MINI Convertible Review Q&A
This weekend will mark the start of our full review of the new R57 MINI convertible. In an effort to prepare for our time, we want to hear what you want to know about the car. What do you want us to test, look at, prod and poke? Let us know in the comment section below.
<p>can you put the top down AND up while driving less than 20 mph?
can you still open the top using the key? (such a great feature – i use it all the time!)</p>
<p>I am interesting in hearing about:</p>
<p>1) Overall body rigidity
2) Handling vs hardtop and Clubman
3)Fabric top overall quality and operation vs R52
4) Visibility with and without the top
5) Trunk space
6) How effective is the stereo and A/C with the top down at speed (Above 55MPH)?
7) Wind buffeting?
8) Rear seat comfort</p>
<p>What build month did the factory assembly line start integrating BMW’s third attempt at a cam chain tensioner (Part# 11.31.7.598.956) in the turbo engines?</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-254591" rel="nofollow">Gary</a>:</p>
<p>Gary off topic: For what I have read in NAM, it appears that March 2009 builds are being fitted with the new cam chain tensioner.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-254593" rel="nofollow">C4</a>: Thanks. Suppose it is safe to assume that 3/09 and beyond will also have the new intake manifold design that re-routes the EGR to the manifold?</p>
<p>Really interested in fabric quality and expectations for how it’d hold up in inclement weather (Denver winters). I purchased an R56 to see if she could be a daily driver in all seasons (an emphatic YES!), but my true interest is to replace my soft-top Wrangler with an R57.</p>
<p>Thanks bunches, Gabe.</p>
<p>With the rear seats down, can you fit a road or mountain bike in the trunk with both wheels taken off?</p>
<p>How’s the rear visibility with the top up? Sure, with the rollbars gone, it’ll be better, but does the top still create large blind spots to the rear and sides. Early reports stated that the R57 would get a bigger rear glass to help with this, but more recent coverage hasn’t mentioned it.</p>
<p>Any chance that the glove box lock with the central locking system? What about the storage gizmo above the glovebox? Does it lock at all?</p>
<p>I have an ’08 MCS convertible. When I drove an ’08 MC, while my car was being repaired, I thought the ’08 MC is a tinny little toy, with lots of zip and zing, but no refinement of my “08 MCS convertible.
I don’t like the new engine, don’t like the way it sounds, just don’t like the new MINIs.
My MINI has a JCW strut bar under the bonnet – Does this new car need or require this to give the car more stability.
Is the new car as nice as my ’08?</p>
<p><</p>
<p>blockquote>but no refinement of my “08 MCS convertible(/blockquote)</p>
<p>you may be the very first person ever to say the second generation isn’t as refined as the first generation.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-254618" rel="nofollow">robble</a>:</p>
<p>I guess put in the “MINI context” he is implying that the R56 feels more like a Camry and less than a MINI.</p>
<ol>
<li>Will existing R56 wind deflector fit in the R57?2.Any improvements in ways to keep the rear window clean when driving on wet, sand-treated, (new england)winter roads?</li>
</ol>
<p>There should be no doubt today of the facts that the R56 is lighter, tiffer, and more refined, a better handling, (better weight repartition and better suspension) than the R53</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-254627" rel="nofollow">r.burns</a>:</p>
<p>I don’t want to get into that conversation but as an owner of both generations I can safely say that the “better” attributes of the newer cars are pretty debatable in my book. ;)</p>
<p>Can I be the answer part?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cabrio-talk-2009/161950-naias-r57-convertible-pics-and-mini-e-001-a.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cabrio-talk-2009/161950-naias-r57-convertible-pics-and-mini-e-001-a.html</a></p>
<p>Pics on Flickr account.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/</a></p>
<p>I’ll take an R53 over an R56 any day.</p>
<p>Oh, and all convertibles, whose tops don’t stow below deck, have compromised visibility with the top up or down. That’s just the way it is.</p>
<p>The question that is on the lips of the nation is: Just how useless is the Openometer?</p>
<p>JCW suspension – when will it be available with the revised spring rates (for the heavier weight of the convertible model).</p>
