Hi All!

I'm a newbie to the forum, although it's been a really useful resource over the past few weeks as we've been planning to buy a Mini.

We had a Cooper before the limitations of young children. We loved it and we're sorry to see it go! Now the boys are a little older and Mini-obsessed we thought a Mini Convertible would be a great option. Test drive yesterday had the boys loving it on their car seats in the back!

Looking at a second hand Mini Approved Cooper S. probably around £15000, less than 3 years old and as low mileage as we can find.

It seems the Chilli pack is a must. Is rear park assist useful or is it pretty straightforward with such a compact car? Heated seats and full leather are also options I've specced on other convertibles- are the worth holding out for?

It'd be really helpful for any Cooper S Convertible owners to give us a few pointers: which options they're glad they specced, wish they had and wish they hadn't!

Thanks in advance!

Another question I forgot to ask is the difference between the 2010 MY 184BHP engine and the older 175BHP engine. I know the figures for economy and power are slightly improved, but are these differences noticeable in the real world and is it worth paying a premium for the newer engine?

Hi there. Can't comment on the S but I have a Cooper D Convertible.

The one I went for did not have full leather but if it was an option I would go for it, nothing nicer than getting bird crap off the upholstery !!!

I think all convertibles come with parking sensors, invaluable really as rear visibility is not good, especially if you have a 1st gen convertible with the fixed rear hoops.

Heated seats, yes I think that is a must for a convertible, get lovely and snug around your bum and back when it's chilly and you have the roof off.

Enjoy.

Thanks for all the advice! We are soon to be the proud owners of a Cooper S Convertible.

(no full leather or heated seats unfortunately, but low mileage, preferred colour and wheels and a good deal).

Just need the rain to stop by the weekend!