S convertible. Never any problems with leaks unless I sprayed water directly on window/top seam. Drove through Atlanta in a driving rain storm with the top down and stayed dry. (late at night so no traffic). You get used to the visibility and compensate.

 

Get it. Learn everything you can about situational awareness and make the sideview mirrors work for you. Push the envelope on weather conditions. Our lowest temp top down so far is 38 (heater full blast, seat heaters, scarves hats and gloves and priceless reactions from passersby). Find out what speed keeps the rain out. Topless motoring should be an adventure even to the supermarket.

Use a good treatment for the top like Ragtop regularly. There are several on the market.

For really great driving gloves that are very reasonably priced look into Footjoy cold weather golf gloves. Pro shops in southern areas probably won't carry them but can certainly get them.

 

+1 on the multivex mirrors - properly adjusted, once your brain calibrates your blind spots are gone.

+100 on "situational awareness".

 

Situational awareness also means not doing other distracting things while driving.

There once was something said about finding yourself up to your neck in alligators then realizing too late that the original objective was to drain the swamp.

 

I say DO IT! 100%

I have two 1st Gens... '05 and '08 both "S". This car is my favorite of all time. I LOVE the roll bars in the 1st Gen and would not want them lower like in the new one. Since the car is so small, the higher roll bars give a sense of security... like I'm in a little MINI cage of protection.

I have not had any leaking of the roof since purchase in January of '05... except when spraying water up like washing the car. (But I should clarify that that is around the window and I wouldn't really consider it to be the "top".) Also, if I remember correctly, sometimes the hardtops with the sunroof actually leak.

I had to laugh when you talked about how dark it feels when you close the top. It's hard to put into perspective... the fact that you have literally just closed out the entire SKY! If you start out just driving with the top up... it doesn't seem to be much darker than a regular car.

Just went on the MINI Blue Ridge Parkway Tour in June and I found myself thinking that all the people with hardtops were missing out on what the roads are really like! I am sure that I would not have the same feelings driving those roads if I had a car with a top. Really, it's like having a really comfy motorcycle with more safety. (And yeah, motorcycles like us!)

There is a blind spot when the top is up (rear passenger) and I have not gotten the special mirrors. I do have the PDC (parking distance control) but I don't know if that is absolutely necessary. I don't need to see the ground while I'm backing up.

I have about 54k on my '05. We bought the '08 in September to replace the '05 (for new warranty). Still have to sell the '05... but for now she is just sitting in my garage. I did take her out the other day though. She was happy.

Oh yeah, since I had an early build '05... my top was recently replaced. Probably about 500-600 miles ago. There had been adjustments that were made but the top may not have been adjusted properly and continued to wear. As I said, I've had my '08 since September... no wear problems at all so far!

One funny thing... on the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour there are some videos that were taken as the whole group drove by. It "seemed" like the Cabrio drivers were the happiest ones on the trip... honking... waving like crazy. Maybe it was the high altitudes and all that mountain air... maybe there's just a certain crazy personality that goes along with the love of a Cabrio. Whatever it was... I overheard someone say, "It seems like the Cabrio drivers are happier!". I quietly agreed and my heart smiled.

 

Picked up my triple black R57 MC a week ago and haven't stopped smiling yet - top up or down. Just added those really wide angle mirrors over the stock but honestly, with the mirrors adjusted right the blind spots were not a problem for me (I'm 6'3" so maybe because I keep the seat all the way back it wasn't such a big deal). If I hadn't ordered them a week ago I would now save the money.

I did have a few unhappy days until I read a thread here, checked, and discovered I was yet another owner that picked up their new car with almost 50 psi in every tire. Since that's been corrected the run flats don't seem too bad.

Go for it.

 

Pros: Fun
Cons: Too much fun!

The situational awareness with the top up is key. Good use of mirrors, use the backup sensors, back more slowly than you might so that you can see with your mirrors and so that others get a chance to see you coming as well.

I autocross mine (I have JCW on a 2005 MCS so I run in STX) and have actually started to be competitive locally (4th overall in the Pax our most recent event, 7th in raw time) so a stiffer chassis might me good, but I have so much fun.
No leaks
Wind noise not bad, on the highway tend to use the wind deflector in the back seat, and put the windows up.

Would I buy another...in a second!

 

Over here (Britain) R57s get PDC as stock. Mine lives on the street so I'm usually putting the hood up as I drive up my street and I discovered that with the hood 3/4 of the way up, the rear window is sorta drooping and there is a superb view of the car I'm reversing up to. Looks daft, of course, but it helps.

Andrew