So, whats the difference between the two? Sure, the roadster looks cooler, and obviosuly they both have removable tops! So, not sure I understand the difference. Or whats the point of having both options?

 

Roadster = 1-2 people*. Convertible = 1-4 people. Roadster = more trunk space.

*pets are people too.

 

By most people one is considered more a 'sports car' than the other. It's nothing more than personal taste and/or needs.

 

Does it make sense to say that the Roadster is a more aerodynamic convertable than a plain convertable? I notice the windshiled is shaped differently as is the back end, and plus roadsters generally have little roll-bars behind the seats.

 

I didn't think either top could be removed. I thought the Coupe top was a fixed hard top, and the a Roadster top is a normal convertible top, dropped not removed.

 

Convertible has a fully automatic convertible with sunroof mode.
Roadster has a semi-automatic convertible. No sunroof option.

 

The roadster might indeed be more aerodynamic, but that's not the point. The roadster is the convertible restyled to make it look more "sporty". Many think that the roadster looks better than the convertible, and I think this is what drives roadster sales.

 

Something I hadn't fully realised before I switched from a Convertible to a Roadster is that the Roadster top is a single-skin lightweight hood, where the Convertible top is a modern multi-layer hood with insulation and a cosmetic inner lining. The cosmetic part of seeing the exposed hood frame inside the Roadster is fine by me, but the extra noise from the single-skin hood when it's up is quite significant.

I was hoping the more raked screen of the Roadster would make it quieter than the already-noisy Convertible when the hood is down, but the reverse is true. I think this is down to the absence of rear side windows on the Roadster so if you sit with the seat well back, your ear is close to the back end of the door window and so exposed to more wind noise there.

So curiously, the Convertible's cockpit is a quieter and less windy place to be than the Roadster's. However the Roadster gets full marks for being able to be driven top down in really heavy rain without any more than the occasional spit in the driver's face.

The Roadster's trunk is significantly bigger but not being able to drop the rear seat means that the trunk is really all you get to load, whereas the Convertible can double up as a My Little Pony pickup with the hood down.

 

I love the Roadster. I have to have a backseat though, for now. Perhaps when my teenagers are on their own I might get one.

I also like how it resembles a "fun-sized" AC Shelby Cobra Roadster, (IMHO) especially with the stripes.

 

^ I'll have some of what he's smoking.

 

Here you go!

 

Forget the convertible. Those backseats are useless, well unless you going to be driving dolls around.

 

I had a 2010 convertable, the back seats where used for put small packages on. Small trunk! I now have a 2013 roadster. Feels sportier and the trunk is a lot bigger.

 

I had a new 2010 S convertible, and traded it in after 35000 miles for a 2014 Roadster S. I prefer the sportier look of the Roadster, and have no need for a back seat. The back seat of the convertible was pretty much useless for anyone over 120 lbs, or for other than a short trip.

The convertible has better rear visibility ( and less of a blind spot) with the top up, the roadster much better with the top down (which is 90% of my 3 season driving). The roadster trunk holds 50% more than the convertible trunk with the rear seats up. I really disliked that the folded convertible top sat bunched up on the rear, while the roadster folds inside. Yes, wind noise is a bit more on the roadster, but that's part of the top down enjoyment...there are a lot quieter convertibles out there. Really just a matter of choice and preference. Convertible was more practical, Roadster is more fun.

 

If we don't look at design differences and/or preferences it really comes down to # of passengers vs. performances.

If you occasionally want to share the top down experience with some friends and mostly do city driving than the convertible is what you want.

If you are looking for a sportier feel with no need for more than one other passenger and want to travel than the roadster is a definite superior choice.

We got ours last August and it really was a simple choice. We loved the idea of a two seaters. My wife who's driving it during the week has very very rarely the need for more than one other passenger. However she needed some more practical trunk space to do all her errands. Meanwhile I wanted to get something sporty I can enjoy during the sunny weekends and to go on road trip adventures. The roadster made a lot more sense for us. So I'd say, there is definitely a need for both vehicle in MINI line-up. It's just a matter of what you want to do with it.