Is there a temperature below which you can cause damage to the cloth or mechanism if you attempt to put down the top? In other words, is it ever tooooo cold to put the top down?

 

Nope. At least not before frostbite sets in on the driver.

 

If you're it's too cold...you're too old!

Had the top down today in DC. 40 degrees.

See my signature!

 

I motor with the top down well into the 20's, nav system doesn't work but love to see peoples faces when I stop next to them. I also have the rear wind deflector and the windows up, heat going and seats on.

 

Same here.

 

The European factory instructions are not to lower the top below 10 degrees Celcius(= 50 degrees Fahrenheit) because it may hurt the roof.
I do not agree to this limit and would ride top-down even with snow.

 

what's the wind deflecter look like? Pics please. I'm a noob and went out at 35f today with roof up, but I wanted it down

 

In my experience, the lowest temp that mine was dropped was 29. I stopped top-down motoring at 31, but had to go back outside to lower the top to get our stuff out of the car. It was slow getting lowered and raising back up and the sound was a low grumble as if she was saying, "You've got to be *'ing kidding me!".

Blue Lightning you have heated seats AND a wind deflector? Lucky dog.

 

will post a pic of it over the week end. I was surprised by how much the deflector helped and really extended the top down seeson for me, also the heated seats are great.

 

That wind deflector is a must-have


See attached official photo taken from the mini website shop.

 

Try "New Aftermarket Wind Screen " for Brownflyer's windscreen. At least Half the price and all-around a good choice.

 

I have brownflyers windscreen and have been really happy with it for the past two years.

 

I know many here can handle the extreme cold temperatures with the top down but I believe the real question is at what
temperature does the materials that the top is made of suffer damage while being brought up or down.

All pliable materials become stiffer in the cold and therefore are susceptible to damage due the nature of it being less flexible.
Recently on a cold morning (26f) my window was stuck to the part of the top and as I put the top down to place some items
in the back seat it broke part of the molding around the top of the rear side window (rear passenger small window).
Also remember that the grease for the top does not breakdown to lubricate as well in colder temperatures.
I'm sure many of our fellow cabrio owners have heard the groaning and squealing of the top on a cold winter day as you
put it up or down.

In any case I think that if you limit the amount times that you bring your top up and down, whether its cold or hot
will extend the life expectancy of your top.


JMTCW

 

Yesterday I noticed many people waving at us in the convertible, i´m not really sure why?


It could have been the temperature of 0 degrees Celcius (=32 degr. Fahrenheit) . This was my first time top-down in the frost and I have to admit I loved it, and I even do not have heated seats (will probably install it).
My passenger was warned before we drove so she brought an extra sweater and a hat and very tough heroic: she didn´t complain.

I do admit that I´m scared of the additional wear-and-tear caused by such actions, but I will not be denied top-down fun just because it´s a bit chilly outside

 

You must keep your top down 90% of the time... the book says so!

We have two traditions here-

First is getting the Christmas tree (and no one ever thinks it will fit) so people watch in amazement as we tie it in and drive away! Our first year, it was late but we had people yelling, "Merry Christmas" and waving and laughing... lots of fun. Usually the tree is about 8-10ft but last years was 11ft!

Second thing is going out, bundled up and hot chocolate in hand to go look at Christmas Lights. Usually it's fairly warm here in FL but one year it was probably in the 30's and it felt like winter. That was a great time... felt like a sleigh ride! (But a really cool sleigh ride ).

 

hi Miniola, I can just image the fun and I'd love to see a picture of that

 

I'll try to post some today (of the tree, right?).

Thanks.

 

Hi! I'll try to insert the photos (this year's)... but if for some reason I can't do it... I have at least put them in my gallery.

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!










Here's 2006:

 

I've had a rag top in the driveway more often than not over the course of the last 35 years.

66 Mustang 'vert
83 Rabbit 'vert...held 'bout 10 years
95 Miata ... held that one for over a dozen years.....

my recommendation: do NOT drop the top in temps under 45F ... there R plastic things in there that will NOT react well. Maybe once or twice but over time....NO.

If you don't plan to keep the car long, no matter tho .....

 

I remember for my Z4, BMW specifically said do not drop the top when it's below freezing - in fact I was told the car would not let you lower the top if it was below freezing (although I never bothered to test it - I never dropped it below 34). Supposedly there were some hydraulic components in the top that would be damaged in freezing weather.

But I never read of such warnings in the MINI and have had it down around 20F or 25F. There may be some truth to what Capt bj says, but 45F sounds very conservative. I'm sure the top in the MINI is much better designed and built than older ragtops - not just because of "superior" BMW quality, but because of improvements in materials and technology over the years.

Of course, I've also ignored those warnings about not dropping the top when it's wet.

 

My cabrio sounds an alarm when I start the car with temps below 37 degrees. That's the coldest you should lower the top, according to the manual. I enjoy driving top-down in cold weather, but this morning it was 8 degrees. That's too chilly, even for me.

 

28 degrees in Heidelberg today, no probs opening ,,,,or closing.