I was coming home after the torrential downpour we had yesterday and saw this MCC in Hawaii Kai with the top down in a light rain. I thought to myself, either the owner is "different" or they don't know how to operate the top. Then I thought, I hope they have leatherette!

 

Different?

While driving if it starts raining one might have to pull over to operate the top to close. You don't want to be moving and closing the top. If there is no safe place to pull over then you can keep driving.

Maybe they were in a hurry to get somewhere and didn't want to stop to put the top up.

Maybe the person is an optimist and thought that the showers would pass soon and not need to have the top up.

Maybe the person was taking MINI's advice to keep the top down and drive it that way "or else".

Or maybe with the given blindspots with the top up, the driver would rather have better vision for safe lane changes with the top down. I hate blindspots.

And it is true, leatherette rules when things get wet. I got soaked the other day when it poured and water got all over my leather seats.

 

I believe I read somewhere that if you keep motoring in the cabrio when it's raining, the aerodynamic design keeps the rain flowing over the top, and it doesn't go inside the MINI! Is that even plausible?


Clover

 

The car was actually stopped at a light before making a turn onto Kal Hwy. That's why I was like

 

Not only is it plausible, it works quite well.

There is something about the MINI convertible (other than the blind spots) that just makes a driver want to have the top down as often as possible. Perhaps we are a bit "different", but so too are all MINI drivers when compared to the masses in their boring Hondas, Toyotas, etc. And that's what makes the MINI commmunity so wonderful. :smile:

 

Im sure only at highway speeds the rain would not enter the car. In auto-physics(if thats a term) aerodynamics does not come into play until approx. 65mph. So if you used the rain as a sort of smoke gauge like they do in wind tunnels, then im sure it would be at a higher speed than 65 cause the rain droplets weigh more. conclusion is yes its plausible, but im sure at a very high speed........class is over kids

 

I guess my training as an aeronautical engineer and actual experimentation are just wrong, lol.

 

whoops didnt mean to step on your toes there....

 

It works in the snow, too But I guess you don't have to worry about that in Hawaii

And Minihune, you HAVE to stop to put the top up. The MINI won't let you if you try it any other way But it does go up in about 10 seconds.:smile: I just wish I lived in a climate like Hawaii so I could be topless most of the time

Aloha to all
Lois

 

I don't have an MCC... and I haven't driven one... but if you head over to MINIUSA, they have a movie that shows how the water things works. It's a guy driving in the "rain," and you can see the water just sort of go over his head.... Could be CG, I guess, but I thought it was pretty convincing. Plus, what a cool design idea, even if it only sort of works!

 

If I was living in Hawaii and I could have the top down on my MCC in January I would even if there was a light rain shower. I live in Michigan and we still have about 6" of snow on the ground from a week ago and later on this week it is supposed to get to 40 degrees. wwwoooohhhhoooo. :smile:

 

Mine is down almost all the time...even in the rain! If you drive fast enough, you will stay dry.

 

My Mustang almost never has the top up. At 40, the front seat passengers stay dry, at 70+ only the top of the head in the back get wet. Now that I have a roll-bar back there, no more rear passengers!

Last night, I drove home from Poker Night with the guys at ~ 3:00 am, top down, 50 miles, pretty cold (45). Crank the heater in the footwells, get a good hat, and go for it!

Matt

 

If you own a MCC you really have to enjoy topless motoring if you know what I mean!
I got my MINI in January so I am sure people think I am "different" all the time as I cruise with the top down ALL THE TIME! Even when it is 40 degrees out! Thank goodness for seat-warmers.
I have to say compared to other convertables I have been in the design is great and most of the "elements" pass right over your head, as long as you are riding in front!