I've just changed from a 2005 MCS hardtop to a 2005 MCS Convertible and its very nice indeed (especially for the bargain price I bought it for!:D)

One thing though, how much slower should the convertible feel as opposed to the hardtop? Low down acceleration seems a fair bit slower but once it picks up it feels much the same as the hardtop.

Is this purely to do with the increased weight involved?? Otherwise, im wondering if my bpv is possible misbehaving. Im thinking a visit to GTT may be required!:smile:

Does the convertible come with the improved ratios in the getrag box, the extra 7bhp and LSD?

Oh, and how long does it take to get used to seeing not alot out of the back of the car?...talk about a blindspot!

My MCSC was just like this. As I pulled away it took a few seconds to pick up and then was away!

I never ever got used to the 'blind spot' and found in the wet on the motorway I actually struggled to change lanes in a manner I felt was safe. You learn to use the mirrors more but even backing out of my drive was hairy on a few occasions!

Nothing was better than cruising with the top down on a bright day though so there are compensations :tongue:

The back windscreen does take a bit of getting used to.I would say in a couple of months time you will realise you are using the side mirrors alot more and a glance out the back for just the long view.......
As liz said on a dry day its not a problem anymore ;)

Engine???no clue....I have an auto box so cant advise.....sorry

The MINI Convertible will have the improved ratios and all 170bhp, it is slightly slower though due to the 100kgs extra kerb weight ;) On a 1200kg car, an extra 100kgs makes a huge difference.

Worth having it checked over though, more for peace of mind than anything else :)

I find it helps if you take the back seats out! ;) And sticking some more horses under the bonnet of course :D

I find the back screen quickly gets completely obliterated by dirt this time of year anyway. I am so used to using the side mirrors all the time that I find myself driving the same way in other cars and I don't even notice it now

I find it helps if you take the back seats out! ;) And sticking some more horses under the bonnet of course :D

I find the back screen quickly gets completely obliterated by dirt this time of year anyway. I am so used to using the side mirrors all the time that I find myself driving the same way in other cars and I don't even notice it now

What he said......... ;)

Oh, and how long does it take to get used to seeing not alot out of the back of the car?...talk about a blindspot!

There are a few things you can do to alleviate the blindspot:
1) Top down - problem solved :-)
2) Make sure you adjust your wing mirrors so that you CANNOT see your own car in them. You adjust them so that the side of your car is just out of view - you have to move your head slightly to the side to see the rear of your car - this reduces the blind spot substantially and helps in motorway lane changing.
3) Adding stick-on blind spot mirrors - either the small ad-on kind or the complex convex ones which cover the whole mirror surface.
4) LISTEN! - the soft-top does allow you to hear vehicles that are in your blind spot on the motorway but as always you should ALWAYS look behind before changing lanes.
5) Reversing is helped by using the wing mirrors like you would do with a Van but I will admit this can be a problem pulling out of driveways. I do have the optional "radar" fitted in the bunper but that doesn't tell you if there is a car travelling towards you on the road you are trying to reverse into. Matbe a Rear-view camera would help...

To be honest, there's a lot of talk of the MINI Convertible blind spot, but in 3.5 years, and 58,000 miles, I never found it an issue :D

Some very helpful replies there guys, many thanks indeed!! I am already very pleased that I changed from the hardtop, roof down motoring is super cool!

Starting to get used to the blind spot, reversing is a pain though....thank god for the parking sensors!

Re the acceleration, I dont think I have a problem as once I get going its fine, its just the initial takeoff but I think that thats likely to be down to the weight issue!

Just wish I had some money to aero kit, GTT etc! :-)

Blind spot? You simply compensate and learn to adjust and use the side mirrors. Driving in Portugal you need all the help you can get! So far no shunts after 2 years and 6 months of MINI-ing with mu cabrio.