mini

Yes, the convertible MINI is not as rigid as the hardtop. Yes, the integrity of the chassis is compromised by cutting off the roof. No, it's not going to bother most in typical road use. However putting the MCSc through the daily rigors that are Chicago roads I've found the car will shake and shudder in ways that you never thought a MINI would. Granted this shouldn't really come unexpected… with any car that you cut the roof off of you'll get body flex where there once was none. However it's important to fully understand that this will rear it's head in daily driving. Especially if you live where the roads aren't glass smooth.

For those wondering about the ride. I've found it to be much more compliant and comfortable than in my '02 Cooper with optional Sports Suspension Plus. In fact I'm really amazed at the recent LA Times review that just railed on the car for being too rough. First off it's a MINI, it should be biased towards ultimate handling, not comfort. Secondly the MINI Cooper S convertible only comes with the Sport Suspension and not the SS+ that is standard on the hardtop MCS and optional on the MC. This gives the car a much more relaxed and comfortable feel on some of Chicago's worst roads. Bumps that would typically make me cringe and grip the wheel tight are non-events in this car. Perhaps the writer had just gotten back from testing a Beetle Convertible…

But that brings up a good question regarding the suspension. I recently asked a friend at MINI why SS+ isn't at least an option on the MCSc. It seems that the Sports Suspension quells much more abuse from the road and in turn transmits less into the body structure. And since the rigidity of body structure on the convertible isn't near what the coupe is, engineers had to compromise somewhere. So the simple answer is yes, it's more compliant than the standard MCS. However I would assume our friendly auto journalist that reviewed the car for the LA Times mistook cowl shake and body shudder for a harsh ride. Granted these things would amplify poor roads but they wouldn't make the ride any harsher. I'll have more on that cowl shake and rigidity later…