Has anybody have marks or wear on their convertibles tops?
I have seen the large thread in MINI2 of owners in U.K. and others whom have had trouble with wear on their roofs.

 

I had my car in for service last week and saw a Hot Orange with Blue top at the dealer. It was overcast and supposed to rain so the top was up. It did have some light spots visible on the sides behind the rear window that appeared to be from wear.

 

I too have been keeping an eye on the MINI2 thread for quite a while. We've only had our Cabrio a little less than 2 weeks - no signs of wear yet - but I'm definitely keeping a close eye on it...:smile: (Navy Blue Top)

Chow!

Donna

 

I've almost come to the conclusion that those guys are just plain NUTS! And its always the same guys. Nitpickers. I bet they wear white gloves, too.
Larry

 

So tell me, without a roof, how do you put on a roof rack? Seems MINI Fini is the only way to carry stuff, huh?

 

I've had mine 1 week now-no wear marks. But then the top has hardly been up

Lois

 

I've seen photographs that have been posted this problem is as real as the the nose on your face.

I'm sure your joking

Quote:

LeeL:
It did have some light spots visible on the sides behind the rear window that appeared to be from wear.

I saw two cars at the dealership with the same marks.
I looked under those marks with the top halfway opened and noticed it was where the hinge is located.

 

I'm not joking :| There are people that can't even tie their shoes.
Larry

 

After checking their site out and those who are doing the whining are people who just like to whine without really trying to get their problems fixed. What I've seen is nothing more than something in their trunks and they aren't very smart to figure it out or goto the dealer and get it fixed. Bah.... I've said enough and I'm tired of this misleading bs. Like I say use the warranty if there is an actual problem. Funny how alot of them don't even own a convertible.
Larry

 

I've had my convertible for two weeks and have the top up and down 50 times or more. There are very slight "marks" near the rear windows on both sides. This is where the hinge is at. They are slightly lighter in color but are not showing any abrasion or wear.

There have been alot of complaints on Mini2 and BMW/Mini have acknowledged that there was a problem with some of the earliest UK cabrios.

But for my slight markings, the top is unbelievable. No latches, all automatic and of a very high quality. Very quiet with the top up and folds very neatly down. Mini engineering did a great job with this top including a glass rear window. The entire car is tight and so far I have experienced zero rattles. I love this car.

I've finally figured out how to lower the roof with the remote. I read somewhere that it can be raised via the remote. Anyone know how to do this?

Mike

 

Quote:

LMC54:they aren't very smart to figure it out or goto the dealer and get it fixed. Bah.... I've said enough and I'm tired of this misleading bs. Like I say use the warranty if there is an actual problem. Funny how alot of them don't even own a convertible.
Larry

Do you work for BMW?MINI? Otherwise you act as there is a group of people out there making stories up including me.
I love my Mini S and I was planning to purchase the Cabrio.
I'm not here to misleade.
I have seen with my own eyes.
And why don't you read the letter below.
If that is not enough I will P.M. other letters from Mini regarding this convertible top problem that Mini USA is telling owners that it is "NORMALWEAR" and there is no fix under warranty as of yet.

Thats how the problem started for some owners

__________________________________________________ _____________

Thank you for your e-mail communication with regard to your concerns with
the wearing of the roof and the alarm system on MINI Convertibles.

Please be assured that all MINI vehicles are constructed to the highest
build quality tolerances, utilising the best quality materials and leading
edge technology. With this being the case, we would like to think that our
customers experience fewer problems with our products than they might with
other brands. However, we are of course realistic and recognise that there
may be occasions when components can fail and need to be replaced earlier
than we would like. It is for this reason that all MINI vehicles sold
within the UK are supplied with a three year dealer warranty, which enables
us to carry out any necessary rectification work at no cost to the
customer,
should a warrantable concern arise.

Having read your correspondence we can understand your frustrations and we
are naturally very concerned about the websites and reports that you have
read. Please be advised that we are aware of a problem existing on some
MINI Convertibles. MINI UK are currently working towards technical
solutions for these faults. However please note that as this does not
affect all MINI Convertibles, there is an excellent chance that these
issues
will not affect your proposed purchase.

In closing, we are sorry once again that you have had cause to contact us
under such circumstances. We look forward to your continued confidence and
loyalty to the MINI brand. Please be assured of our attention should the
need arise at any stage in the future.

Yours sincerely

Roderick Gale
Customer Service Executive

MINI UK
Great Britain

Tel: 0870 5050 122
Fax: 0870 5050 205
Email: customer.service@mini.co.uk

 

LMC54: Well,I just noticed that you are ready for your new delivery MCSC Monday.
This is not a good time for you to make 'remark's against your fellow Mini owners.
Just be cool.....
We all want the same thing............Hope your car is in perfect shape.
Good-Luck on your new yellow Mini Cab.
Happy "MOTORING":smile:

 

http://www.minisontop.com/video/BadMINIconvertible.AVI

Look at vidio.

 

Hi All.

I got my new Hot Orange/DarkBlue MCSC October 25th. My car has exactly the markings on the roof shown in the thread . They are gradually becoming more pronounced . I have basically ignored them and they haven´t stopped me from enjoying my Mini (as it has a 2 year warranty).

I discussed this at my stealership and they say if necessary they will replace the roof. I can live with it as it is now, but I was wondering if any of you with this problem have had the roof replaced and what results did you get.

