R&T Reviews the MINI Cooper Convertible

Sections: Uncategorized Sep 13th, 2004 6 Comments

Here's an excerpt from the Road & Track review:

The four small circles on the back bumper of the new Mini Cooper Convertible are hardly noticeable, but they're important – they're the sensors for the car's Parking Distance Control. PDC on such a small car? Those who've driven the U.K.-built car see this beeping back-up warning system as tacit acknowledgement from BMW that the view out the back of its ragtop Mini is not especially good, top up or top down.

That, however, is about the only problem of substance with the new Mini Convertible. Otherwise, this car is what you'd expect: an excellent-handling front-driver with all the charm and economy of a regular Mini, plus the added fun of a high-quality soft-top that goes down at the touch of a button. All for $5000 more than a hardtop Mini, with a weight penalty of 220 lb.

You can read the entire article here.

Written By: MF Staff

Deborah

Nice review! I have to agree that bringing back the Moke would be totally cool! I would think the Moke would be a huge hit with every sunny resort and golf clubs across the world… imagine a supercharged Moke “golf cart” you could drive on and off the course! LOL
http://leftthis.com Dillon

…another great article to prove to the world that MINI is a great car and great car company.

…then again,we MINI owners and lovers of MINI knew it already…lol
Damon

I drove the dealer MCS convertible for a good half hour and found it to be quite fun. It is very quite with the top up and there is very little wind below 75 with the top down. The open air feeling is great as the wndscreen is so far away from you. The visibilty to the rear is terrible and was sort of shocking everytime you looked in the rearview mirror. Having a Cooper and Cooper S the whole car seemed so familiar until you tried to look out the back. It makes quick lane changes a little harder because it takes more than a quick glance over your shoulder to clear the lane.

The top mechanism is really a marvel and the sunroof is cool. It is all very high quality construction. Very impressive. The biggest down side is there is good amout of cowl shake over lumpy roads and rail road tracks. I could see the rear headtrests shimmy in the rearviwe mirror. A sign the the rear of the car was going one way and the front another. Once back in my MCS the different in the solid feely of the hardtop was apparent.

I think they are great though.
Brian

Any aftermarket addons to body or suspencion that might be able to reduce the cowel shake? All the reviews I've seen reference the same lack of rigidity about the car. I have a MCS currently. Is the difference in handleing and solidness very noticable?
zodiac

Come on guys! I have never read a write up about a convertible the author did not mention cowl shake. They all like to say this to show they know structural design. It is a matter of degree. Seems Mini convertible is very exceptional. That is a slight penalty you pay with a convertible.
Benjamin

Maybe aftermarket upper front strut brace? I think ABD Racing makes one. This should make it a bit stiffer. Test drove one from Universal City MINI (they wanted 6K over MSRP!) and yes, cowl shake IS there (and then some) when driving over terrible Cahuenga Blvd!!!

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