Test drove a 2011 S convertible yesterday. I drove one a few years ago so was a bit better prepared to be objective, although my 16 yr old son was blown away! So I have some questions for the group:

Is the Sport Suspension ($500) worth it?

Are the top issues from the past sorted out?

Is the stereo upgrade (Harmon Kardon $750) worth it? The one I drove had this and it sounded good, but I don't need to be blown out of the car by the sound system

Mini Connect and the Nav System - thinking of going with this but again would like feedback. I have a portable $99 GPS that works just fine, but not as cool as an in-dash one. Love Pandora and think this would be great to have.

All weather tire option - I'm in Indianapolis so am leaning this way...

Any feedback on the leather seats and how they hold up?

Thanks everyone!

 

I just bought a 2011 S w/ leather and the nav system. The leather is awesome. The NAV system is disappointing - completely not intuitive and way too hard to use effectively while driving (for me at least). I am considering using my Garmin Nuvi instead. That said, having the car interface the nav system provides is nice, just putting directions in is very frustrating.

I am fine with the standard stereo, it is plenty loud at highway speeds, but I have not heard the HK, so can't compare.

My suspension without the 'sport' add on is pretty tight. I have 17" rims with flintstones (run flats) so it is quite bumpy in the car. I have read on here that the sport suspension increases this.

 

Rear sway bar for less than half that and a great DIY project if so inclined.

Have the HK so can't really speak to a lesser system. Love it.

I'll stick to a good map and road signs. We've got an area around here that GPS shows the road being several hundred yards out in some guys pasture and Mrs. Chretien won't be very trusting much any more either. No substitute for situational awareness.

Good all season NON runflats and a real good tire repair kit like Griot's for about $80.00.

Have had leather seats. Vacuum the seams regularly to keep grit from cutting the stitching and use the best leather upholstery care products you can find to keep it looking new. Poor care will result in ratty looking and cracked leather sooner than you think.

Most important: Don't run the top up and down when it is dirty. A good washdown and treatment with Aero 303 or RaggTopp is best with vacuuming using the brush attachment between washings.

Also, devour Detailing 101 and learn why not to run your MINI thru a car wash and other unique ideas on how to keep it looking better than brand new. People are amazed that ours is 6 years old now and still looks brand new inside and out.

Topless motoring is the best motoring.

 

Great info - just what I'm looking for. Keep it coming - thanks!

 

I am also looking to order a Convertible. If you wait to order it in June it will be a 2012 model. With delivery in August.

 

I have 2011 with a Jan build date.

I have the connect with NAV. The connect feature is pretty cool to use. My kids love the mission control and it is nice to be able to control Pandora from the radio, probably the biggest plus. Right now there is only iphone support. This is my first car that has had ipod integration. Finding a song or audio book not exactly simple. Cover flow to the screen makes up for it.

Nav, what he said is true about it. I do find myself using it to look at traffic on the way to work. I live in the DC area, so there is always something slowing down. It is mostly right on, except on one hwy for some reason. Moving around the map and the lack of defaults make it seem behind the times.

I do not have the sport suspension, but cannot imagine that the car corner enough better to get it. That is unless you plan to track the car, but then why are you buying a vert?

But I do wish my car had the rear back up sensors. Backing the vert is a royal pain with the top up or down. That would be a better $500 bucks spent. I bought off the lot, a few weeks after the tsunami and lead times were very iffy.

I ended up with the polar seats and interior. I really wanted Sat Gray, but off the lot, you get what you get. You will find that black seats will cook you blind in the summer heat. My Miata had black seats and plastic. You could not touch anything after about 20 min of top down driving. Lighter is cooler. As for the leather, no signs of wear after about 2 months.

 

The first-gen convertibles came with the back-up sensors as standard equipment. I was surprised to hear MINI made them optional with the later cars, since it's so helpful when backing up with the top up.

 

Totally agree on black interior in a convertible. Looking at the Oxford Green with the beige (or chocolate lounge leather but the fam hates that one). Don't have an iphone, do want the ipod hookup, (why is it extra? Std everywhere else at this point) would love the Pandora but don't want to pay $1750 for it... Interesting about the 2012 models available in June, I'm not it a rush. Great feedback - thanks everyone!

