Hi : I just got my new '06MCSca. I've had it for over 2 weeks now and I love the drive.. but, rainy season will hit us soon and I want to ask if there are any problems with leaky convertible roofs? For all you out there with more experience miles under your belt,please advise... Are there precautions I should take before rain-season??? km

 

I have never had a leak from rain - and it has been through some VERY hard rains when I was sure it would leak. When I wash it, I sometimes have a few drops on the inside of the glass between the front and back windows. It is good to remain vigilant, but I think you should be fine.

 

Yeah - it's good to NOT use front roof seal as a "clamp" to hold 4 or 5 little american flags while you drive (or something similarly silly). But in general, take good care of your seals (with regular use of a good protectant like 303) and they will take care of you. I had a crappy Chrylser Sebring for 8 years - and only after about 6 did the door window seal start to leak just a little - and I did NOT take care of my seals....

 

I've had my MCSC for over a year now - and that means a full Chicago winter and some pretty heavy rains, including one where I had to pull over because the wipers couldn't keep up with the rain. Through it all not one single drop of a leak. I've had other cabrio's and this is by far the best quality top of the group.

Mark S

 

I took delivery of my 05 MCSC two years ago. When I drove in my first hard rain storm, it leaked very badly over the passenger side seat. I first I thought maybe the top was not closed completely. Next rain storm, another large leak. I took it into the MINI dealership and they ended up having to order a new part for the top. It ended up not being the sill. The top was not closing properly. Whatever they did, 12k miles later, I have not had a leak.

 

Been driving my MCC in Chicagoland since APR 2005 (approaching 20K miles). Haven't had a single drop inside the car. Will be going through my 2nd winter this year. The only thing I NEVER do is wash with a power washer or automatic carwash. The hand wash place I go to knows how to wash a 'vert. I'll probably have a thorough roof cleaning and treatment in the Spring.

My MCC is garage kept when at home... so I think that helps alot Hopefully you have a garage or carport 2bkalm

 

No leak, mostly garaged, work and home

 

No leaks....garage kept....I wash the car at home....its a tight roof compared to others I have had.

 

Which place do you go to? I've been looking for a good place to get my car washed this winter. (Now that I had to pull the hoses in - it's supposet to get COLD here in Chicago this week!)

Mark S

 

Hey Mark...I go here:

Nature's Hand Car Wash
9003 Waukegan Rd
Morton Grove, IL
847-965-6550

** just north of Dempster on Waukegan Rd (just past Castle Honda) **

I've been going here since I bought the MCC (they had changed ownership). They're quick and they really clean the car. The only thing they don't do well is wax. It ends up on the black plastic trim and I have to rub oil on it to get rid of the wax haze. Other than that, I swear by these guys. I talk to the owner all the time. If you go, tell him the guy in the BRG MCC referred you. I always see nice cars going through there. I even saw a red ferrarri getting washed once. I think it's $12 for full wash. I don't know if they offer pre-paid wash packages anymore... I think I have 2 or 3 washes left...

 

I had one of the first MCC in the US (Oct of 04) and everytime it rained it leaked really bad on the passenger side, the mini dealership said they couldnt fix it after 4 times and I had to get BMW involved. All is good now though and has been for over a year and 1/2.

 

I had a leak at the passenger window when my Mini was 2 months old but the dealership made a minor adjustment & I haven't had one since. My Mini is not garaged & spends 24/7 in the weather. It sat through a mild hurricane 2 years ago, 40MPH sustained winds & a driving sideways rain for approx 8 hours & never leaked. I wish I could say the same for the roof on my house

 

Well now! Here's a question I can answer.

Last winter in Kaaawa, during the 44 straight days and nights of rain, my 05 MCSc that was parked outside the whole time, never leaked. I was a happy motorer!!

 

Leaks when the windows, doors, and top are closed have been non-existant, even in rain too hard to drive in.

However, NO ONE has a cure for the curse of convertibles - get out of the car in the rain and the water from the top will funnel right down onto your front floor and leather seat since there are no rain troughs above the doors. This is common to all convertibles and is something you just "live with" I suppose....

Still, I would never have changed my decision to go with the cabrio - all the small problems never ever balance the sheer joy of having the top down on a perfect day....

Bill