This is my first post here. My 2012 Mini Cooper S Convertible arrived last Thursday. I used to own a 1962 Porsche Cabriolet and a 1959 Porsche Convertible D, so I am familiar with convertibles. I took the Mini out for a 200 mile road trip on Saturday and had a blast!
The car is near flawless, except for a "puncture" wound in the fabric soft top, low on the passenger side next to the rear seat. I've had convertible tops replaced on my old Porsches, but this one is not so serious. My sense is that this puncture could be patched from the inside and perhaps sealed on the exterior to prevent any further unraveling. The top appears to be original to the car and is similar the the "Hartz" cloth tops on my old Porsches.
Can any or you advise me on recommended repair methods / products? I'm quite hands-on with restoration work and would prefer to repair this myself. All advice from those who have actually done this is appreciated!

 

I have heard of people doing the patch from the inside and rubber cementing it in, so top repair shops will stitch it by hand and patch it. The tops are Harrtz or webasto , whom ever is the provider at the time.

Some R57 info : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-problems.html

Make sure its not an adjustment problem.


Full convertible tops are here :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tible-top.html


You could always change the color down the road if it gets worse.

R52 2005 MINI convertible owner here also, so I have messed with the tops.

 

No special treatment here either, when I see those terribly worn tops I wonder what happened. Just make sure you don't drop the top when it's wet or really dirty. The dirt and debris will act as sandpaper and wear the top in certain areas when down and folded as it vibrates when driving.

 

I treat mine every year with protect and cleaner, helps on the top with my 270K+ miles R52. Keeping top clean and watching not to lower when dirty helps.