It's been quite warm here in Chicago the past week or so, and 65f in late November feels almost hot. I was on Michigan Ave. today among all the other shoppers with the top down, and I happened to have my camera handy - I love views like this, from just sitting in traffic.





It will all soon change for the worse on Thursday, when the cold and the snow arrive.

 

Cool pics! I was looking out the top up at a building watching some guys wash windows one time, they saw me and laughed and waved.

 

Here on the east coast (Maryland) I've also been able to enjoy top down motoring in my MINI late into November. It's half the reason I bought the car. the hard tops don't know what they're missing.

 

So you're up here now, going to be at any of the upcoming meets?

 

I'll definitely be at some of the CMMC events - I was going to go on the fall drive but I couldn't get away.

That reminds me, I still have to register with CMMC and pay the dues....

 

Hardtops have a nice glass roof And btw cool pics!!

 

Exactly! I don't mind cold weather top down motoring one bit. I much prefer it to top down motoring with the heat index over 100. I can take it to around 45f or so if I have to get on the expressway, and into the 30's if I don't have to drive fast. And with my new Pirelli snow sport tires, I might just try it in the snow. I've been caught in downpours while driving in FL with the top down, and I stayed completely dry at speeds above 45 or so

 

This is very true - I was just in STL over thanksgiving, and I borrowed an 03 MCS hardtop from a friend as she was out of town and was gracious enough to lend me her car - the glass roof was very cool. I was actually even more impressed with the stiffness of the body structure of the cabrio after driving the hardtop.

The glass sunroof is cool, but it doesn't compare to a full open roof - especially in the MINI, as the windsheild is so far forward. I rented a solara cabrio recently, and it felt like the top was up even when it was down, as the windscreen is directly above the drivers head.

 

Me too, I've had it all set to go for a while now I think I'll probably bring it to the gathering next week, esp. since I'm already planning a meet.

Glad you're enjoying the city hope to see oyu out and about.

 

Are you going to the mod party? I was thinking of going but the wife would probably kill me. I've been thinking of throwing a Milltek under the cabrio. Just like the manlaws, there should be a MINIlaw which states that an intake shall never overpower an exhaust. There should be an equal balance. MINIlaw!

 

Nice pics I don't get to cruise the Loop very often, much less with camera in hand. Very cool!

You definitely need to come out for a CMMC outing. Hopefully we'll see you around

 

I'll be there I'm FINALLY getting my M7 USS installed

 

I'm in Wicker Park so I'm pretty close to downtown. I usually take the blue line unless I plan to buy too much stuff.

I was thinking about the USS too - a guy I know put it on his hardtop, and had quite a bit of trouble getting it to fit. With an expert there it shouldn't be a problem - let us know how you like it! I might try and get over to the party, but I'll probably just watch.

 

I'm actually in Glenview.. grew up on the northside near Lincolnwood

btw... Pedro told me to say hey!

I got the USS before the MOTD, but didn't have time to put it on... No better time than the present! It's an early Xmas present for me I guess

 

I'm going to try and make it I've got an almost all day engagement up in Kenosha so I'm hoping the timing will be such for me to sprout some wings and head down the tollway to chat and hang out for a bit.

+1 for the MINIlaw, I need an excuse to do some serious exhaust shopping

 

I'm sure the glass doesn't compare to the cabrio. But I think with that glass roof the Mini Cooper is the closest thing to a convertible if you have all the windows down

 

I love it cause its TOPLESS!!! WOO

 

Wow- where'd you get those wheels? reminds me of some on the old MGs.