Are any of you lucky MINI roadster drivers former MINI convertible (R52/R57) drivers?

1. Do you miss the fully automatic roof or the "sunroof" position for the roof?
   
2. Is the visibility out the rear view mirror about the same, a little better, or a little worse?
   
3. With the back window farther away from the wheels on the roadster one might think it (the window) would stay cleaner longer... any such luck?
   
4. Is the steeper sloping of the windshield even noticeable while driving (other then less bugs, rock dings). ;-)

Thanks!

 

Will golf clubs fit in the boot?

 

I will be trading my R52 for the Roadster soon, and I got to say I will miss the "sunroof" aspect of the Cabrio. I use it a lot. As to the rear window, it can't get any dirtier than the Cabrio right?? I figure what I will get in the end is a vastly better looking, easier to use(actual trunk), more dynamic (structural rigidity) Mini. I hope I didn't stray too far off topic

-Steven

 

"Can't get any dirtier"... Ha! Right you are! I ended up getting a gas station squeegee/washer fluid holder thingy for the garage this winter since my cabrio is my daily driver and the dirt was driving me nuts (and I don't like going through the car washes in my neighborhood).

You've hit my major points in favor of the Roadster -- usable trunk and much nicer lines (top down and top up IMHO). The Roadster is also slightly less expensive and the seat belt shoulder strap is better positioned (IIRC).

The only downside as I see it is the "sunroof" roof position (and no back seat but hey, it's a roadster!).

 

some good points. but for me... i just bought my new roadster yesterday and pick it up tonight. so i can't tell you about the rear windshield getting less dirty.. but i hope so.. i hated that on my Mini cabrio which i traded in to them. But the sunroof i won't miss as i never used it because there was always just too much air coming in and hitting my head. gave me a headache. rear visibility is same. and the automatic roof vs the new manual roof... i love the manual. sure i don't get to press a button, but it opens so fast and easily by hand.. and less problems to occur

 

I am trading in my 2006 convertible for the roadster.

+ I will miss he sunroof living in Ohio I would open the roof even in the winter time.

+ The back window, I think the visibility will be the same. The dirt however will be much less because of the trunk.

+ I just hope the 2012 is just as reliable as the 2006 is
I will say this s roadster is $11,0000. More the my base convertible was.

 

SUV's and hatchbacks are notorious for creating a rear vacuum that allows dirt to pool and settle on the rear end. It is just a consequence of the design.

The Roadster is a coupe so there should be very little backdraft created and very little dirt accumulating on the rear window and top.

 

Just drive with it down everywhere. Problem solved.

 

ok.. i just picked up my new roadster last night.. driving in the rain.. and can say that the water accumulating on the window is next to nothing compared to my previous 2009 Mini Cabrio. So the back window much better on the roadster. blindspots are still the same as was in the Mini cabrio too.

 

1) We used that pretty rarely - tended to go full up or down, so we haven't really missed that so far. If we could live with the wind/cold, we just went top down!

2) Visibility seems about the same, perhaps slightly better.

3) Have not had the top up enough yet to be able to tell!

4) The lower angle does make it a bit less "open" then the convertible, but not to a point where we're unhappy. You still sit back far enough (well, at least I do, and my legs are not particularly long) that the windshield is not above you at all. No experience with rocks yet fortunately, but expecting the shallower angle of incidence will reduce chips and cracks somewhat also.

Don

 

I must say, don't miss the sunroof.
Love being able to up and down the roof while in motion.

Visibility / blindspots with the top up are nowhere near as bad as the convertible..

The rear window has stayed clean! I am thrilled with that.

Love the trunk

So far no negatives.