I have a 2005 MCSC and the roof has been showing the notorious wear marks above the passenger windows. Although there is no hole (yet), it is clear that the canvas is wearing away in a section about 1/3" long and about 1/8" wide on each side of the roof.

I took my car in for service yesterday and the service advisor indicated that they have been instructed to not replace any more roofs because the canvas wear continued on the new roofs as well. He said MINI USA is working on a real fix but he knew of no date for a solution.

I called MINI USA, told them what he said and asked if they had any additional detail. They indicated that they are indeed hard at work on a solution to the problem and expect one "very soon". I asked if a customer notice of some sort will go out when a fix is available. They indicated that that was not in the plans but that I should keep in touch with my dealer to find out when a fix is available.

So, now you know what I know.

 

Wow, sorry to hear that they do not have that solved yet.

Funny, hadn't heard anything about a change to the rear windows in the 06s until now.

 

Just measured a 2006 and a 2005 window. Both are 33 x 11.5 inches

 

I had my roof replaced in September. It is showing no roof wear at this point. But if it does, I guess I'll be getting a third!

Lois

 

Mine was replaced 16 days ago, and I have opened and closed it MANY times to see if I could get the infamous wear marks (again). It still looks new.

 

replaced 4 days ago. Car was built Oct of 04. The roof had white marks all over it. Looks great now, though its to cold to actually take the top down so I guess it will have to wait till next summer to see if it comes back.

 

Had our third top installed (2 replacements) about a month ago on my wife's MCc, and so far so good with 'wear marks'. Had to go in this week to fix 'rattles' from the top mechanism and windows not sealing properly, but all seems fine now.... We'll see how this one lasts!

Ken

 

Mine is getting replaced as I type this. I will keep an eye on it and post back. I hope the rattles are gone as well in the process. Hoping that it is resolved, because I really don't want to have to get another one. I was under the impression they already found the solution. May have to wait till spring.

UPDATE: Top has been replaced and looks different. Hard to remember all the aspects of the old one but it appears that they have made large steps to solving the problem. From memory the support bars that lock into the windshield are not all plastic anymore. The side closest to the side windows is rubbery now, like the trim around the windscreen, instead of hard plastic (which I think it was before). Also alot of the edges appear to be rounded now. My rattles are gone too.

I haven't been able to compare to an old '05 top yet. There is another conv in my parking lot at work. I think I will bring the mini to work one of these days and park next to it to review the physical differences. Bottom line, it looks like they made big steps in solving the problem. I'll keep you posted on the wear as I am hoping for some warm days this winter. I haven't opened it yet to see if it sits differently either. I'll check that out soon.

 

About a month after I posted my first message, the dealer called to tell me my new roof was in (?!?) I had the new roof put on and so far (knock on wood) no signs of wear. There appears to be additional reinforcement around the wear areas on the underside of the roof.

I thought the roof rattle would go away after I had the new roof went on - but it did not. I did isolate the source to the plastic housing above the passenger side door. I sprayed a little of that magic elixir - WD40 - in the gap and have been rattle free for over a month!

 

That is good news and I hope the "fix" is now incorporated into the newer roofs off the assembly line. Haven't used mine enough yet to tell if there is any wear. Blasted weather.

 

I too have an October 04 build MCSc with white wear marks on the liner above the side rear windows. I live in Ohio and don't drive the car in the winter, so compared to others in warmer climates, I may not use the top as much. I just assumed that this was normal. Has anyone had issues in this area from more frequent use. If so, I'll address this issue during my next service visit.

Oh, and I have a few air whistles too that I need addressed and tighted back up.

I have to admit, though, with all the moving parts, I am surprised nothing has broken yet on the top. I was initially concerned that this thing was too complicated to not break at some point!

 

The roof mechanism is clearly an example of German over-engineering at its finest

 

I have a 2006MCSC with the dark blue roof. I saw some light color marks starting to appear after 2 weeks.

The roof when folded pushes the fabric from the top of the roof VERY TIGHTLY against the rear roof fabric and the vibration from driving causes them to abrade against each other.

