Same here, 1st convertible 2013 MCS... also in Bergen County NJ... picked the car up 6 weeks ago.
i did the research for you... go with the 303 Fabric Guard , the west marine shop on 17 south had a single bottle and i picked it up two weeks ago.
they may have more now, the guy said he would restock; it works very well.

This is the same stuff the sunbrella company recommends for their fabric products, i am getting more eventually for my outdoor sunbrella cushions!

hand card wash only... nothing with those brushes; those hand wash spots don't have those floor mounted devices that move the car along; hand wash only is my suggestion.

 

 

I purchased mine from a dealer in Brooklyn... not familiar enough with hand-wash centers in Passaic.
no advice on the fold marks, mine lightened up a bit, but they are still there after a wash, dry, vacuum and spray protect... lighter, but most still exist.

 

My 1st two cars back in the '60s were English roadsters followed by several years of 'family' cars and now back to the fun stuff. You're both spot on. 303 or RaggTopp are both highly recommended. Best advice for car wash is hand wash only. MINIs and drive thru car washes of any kind don't get along. The canvas will take on wear marks, there's nothing you can do to prevent it short of never running it down. Somewhere on the forum is an old thread, a pi$$ing contest if you will, about who has driven topless in the coldest weather. People questioned my sanity at 22° bright and sunny.
My top goes up for only 4 reasons.
1: It is raining
2: It is snowing
3: I can't hear the SC whine (of course you don't have the SC)over my co-pilot's whining because she's too hot or too cold.
4: A bunch of drunks are throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
Congratulations to you both on your choices. Topless motoring IS motoring at its best.

 

This is my 6th drop top. As the MINI's top is more "cloth" like than "vinyl" I use Raggtopp. If it was more vinyl like I would use a 303 vinyl product.

The only thing better than doing a twistie run with a MINI is doing it with a droptop MINI (with a Schroth harness). Fold marks, keep the top clean and don't drop it when its wet as it will dry off quite quickly if you are driving.

 

I've always owned a convertible, more than I can count and I have been driving since the 1980s.

The single best thing you can do for a convertible is keep it in a garage, or at least under cover when not in use. The difference in longevity of convertible tops I have kept in a garage vs those stored in the elements were vast and measurable. No comparison.

I always store the car with the top up and I never open the top when wet.

 

have had a rag top in the garage for most of the last 40 years beginning with a 66 Mustang 'vert, to VW Rabbit, to Miatas and now an R-59

303 is very good and was one of 2 products recommended by Mazda for Miata. I used it for a time on the top but eventually changed to Zymol ... my Miata tops were vinyl ... MINI top is mostly cloth. I've been using Raggtop on the MINI

Dropping the top when wet is not a cardinal sin so long as it is for a short time ... you don't want it to sit folded when wet as this invites mold and mildew .... BAD. To drop for a ride then put back up is OK .. altho I tend to avoid.

For folks who drop when it is COLD .... altho the top is canvas there are a bunch of plastic parts in the system and these will be brittle when COLD and therefore cracks are much more possible. My R59 top has already been replaced due to the 'rain drip rail' over the door cracking but this was due to excessive heat/sun exposure not cold .... after all the hassle with the top replacement (had to be done twice to get it right) I'd avoid at all costs.

Agree with all said about automatic car washes ... not a fan esp'ly for a ragtop. Another point is that by nature the window seals are not going to be as tight around the glass as in a hardtop - esp'ly as the top ages and 'loosens' .... those high pressure water jets are gonna get 'in' more easily so be careful even if using a pressure washer or fancy high velocity hose nozzle of any type ....

 

 

 

warranty is 'bumper to bumper' ..... my top has already been replaced under the warranty ... yes it is covered

dunno about cpo

caution tho - IME the dealer/service is not particularly experience wrt the top as compared to speciality shops that do this type work. My warranty replacement took two tries to get it right - first try was a mess that they tried to pass off to me. (I never asked for the replacement, dealer said they were doing a small repair and when I picked up the car there was a new top, installed badly. I was/am not a completely happy camper as I told the dealer I do NOT want a new top, don't mess with this unless you can do a repair - do not replace. Actual issue was cosmetic IMO and I did not even bring it up. Service noticed and said they could repair at no cost......)

 

I'm sure you have a shop vac. I use the upholstery brush on the canvas when it picks up fine dust and debris. You will also find that a California duster is nice to have especially for removing dust from it's little butt. The aerodynamics creates a vacuum causing all sorts of foul things to attach themselves back there.

 

I do mine with the protectant stuff like twice a year and i am on my second top at almost ~ 280K miles. Make sure the top is really clean and apply. watch the rear glass and the body of the car as you can get overspray on those.

 

 

My first ver too... glad you created this thread! I'm going to buy some RaggTop tonight.

What are you guys putting on your leather seats? I need to get something on them.

 

Don't have leather on my MINI but my Stressless recliner is leather and I use Meguiar's Gold Class 'Rich Leather'. Get it at most auto supply shops.