Considering the roadster.... Never had a convertible.... So I need some input, especially since I live in the Northeast...
How do the rag tops hold up over time ; any air conditioning, heating or defrosting issues? Noise levels... Anything I should be aware of ?
Thanks, JoNack

 

My first two cars were English roadsters. The top hardly ever went up. The top hardly ever goes up on the R52 except when the co-pilot pitches a fit. Hats, coats, gloves and the heater can extend topless motoring come winter. I regularly run it up every few days for a good cleaning. It does collect dust between the folds.
Ragg Topp is one of the better products for canvas care. Continued raising and lowering of a dirty top causes damaging wear on the fabric.
Keep sunscreen handy too, try not to park under trees with the top down (rude birds) and consider the neighborhood and the likelyhood of someone throwing in disgusting stuff whether or not you leave the top down when parking.

 

This is my third convertible and first MINI. I purchased new in April 2009. Mine goes up and down all the time like when parking at the mall and other places where it is out of sight. I drive top down any time I can, using the heater when chilly and AC when hot, always directed at my feet. I wash my MINI regularly at a power wash where I sit stationary and the wash mechanism moves over and front to back to wash the car. I know many will say they would never do this, but I am lazy. And I never put anything on my top.

But, after more than 3 years, my top looks fine and shows little signs of wear. I do try not to operate the top if it is dirty though. If it is dirty, I head for the car wash and then drive till it is fully dry before putting it down.

My wife and I love top down motoring. Good luck.

 

Between spa treatments, if the top is particularly dusty, I'll also use the upholstery brush attachment on my shop vac and give the canvas a good going over. I would surmise that AustinS and I are at opposite ends of the MINI bathing spectrum, yin and yang, but spot on with the zen of topless motoring.

 

I've had two rag tops -- this is my first MINI. The other cabrio was a BMW (so same parent company).

1. Over time, no noted rag top problems. No special treatment from me either. I just kept the top clean (hosed it down, brushed off dirt, etc). Just ran the new MINI through a car wash -- the top dried instantly, but it was a sunny day.

2. Bought the BMW cabrio from a private party used -- and replaced the rear window immediately because it was clouded. Clouding is common with plastic rear windows -- but mine was glass and still had the same result. I think it came from oxidized cleaning products used on the seats and other interior components. After the replacement, I never had a problem with the window again.

3. Defrost, heating, air con have all been fine. In fact, I concur with driving with the top down even in the winter. I just crank the heat and max out the heated seats.

4. Noise? It's relative. Obviously with the top down, you get the full effect of the great outdoors. On the freeway, nothing a little classic rock can't solve over the Harman Kardon system. In the countryside, love to hear the engine purr.

5. I vote "YES" on the rag top. Enjoy the ride.

 

This is my first convertible, but so far the top seems to be holding up fine. I drive on the turnpike daily and the noise has not been a problem. I talk to my friend and we do not have to yell to hear each other, although having a conversation on the Bluetooth is nearly impossible. And no issues with heating, AC, etc.

 

This is my first MINI and convertible too, two months and 100 hours top down.
I to had problems with bluetooth, until I bought the wind deflector for the wife's hair fluttering. The cabin and wind noise is greatly reduced, allowing for little fluttering of hair and great bluetooth operation. I do put up the windows at higher speeds for phonecalls.
I agree with everyone else above and their styles of motoring in the covertible.

 

I love driving my cabriolet. Too bad I am not like the others above and am forced to put my top up for 5 months during winter (kinda hard to drive with the top down in snow and slush).