I will be ordering a Mini by the end of the month, and am debating between a Mini Cooper S coupe and a Mini Cooper (non-S) Cabrio (this keeps the cost between the two alternatives fairly equal). I have always wanted a convertible and after bringing my golf clubs to the dealer today and confirming that my carry bag fits through boot opening on the convertible, I am leaning towards the Cabrio. But, a nagging question in my mind is that the Cabrio is based on the "old" version of the Mini and not the "new" version. Should I be concerned with this?

 

NO

 

Yes, the 2008 cabrio is 1st generation MINI. The 2nd generation cabrio should start production this fall and probably not arrive in the US until early 2009. You have to decide whether you prefer the style and character of the 1st or 2nd gen MINI (there are huge debates about this). Of interest concerning the new cabrio is that it is rumored to have popup roll bars, which would improve rear visibility and give it a more open look when the top is down.

 

The Mini should have a folding tin top

 

There are folks with high-mileage ragtops who are considering getting a new one BEFORE the R52 is dicontinued because they love them so much.

 

I just replaced by '05 MCCS with an '08 everything the same jsut different color and tires. I love the "old" convertible and don't care much for the new style, but that's just me and I don't think there a difference in motor between the 08 and the '09 Cooper.. Body style will be different and that's matter of taste..

MINI - like any hardtop that becomes a convertible - has limited visibilty I hope the "new" cabrio improved but I won't hold my breath.

 

If you follow the history of the automobile manufacturing industry, you'll realize it's normally better to purchase the last year of the previous model instead of the first year of the new model.

So consider the 08 Cabrio "better" technology instead of "old" technology.

Besides, it's also better LOOKING.

 

Yes and get while, "If it ain't broke don't fix it" still applies.

Yeah the newer one will have more computers, but after a certain point that's just more to go wrong.

 

Fortunately for the 2nd Gen Cabrios, they will benefit from the fact that the
hardtops will have had a bit of time to work out the 2nd gen bugs during
their first model year. The Cabrio specific parts will be in their first year run, however.

 

No, the '09 Cooper Convertible motor is totally different.

To the original question...I'd get whichever you like better. Fortunately, the old and new styles look so similar the average person can't tell them apart. It's not like you'd have a car that LOOKS like an old design. Having said that, I'd get the R56 Cooper S coupe over a Cooper convertible ANY DAY..but that's just personal preference.

Good luck!

 

While there is a bit of truth to the "give them time to work out the bugs on a new model", as someone who works in the automotive industry (engineering manager for a starter/alternator manufacturer), I think it is HIGHLY overblown. The reality is that the reason it takes 3-4 years to bring a new model to market is because of the intense analysis and testing done on new vehicles and components. You could equally argue that the first year of production is better, because there is so much attention to quality and getting it right, and after time, manufacturing tooling starts to wear, and human nature just naturally becomes a little complacent, as the pressure of starting production gradually goes away.

From my personal perspective, count me in the group that consciously bought an "old" model while I could. I love the supercharged engine, I love the interior despite a lot of criticisms I read. It is a FANTASTIC car. Unless there is something specific (styling, turbo motor, etc.) that you want in the '09, I see no reason to wait to purchase. Plus you'd lose out on an entire year of completely outrageous fun driving your cabrio.

 

So... 3-4 years of analysis in a controlled environment is as good as a few years of driving by hundreds of thousands of people, all with different driving styles and various uses of the car ?

Doesn't pass the logic test, IMO.

And if what you're saying is true, the 2002 and 2003 MINIs are as reliable or more reliable than the 2005s and 2006 models.

 

Drive the cars and see which one turns you on the most. I didn't enjoy the torque steer on the tin top...for me it's supercharger over turbo any day. This might not be an issue for you. Likewise, how much does having the top down mean to you? These were the top 2 decision points for me. My compromise was a mcs covertable. Yes more expensive, but worth it, given how i felt about the above issues. good luck!

 

I personally love the sound of the Supercharger.
The 2009 is bound to cost more and I never buy a first model year.
True that the 2007 2008 tin tops will be out there proving the engine but it is not a cabrio and you will be the beta tester of that first year model.
I went with a proven design and SUPERCHARGER. vaROOOOOOOm !!!!

 

The current generation Cabrio is now a rock solid design with 3 years of refinement and the old engine is pretty bullet proof. A pretty safe bet. Too early to tell if the new engines are as solid and if the new roof design will be without problems. The early Cabrios in 2005 did have some roof wear issues so if you get a first year 2009 you might also have a few issues. Either way you'll have a great car.

 

+1 - by the time the R52 came out, the R53 had already addressed the early-year issues. Likewise, by the time the R57 comes out, many of the first-year issues from the R56 will hopefully have been ironed out.
The only things the R52 had to work out for itself in 2005, were ragtog-specific complaints, but the R57 will probably not have to deal with much of that since MINI will have learned from the first-gen cabrio.

 

Chicks dig convertibles .
Need I say more.. .



But ultimately it has to be what you are really happy with .

 

I am in the process of buying my first MC rag top. I've anguished over getting the '08 or waiting for the '09 and ended up deciding to get the '08. For more info, please see the thread I started called "Worth the wait?" in the 2nd gen cabrio forum on this site.

Good luck either way!

Jeff

 

The gadgetry in the new generation can't be beat - the new keys that let you unlock and start the car without removing them from your pocket... the new generation nav with traffic information. The much improved dash and interior.

I'm hoping the next cabrio will also have a much more rigid frame, and have popup roll bars to improve visiblity (and the looks).

But the new gen seems to have lost its edge... the extra torque steer, the more mature engine.

Keep in mind the new BMW 1 series. If it were available back in 2006 I don't think I'd have bought the mini.

 

the 135 cabrio is awesome -- but it's also starting at over $39k

 

Well, to me the real problem is waiting...not an easy thing to do. Aside from appearance things and the turbo vs supercharger thing, I think the main items to consider for cabrios is the upcoming roll-bar change and the fact that the new Prince engine is a legitimate step forward in emissions, efficiency, and torque. That said, there's nothing "wrong" with the current gen cabrio and if I wanted a MINI and a cabrio I'd just get one. All of the cars, previous or current, are basically good.

 

I just COULDN'T wait a whole year for Watson even if I wanted to....and I don't.

 

I picked an 08 over waiting for an 09. (It's waiting to board a ship as I write this.) I'm trading in my 03 Cooper for the ragtop. A coworker recently bought an 07 hardtop and I find that I don't like the interior as well. I also think that the new design is bound to have a few ragtop specific issues that have been already worked out in the 08 model.

As far as the gadgetry, my coworker has already run into an issue with the convenience unlocking feature. He left the gym on day and tossed his gym bag (keys inside) into the boot and closed it. Now with the keys in the car, it locked itself up tight. Oops. Obviously a bad idea in retrospect, but any easy mistake to make at the time.

I'm also a little concerned about the new pop-up rollbars. I haven't seen any concrete public info on them yet, but in other convertibles (specifically, the VW Eos) the pop-up rollbar mechanism is mounted behind the rear seats. This prevents you from being able to put the seats down. For me, I'd hate to sacrifice that last bit of utility in the car. It might make the difference in being able to take it on a weekend trip to the beach or having to take the grown-up car.

 

I'm still not convinced the car is going to have a pop-up bar... might just have a taller, more hideous fixed bar...

 

According to Motoringfile, the active roll bar has been confirmed . . . and if it's like the one in the BMW 1 and 3 series cabrios, it will not prevent the seats from being folded down.