Comments on: R&T Reviews the MINI Cooper Convertible

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:55:25 +0000

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!!!

By: zodiac

zodiac — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 02:08:24 +0000

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.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:11:01 +0000

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?

By: Damon

Damon — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:25:38 +0000

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.

By: Dillon

Dillon — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:12:47 +0000

...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

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:10:48 +0000

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