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I was looking for a hardtop, but came across a great deal on my convertible....and i love it. Also, when I decide to sell it I have a feeling it will be easier...from my experience with selling other cars.
Having had both, it depends on what you are looking for in a car. The hatchback is a little lighter and stiffer plus with the metal top, you don't have to worry about somebody slashing the top. I do know the earlier R52s have had issues with the top linkage.
The Mini Vert has the two-step top whereas you can open the "sunroof" without retracting the top. Unlike the moonroof, you get a full view of the sky something I enjoyed yesterday. Having had a total of eight verts, it would be the newer lower miles car for me.
I traded my 06 hardtop for a 08 vert in order to get the last of the gen 1 engine. They are very similar as you would expect, but all else being equal I would choose the one that has been cared for the best.
Apple vs orange I think. The cabrio is fantastic top down. No sunroof can compare to a real top down experience. It's pretty refined in the sense that it's not too windy or loud even at highway speed. If you live with a lot of foul weather or for whatever reason plan to drive with the top up it's not so wonderful. Visibility is horrible--even compared to other convertibles. My wife loves her cabrio but won't drive it with the top up. I
IMHO a backup camera is almost a necessity--top up or down. We had one installed. Obviously the cab is a lot heavier and the chassis not as stiff but it still manages to scoot and takes corners pretty well even if it's not quick the go kart the hardtop is. Top up you hear every rattle and there must be like 10 of them.
Make no mistake we love our cab but it does have some issues.
Does the cabrio include the OEM wind deflector? It make a huge difference in highway driving comfort. Also, a heavier adjustable rear sway bar turns it into a curve straightening monster. There's no substitute for getting the wind in your hair.
Does the cabrio include the OEM wind deflector? It make a huge difference in highway driving comfort. Also, a heavier adjustable rear sway bar turns it into a curve straightening monster. There's no substitute for getting the wind in your hair.
OEM wind deflector is not standard. I picked one up used. They pop up Craig's and eBay. New is still available from MINI but is $$$. May be worth it if you do a lot of highway driving.
I understand a beefier sway bar would help. I'm reluctant to put it on because I don't want it to oversteer if my wife is driving. It's her car and she's plenty happy with the handling.
+1 on the OEM wind deflector, i have it in my r52 and with the top down on a cool night it helps. The Checkered version on the gen 1 is NLA , but a cool thing i found is the Gen 1 and Gen 2 version can be swapped. Gives you more options.
