During a great drive on Hwy 17 south to Santa Cruz, We had the top down on our 07 convertible and I began to wonder what difference there was in the handling characteristics of the car with the top down vs. w/ the top up. some additional weight is added to the rear when the top is down, less equal distribution of weight. Does this help or hurt the handling and aerodynamics? Does the air having access to the interior of the car affect it's aero-efficiency?
Are there any studies out there that speak to this? Do you guys have any opinions? Educated or not!

 

Well, it hurts the aerodynamics, since my fuel economy is always worse on highway drives with the top down.

As for handling, I've autocrossed my '06 convertible a bunch, and at the lower speeds where you're doing tight technical maneuvers, I don't think the added drag makes a lot of difference. The convertible is heavier than the coupe overall, but having the top down would lower the center of gravity compared to the coupe, so that might offset the extra weight a little bit.

Overall, I think the handling and aerodynamics probably both suffer with the convertible compared to the coupe, but I think it's a small price to pay for the amount of sheer fun the convertible offers.

 

I totally agree. Other than a bit less torsional stiffness and about 200 pounds more weight the handling would be fairly similar. A convertible generally has much more drag with the top down.

It takes energy to mess up our hair that badly . To me it is all small price to pay for all the fun of the convertible.

 

Hear, hear!!!

 

This isn't a comparison between the top up or down but I had my 2015 S convertible to 136 mph with the top up (it wouldn't go any faster) and everything seemed fine. No weird noises or handling issues it just seemed to stop pulling at that speed.

 

A much heavier RSB and performance struts made a huge difference in handling. Hard to say if there's much difference on top up/down overall performance 'cause I really don't do any FUN driving with the top up....what's the point otherwise?

 

Thread resurrection!!
Dead 6 years....and now alive and ticking....
Starts as a 2nd gen....new 3rd gen pops in...and a couple of us know gen1 folks say hi?!
Lol...party time!!

 

I think my 2015 Convertible is still a 2nd gen car. I have a 2017 JCW convertible on order (don't know why but all new JCW convertibles are called 2017 models) and as far as I know it, and the 2016 std & S convertibles, are the first 3rd gen convertibles.

 

Sure....I stand corrected!!
But you have to admit, 6 years!!
😃
Nice to hear car was still stable at 136!!☺

 

You are right to mention the 6 years.......I didn't notice it until after I posted. Oh well.

And yes the Mini felt very stable at that speed but it seemed to quit pulling at 136. There was a slight uphill grade so it may have gone to the rated 140 if the road was completely flat. Interesting that the new 2017 JCW convertible, with 48 more HP, is only rated to go 142 mph...... Although I may never have the chance again to find out.

 

I let my enthusiasm outrun my focus on the details. I didn't catch the maturity of the thread either. Good catch, Zip

 

I know the wind in my R52 top down can really get crazy on the race track at over triple speeds. It really creates a wind buffer. Top up its just loud.

 

My R57 - 2012 - rides just perfectly at 31MPH with the top down on coastal roads around here. I suspect it rides just as well on the other coast and at all speeds between 18MPH and 78MPH (which I had it at on the highway yesterday).

I will say, I am NOT a speed demon, but I have pushed past 90 with the top down and the car rides like a dream. And the grin it induces when stomping the accelerator at 73MPH and seeing it jump to 85 or 86 is incredible.

Do people really race these with the top down? I would love to see (or participate in) a race of all convertible MINIs. Off now to search YouTube for this. Hmmmm...

 

I have, no pics sorry.

But some youtube of others