The Sidewalk edition convertible was only available as an R52. Late 2007 and 2008 models before the design refresh.

Didn't the r53 end in 2006?

So, the r52 went through early 2008? And they only made the sidewalk for like 2 years?

Have there been any other special edition convertibles with the sidewalk rims?

So, spring 2012 was a tough time for our Welly...

Took him in to the dealer a couple of months ago to deal with some rattles and squeaks, and a really odd "thump, thump, thump" coming from the right front. Also asked for a thorough checkup, as we were a few months from warranty expiration. After two days in the shop they were unable to find anything.

Less than two months later we noticed something leaking on the garage floor, so we went back to the same dealer. This time they found broken front strut mounts (both sides), front brakes in need of replacement, and "seepage" coming from the engine gasket and somewhere else (I forget the location). We got a quote for about $2700. I pushed back that these repairs (other than brakes) should be warranty items, and first was told that our warranty had expired. After they confirmed that the warranty was still in effect, but "seepage" isn't covered by a warranty - only a "leak." No one could quantify for me the difference between a "seep" and a "leak" and a day later they agreed all would be covered by warranty (except the brakes).

Two weeks ago I realized that we were due for oil service, and the dealer hadn't done it. So I called the only other dealer in Colorado, and set an appointment for the following week (and asked for a thorough inspection). The following day we noticed "stiffness" in the clutch pedal and called to add it to the service list. The next day we had more clutch problems, and let the car rest in the garage until we left for the dealer appointment.

On the way to the dealer, we had a ton of problems shifting, eventually driving the whole way (50 miles) in 4th gear. We had to stop at one traffic light (in sight of the dealer) and had to push the car in when it wouldn't go into gear.

That was last Tuesday (a week ago today). We're now driving a Countryman loaner while the dealer and MINI search the country for a new transmission! Yes, 20,000 miles and we need a new transmission! This is a car that we've taken care of, only serviced by the dealer, and no motorcrossing, racing, etc.

The warranty expires July 2. No idea when Welly will be coming home.

The R50/R53 hardtops ended production in 2006, replaced by the R56.

The R52 convertible ended production in mid 2008, replaced by the R57 when it came out in 2009.

The Sidewalk edition (R52) convertible was announced in January 2007 at the Detroit auto show, and hit dealer showrooms in April 2007. Cynically, it was a was to drive sales of convertibles as buyers anticipated the 2009 MY refresh. Initially the Sidewalk edition came in 5 colors, had 17" "night spoke" wheels, and had malt brown leather seats with white piping. These wheels and seats were only available with the Sidewalk package.

This is where my memory gets a little spotty (someone else, please chime in).

As MINI approached the end of R52 production they offered Sidewalk edition convertibles with black seats and white piping. At the very end of production they had a VERY limited edition (100?) that were all black and had special "last of the supercharger" badging.

As far as I know, the night spoke wheels were never offered with any other MINI model.

spf zero - thanks for the great explanation.

so, should I assume that the chances of me purchasing some used night spoke wheels are essentially 0?

If anyone on here would like to sell their set, please lemme know

Dear All,
I´m Robert Gibbons from Asuncion, Paraguay.. I have a Mini Cooper..
Ihope you like it and wait for your opinions...

1) Photo Attached
2) The wife named her Maggie...needed to be British, I insisted female, so we landed on "Margaret (Thatcher)"...shortened to Maggie.
3) Your Location - Dallas, TX
4) Color of your baby - Astro Black
5) 2008 Cooper S
6) Age – 20s nearing 30s
7) Mensa Member - not even close
8) Theme Song - Final Countdown "duhnu nuhhh nuhhh....duhnu nuh nuh nuhh...."
9) Mods - All stock at the moment. Would like to squeeze a few more hp out of her... My favorite accessory is my brownflyer wind deflector....had it from a previous MCSc (yes, I wandered away from the fold...but the important this is I am back!)

Congratulations to our two newest sidwalkers. Enjoy this beauty safely for years to come. My wife has 37k trouble free miles on hers. She says its a keeper.

WOW! Once gain, It's been wayyy too long since I checked in!

Current Member List:

