We love our MINI convertible when it's warm enough to put the top down. But when it's up (the majority of the time) we aren't fans of the visibility.

We've had the car for over 2 years now and even though the mirrors are set up right we haven't gotten used to it. I don't drive the car much but my wife does and has gone so far to say that she's done with the car and if MINI doesn't improve the visibility in the 2009, she'll move along to another car.

Hopefully she’ll keep it in the family and get a hardtop or a clubman.

This has lead me to be curious to know who would not buy another Cabrio because of the visibility.

Your thoughts?

 

Well, Mike, I'm feeling the same way. After 3 1/2 years I still fear everytime I pull out of a parking spot or change lanes on the highway with the top up. I was a Miata owner for many years so I was quite used to decrease visibility. And along with the visibility, I have had 3 new roofs, 3 pairs of rear windows, a new clutch, new rear suspension & new body control module

A Clubman is in our future & it's the Cabrio that will go

Lois

 

I'm still relatively new to the Cabrio scene, having picked up Nilla a few short (but awesome) months ago. I understand what your saying about the poor visibility. My solution thus far was to install Multivex Mirrors on both sides. These seem to work adequately while driving, though I believe that my visibility still needs improvement backing out of parking spaces. Not sure what the answer is: camera, additional mirrors, other? Maybe there is no answer. I still have faith that a rearview mirror could be fabricated similar to the Multvex mirrors which eliminates the blind spots, but isn't hokey like most of the ones available out there.

There are a lot of aspects to your question of personal value which is difficult to comment on. If your climate is such that you don't get to enjoy the top down enough to overcome the liabilities associated with it, then I would agree with you. I live in the Denver area and am looking forward to 8 months of top down weather. Then there's the additional maintenance on top of all this too.

For me in my current situation, there is no question that I am looking forward to the long haul. You never know what the future holds and whether circumstances will change my perspective, but today I'm reveling in my Cabrio.

 

Hey Mike! I've had my MCC for 3 years now and I still have to be very careful when backing out of parking spaces. the worst thing for me to try is to get stuck in the median when making a left turn into moving traffic with the top up. I do have the multi-vex mirror on the passenger side which helps alot, but I still get nervous sometimes. Lane changing is not a problem unless traffic is really heavy. believe it or not, lane changing at night is so much easier.. as long as the other cars have their lights on...

I heard the 2009 is supposed to be better... I'm still undecided if I would replace my cabrio with another one... I'll probably keep this one for a while...

 

Installing Multivex on both sides solved the majority of issues I had with visibility (though that damn rearview mirror is still a pain). Long ago I adopted the pull though or back in parking philosophy so most of the time I don't need to back out of a spot. You're right though, backing out of a spot can be hazardous.
As for top down - nothing better IMO. If I ever replace the MINI it will be with another convertible.

 

The only time I feel anxious is, as MiniMac2005 said, turning left out of a median. Impossible to see the approaching traffic. Backing up has not been much of a problem due to the back-up sensors. Changing lanes has become easier, too, with practice. I wouldn't mind better visibility, however.

 

1. Back into parking spaces.
2. For lane changes- Go faster than anyone one the freeway!(easy part)
3. On the kindest of others sometimes.

 

I have actually eliminated my rear visibility issues by having both a Multivex mirror (passenger side) and a rear view camera. I am very happy with my setup and have no anxieties about changing lanes/merging or backing up. Without these devices, I could cope but honestly I would probably feel uncomfortable enough that I wouldn't consider another R52.

Having a backup camera is FANTASTIC. I want one on all of my future cars. I have the OEM rear camera but inexpensive aftermarket versions are now available. See this thread.

 

Would I get another cabrio? In a heartbeat! Multivex helps a lot, along with situational awareness.

 

I have NO problems, and plan to keep my R52 forever... twin multivexes, plus I back into parking spaces 95% of the time. I almost NEVER look over my shoulder, so I almost never "see" the blind spot... I use and trust my mirrors...
+1 for situational awareness.

Also helps that I live in a temperate climate and run top-down 80% of the time... 35degrees to 100degrees, if it isn't raining, my top is down.

 

It's easier to shift lanes if you drive faster than everyone around you -- you know the way is clear after you overtake a car, and don't have to worry about someone sneaking up into your blind spot

 

My strategy exactly. Except for LEOs. Darn slowpokes.

 

I've had mine for a year now and I love it...most fun car to drive I've ever had and the engineering is amazing. Like others said, back in, learn the multivex...piece of cake!!

 

My sentiments exactly! I love it! Best car ever! I just back out slowly. I make up for it when I'm going forward.

 

As a third car, most of the driving time is with the top down. That said, I could see getting rid of my Speed6 for another one.

 

Living in an area that has crappy weather most of the time I sometimes ask myself if it is worth it as more than half the year is not top down weather. It gets claustrophobic and depressing at times. However, when the weather does finally break, it feels like a brand new car and all is right. Truth is though, my next MINI will probably be a hardtop with a panoramic sunroof that I can enjoy all year long. I've still got my Harley to enjoy the open air.

 

I've had my cabrio since June of last year but am trading it in for an '08 Clubman, partly because of the visibility problems and partly for space. I also have a lot of dust/dirt in the area and it's caused a line to etch in the rear window from raising/lowering the roof (I know - just wash the window and dust it before opening, but sometimes you forget.).

 

When I first sat in the cabrio it had the top up and when I looked rearward I was terrified, it was like looking through a fabric tunnel. I decided to go for it anayway and while waiting for my MINI to arrive I thought of all kinds of ways to make the blind spot dissappear including multi-vex mirrors, little bubble mirrors on the windshield frame, and a video cammera. Three days after it arrived I was completely comfortable driving it with none of those things. I just adjusted the mirrors according to a post on NAM and that was it. The cabrio made me a better driver as now I use my mirrors on other cars as well where before I would turn my head to look back.

-As for doing it again I would say YES! The most enjoyable car I have ever owned, a great combination of beauty and performance.

 

Hahaha! I love that!

 

That's a good point. I've driven trucks and vans with far less rear visibility than the cabrio. I don't have the Multivex mirrors, nor do I plan to get them. After 2+ years, with plenty of both top up and top down time, with well-adjusted mirrors, I don't have any problems. But you have to adjust and trust your mirrors.

 

+1 -- I think the visibility problem is overhyped by folks who prefer to have the mirrors angled too far in.

 

Well, I've owned my MCC for less than a month, so the newlywed feeling is still there. But I can honestly say the next car I'll have will be a drop top... will it be another mini? Dunno, I'm not a brand fanatic. If the L-Mini will get 200 miles on a charge and come in a drop top in say, five years, then I will most likely get it then.

The past six cars I've owned except one have been drop tops. The mini is certainly not the worst and definitely not the best as far as visibility. I would put the vette as the worst drop top visibility so far.

Btw, not to derail the thread, but I've been searching for the multivex mirrors online. Minimania no longer sells them aparently and the multivex site lets you put one in the cart but doesn't let you check out. Can someone confirm a place I can actually order one (preferably just the rhs one)?

Happy motoring everyone.

Daniel

 

I simply went with the little round mirror you stick to the sideviews that are on the car now

I am never worried about changing lanes the mirrors do the trick for me

 

I think I saw in another thread that the Multivex mirrors are back-ordered indefinitely due to some sort of factory problem.

 

Me too...on all of that! We will be running the Cherohala together 15 years from now buddy and our R52's will be the Classics then!