I have a problem on my convertible(new bought car on the 18.06.07 and 13'000miles today) the white and premature traces of wears on the soft top appeared about 2-3 months ago. Mini decided to replace the soft-top (it's surprising because on my R56 211 they refuse everything). I have a meeting on the 24 of august. According to them, it's a well known problem on the R52 (and a little on R57). Someone had already have it on his car??
The photos :

 

Pretty typical problem, the area above the window rubs with the area on the rear seem next to the rear window. R57's have the exact same problem as the top fold has not changed. Our R52 got a new top this past spring, they said they made adjustments so it wouldn't happen again, FALSE. It is the same. I would recommend to you, to wait it out until two things occur. 1-you are close to the end of your warranty, if you don't have holes in the roof, or 2-wait until you have holes in your roof.

I have done a little work with the roof. If you want to reduce the wear go to a fabric store and get some felt of the same color as your roof. As the top is folding, place a piece of felt at the wear point. The felt is softer than the roof, so the felt will wear at an increased rate than the roof, thus sparing your roof. This will not solve the problem just reduce the wear.

BTW- mine was far worse than yours when replaced.

 

The warranty finish in June 2010 (3 yrs in Switzerland) I not like seeing the soft top with this problem , that's why I l made replace, just before June 2010 I would again make change the soft top
An adjustment of the mecanisme is not possible?

 

My soft top (2006) has more wear (rubbing marks) than yours. Isn't normal to have some wear on convertibles?

 

Hi Your top is not as bad as some, my top has been replaced once and is in need of replacement again. The first top lasted 1 1/2 years, the re-placement top has a wear hole in the same spot that the 1st top did, and this top is only 4 months old and the fabric is fraying and there is a small hole. Keep on the dealer and have it replaced as often as needed, also remember that when the dealer replaces the top it is covered for 2 years. If you can keep getting the top replaced near the end of the 2 year period it will be free, paid for by Mini.

Mike

 

hey minicoop23. nice BRG/G

I had my green top replaced right before the warranty ran out (DEC '08) and had the same marks in your pics. Actually... the white marks at the bottom of pics #3 and #4... on my roof, they actually wore through to the liner. I'm sure if I didn't have the roof replaced, the rub-marks in pic#1 probably would have worn through as well.

the roof and other roof parts were replaced to correct the rubbing. I had to wait several weeks for the dealer to locate a green roof, then another few weeks to get the roof replaced. During that time I had a Clubman loaner.

 

My sidewalk runs almost never (weekend) . I not open the soft top with "water" I care this car of, more than my R56 211...
When they changes my soft top, is warranty 2 years in more? Cool

MiniMac2005: tk's! Your have photos off your BRG?

Sorry for my bad english

 

a few click the link for Flickr thats below in my sig for pics

 

I found that although the wear was occurring on the outside of the top, the cause was underneath. Mini put a clear plastic shield between the fabric and the frame. The wear happens when that plastic shield is stiff and pushes the fabric out and causes extra friction on the outside there. I have found a couple ways to address this:
1) Let the top get warm in the sun for a while. (I have felt the clear plastic shield many times and it is quite flexible when warm.) Retract the top freely.
2) Alternately, put the top down halfway and manually bend the shield back away from the fabric just at the corner that would push the cloth out. This can be done easily with a thumb and a finger or two and will not prevent the shield from doing its primary job. Then finish retracting the top.

My theory is that if the shield is stiff when the top is retracted then it will continue to apply pressure that, when coupled with the vibrations in the vehicle chassis, causes the premature wear of the top at these two points.

Hope that helps. Paypal me some tuition money if you are really happy with it!

All the best, Andy

 

There was a white marks kit, which came out in ~ 2006. I believe this was to adjust to resting point of the top. So when down the folds on the fabric on those stress points,. in the back corners don't wear, from movement , bumps, and travel. I had mine down a while back and the wear was reduced.

54347171047 White Marks Repair Kit

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/54347171047/



Link to white marks SIM 54 01 05

 

Looks like my car had suffered from those problems its whole life. sadly I bought it with the white marks and a few rubbed through areas less than a year ago. I get the pleasure of paying for a new top!

 

Think I talked to you about it before. If the top was replaced before for wear it might fall under the 2 year unlimited miles warranty. If not you have the part number for the top,

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-new-tops.html

thanks

 

Yes you did. I'm not as ambitious with the Mini as I was with my Miata. That top was straightforward and a manual operation. This one is too complex for my liking. I'll find a local guy who will do it and pay him what he needs to get it done.