R52 Convertible vs Panoramic Roof ?
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Fled Cali for Vegas
My SO and I both own Mini's. We have an 05 Cooper with Sunroof and an 05 Cooper S Convertible. The Cooper came in August whereas my convertible didn't deliver till the end of October.
We find that the Sunroof is actually significantly more windy then the convertible. With the Roof open and the windows down, a good bit of air comes in the car, hits the inside of the back of the car and then wants to find a way back out again. At low speeds, its no problem.
With the Convertible you get some buffetting, but its not bad at all. And if you put the Wind Blocker on, its even less.
Visibility in the Conv with the roof up is definitely a bummer. I'm a defensive (yet aggressive) driver; and the rear quarter visibility makes me uncomfortable with the top up. I have wished for a rearwindshield wiper a few times, but I use the side mirrors even more now so it hasn't been too much of a problem. You MUST use the side mirrors to back, its useless to try to turn around and look.
Coming from a Miata, unless you just really didn't like the convertible experience, you'll be disappointed in a Sunroof model. IMHO
We find that the Sunroof is actually significantly more windy then the convertible. With the Roof open and the windows down, a good bit of air comes in the car, hits the inside of the back of the car and then wants to find a way back out again. At low speeds, its no problem.
With the Convertible you get some buffetting, but its not bad at all. And if you put the Wind Blocker on, its even less.
Visibility in the Conv with the roof up is definitely a bummer. I'm a defensive (yet aggressive) driver; and the rear quarter visibility makes me uncomfortable with the top up. I have wished for a rearwindshield wiper a few times, but I use the side mirrors even more now so it hasn't been too much of a problem. You MUST use the side mirrors to back, its useless to try to turn around and look.
Coming from a Miata, unless you just really didn't like the convertible experience, you'll be disappointed in a Sunroof model. IMHO
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sunny Southern California
Originally Posted by LombardStreet
A MINI convertible is nice when the top is down, but when it's up, I'll bet it's pretty claustrophobic inside. I think one of the reasons why my MINI feels so roomy inside is all that glass!
Top down, the open air feel is unbelievable and wind is less pronounced than one would believe. At high speeds however the stereo is not all that easy to hear.
My Cabrio is less than 3 months old and has more than 10,000 miles on it. Picked it up in Texas, passed the break-in period on a long stretch of straight Arizona backroads and can tell you that there is very little wind-buffeting above 110 mph!!!!
The soft top is very well designed and a pleasure to use. Luckily, it appears they worked out some of the kinks the Brits were having with the very first releases.
I had a tintop on order when the Cabrios came out and switched. I couldn't be happier with the car - although I feel a growing tug for a JCW package or aftermarket HP additions.
Those arguing that the Cabrio is not the ultra road racer, hopefully don't have that really heavy pano sunroof . . .
Good luck - both cars rock
Mike
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Westchester, NY
Cabrio vs. Sunroof
I have a MCSC on order for delivery in Feb. and have driven both types of car several times.
Its clear that the difference between moonroof and droptop is vast, and while the moonroof does provide a nice airy feel to the hardtop's interior, it doesn't compare if what your looking for is a true open air convertable feel.
I think to much has been made of the difference between cabrio and hardtop handling. The fact is that in daily driving, even fairly aggressive daily driving, the difference will not be dramatic, if noticeable at all. If you want a true track demon, then you should probably go with a hardtop without a sunroof, which optimizes rigidity and weight.
The only major drawback to the convertable, which has been mentioned on the thread several times, is the visibility. The rear visibility in the cabrio is awful, and the rear distance sensor doesn't make up for it.
That being said, if you want a convertable, go with the convertable. If you want a hardtop with a nice moonroof, then go with that. The experience is simply not comprable between the two when it comes to open air driving.
Its clear that the difference between moonroof and droptop is vast, and while the moonroof does provide a nice airy feel to the hardtop's interior, it doesn't compare if what your looking for is a true open air convertable feel.
I think to much has been made of the difference between cabrio and hardtop handling. The fact is that in daily driving, even fairly aggressive daily driving, the difference will not be dramatic, if noticeable at all. If you want a true track demon, then you should probably go with a hardtop without a sunroof, which optimizes rigidity and weight.
The only major drawback to the convertable, which has been mentioned on the thread several times, is the visibility. The rear visibility in the cabrio is awful, and the rear distance sensor doesn't make up for it.
That being said, if you want a convertable, go with the convertable. If you want a hardtop with a nice moonroof, then go with that. The experience is simply not comprable between the two when it comes to open air driving.
Last edited by Sticky Wicket; Dec 12, 2004 at 08:08 PM. Reason: spelling
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Matawan, New Jersey
There is something very special about driving a convertible, especially a Mini convertible. If you like the sunshine, wind, and smell of the outdoors, get the convertible.. no question.
Glenn :smile: :smile: :smile:
Glenn :smile: :smile: :smile:
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Colour-ado
Originally Posted by andy@ross-tech.com
Another thing to consider when comparing a soft top and hard top is your level of comfort parking the vehicle in disreputable sections of town. Granted, no vehicle is theft-proof but having owned soft tops and hard tops, it's always been easier to have a good time at the show/game/club/whatever without worrying about someone damaging or stealing your convertible.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: USA
Oh, are you in Ohio? So am I. I'm in NE Ohio, south of Cleveland, and I have to say that I think we get MAYBE 100 days a year that has sun. And a convertible is feasible only say May (if lucky) through the end of September. You know what winters are like here. Imagine that soft top being coated in salt. 
If you're from here, stick with the hardtop. If you're moving to Cali, then go with the MINI Cabrio...
If you're from here, stick with the hardtop. If you're moving to Cali, then go with the MINI Cabrio...
