Hi all. My first post after about a week of reading here and there on NAM.

I'm currently driving a Honda Fit but has always wanted to buy a Mini Cooper. I went to a local Mini dealer yesterday planning to see the Cooper S Hardtop but was attracted by the Cooper S cabrio instead. I have test drove the manual version of a S Cabrio. Really loved it and decided that I wanted a cabrio instead. Then I went on the cabrio section of NAM and found so many posts about the top problems with cabrio, especially the 09 model.

Should I be concerned with the 2011 cabrio? A few posts mentioned that some mini dealers are not too cooperative with the top issues. I've heard that our local mini dealer (Pittsburgh) does not have very good reviews.

 

I just bought my 11 cabrio a few weeks ago but from what I've read, the major problem with the earlier tops was some type of plastic clip that has since been replaced with metal ones. I haven't heard about any major problems with any other parts of the top.

My openometer says I've logged about 13 hours of top down driving in the 650 miles or so I have on the car. I know that's not a lot and I can't really measure long term reliability but I do tend to put the top up and down between 3 and 4 times a day and so far it's been rock solid.

 

Thank you GuitarMan! That's good to know. Congratulations on your Mini!

 

55 hours of top down which equals at least 50 times up or down. Work perfectly.

 

Go for it. After the first mile you will feel so sorry for every other driver on the road, except us R52 and R57 pilots, not having as much fun as you. R52s don't have a counter but our top is down except for rain and wind chill below 40º. You've got a warranty if the lid fails which it will do early if it is going to at all. Just take real good care of the fabric and don't run it down until you've cleaned it. Dust and dirt will cut the fabric over time. Ragg Topp or Aero 303 are the best treatments.

Topless motoring is motoring at it's best.

 

24,277 miles on my 2009 with 388 hours top down. I did have a plastic piece break on the right and the dealership replaced both L&R. Of course I am fortunate to have what is probably one of the best dealerships in the country with Cincinnati (OH) MINI.

I will tell you that you probably will not have the reliability with the MINI as you have with your Honda but you will have more FUN, and that is what make owning a MINI worth it to me.

Oh yeah, get the "S" manual for even more fun and quit worrying about all the issues you will see on the forum.

 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I will definitely get the S but still debating on the hardtop or cabrio. More and more leaning towards the cabrio though. I'll report here once I get my mini~ Thanks guys!

 

Get the cabrio! You can always drive with the top up on the cabrio but you can't drive with the top down on a hardtop.

 

I have had a hard top and currently have the Cabrio. I will be a Cabrio owner from now on. LOVE it!

 

The biggest appeal the Mini had for me was that it comes in a convertible. I've always liked Minis in general but had it not been for the convertible model and if I had bought a hardtop car, I might have bought something other than a Mini. Ever since I bought my first convertible I've been hooked.

 

I didn't want to say it but if it were not for the cabrio, I would have bought a Civic Si.

 

Same here. If not for the cabrio I had planned on waiting for the Hyundai Veloster to come out.

 

From experience and a few threads I have seen and one that I made:the 2011's do have a problem...some not all... They have a bad top sensor. It's all covered u der warranty but once it goes it can leave you topless. Myself I was 300 miles from home. But... would I trade it for a hardtop... I think not I love being able to drop the top and cruise. It's worth it not doubt. Go with the Cabrio!

 

2011 cooper cvt. With 225 miles my car is luckily parked in my garage with the top unable to close completely. It is also unable to open completely so if I drive it I listen to the constant annoying warning chime. I have a service appointment scheduled with a dealer three days from now. It is a beautiful summer weekend. I'm not exactly feeling the MINI love.

 

UPDATE: the dealer is replacing the sunroof motor. Brought in PUMA rep to look since failure is so early. Don't know how this connects to the boot latch not working but I'll find out this afternoon when I pick up my car. As aggravated as I've been with my short life with my MINI, I'm really excited that she's coming home. It is almost like getting another new car. I hope I can forgive and forget how she let me down.

 

Just an update. Have had some great top down time in my mini. Clip broke a few days ago. Piece of rail over passenger window at sunroof not closing properly. Made another trip to the dealer. Only 15 minutes or so. Not too bad, and they have snacks.

 

Love my cabrio -- no problems in the first 400 miles. Very convenient to be able to put the top down with the remote, although you have to release and hold the button a second time after top retracts to the 'sunroof' position.