Thank you!

 

I've had my MINI Cabrio since October 1st. I do see an occasional "scuff" mark but they disappear when I wash the top. I've noticed no wear marks what so ever. But then my top hasn't been up much until the last few days when it got cold. My top works great also. Up & down without flaws. I've even perfected the top up at a stop light technique in the event of a driving rain

I know of no one who has had their top replaced or even had significant trouble with it. My advice, keep your eye on it but in the meantime don't let it affect the joy of open motoring in a MINI

Lois

 

I do not own a Mini convertible, but have had some sort of convertible car since 1969 in the fleet. The first and most important thing to understand about convertibles is that a convertible top is like a set of tires - they will wear out way before the car does and need to be replaced. They are a "wear" item, like brake pads, or belts, or hoses, or battery. If you believe the tires will look as good at 20,000 miles as when new, you are crazy. If you think that the top will look new at 10,000 miles, you are equally crazy. The first time you lower the top, you start the process. Every up and down cycle will wear it a little more. An automatic top wears faster, because it does exactly the same motion everytime, which puts the wear in exactly the same spot every time. Manual tops actually last longer.

Convertibles will rust more, leak more, look worn more, and get stolen and vandalized more. It goes with the territory and no amount of complaining will change it. You trade the joy of open top driving for the nightmare of slashed tops, bird poop stains, worn areas, fraying material, and sun bleaching. Enjoy! You are now a convertible owner!

 

Thanks for your replies. Believe me, I am enjoying the car a LOT. I just believe these marks are definitely too much wear for a couple of weeks. They do fade a bit with washing, but are getting stronger over time (too fast!, this is a 2 week old car) and they show abrasion of the material. I haven't seen similar markings on other several years old BMW convertibles.

I understand that the top is a wearable (and replaceable part).

I will take pictures later today and post them so you can give me your opinion. If this is happening to your MINIs too, I will consider it normal and give it a rest, but I am pretty sure it is not.

 

I picked up my car on the 30th of October and except for rain have driven every day with it down. I usually put the top up when I get somewhere.

I am also getting "wear" spots on the top. They are at the rear of the roof at the corners. They look more like fabric tension discoloration then wear from rubbing.

I will also take some pictures to post.

So I would agree that it is occurring consistently, which of course doesn't necessarily make it "normal." Also figure date stamping my pics will give me a good ruler to measure against over time. This is my first convertible and I certainly expect the fabric to wear over time, but this is troubling. If it doesn't keep worsening then I probably won't stress over it

MacGuruTx

 

I've had my Miata for over 8 years & the top looks as good as it did when it was new. Granted it is a manual top but I've taken very good care of it. It's had 3 sets of tires Based on Joe Dentist's statement, the top should have worn out by now I am doing the same with my MINI Cabrio. I've researched what to clean & preserve the fabric top with. I immediately remove bird poop If you don't take care of a ragtop it will look awful in a very short time but treated with care it will last a long time. I will however keep a close eye on any unusual wear but will not let it prevent me from enjoying my new MINI Cabrio

Lois

 

Here are pics of my current roof wear (the car is 3 weeks old, the top has been up and down a lot of times (never wet)) I always park with the top up.. You can click on them to make them larger.

My dealer has said they will put in a request for a new roof with BMW Mexico. However, I have decided to wait a bit longer so:

a) It gets worse and is uncontestable
b) MINI has found a solution for sure

 

I agree with Joe on this one. The convertable top is a wear item. Enjoy it and don't worry too much about it, unless you think its wearing too quickly. There may be quality or design issues but, from what I've seen it looks like the quality of materials is pretty good. Just don't expect it to last quite like the exterior paint on a hard top.

 

One thing I forgot to mention is that convertible top life is very dependent on whether or not the car is garaged or covered. That guy with the 8 year old Miata top that looks like new probably has it garaged a good part of the year.



My mother lived in Daytona Beach for a while and the salt air and hot sun fried the vinyl roof right off her car in a few years. Convertible tops left out in places like Arizona probably don't last as long either.



If you want your top to last- A: Do not lower the top. B: Do not drive the car except in a covered area. C: Never get the top wet.



Sort of defeats the purpose of a convertible though............

 

I just haven´t seen this kind of ugly marks on ANY other BMW convertible (or other brands for that matter) and they are getting worse very fast. Anyway, if this is generalized and normal with the MINI I'll give it a rest.

The car is driven with the top down most of the time, since the weather is beautiful in Mexico City this time of the year. Otherwise, it is garaged and parked with the top up.

 

I am believe that 328Ci Cabrio is a problem
I can agree with Joe on considered in long term ownership,but this is only a few weeks old and there is no wear other than these spots. There has been many numerous threads and post showing the same wear on some of the Cabrios.
Lets support our fellow NAM members when there is truly a problem.
This is a problem.. Look at the photo's, that is not NORMAL or acceptable condition after a few weeks ownership..

 

I agree and my dealer does too. I am only hoping that MINI Mexico will aprove the necessary repairs/modifications under warranty when my dealer submits them for approval AND that everything will get done properly.

I am in no hurry as this is not a disabling problem, and does not impact enjoyment at all right now. It is more of an issue come resale time if my MINI is worse off than others because of this. I am also taking it slowly since this was just the 2nd cabrio that my dealership got and I'd like them to practice top repairs on someone else's car!

I will keep you posted.