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 165
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From: Colour-ado
No, I'm in Colorado. With the Mag-chloride they use, I wouldn't want it spraying into my convertible either!
With the weather changes, a convertible is more hassle than it's worth. Shazam/MCS isn't my primary driver, neither is the sportbike on those days
With the weather changes, a convertible is more hassle than it's worth. Shazam/MCS isn't my primary driver, neither is the sportbike on those days
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,627
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From: Neenah, WI
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Florida
I had a 99 Miata for 4 years and loved it. Traded it in on a 02 MCS with the sunroof. The sunroof was nice, but it was not the same. I now have a 05 MINI Cabrio and LOVE it! The best of both worlds!!!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: San Francisco
I think if you live in a city and park on the street having a soft top convertible is sort of an problem waiting to happen. I always walk past convertibles with the dreaded "L" cut in roof to reach the door handle. Pretty crummy really. But if you have secure parrking I think it would be a pretty fun car to have in the summertime.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 71
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From: Guatemala
Moon Roofs Nice
I've had glass moon roofs on a '87 Honda, a '90 4-Runner, a '92 4Runner and now a '05 MCS. I've enjoyed all of them and not had any problems. Yes, I like the full open thing when the weather is right.
However, what I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is that the glass roofs are really nice on overcast and cloudy days. The inside of the car is lit up and not dark and gloomy.
Oh yeah, of all the above cars the MINI's moon roof is the largest!
Convertibles are nice, but I do believe if you get one you have to work it out so that you NEVER put the top up!
However, what I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is that the glass roofs are really nice on overcast and cloudy days. The inside of the car is lit up and not dark and gloomy.
Oh yeah, of all the above cars the MINI's moon roof is the largest!
Convertibles are nice, but I do believe if you get one you have to work it out so that you NEVER put the top up!
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chicago, IL
I too lived in Seattle and found that I kept the top off the Miata well into November sometimes. But, I had a hardtop Mercedes to use during the wet season... (most of the year)
Originally Posted by JPit
I faced the same problem that you did and opted for the cabrio. I am coming from an S2000 and truly enjoy the open air experience which you cannot get from the hardtop.
According to MINI's specs the cabrio weighs 165 lbs. more than the hardtop with sunroof. However, this weigh is down low with stronger I-beams and a beefed up chasis. By taking off the roof you are lowering the center of gravity and this is good for handling. I must assume that the sunroof also has negative effect on handling as taking out that much metal will have an effect on the rigidity of the structure. Read some of the recent reviews mentioned on the Mini Motoring File, one reviewer actually liked the handling of the Cabrio better than the Cooper S hardtop. Some feel that the cabrio may actually be safer than the hardtop and most reviewers feel that cowl shake is very well controlled.
I think that on a race track the hardtop would have a definite advantage with a tighter suspension and a more rigid body. But on the street unless you are taking it to that final 5%, the differences are not that great. At least I didn't feel any differences with some spirited driving.
Perhaps the biggest consideration is the weather and if you will be using it as an everyday car. I really wouldn't want to see a foot of snow on top of my cabrio every couple of weeks. I live in the Seattle area and from May through October the top will be down and (notwithstanding the contract) from November through April it will mostly be up.
According to MINI's specs the cabrio weighs 165 lbs. more than the hardtop with sunroof. However, this weigh is down low with stronger I-beams and a beefed up chasis. By taking off the roof you are lowering the center of gravity and this is good for handling. I must assume that the sunroof also has negative effect on handling as taking out that much metal will have an effect on the rigidity of the structure. Read some of the recent reviews mentioned on the Mini Motoring File, one reviewer actually liked the handling of the Cabrio better than the Cooper S hardtop. Some feel that the cabrio may actually be safer than the hardtop and most reviewers feel that cowl shake is very well controlled.
I think that on a race track the hardtop would have a definite advantage with a tighter suspension and a more rigid body. But on the street unless you are taking it to that final 5%, the differences are not that great. At least I didn't feel any differences with some spirited driving.
Perhaps the biggest consideration is the weather and if you will be using it as an everyday car. I really wouldn't want to see a foot of snow on top of my cabrio every couple of weeks. I live in the Seattle area and from May through October the top will be down and (notwithstanding the contract) from November through April it will mostly be up.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
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I traded in my 04 MCS with a sunroof for an 05 MCs cabrio. The sunroof on the MCS was good enough for me, however it does NOt compare with open air motoring. My big issue has nothing to do with the car. I have never had such bad allergies as with the convertible! I am going back to a hard top in a few years. I DO recommend the MINI sunroof wind deflector. It has a small flap in front that you can push down to direct fresh air into the cabin. I miss that feature! Good luck!
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
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From: So Cal
Originally Posted by rsunico
I traded in my 04 MCS with a sunroof for an 05 MCs cabrio. The sunroof on the MCS was good enough for me, however it does NOt compare with open air motoring. My big issue has nothing to do with the car. I have never had such bad allergies as with the convertible! I am going back to a hard top in a few years. I DO recommend the MINI sunroof wind deflector. It has a small flap in front that you can push down to direct fresh air into the cabin. I miss that feature! Good luck!
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 279
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Originally Posted by TMGRobyn
I love my sunroof! It has all the advantages of a convertible MINI without the complete open air experience. I am not a wind fan so the convertible is too much. There is nothing better than being able to cruise PCH at night with the sunroof open enjoying stars and the ocean breeze. :smile:
If in the convertible you put the windows up and have the factory wind deflector, there is almost no air movement in the car (so you don't have to be "a fan of the wind"), plus there are many more stars, and more ocean breeze, than a sunroof.
Hey, the sunroof is great, and the convertible has other disadvantages (cost, weight, security, rear vis), but please, the sunroof does not have "all the advantages of a convertible".
Happy motoring.
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