I have settled on a JCW cooper. The question remains coupe or roadster

I have heard that the top on the roadster is very thin and loud at highway speeds. Also, I understand wind buffeting is more severe.

The car will be for fun, but I will also frequently run 200 miles on the highway.

I would love any feedback on which would be a nicer fit.

 

I have routinely driven 500+ miles in my roadster with the top down. The wife and I go on weekly 200 mile trips with the top down. I have always felt refreshed upon arrival; however I can see why some would not like the noise.

It might be more breezy than other convertibles, but I wouldn't know as this is my first convertible.

With the top up I can hear conversations, the radio, the speaker phone; all just fine. However like in all cars I keep the speaker phone on mute unless I am talking.

Coupe vs Roadster? It really comes down to if you want a convertible or not.

If it's the MINI "Convertible" vs the "Roadster" consider that the "convertible" has 4 seats but the 2-seater "roadster" actually has more storage.

 

Thanks- that's helpful. I get confused with the mini nomenclatures, but I mean the "traditional" Mini Cooper convertible versus the roadster. It will be a convertible.

 

The convertible is a different section, "R57 Cabrio".

The R57 has an insulated top so it is quieter. Also there is actually an effective rear windscreen that actually reduces cabin wind and noise when the top is down.

There is a lot less trunk space however.

So by "coupe "did you actually mean the 4 seater hatchback? That's the R56.

If instead you are talking about the new 3rd Gen models then they are the F56 (hatchback) and the just released F57 (Cabrio).

 

Thanks for the info! By coupe I meant R58.

So the initial question should have R57 vs. R59!

 

If it the same price the Roadster will be more fun. I comes down to the convertible top. As both a MINI Convertible and MINI Coupe' Owner, i really like the Coupe. I like the hardtop design on it and people always as me if a hardtop convertible.

The R58 Coupe will be much quieter on the inside then the R59 Roadster, but the roadster looks great with the top down and like any MINI with the top down the driving experience goes up.


When you do choose let me know if you need any upgrades or parts.

 

I may be a bit late for this thread, but I will give you my impressions on the Roadster (R59) after having it for a few days. Keep in mind that I had two Chrysler Crossfire convertibles in the past.

The Mini Roadster seems to have less wind noise and breeze with the top down compared to the Crossfire. I was actually quite surprised by this. I can actually hear the stereo.

With the top up, it is a bit noisier than a car without a convertible top and, for me, has the same amount of noise as the Crossfire. It is not a big deal at all for me and it is something that I expect.

I think which ever one you go for, you will enjoy the "top down" life.

 

I went to buy a Coupe, drove one and loved it. I was doing the order stuff and my wife asked "is there a convertible one?" and that was that. I bought it sight unseen and have never been happier with a car purchase. It's a bit noisier, but looking up on a summer day and seeing the stars is worth it!

 

I feel your pain, spiney! I was hunting down a Coupe. Figured it would be way more rigid than the Roadster. The Coupe is also a little quieter than the Roadster, but my wife liked the open top. So I drove one of those at some point in the search and liked it a lot more than I thought I would.

-Dan, our Roadster has a slightly more boisterous exhaust than the normal S, and it's not bad with top up or top down. At a sedate cruise 50 mph or so, the car is quiet enough top down to be able to hold an easy conversation or hear the sound system. After having the Roadster a while, I'm really glad to have an open car to drive. If you have to zip down an Interstate to get someplace in a hurry and don't want to muss the hairs, bring the top up and go. At 70+ mph, it's a fine driving environment, if you don't mind driving a car that doesn't completely isolate you from the actual experience of driving.

To top it off (a sort of pun, sorry) the Roadster is no flexible flyer. You really have to upset it to get any cowl shake. Find one at a dealer and take it out on various types of roadways, different speeds, top up, top down. That's what we did. Several times in several places. It is not an uncomfortable car to travel in at all. Plus, it really is a Fun car. My new most favorite words are now "Road Trip!"

 

Thanks all! Took delivery of a 2014 British Racing Green II roadster today. It was bought in Boston back in late 14 and driven to San Francisco that same month. Today it has 5300 miles!

Anyway, it is fully loaded and awesome. More review to follow.

 

Excellent! Super low miles... not even broken in completely yet! You'll love it. BRG looks great on a Roadster. Post some pictures when you get a chance. Very necessary for us on this Forum.

Hope the top down driving weather is abundant out there for you. Enjoy!

 

Awesome and congrats on joing the JCW club, we need pics. BRG so classy.

 

+1 Very low miles and looking forward to those pictures. Congratulations by the way.

 

Okay- not the picture I wanted to start with.

I lost the clutch hydraulics merging into the highway today.

I guess sitting as much as this car did was not good for it.

 

Ouch! ... but it's under warranty. Still looks great at any angle!

 

For certain! Also, as an added bonus, I learned the car has extended maintenance through 100k.

The service writer believes it may have been a flywheel failure. The car is awesome and beautiful- and a blast to drive.

 

That can't be a common failure. Have never heard about one... get it fixed and back on the road!! A good warranty and extended maintenance is a win-win.

Nice clean roads out there, too. I love driving out West!

 

Yikes, thats not good.

When i had a mouse get into the engine bay and decided to chew on some wires, the mouse also tried to chew on the plastic connection on the brake / clutch line and pulled the clip out and when i pressed the clutch to the floor all the fluid gushed out and i though , oh no my clutch fork or slave cylinder just wen. The insurance covered it once they saw the chew marks , believe it or not. I have not heard to many dual mass failures on new MINIs like that. I would check the clutch lines and slave cylinder, when the car sets , the dang mice like to eat anything they can.

 

And looks like that Roadster sat some out there. Would make sense! USAA will cover if critters chew and damage stuff.

 

Yea, thats my guess.

 

Congrats on the purchase! I hope you get things worked out quickly.

 

Okay- uodate on the Mini. They disassembled the car and found the organic material on the clutch had essentially disintegrated. It appears it was a manufacturing defect in the clutch. Hopefully I will get her back today!

 

friction material separation. Only seen this a handful on times on the OEM clutch , unless it had been used as a track car or abused. Did it look burnt or warped on the dual mass side ?

 

I am hoping to get a look at it today, but nothing was mentioned.

He did say that he did not believe the flywheel needed replacing and also if it had needed replacement that Mini would likely not cover it due to abuse. More to come.

 

Ok, so just a defect. let me know what happens.