I'll have to keep an eye out for mine! Lots of opening/closing on my MCSc, despite it only having 22,000 miles on it.

 

Original Owner of an '05 here and no issues. No wear and top still looks black and good. The rear visibility thing can be a problem but I've adapted. I use Raggtop on mine once or twice a year. Next time I may try Renovo but have had really good luck with the Raggtopp.

 

PS. Still to be seen just how different the '09 top will be but I wouldn't guess it would be too different.

 

Although using RaggTopp, I ordered 303 to try it out. I like what the other Member said about being able to pour the 303 into a small bowl and being able to hand apply it.

I find using RaggTopp's aerosol can to be a hassle to the extent that I over spray on the edges and end up having to clean the glass and painted surfaces, despite my using cardboard and towels to cover parts of the MINI when spraying near the edges of the top.

Sidenote: From the interaction of RaggTopp on my MINI's glass surfaces [kind of waxy], I suspect that RaggTopp is paraffin based. Don't think that is a negative, just commenting on how it works. Puts a wax type coating on the top to act as a sealant or barrier to bird sheet or whatever.

 

I think you nailed it Blimey, that's exactly what I found out also, those folds have to have a gap between each other to keep from rubbing. I do the "hand test", when the top is down, I slide my palm edgewise between the folds, all along from side to side. If I can slide in the thickness of my fingers, it's good.

Fwiw, I don't think the stops are hard to get to, every time they readjusted mine it didn't seem to take very long (1-2hrs).

 

FWIW, the "birdseye" mirrors sold by Moss are Multivex brand mirrors. The instructions sheet on Moss's site reveals this. From other NAM posts, I understood that you could buy directly from www.multivex.com for $30, but I haven't done so yet (my car hasn't been delivered yet, either).

Brian

 

Yup, several places sell them under different names. Btw, when I ordered mine back in february the factory had them on backorder, but they had them in stock by may. Dunno if they'll run behind again, but I would suggest if you want one to go ahead and order it rather than wait.

 

Hey all. I just priced 303 top cleaner from a bunch of places. I found a place that has the double size, 32oz. bottle for $5.99!

https://www.firstchoicemarine.com/se...s=1&showpics=1

I got that and 32oz. of the fabric protectant for $24.98. That's probably more of it than I will need for quite a while, and twice what you get in the $22 convertible top care kit. If you just want the cleaner and not the protectant, its a huge deal. Anyway, thought I would pass it along.

 

Just my 2 cents. I've got an 06 with only 13000 miles...but a zillion top up/top down cycles (Top down...drive 1.3 miles...top up & reverse).

I've got very minor shiney spots that aren't frayed at all. Personally, I've never used anything but water to clean the top. I've also never used any product at all as far as protectorant...but the car is 90% out of the sun. (Okay, my bad -- need to source some of this stuf)

Blind spots - virtually non-existant with top down. With top up, convex mirror (pricier ones that completely fill the passenger side are worth their weight in gold. Backing up -- avoid when possible! The service tech adjusted my backup sensors to be as sensitive as possible -- they help some. I've installed a back-up camera in someone else's car ($79 at Costco -- easy hook up & great operation).

Must Haves - If you REALLY want to enjoy your convertible, front seat heaters are a necessity (Yes, even in sunny CA!). I wouldn't even consider a convertible with out them. You can also source the equivalent of an electric blanket for the rear seat (yes, my kids actually like it, as long as they aren't cold).

Avoid - Black Seats (especially leather). I was lucky to have cordova brown, with a friend that had black. Cars parked side by side in the sun/tops down facing the sun...guess who got scorched when they got in their car !?!?

Top down driving makes every trip that much more fun -- day or night!

 

Here is my MINI with the convex mirrors I chose.

Notice how it covers only one-half of the stock mirror. I prefer this because at times I use the stock mirror instead
of the convex part. I use the convex mirror to see if there are cars in the lane I intend to change into, or to keep
an eye on vehicles traveling on either side of me.

I also use it for backing up, to get a general idea of what is were, but I cannot and do not rely on the convex to
judge accurate distance between my MINI and, for example, a parked car that I am trying to avoid.

Sidenote: I wish people would decrease the size of posted pictures so that the pics don't make the thread as wide as
a big butted gas guzzling SUV. It's annoying as heck. MINI1966 is the guilty party here, posting huge pics in all this posts.
But he has suffered a personal emergency and is no longer active on NAM [he's selling his few weeks old MCSc on Craig's
List.] Maybe a mod can fix his pics posted.

 

Here's another tip to keep your top in good shape longer. I've had 3 converts before my 2006 Mini S, and all had fair top life until my Nissan 350z Roadster. It's top wound up splitting below the rear window, after only 3.5 years. There was no seam there - the fabric just looked rotten.
Turns out it was rotten, because here in sunny Socal, I was in the habit of washing my cars in the late afternoon/early evening, when the sun was low. Trouble with that is, it meant my car went into the garage with a damp top, and dried very slowly over night. Best way is to wash early, before the sun is too hot, and let the top dry fast in the hot sun. It also keeps the fabric from stretching. I also use 303, which claims to last up to 3 years, btw, and my 2006 top looks brand spanking new after 2+ years.
BMW also sells a fabric top care kit, with shampoo and protectant, that I've used (on my Eclipse Convert). Now I use 303 and good car wash detergent, ans as I said, my top looks like new.

 

Excellent post. Thanks for the great tip on moisture accumulation.