 

I have a late 2009 with back up sensors, and with cloth leather-interchange yellow and denim seats. It is great, does not get hot at all, and the sensors are a must, especially looking over your right shoulder. I have the sport suspension, rides firm. I just put new tires on it though at 25,000 miles. Had dunlop sp01 sport OEM run flats, and went to the pirelli OEM run flats. What a huge difference. The ride is incredibly softer with the pirelli tires. The dunlops are horrible. Who knew?

 

My wife and I really like the Cabrio and the back up sensors are well worth the cost. Also recommend the heated seats and all season tires. The wind defector makes a big difference. The rest of the options are really a personal thing.
Just like driving a real comfortable motorcycle. Lovin it.

 

Easy solution for that. Get in the habit of releasing the seat forward latch. The back covers the seat.

 

The Sport Suspension includes different springs, dampers, & sway bar.... for $500. Is it better to buy aftermarket or go for the $500 pkg?

 

Depends on whether or not you are a DIY type person. A good 19mm sway bar can be had for less than $200 from Alta for example. A little research can go a long way in the world of aftermarket

 

In general I agree with my brother the Flyin Brick (fellow WAMO member). 09 GreyWOF came with all of those options except the Nav System and stereo option. I wish I had the Nav System as I find the big speedometer a waste of good dash space and suction cup my ugly GPS to it when I take trips. We have an 09 Cabrio with vinyl and mine has leather. I would not have ordered the leather seats the car had, but the seat heater is necessary for 32 degree and above top down driving. As for the top you need to treat it very carefully. It is complex and not forgiving. I love it for all of its foibles. I also replaced my runflats with all season Continentals and a fix a flat kit. They do ride better. I put my wheels and tires on the wife's 09 cabriolet. Sport suspension: I've got it but don't use it except to see if I can tell a difference. It would be useful if you are an autocrosser. Back up sensors are nice. Top up or down your rear vision will be limited at some point. Neither of our cars have the upgraded stereo so I can not comment on that.

 

I want a 2012 Convertible but.... the more research I do the more nervous I feel about it.

The few main negatives for me are...
1. Price - extra $4850 (between a MCS and MCS Conv)
a. cold weather $750 a must
b. Leather seats $1500-2000 a must
c. back up sensors $500 a must
d. Wind Deflector - $500 a must
(I can do without these extras on a MCS hardtop)
(also will probably have to get a better exhaust for drone effect... but this option will probably also be on any other version I obtain?... maybe not a JCW ... but any MCS)

2. Top is high maintenance

3. Leather seats.... for me I want BLACK seats.... but I know that would be BAD.... I would have to go with Grey which I could live with but never be happy.. plus the UPKEEP

4. Space limited and back seat basically unusable if you have wind deflector (but I can live with these issues)
(almost have to consider it a roadster with an option to through the kid in the back if needed)



I really want the openness and "feeling" I get with a Convertible.... but such a high cost


what to do?

 

Something worth sharing with other 'backing up' and 'safe lane change' impared current and future cabrio pilots:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/featu...alkMirrors.pdf

This makes a whale of a difference once set up properly. Hope it helps.

As for you Jack$On: Go for it, you only go around once. Think about sitting on the front porch at 86 saying "Well, I coulda".

 

Maybe you would be happier with a used one if the cost is a big deal. Or quit worrying about the options and see what dealers have on their show room floors and make a deal that way. Your dealer will still service it. We live in Wichita KS and bought one in stock from San Antonio TX and one in stock for a long time from Omaha NE. (not many people want convertibles in NE winters) The KC dealer Baron is an excellent dealer / service since we don't have a dealer in Wichita. So to summarize work the best price and give up some of your wants but be sure you have a good dealer for service.

