Help - Mini Cooper Cabrio S - Soft top broken (Melbourne)

[Yuf's Mini]

Hi All, very happy to have found this mini2 site!

I live in Melbourne Australia.
As of this week, the soft top no longer works on my 2006 Mini Cooper Cabrio S.

The Mini / BMW dealer checked it out ($200) and said they need to replace the cable and latch on the passenger side ($2000). The wire cable is showing as $1350, oar cover showing as $75, and labour as $360, so after GST, it is close to $2000.

I have also read on the mini2 forum that many others have had this issue. They also say that even if they were out of warranty, the Mini / BMW head office (UK) have recognised this to be a known fault and have actually replaced their cable and latch parts for free, and also covered half of the labour costs.

Has anyone had this problem with their Cabrio in Australia?

I can't even find a garage / mechanic that can fix this. It appears only the Mini / BMW dealerships can fix this. Does anyone know an alternative in Melbourne?

There appears to be many places that specialise in the repairs / restoration of the original Mini Coopers, but they don't touch the new ones.

Any thoughts on how I should approach this? Or do you think it is best to get the dealership to repair and wear the cost?

Thank you in advance, yf

[COOL MINI CAB]

i have a broken roof also 2005 cabrio but went to brighton mini garage and they quote me $4800 all up to fix it. i t told them to go and jump as i just paid them to fit a new gearbox. but if you take it back to the dealer where you brought the car you can make a request of"good will from bmw aust.(which means they will pay half) which they did for me on my gearbox.

i getting my roof repaired at a garage in oakleigh(in mrlbourne) which do a lot of work on bmw's/minis. he orders the mini parts from pelican parts usa and then fits them. it has only cost me now $1167 in parts(all the parts you said plus i need the the roof motor )plus $500 to fit .

pm me if you need any details also my cables are not broken(just getting them replaced while the roof is apart so if u want them let know

[Yuf's Mini]

Thank you Cool Mini Cab.
I will write to Mini Australia and hope for the best.

I also heard back from the president of clubMINI Victoria, and she has also mentioned Autowerks in Oakleigh - as an alternative to the dealership.

Will write back once I have some outcomes.
Any other words of advice would be great, from anyone...cheers.

[Yuf's Mini]

Sorry, haven't been on this site for some time.
But I do have a great result.

I managed to find a supplier of genuine parts out of the UK.
BM Mini Parts www.bmminiparts.com - Home
I paid $145 including freight (compared to $1350 quoted by Mini Brighton).
It is all fixed now, happy as Larry, and saved $1400.

And I must mention, Brighton Mini charged me $200 to just to look at the problem - when Automotive Sunroof and Trim eye-balled it and told me exactly what was wrong, which parts I needed replaced, and didn't charge me a thing!!!

Good luck - hope this helps someone.

[Car Clinic]

Our mini cabriolet suffered a broken roof cable recently.....
So in the first instance we contacted a Mini dealer (Sytner) who were more than willing to carry out a diagnosis for the princley sum of £70 (Er, No thanks!!). Then we tried the 'how much for the parts routine (a whopping £1350 + VAT). Then we thought we'd try the 'goodwill' approach (we would still have to pay £1500!!) Then after much searching on t'internet we found a service part via minispares 0871 976 1349 and spoke to a very helpful Chap called Dan who advised us that the part would cost a huge £235+Vat!!
He also said that they sold up to two of these kits PER DAY!! They will even fit the kit for £120 +VAT or advise DIY fitting - I am going to attempt the repair tomorrow and will document the process for those who are interested with digital photos (wish me Luck)!!. I am going to respecfully decline the offer from the Dealership for their 'goodwill' gesture.....
Thanks, but NoThanks and Regards,

[razzariley]

Hi would be really interested how you got on with the repair to your roof and the steps you took. any help would be great as im now suffering from earake from my girlfriend who wants me to fix her roof haha. any help would be great thanks chris

[Car Clinic]

Roof repair completed - works an absolute treat!! Bit tricky though reckon I could effect a repair within an hour!! xx

[Alrighttiger]

Have same problem, is the kit really a DIY repair, had a look and struggling to find where to start. Any help appreciated