<p>So does the openometer really have any use? No. But is it fun and in keeping with the MINI spirit? Absolutely. I have an R57 on the way and think it will be a great, fun addition. And the website integration is exciting. I guess I don’t understand why people have such an issue with this.</p>
<p>Does it have the “cold start rattle” like other the vehicles..?</p>
<p>If I wanted to use non-runflat tires on 17inch rims, is that possible or would there not be enough clearance in the wheel wells of the R57. Also wanting to know about the wind deflector from the previous convertible being able to fit the R57.</p>
<p>How much of a hit does the boot space take with the pop-up roll bars vs. the R52? How does the R57 sound with the top down? One of the most enjoyable things about the R52 is listening to engine and the “burble”. I love my R52 and have no plans to “upgrade” to an R57 unless they bring back the color, black eyed purple, and change the butt ugly center stack.</p>
<p>I do like interchange yellow, but not more than my black eyed purple…</p>
<p>Auto-dimming rear-view mirror: Does the R57 re-position the light sensor so the auto-dimming mirror will respond with the top down?</p>
<p>BACKGROUND: On the first-gen MINI (particularly the R52 convertible) the light sensor is located on the BOTTOM EDGE of the rear view mirror. When the top is down the ‘roof stack’ casts a shadow across the light sensor so the mirror doesn’t dim when another car’s headlights are shining brightly on the rest of the mirror. It would undoubtedly work if the sensor was positioned higher.</p>
<p>A little off topic but first reported in a Cabrio press release. When will the JCW accessory gauges for engine temp, % torque, and lateral g become available. It would appear that they tie into the OBC and convert the digital data from the OBC to analog for the gauge, is this correct? Will these be able to be used on any R56 and are there any model year exclusions. (I have a 07 R56 MC and I’d definitely buy the engine temp and % torque tomorrow if they can be put on.) If the answer to any of these is no, I’m off to buy scan gauge II for at least a digital temperature read out.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-254690" rel="nofollow">gonepostal</a>: See C4’s post above (4th post).</p>
<p>If the new chain tensioner design actually solves the problem, then the answer is “no” for vehicle manufactured in 3/09 and later. Hooray!</p>
<p>If the new replacement part doesn’t work, the answer is very likely to be “yes” followed quickly by an ugly public relations train wreck.</p>
<p>Question Number 1 –
“At what angle does the pop-up rollbar activate, and with what force. Can we see a test of this?”</p>
<p>Question Number 2 –
“Will this car have the same [Frozen Throtle Body Issue] that the Current Cooper S is plagued with?”</p>
<p>Have they started coming off the asembly line yet ?</p>
<p>I have one on order and wondering if it was going to show up before march 28th.</p>
<p>DVV, They have. My almost fully loaded S Convertible, is now in “Awaiting Transport” status, and should be loaded on the ship come Monday. From what I understand, Week 10 build are launch cars, and many if not all of them should be at the dealers for the March 28th Launch Party.</p>
<p>What I found surprising was that Week 10 builds were assigned VINs 1/2 a week early (mid Week 9), and started to go through the body shop at that time. They were all completed mid Week 10, and come Monday should be in transit to America Soil.</p>
<p>Call 1-866-ASK-MINI and ask them what Week Build you have. I was also told that the Factory Mini JCW Convertibles were going to start with Week 14, so if you ordered one of those, you only have 3 more weeks to wait.</p>
<p>How is the quality of the HiFi audio upgrade? I have this on order, but I’ve been reading that the quality in the past has been subpar.</p>
<p>Could you have a look in the back and see where the rear ‘ambient lights’ are mounted.</p>
<p>Also do the ‘rear seat backs’ lock to prevent access to the boot (trunk)!</p>
<p>I want to know
If you NEVER close the top, and park on the street: Are the electrical components on the R57 more weatherproofed than on the R56? Also would the warranty cover glitches (if they occur) for having the top always open?</p>
<p>+1 to C4s comment on R53 vs R56. I’ve owned both and prefer the R53 by any measure. R Burns, have you ever owned an R53 in order to support your statements? This is an old debate to be sure but I’ll jump in anytime it comes up.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>When will you post your review??</p>