I currently drive an 07 hardtop S and haven't seen my rear seats for over a year. I keep them folded forward and covered with a pooch pad from one of the vendors here for my dog and my musical equipment that I carry to gigs and rehearsal. (I actually get my entire keyboard rig plus amps, keyboard stand and gig bag in the boot.

I've been contemplating an 09 convert, but I'm not sure how the boot area works on the new Cabrio. What is the access like. I do need to go out to Mini and see for myself, but won't be able to do so for a while and was hoping to get some insight here. (I have also been known to use my Mini as a pickup truck of sorts via trips to Lowes/Home Depot.)

I'm not sure I want to give up this convenience, but I sure would love to have a convertible. Any suggestions?

 

So the seats fold down in the same manner as the hardtop (50/50 split), however the hardtop gives you greater height than the convertible, becuase of our rollbar that pops up during an rollover which is located between the boot and the shelf in the boot. That being said, when the rear seats fold down, and you're topless, you can stack up a lot of equipment, but it's keeping it secure while you're riding topless that is the bigger question.

I'd think that getting your keyboard in from the boot while the seats are folded down would not be a problem.

I'd highly recommend you visit a dealer witih your keyboard and see how best to get it in there, along with your other items.

 

Another note to add, would be the boot access feature witht he top up. This opens the rear of the top to give you a bigger access as well as the rear shelf can be raised to open up the area more. It would doable, but certainly not as easy as the hardtop for the reasons Zanary mentioned about the shelf and rollbar limitation.

I say pack up your Mini and take everything to your dealer to try it out. They will let you do a test fit I'm sure.

Good Luck.

What sort of music do you play? Any samples to hear?

Love the Riverwalk, Many of lost nights/memories spent there!

Rock on.

 

ZANARY & BRG,

Thanks for your quick replies. The access to the boot in my 07 is wonderful and I use it almost daily. I carry my laptop and lunch to work and I just pop the boot open and throw everything in. My dog Muffin loves to jump up in also. I'm also going to have to clear it through her!

BRG, I play in a classic rock band named Harry Wurzbach and the 410's. We've been together for 8 years and play most every weekend. We throw in some light jazz and a little country. I have a CD that is free to anyone that would like a copy. All I need is a mailing address and I'll send one out.

We also have a website: hw410s.com if you're at all interested in taking a look.

 

PS BRG,

I'm originally from Pgh (actually Uniontown) but I went to dental school at the U of Pgh.

GOOOOOOOO STEELERS!

 

I don't know if it will help any, but here they are anyway

This is the normall opening without the revers hinge. (seats down) It is also as big as the opening can be with the top down.


Below is with the top up, shelf in the highest position & the reverse hinge open. (seats down)



Here is the same shot, further away.



And the split seats.

 

Not4,

THanks a bunch, that really helps. I've always been a graphic learner and your pics are tremendous. Can that shelf be removed? I wasn't aware that the top could be lifted as well. Pretty smart design if you ask me. This has really peaked my interest.

Any others with some experience? Also, is the floorboard in the boot similar to the 07, or did they redesign it? I built a custom made fiberglass subwoofer enclosure that fits snugly in the boot floor area. Could this be moved over? I guess I need to take a trip out to the dealership and see for myself.

 

My MA suggested to me that I could remove the boot but there are saftey micro switches attached to the boot shelf and roof latches that check to make sure everything is in the proper place before opperation of the automatic roof. His suggestion was a simple short across the micro switch to fool the sensor. But remeber you will still have the back seat roll bar in place but the shelf removal would open it up a little?!

 

BRG,
I'm a little confused as your posting that you could remove the "boot"? I assume you meant the boot shelf? That is all I would want to remove. I removed it in my 07 and haven't missed it. I doubt it will serve much use in the Cabrio.

I had my MINI out for servicing and they found a license plate light out. They repaired it, but when I got home I found a big dent to the left of the license plate housing. This was about the size of someones fist and also had an attempt to "fix" it ...... dent! I was quite distraught at seeing this and immediately called Mini. I took it out the next day and they were totally "surprised" at what they saw!

I'm returning it this Thursday and hopefully they will restore it to new. I pray I don't have a fight on my hands, however!

 

Opps. I meant the shelf of course. I hope your dent get the proper attention. Sorry to har about that.