As an old Triumph Spitfire owner I always put a towel in between the fold of the plastic back window to keep it from scratching when I folded it.

I purchased two thick dark blue hand towels (to match my roof) and now place them in the two back corners when the roof is 3/4 closed to prevent the mechanism from forcing the roof tightly down on itself.

Seems to have worked fine. No more wear marks!

 

For all of you who have had your roofs replaced, did you go in and ask the dealer to replace it? How bad were the marks? Mine has been showing wear (Sept 04). I find it very hard to believe my dealer, or any dealer would do anything. Not real happy with my dealer right now.

 

I went to the dealer and pointed out the marks. He suggested a replacement.

The marks were clearly wear marks, identical on each side of the roof, of the same size and shape. The woven threads of the roof canvas were clearly visible and the roof had discoloured to the natural colour of the canvas. It looked to me as only a matter of time until there was a hole in the canvas.

The dealer didn't give me any trouble or make any excuses or suggest it was my fault or normal wear and tear. As a point of reference, I am in the SF Bay Area where the dealers seem to have a reputation for not being customer advocates [although I have not yet had that experience at MINI of Mountain View].

 

There is now a fix for prevention of roof wear . I went in for my oil change (Friday 2/4) & they said there was a recall (of sorts) & that they would be putting some padding somewhere to prevent roof discoloring. They did it while they did my oil change. Sorry I don't know where they put it as I wasn't there to watch.

 

Wow!! that's great news!! Could you speak more about the 'recall (of sorts)'.

I am on my second roof... replaced back in August 2005 and I so far so good. However, I am curious to see what will happen once the warmer weather returns and I resume dropping my top.

Please let me know...

 

Don't know where you are, Blueberry, (my dealer is in Charlotte, NC) but I had my '05MCSC at the dealer for a scheduled maintenance when I pointed out the wear marks to our Service Advisor. HE suggested replacing the top (along with both of the rear side windows due to the infamous crescent scratches). The whole process was painless and I'm extremely pleased with our dealer.

 

I don't really know if it was a recall or what it was but when I was getting my oil changed & they pulled my Mini up in the computer & I was tagged with a notice to have this work done so I assume it was a recall notice (of sorts). I think all they did was add padding to prevent the wear or marks (luckily my roof has not shown any wear marks so far). Sorry I don't know where they put it because I didn't watch. Also as I am not one to pay attention to life's little details I really can't sit in my Mini & notice that something new is staring down at me from the roof.

 

I had our '05 MCC at the dealer last week (clear coat problem) and while they had it, they mentioned a "service adjustment" on the top. The SA said it had something to do with the alignment on some tops not working correctly and making a precautionary fix?

 

This is the only official recall I am aware of related to the Cabrio roof. It is exactly as you described and involves only an adjustment not replacement of the canvas. Replacement of the canvas is being done as needed as a warranty issue. As I previously indicated this is likely due to the fact that they don't have a well tested and proven fix yet.

 

I looked on my work ticket & here is what it says about the recall work they performed on my top:

recall 0054130100 (I assume that is the recall #) other than than not 100% sure what they did.

 

Yes, there is a recall on the cabrio tops (my current top is my third one).
However, no all tops will be replaced as some need some minor adjustments to prevent the discolaration and wear from happening.
We took delivery of both MINI C (mine is MCS my husband has a MC) on the same day both tops are black yet my MINI had two tops instlalled since delivery (nov. 20, 2004) and several other issues (boot closure killing the battery, rattling noises in the dash , new glove box, computer not detecting flat tire), while my huband none. Go figure !!

I noticed that the convertible is much more delicate compare to my MCS 2003

MD STREGA2

 

My convertible has had boot latch problems & have a new glove box on order also due to locking issues. My battery died once early on due to my lights being on. My lights come on by themselves every once in awhile is very freaky, I will go out to my Mini & the lights are on yet the stick is in the off position. Ghost in the machine

 

[ Ghost in the machine [/quote]

Well at least your not bored !!

Look me up at the Dragon I want to meet your Cabrio.. Maybe we should have "Cabrios only" event at MOTD 2006

MD STREGA2