.

 

MINI doesn't break the model years at the same place in the calendar year as most manufacturers. My 2006 MINI was a September 2006 build. If the 10th digit of the VIN is a '6', it's a 2006 model.

(Of course, my car was delayed by a month because the factory accidentally stamped it with a 2007 VIN, but that's a different story).

 

Nope. 9/06 build date is a giveway that Ladilah's car is indeed a 2007 model year Cabrio.

But the easiest way to solve this "dillemma" is to have her open up her bonnet/hood and check the factory stickers underneath. More specifically, she should look for something along the lines of..."This vehicle conforms to all applicable emissions and safety laws for model year 20xx" blah, blah, blah.

The build date placard on the driver's side door jamb only displays the actual month/year in which the car was manufactured, not the "Model year" it belongs to.

Or call MINIUSA (1-866-ASK-MINI) and with the VIN number on hand, the phone rep can tell you the actual model year your car falls into and the "day" of the week it was made.


Also, her dealer can pull up the original build sheet of the car from the BMW central database and see what wheels were originally specced with it from factory.

 

Haha

Your VIN stamping story is way too cool. That will give your car automatic "Collector's" car status...

 

What would have been even cooler would have been a 2006 Coupe stamped with a 2007 VIN, since the 2006 & 2007 coupes were completely different. Even though my 2006 was initially stamped with a 2007 VIN, the cabrio didn't change much between those two years, so the mistake wasn't quite as funny.

But seriously, a September 2006 build date on a cabrio means it's a 2006 model year as well. September was close to the end of the 2006 model cabrio production, but it was still part of the 2006 run.

 

As far as the R52 is concerned, aside from some colors and trim options, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Cabrios are essentially the same under the skin.

Oxford has been known to allow some interesting snafus to slip from under QC at the end of the assembly line. I was told by my dealer that they received a Clubman S painted lighting blue...get this... with a pure white roof. White roofs are simply not offered in the Clubman (Only pure silver, black and body color). The car made it out like that from the factory, did its atlantic voyage and still managed to escape further QC at the port/VDC.

The person rejected the car. I would have kept it. That white roof would have given the car added "cool factor" being a certified factory mistake.

When the R56 first came out, Oxford managed to build a Dark Silver R56 MC. You know and I know that Dark Silver is a MCS only color. The mistake was discovered at the MINI dealer in the UK but the car was sold to a happy owner.

And thought the years I have read of cars built with the wrong bumper covers and mix ups (A MC with a MCS front bumper cover or rear).

 

I looked under the bonnet and there were no stickers that said anything like that under there (that I could find), however there was a sticker on the door jamb that said "this vehicle conforms to all applicable emissions and safety laws for model year stated on the tag above", referring to the door jamb sticker with the 09/06 build date.

So I called MINIUSA. The rep told me the car was a demo (), but that doesn't make much sense to me because why would such a late build date be a demo? If they were using it to sell cabrios, why would they use a car that didn't even hit the US until probably Oct. 2006 to demo them? And by that late in the year, wouldn't most people want to test drive the 2007's?

But because of that they did extend both of the the warranties. I hope it doesn't cause problems down the road, and I hope that if any problems do show up it is still under warranty!

I forgot to add - I found the original window sticker in with the owner's manual stuff and it was specced with the Bridge Spokes and the charge for them was $0 - I thought they were an option?

 

Nice car! I know you are going to enjoy the topless feel. In North Carolina we have had a few very nice days and I could ride for hours. We have a mountain run coming up and I can't wait to feel that mountain air blowing through the car.

Enjoy your Cabrio

 

Thanks! I can't wait until we get some nice days up here!

 

Bridgespokes are indeed a $0 cost option

 

Another 2006 cabriolet owner here
just hit 40,000 miles and no major issues

I did replace the front tires,( that was costly) the waterpump went , passenger seat cover had to be replaced due to defect with airbag sensor, some squeak issues with the top ..those were all covered under warranty.

I will say I love the car as much today as the day I picked it up

 

Yeah, my runflats are getting there (they're the originals - the runflats on my MCS only lasted 18k; these are at nearly 22k). I'll get non-runflats since I have a spare now. Well, it didn't stop me when I didn't have a spare - I guess I don't care for runflats!

I just am desperate for some warm sunny days! I look at the weather forecast and just can't stand it anymore! 46, 46, 37, 42, 41

 

Life changing events:
Getting married.
Having children.
First drive in your very own MINI cabrio.
Having to leave it parked while you do other stuff.

 

------------------------------------------------

I to am sick of the cold weather here in Ohio, The sun peaked out today
It was 50 so I turned on the heated seats and dropped the top.
A mans gotta do what A mans gotta do to stop from going crazy

 

50 would be great! As it sits now, we are under a winter storm warning until some time tomorrow!