Which diesel Mini convertible?
Discussion
I currently have an MR2 Roadster which I've done an awful lot of work on to bring it back up to scratch, but I'm going to need longer distances more regularly in the near future.
Previously owned an R56 Cooper, which didn't miss a beat and used to get 50MPG on a run, and currently own an R60 Cooper S, so I'm very familiar with that generation of Mini.
I've had a Mini One F56 as a loan car before and that was surprisingly nippy, but wouldn't want one for keeps.
I'm looking at getting rid of the MR2 and replacing it with one of the diesel convertible Minis, to kill a few birds with one stone, not least being able to take more than one of the kids out at the same time. Also ditch the £265 road tax of the MR2.
From what I can see it boils down to:
2011 onwards - LCI, BMW engines, choice of Cooper SD (seems to make more sense) or Cooper D.
2015 to 2016 - F56 - double the cost but potentially more room in the rear, and less difficulty finding a decent spec? Could even possibly get an automatic
Any experience of either?
I think my R60 is an ex demonstrator so I've got used to having the little 'luxuries' like Xenons, auto wipers, Visual Boost, bluetooth music streaming, cruise control etc, so those would be deal breakers on anything replacing the MR2. I don't think Xenons are available on the 'Cooper D' R57 are they?
Previously owned an R56 Cooper, which didn't miss a beat and used to get 50MPG on a run, and currently own an R60 Cooper S, so I'm very familiar with that generation of Mini.
I've had a Mini One F56 as a loan car before and that was surprisingly nippy, but wouldn't want one for keeps.
I'm looking at getting rid of the MR2 and replacing it with one of the diesel convertible Minis, to kill a few birds with one stone, not least being able to take more than one of the kids out at the same time. Also ditch the £265 road tax of the MR2.
From what I can see it boils down to:
2011 onwards - LCI, BMW engines, choice of Cooper SD (seems to make more sense) or Cooper D.
2015 to 2016 - F56 - double the cost but potentially more room in the rear, and less difficulty finding a decent spec? Could even possibly get an automatic
Any experience of either?
I think my R60 is an ex demonstrator so I've got used to having the little 'luxuries' like Xenons, auto wipers, Visual Boost, bluetooth music streaming, cruise control etc, so those would be deal breakers on anything replacing the MR2. I don't think Xenons are available on the 'Cooper D' R57 are they?
Edited by Bossworld on Sunday 30th August 17:13
I can thoroughly recommend the R57 Cooper SD Convertible.
Mini review from my profile:
Excellent combination of genuine driving fun, and open air motoring with the lowest running costs.
0-60mph in 8s with 60mpg+ if you need it, low insurance, 30 quid road tax etc.
Or 30mpg even if you drive it like it's stolen.
A hoot.
Make sure you get one with the Convertible Pack option, for excellent heated seats & wind deflector, which enables top-down use all year round without draughts. You even get an 'Openometer' thrown in with the Winter Pack lol. See my other thread for further details on that, and roof wear (MINI Convertibles all experience wear where the roof rubs together on itself while folded down on top of the boot, if the top ever gets put down...).
Xenons, cruise control etc. came as part of the CHILI pack, and a rain sensor for the wipers was a £90 option on our Cooper SD.
Hope this helps.
Mini review from my profile:
Excellent combination of genuine driving fun, and open air motoring with the lowest running costs.
0-60mph in 8s with 60mpg+ if you need it, low insurance, 30 quid road tax etc.
Or 30mpg even if you drive it like it's stolen.
A hoot.
Make sure you get one with the Convertible Pack option, for excellent heated seats & wind deflector, which enables top-down use all year round without draughts. You even get an 'Openometer' thrown in with the Winter Pack lol. See my other thread for further details on that, and roof wear (MINI Convertibles all experience wear where the roof rubs together on itself while folded down on top of the boot, if the top ever gets put down...).
Xenons, cruise control etc. came as part of the CHILI pack, and a rain sensor for the wipers was a £90 option on our Cooper SD.
Hope this helps.
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