[dalboyne]

Anyone for a bit of fun? And maybe a chance to help BMW/MINI get the next cabrio perfect from Day One?

We have experience of the "issues" with the first generation soft-top, and now we are seeing some of the issues with the R56. Since the new cabrio will not be launched until sometime late 2008 (allegedly), then maybe we can use this breathing space to provide MINI with a list of customer-driven improvements?

If you want to play, please post your answer to the following:

"I will buy a new MINI cabrio if.........."

Answers might include:

......the roof wear problem is eliminated
......the rear visibility is improved
......there is a Cooper D version
......the wind deflector is included, and not an over-priced optional extra
......the centre console is a better design than the current R56

Over to you!

Ian

[eggtruck]

you can put your seat belt on without dislocating your shoulder

[Paul]

Fair point there, although without b-pillars I guess they're limited to where they can put the belt points.

[jkjn]

Quote: Originally Posted by eggtruck (original)

you can put your seat belt on without dislocating your shoulder

I can't say that I've had a problem with this.

Rear visibility isn't really that bad once you get used to it.

Roof wear is the biggest problem with the R52, If MINI were to offer a Speedster option with a hard folding roof that would be pretty

[eggtruck]

Maybe then if it had that elcetric seat belt thingy that Mercedes SECs used to have. I would buy one for sure if it had one (or two) of those!!.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Fair point there, although without b-pillars I guess they're limited to where they can put the belt points.

Built into the seats like on older BMW coupes....??? (no B pillar at all)

[dalboyne]

So it seems there aren't too many improvements/changes we'd like to see on the new model cabrio? I AM surprised!

Ian

[Rakey]

How about a supercharged engine

[rkw]

• One touch roof up and down (without having to hold the button down).
• Same for the windows -- we already have one touch to put all windows down, but not for all windows up (at least for the US -- do you have it in Europe?).
• It appears that the rear view camera accessory (http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/..._camera_review) is not available for the R56. I hope they bring it back for the new cabrio. It is one of the best additions I've done to my cabrio, even better than the wind deflector. MINI have had low sales of the camera, but it is because nobody knows about it. If the rear camera had been listed on configurators for the current cabrio, it would have had healthy sales.

[dalboyne]

Thanks for all that - I have added some comments
(By the way, this is an entirely unofficial survey - I don't even know yet where to send the completed wish list to (maybe Mr Mullett could advise?)

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

• One touch roof up and down (without having to hold the button down).
  They'll probably say it's not permitted on safety grounds
• Same for the windows -- we already have one touch to put all windows down, but not for all windows up (at least for the US -- do you have it in Europe?).
  Europe? Not that I am aware of. But at least all my windows go up now - used to have that erratic bug where one rear window went to sleep and stayed in bed....
• It appears that the rear view camera accessory (MotoringFile » Archive » MINI Rear Camera Review) is not available for the R56. I hope they bring it back for the new cabrio. It is one of the best additions I've done to my cabrio, even better than the wind deflector. MINI have had low sales of the camera, but it is because nobody knows about it. If the rear camera had been listed on configurators for the current cabrio, it would have had healthy sales.
  Didn't know about this - never seen it. Looks really cool, but you need the satnav option?

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

How about a supercharged engine

I guess they'll tell you to buy one of the current run-out models!
(I wonder what they'll offer after the 'Sidewalk'?)

[thebigyin]

I bought a wireless rear view camera like this one
Wireless Backup Camera | Deluxe Rearview Back-Up Camera
for 90 dollars at my local Warehouse Club.
The monitor mounts anywhere so you don't need to have a Sat Nav.

[rentagas]

Cooper D option with less than 120g/km
Detatchable hard top ie hard top for winter like 3 series
Wind deflector mounted behind rear seats
Remote closing of top

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas (original)

Wind deflector mounted behind rear seats

It's a good idea, but it wouldn't work

The whole point of the Wind Deflector is to reduce the turbulence caused by air moving into the rear seat area. Putting it behind the rear seats would be pointless and ineffective.

[alski]

230+ bhp and 4wd please, a 2 seater speedster would add back some glamour, i need a reason to upgrade from R53, not seen one yet?

[simeo928]

Rear visibility is a big issue for me. I am sick of driving around with an opaque rear window in bad weather as dirt just seems to build up as soon as you clean it. One touch opening and closing for the roof is a really convenient feature and one that I had on my Jag XKR even if you have to hold the button down.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by simeo928 (original)

One touch opening and closing for the roof is a really convenient feature and one that I had on my Jag XKR even if you have to hold the button down.

Then it's not one-touch, is it?

The only reason the MINI is two is because of the sunroof feature. Other than that it is exactly the same as the XKR!

[simeo928]

I actually meant that even if it wasn't one touch and you had to keep the button pushed it would be good.

Apologies I didn't realise the current one had a close function on the keyfob. I made the post as I would like the new cabrio to have the open and close feature operated by the key fob. I had better go back to my mini dealer as they said you can only open the roof with the keyfob and not close it.

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by simeo928 (original)

Apologies I didn't realise the current one had a close function on the keyfob. I made the post as I would like the new cabrio to have the open and close feature operated by the key fob. I had better go back to my mini dealer as they said you can only open the roof with the keyfob and not close it.

No, the current one does not have remote close on the keyfob, if that's what you were thinking. From the outside, you can close everything with the key in the door, but not remotely.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

No, the current one does not have remote close on the keyfob

Although it can still be programmed by a dealer (on UK cars anyway) if wanted.