 

Jack$0n,

I'm going through the same process - interesting, isn't it? They aren't inexpensive but for me I figure I'm paying for:

a) a fun and exciting, non-vanilla driving experience - convertible of course
b) fun all year round (I have to deal with snow so a rear wheel drive sportscar is just asking for trouble - like a (used) Lotus would be nice for about 50 days out of the year in my climate, and that just won't work for me)
c) something my family will enjoy and actually be able to drive - although not sure they will all fit in it!
d) a car that has character, history and is built to my specs - I LOVE that about it.
e) something I can still work on and do performance mods if I want

Its not the perfect car from a utility or consumer reports perspective. I actually have what for me has been the perfect car while my kids were smaller, a 2003 Honda Accord, amazing vehicle, I love it, and I confess I'm having some trouble shaking that "value" perspective. But I think the MINI is the perfect car if you want to drive something exciting, unique, convertible, and relatively inexpensive - heck, I think its the only thing. I'm still poking around but I have a feeling the MCSC is where I'll end up - and Fly'N Brick is right about that going around once thing.... Good Luck!

 

I skipped the S and went with a regular MC convertible. I wanted the convertible more than the extra hp. For me personally, I found the cost to performance ratio to be inadequate between the non-S and S. But, the extra cost for the convertible was more than worth it. Of course, that was just my personal preference. Someone else might see it entirely opposite.

As for the top being high maintenance, as long as it doesn't break I don't see how much maintenance it could require other than spraying it with 303 or raggtopp every 6 months or so.

My last car was also a convertible and it had black leather seats. I never had any issues and I live in Miami with hot weather all year round and brutally hot weather in the summer. When you get out of the car you should put the top up anyway and if you want to leave it down, just lean the front seatbacks forward and that will keep the sun off of them.

btw, the wind deflector is great when you have the windows up but if you have the windows down, its effect is negligible. If you need to carry something or someone in the back seat, just remove it. It takes all of about 15 seconds and folds flat and can be stored in the boot without taking up any space. I leave mine on during the week and take it off on weekends when I have to transport stuff.

Also, I've driven a hardtop and I didn't find the rear visibility to be much better than on the cabrio. Both suck for this.

Bottom line for me was that the convertible is what made the Mini desirable for me. I like them in general but if I would have gotten a hardtop, I would not have gotten a Mini and would have bought some other brand.

 

Thanks for all the feedback!!!!

I was sold on the Convertible at first.... than started 2nd guessing myself.

I will buy a MINI either way... just juggling around which one.

For me... these are the builds i have played with...
MCS for about 32k
MCS Conv for aprox $36k
JCW HT for $38k

Good thing; my plans are to order June 10th or so... for August Delivery 2012 model..... I have time to keep researching. I really wish I cold rent a MINI Conv. (hopefully I can track one down here in Charlotte)

I'm glad to hear someone satisfied with the black interior. This is what I really want. I am actually really happy with the Leatherette in my 2010 MCS.

 

Jack$on - what are the differences in the 2012 models - or where can I find that info?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, sorry.... can't help ya here. I have looked and asked .... but no information/details.

BUT! hopefully there will be details soon... or before I order?

So as far as I know .... no changes. But for me, at the least, a 2012 "seems" newer and at least i'm getting the latest.

I am being hopeful, and will be surprised with something GOOD. Of course there is a small risk that I might not like a change? But I think I can be confident that nothing big (if anything) will change.

FYI, I did learn that the 2012 JCW will be the same 2nd gen motor it has been .... not the new full valvetronic the 2011's are. It is not changing...and I wish it was.

If you learn anything... please post!!!!!

 

Some of your questions are easy to resolve. You can compare the HK and base stereos in the dealer showroom (there's minimal difference between the 'vert, hardtop and clubman). Take your favorite CDs and MP3s on a USB stick.

Most dealer demos do not have the Sport Suspension. Drive and decide if you'd like a stiffer ride. Keep in mind that if you will replace runflats with non-runflats, the ride will be less harsh. 16inch wheels will be less harsh than 17inch. If you want the stiffer ride and do not plan to do suspension mods (rear sway bar or shocks/springs), get the SS. If you will do suspension mods, don't get the SS.

I have black cloth seats and have no trouble with hot weather causing hot seats. I didn't want to spend more that $30K for my '09 justaVert so I added most options but passed on the turbo, leather, alarm, 17inch wheels, NAV and metallic paint.

The top works well. It is a technical marvel that can open like a sunroof or go all the way down. It seals very well in the worst rainstorms. Treat it well because it is expensive to fix and no extended warranties will cover it.

For 2012, I would predict some price increases, changes in the packages and some color adjustments. The cars were just updated in 2011 so there won't be any big differences. As the date gets closer to order a 2012, the details will be available.