001 - Xbass
002 - IanF
003 - BigGuy25
004 - bradclark
005 - oxtox
006 - bobhume
007 - Quesera
008 - Jerseygirl
009 - Ubique
010 - J3kidford
011 - CupOJoe
012 - SidewalkMini
013 - Sasha
014 - Steven B
015 - RraC
016 - Mr Cheese
017 - speedyclyde
018 - xgarza
019 - IamSMC
020 - BunsenH
021 - Banjo
022 - JWalls
023 - Fantastic Choice
024 - sshaynak
025 - SPF ZERO
026 - princess di
027 - ozarkgolfer
028 - gemgirlpa
029 - Hersch
030 - DR411
031 - BTT
032 - Cubfan
033 - minimae
034 - wng
035 - (hhcribbs)
036 - kgkoopa
037 - vicseeley
038 - cleofe
039 - SuprCoopr
040 - janetmc
041 - jmag
042 - cxg
043 - Kikimowse
044 - Jacqui
045 - velaga12
046 - rellik666
047 - Blont-007
048 - monkeynboo
049 - Bradfinger
050 - wOOtMINI
051 - halromberg
052 - NEMike
053 - SpaceCity SideWalk
054 - minicoop23
055 - Digibob
056 - splinter80
057 - Madurodave
058 - Pdeter58
059 - Sidewalksam
060 - mjsteelega
061 - Bret Van Beek
062 - splinter80
063 - Upbeats
064 - tgalantis
065 - Varooom
066 - johngrabo
067 - computerdoc
068 - wingtipwalker
069 - V-Robb
070 -
071 -
072 -
073 -
074 -
075 - ............(I know there are more of you out there - Come on... we made it to the 70s... check in!)

DID I MISS ANYONE?

Sweet Cabrio, but not a Sidewalk

1.) see not a sidewalk but.....
2.) moof
3.) Louisana
4.)Chili red
5.)Cooper
6.)40's
7.)Mensa Member N
8.)Tom Petty Running down a dream
9.) Just rims & tires and engine secret!

Hello fellow MINI enthusiasts, I'm Robert and my wife and I are the proud, new owners of a schweet Sidewalk I just picked up New Year's Eve-Eve. The particulars:

1) pic coming
2) TBD
3) Burbank CA
4) BRG
5) Cooper
6) 40's
7) Pre-qualified...!
8) One Way or Another - Blondie
9) Not sure

Frankly I needed a "normal" car for times when the Harley, my daily commuter, isn't great: pouring rain, near freezing temps, weekend shopping, etc... This is about as "normal" as I'm going to get, and I love it!!

Anybody have any sidewalk stats? How many sidewalks were produced?


Also, I've pretty much finished the Internet trying to figure out what the original sidewalk package entailed on the classic coopers...does anybody know?

OK, it's official: the MINI's name is...





Get ready for it...




Monty!!

He's such a fun car to drive, just so happy and peppy and... well you get the picture.
BTW, any 'Odd Couple' fans in the house? :D

Welcome V-Robb! Nice name!

My Lizzie after a parade lap on the Daytona International Speedway!

Welcome J3kidford! You are #070

(looks a LOT like my Stella)

No I'm not. I'm #10!! Just haven't been on here in awhile.

I didn't look that far back! Sorry, good to see the post.

No problem. That's what I get for not coming around more often!

Crumpet is just weeks away from turning 5 years old and I’ve decided it is high time to drive her more. She has 18,300 miles and has been pampered. I can count the number of times she has seen rain or spent the night out of the garage on maybe one hand. I was of the mind that I either should sell her or start to drive her more. As I’ve stepped up the time spent behind the wheel of the Sidewalk, I’ve caught myself a few times saying out loud, ‘I love driving this car.’ We are preparing to move to the mid-west this summer and Crumpet may become my daily driver for a 30 mile commute.

We’ve not had much activity in the Sidewalk Owner’s Forum lately. How has everyone else’s beloved Sidewalk holding up?
Anyone using theirs as a daily driver or are we all as silly as me, keeping them safely tucked away except on sunny weekends?

Same deal as you. Mine spends the winter in the garage, and I occasionally give it a pat on the top and tell it "soon, soon...". I have a neighbor with a VW bug convertible that makes fun of me for not driving it in the winter or bad weather, but that's ok. He has no idea... I'm staring down the gunbarrels of imminent retirement and will probably drive it more then, but who cares?

I agree with your comment of "I love this car." I bought a 2008 Cabrio new, loved it but sold it 2 years later in order to pay off my house. I missed it more than any other car that I have sold, and ended up getting a 2008 Sidewalk later that same year for a great price and with very low mileage. No car is as much fun to drive as this little Gen One. The newer ones just don't interest me. I like the supercharger and feel the new ones are just getting too big and look like Toyota Corollas. I plan on keeping this one till the wheels fall off and hope to pass it one to my kids or grandkids.

I am a Mini Clubman owner and just happened to see a 2008 Sidewalk Convertible for sale near Fairview Hts, Ill. The dealer had 3 Minis on his lot but I was struck by the Sidewalk. It is a S with approx 36,000 miles with manual shift. I am tempted to trade my 2011 Mini Clubman for it due to the English Malt Interior, by the way the exterior is Sparkling Silver.

Sidewalk minis have to be the neatest of them all.

Add me to the list. I bought mine broken down to help out a friend in need. I just learned that its a Sidewalk. Not sure what that means exactly, but I have one!

Post up a pic so we can see what type and options for the Sidewalk edition.

And if you need any parts for it, I am here to help.

Thanks