I've just returned from my 3rd trip to the dealer and still have the same problem. The top is leaking where the frame comes together on the passenger side and there is a terrible howling wind noise. I didn't have this problem with the original top (replaced due to white marks) and have had this problem since the new top was installed.

Last week a window seal was replaced and now the leak has relocated. It is now further toward the front by about 3". The wind noise has not changed, if anything it is louder. When raising or lowering the top, the inner liner catches and kind of pops into place once it breaks free.

Has anyone had a similar problem? I'm ready to pull my hair out. Today the SA told me it's a convertible and it's going to leak. It didn't before they replaced the top, it didn't have a horrible loud noise inside the car and the top didn't catch. I've driven convertibles for the last 15 years and am familiar with leaky tops but not like this and not so soon. I'm starting to feel like a real pain at the dealer but it's no longer a joy to drive the car when you can't have a conversation with a passenger due to the loud noise and the car can't be driven in the rain because of the leak.

 

I don't believe it is normal to leak or make a lot of noise. Your owners manual has a phone number for MINI tech rep when you have a problem that can't be resolved with your dealer. Look it up and call.

 

I'm with rc'S -- the MCSC I bought used had the top replaced (wear marks also) shortly before I got it, and I do not have any of your problems with the replacement top.

 

I'm on my third top due only to white wear marks. None ever leaked or allowed any wind noise. For an SA to say that it is to be accepted that all convertibles leak is outrageous....Speak to management at the dealership or try MINIUSA.

 

Find a new dealer. And call MINI directly and complain about this one. BMW/MINI convertibles do not leak. If the dealer told me that I'd probably freak out. I have enough time controlling myself when my MINI dealer tells me that convertibles will rattle, and overall I actually think my dealer is pretty good.

By the way, I got my 2006 MCSC in November 2006... about 2000 miles on it now.... no leaks, no white wear marks, no problems at all.

 

What are these white wear marks everyone is talking about ?

My wife just noticed something on the INSIDE of my mini ?
Back on the driver's side, on the side, next to where the rear passenger's head would be, was a distinct 'white water mark' on the inside liner... that was like a 'salt level mark'. it wasn't flat an even, it was rather uneven. Weirdest thing. It's as if someone took that piece of inside liner, dunked it into salt water, took it out, let it dry, and you can see kind of a salt stain/line on it.

Anyone seen this before ?

I took possession of my '06 MCS CNV late October. So far, no rattling, and no 'obscene' road noise (I expect that it will not be as quiet as a hard top). I can hear others talk, but I can't say it's "quiet" :-) No complaints.

I wiped it with a wet cloth. Seemed to go away, but I didn't stay around until it dried to see if it improved it, or made it completely go away. I could almost 'feel' the 'salt' or whatever it was. It wasn't as 'smooth' as thte rest of the inner liner where it was 'white'.

Thanks,

Andy

 

I have a similar situation Ragtopday. I brought my top in because of a catch on the passenger side either just before settling in the open position, or when starting to put the top back up. They replaced the top because of wear but when I picked it up it had a wind noise for the first time (they told me I had to keep the top up for a few days, otherwise it could have been months before I noticed). The front seam - sealing to the gasket above the windshield was 7mm more exposed on the right side than the left. I took it back today and picked it up late in the afternoon. I haven't done an inspection yet and drove home with the top down. A casual glance when I picked it up, however, gave me the impression the top still doesn't close evenly. I'll worry about it tomorrow. I was beginning to think it must be a hard adjustment. Maybe some of the replacement tops aren't the right size.
I'll inspect tomorrow and, yes, drive to work with the top up and try to figure out the wind noise. I'll post again.

PS- mine hasn't leaked yet. Before the new top the fit was perfect despite the hitch in the mechanism.

 

A leaking, noisy replacement top on a MINI is totally unacceptable. From the factory these are one of the quietest, best fitting convertible tops made. I drive mine all seasons, ice, snow, hail, sun and sleet and not a single drip of water or wind noise and I live in one of the worst places on earth for crappy weather. Your dealer is either a putz or they have untrained mechanics who have little knowledge of the proper procedures to replace and adjust a new top.

 

MA told me to bring a towl in my car when it rained when my roof was leaking. I freaked out and wrote a 3 page letter to BMW/Mini. It was fixed quickly after that.

 

Well, the top is snug on the left and has a 6.5 mm gap on the right . . . a slight improvement, eh? I'll bring up the issue again when I go in for service (just 2800 BMW service miles away). The problem isn't hard to live with as I don't drive with the top up hardly at all. I'll want to have it quieted down before I take a long road trip with the wife though because it is sometimes necessary to retreat from the sun and wind and weather, at least for the passenger's sake.

 

My original top was perfect for a year--no noise, catches or leaks, and was then replaced for "excessive wear." They forgot to tell me NOT to put the top down right away, which I did (so we could put the Christmas tree in the back seat!). Now I have a slight leak on both sides near the windshield when I wash it, and I hear wind noise on the driver's side at highway speeds. The dealer couldn't hear the wind noise, but I'm guessing they didn't drive fast enough. I guess they'll need to have another go at it.

 

Just an update on my leak, windnoise and catch issue...

My car has been at the dealer since last Monday. They have ordered a new top so I'm hoping this will fix it. I felt a little like a PITA insisting that it be fixed so that it functions but otherwise, I'm feeling like the problem is going to be addressed this time (the third visit to the dealer).

I'm now wondering if some replacement tops don't seal well period, regardless of how long they stay in the "up" position after being replaced. Mine was parked at the dealer for a week after having the top replaced while I was out of town and then it rained long enough to consider building an Ark so that shouldn't have caused any problems.

Thanks to all of you for your input. Hopefully I'll have a good report soon...

 

My second visit didn't fix my wind noise problem with the new top. It is now closing 6mm less on the right side than the left (it was 7mm before the second visit). I've decided to mellow out and wait until the next service . . . and I'll just not bother with the noise but ask to have the seams line up with the gaskets. I hardly ever have the top up . . . and if I'm ever at a club event showing the car, the top is down.

Good luck with the third try. I think the dealers, as a group, are willing to keep working on our issues.