MINI Convertible a buyers guide

[Skyedriver]

Now I'll start by saying it wouldn't be my choice but happy to be converted.
(I'm a Classics, Caterham, TVR guy who isn't keen on FWD).

My wife has been pestering on for what seems like an eternity for a MINI Convertible, the main stipulation is it must be in blue!!
I don't think an "S" or JCW is a necessity, she is coming from a SuzukI SX4 and previously a string of Peugeot cars. He daily commute is about 12 mile each way and it's 10 mile into town so I would guess a diesel is not a good idea.

So what do I look for, I guess the budget is (up to) about £10k. What model/year am I likely to get for that?

What are the various option packs and what is needed and what is irrelevant?

What problems am I likely to find with s/h ones. Going through the ads there seems to be a few with deteriorating interiors, (most have scratches and dents).

Will likely go looking towards the end of this year when hopefully there will be less demand and lower prices.

Thanks

[steve-5snwi]

Mini's are all about the specification and prices vary.

10k should get you a nice one, personally I would want chilli pack and media packs, i would also want the Cooper S and once you have driven one with the roof down so will you.

I'd be looking at something like ..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lounge leather is in the bottom picture, punch is straight leather and standard is half leather. Engine wise the N18 is the one to go for, Chilli pack on the S adds xenons. There are a couple of Approved used cars out there too, look on MINIs website as well as they don't all appear on Autotrader.

[Speed 3]

I had an R56 Cooper S tin-top which I've just swapped for an F56 S Convertible. At your price point you're out of the F56 even in poverty spec so its an R56 (or whatever the convertible version designation is). The later R56's are pretty sorted and I never had any problems with mine in 3 years of motoring (2012 example). I found the S streets ahead of the standard Cooper in performance (and can't even imagine what a One is like) but if your OH is not a speed freak she'll probably be fine with a Cooper, although you'd get younger in a One if she's happy with the pedestrian performance. Interestingly I have found the F56 too grown up really and prefer the stiffer handling on the R56, but its still a great package. I have an inherent distrust of anyone who spec's diesel on a sports and/or convertible car so petrol sounds good. The S returned the best part of 40 mpg on mixed driving.

MINI specs are all pretty unique but Chili normally puts half leather sports seats in and bigger wheels on, can't remember what Pepper was. The other options are pretty much down to personal taste. The extended media pack is useful for bluetooth music rather than having to use an AUX cable. The R56 can be a bit harsh on runflats (one thing better on the F56) so standard tyres are a good choice. I don't think there's anything particularly different reliability-wise on the soft top, haven't heard of any expensive roof issues.

Good luck, suspect you're going to have to travel tho'.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks, I think the Cooper will be sufficient, the Suzuki is gutless but her previous Pug 306 was relatively quick (actually more torquey being a turbo diesel).
(Handled like a boat until I played with wheels tyres etc).

The different model refs: 52, 53, 56, R, F, etc, what were the differences and how do I tell then apart?

[Phil Dicky]

As a price point we just bought a Cooper S Convert 2011 from Mini, Nav xenons etc 40k with 2 years TLC and 12 months warranty for £8.5k.
I love the car and I'm ex TVR too.

[mh125]

I’ll echo everything above plus they rattle like a bd.

[Phil Dicky]

mh125 said:

I’ll echo everything above plus they rattle like a bd.

What he said

[Speed 3]

Skyedriver said:

Thanks, I think the Cooper will be sufficient, the Suzuki is gutless but her previous Pug 306 was relatively quick (actually more torquey being a turbo diesel).
(Handled like a boat until I played with wheels tyres etc).

The different model refs: 52, 53, 56, R, F, etc, what were the differences and how do I tell then apart?

Basically the "Marks" and years of build:

https://new.minimania.com/MINI_model_designations

R56/57 gen was fairly subtly different to the R53/52 but the current F56/57 is the bloated one that looks like its been on steroids. Engine choice is fairly important as they typically started bad but got better with each gen (ie get the latest build year of a model generation you can)

[Speed 3]

Phil Dicky said:

mh125 said:

I’ll echo everything above plus they rattle like a bd.

What he said

That is something they've fixed with the F57 (at least in my experience). It's a lot stiffer tub and that's allowed them to soften the springing.

[steve-5snwi]

I can confirm the F57 still has rattles, the main one being the roof support above the driverside window, the rest is quieter, not that i have had any issues with my R55. The F57 is way more grown up, comfort i would take the wifes F57, fun then it would be my R55

[Julietbravo]

I bought a new Cooper 18 months ago. I deliberately didn't go for the S because I wanted my daughter to drive it, as a new driver. The must-have option for us is the rear view camera; rear visibility is poor with the massive fabric rear quarters (no more so then other convertibles, but much worse than a 3 door saloon). Depending on your eyeline, the rear visibility can be poor with the roof down; again the camera helps when parking.

Heated seats and aircon - we have used the aircon loads in the summer with the roof down to get a bit of cold air in the foot-wells, and heated seats in the winter are essential. The wife did Swindon-Maastricht late at night last weekend with the roof down all the way and the seats on.

I was completely confused by the online configuration process and so took one from dealer stock; they had ordered it with these options fitted as most desirable. Interestingly, a mate of mine went in 12 months later and they had the same car, exact same spec, just a different body colour.

Piano black trim looks nice, but is always dusty.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks for that, my wife is STILL going om about a convertible (in blue).

[Julietbravo]

Mine is blue; dark blue with black wheels, black door mirrors and piano black interior. On reflection I would have gone for a lighter colour that does not show the dirt as well. But it looks ace when it's clean.