i don't know which one to get...
gimme some feedback. thank you.

 

Too many factors for us to decide which is best for you.

What will be the use of the car ?

Is price a factor ?

How are you at using your sideview mirrors ?

 

The convertible is heavier and not as rigid as the coupe.

 

hmm... right..

price is not a big factor... i just want to see which one looks and performs better than the other one...

 

The coupe will probably perform better in almost every regard...the only good reason to get a convertible is if you want to put the top down.

 

On the other hand, if you want to put the top down, the coupe's performance is pretty poor.

 

*cough* CONVERTIBLE!!! *cough*

 

If you ever decide to go on the track, most won't allow convertibles out. Just buy one of each and you will be covered for all contingencies.

 

Seriously, just get one of both. The cabrio was my family's third MINI, hot orange with a blue top, and we're getting ready to sell of our first to get a clubman. If you do get a convertible, be prepared to use the side mirrors a lot. The visibility out of the back, top up or down, is not that great.

 

Yes, get one of each, I plan to Zig, Zag, and Zug, after tomorrow's Megamillions comes my way. (Don't forget the Clubman for the Trifecta!)

Current convertibles are different (and lovely) beasts until 2009, when they'll take on the engine and body style of the 2nd generation MINI. I bought mine with that in mind, preferring the known reliability, known quirks, and poorer mileage of the old cabrio.

I'm not a speed demon, I marvel at every aspect of my MCSC's performance. I know convertibles are impractical, heavier, less safe, etc.

Still, I love it.

 

nothing like a car purchase by committee. coupe will perform better and is lighter.
Or, try to find a hard top for the convertable, good compromise.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=54358

 

^ that would be a good compromise -- if it existed
. . . well, and I don't think it wouldn't do much to reduce weight

 

If price is not really a factor, maybe Varga Girl is onto something... BOTH.

As far as appearance vs performance:

Convertible wins in appearance.

Coupe wins in performance.

 

Convertible only wins in appearance if the top is down. If it's up... bleah....

 

I agree. The convertible looks much better for its intended form... With the top down. I do not care that much for it with the top up. If you are the kind of person that places a high value in open top motoring over performance, handling, body rigidity and practicality, then the Cabrio is for you. I have driven many examples in both MC and MCS flavors and it is a neat car in its own right. But, like anything in life, the cabrio is a series of compromises in terms of practicality (You lose a ton of room out in the back), the body is not as rigid as the hardtop coupe, it is heavier (around 200-300 pounds more), you can't get the Sports PLUS suspension from the R53 S hardtop in the Cabrio S and you have to put up with poor rear visibility concerns and potential post-warranty issues with the automatic fabric roof. Speaking of the fabric roof, the wear issues reported since the beginning of time, still exist in recent models and if someone smashes your rear glass window, the whole entire fabric roof has to be ordered and fitted! But like I said, if you really, really, really love open top motoring and live in an area with good roads, scenery and favorable weather, nothing in the world replaces the feel of wind rushing through your face and hair when behind the wheel. Another caveat with the convertibles... Rear passengers get no airbag protection whatsoever! In the hardtops, rear passengers have full head airbag protection. This is missing in the convertibles! Something to consider if you plan on carrying passengers in the rear seat on a frequent basis! If you are not a convertible type of person, you'll be happier in a hardtop, save weight, better rigidity, performance, handling and you'll save $5K in the process.

 

Agreed with most comments here. If you're a convertible person, get the cabrio. I don't plan to ever be without one again. "Coupe People" look at the cabrio and see nothing but compromises. "Cabrio People" look at the coupe and see one BIG missing feature that they will not live without. All cabrios have similar compromises.... but the MINI is FAR stiffer, lighter, more agile, etc. than most other four-seat convertibles, at any price. And with a few enhancements (bracing, swaybar, driver's ed, etc) a cabrio can hang with the vast majority of coupe/driver combos (ask folks who have been on my club drives... ).

But YES... if tracking the car is a high priority for you, get a coupe - the ragtop will greatly limit your opportunities in this area.

 

^^^ Yah, everything he said ^^^ (though not with a money back guarantee)

 

Probably someday I'll own a MINI convertible. I think I have to try all different flavors!

 

FWIW, I'm seriously considering a Clubman in a couple of years for my daily driver... retire the cabrio to weekend driver... and get a R53 coupe as a trackrat....

 

I think you'll enjoy the Clubman.

 

Oh Kay. I looked at it from my surfer/skier point of view. I need a hardtop for the rack to carry my board/skis. The sunroof is a nice size! With the windows down and the roof open, it's *almost* a Cabrio.
...Then I thought about my Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes Swedish/French/English/German/Dutch/Native American Indian blood and its propensity for SKIN CANCER. So I went for the Coupe.
I LOVE MY MINI! :-) You will too. No matter which you purchase. Enjoy!!

 

haha