08 S Convertible Sidewalk or 09 S Convertible?

[tr1]

Hi All,

Subject to Mini dealership taking my Cooper off my hands, I am considering purchasing either an 08 S convertible Sidewalk or a new 09 S Convertible.

My budget means that I would either get the former with lots of bells and whistles, or the latter but with the basic spec. Looking at running costs, it would seem that the new S Convertible will be ~£80 a year cheaper on road tax, and ~10 mpg better than the Sidewalk. I imagine that insurance would be comparable. Any other factors that I should bear in mind when deciding which way to go?

final question, what are people's experiences with the Sidewalk S Convertible?

All thoughts and advice welcome!

[Paul]

Here's my review of each: Exclusive: MINI Cooper S Convertible | theSwitchback and MINI Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk | theSwitchback

Personally, I'd not want to invest in a now replaced model unless I was making significant savings.

[chrisbla003]

Go for the 09 model.

Look at my thread MY CONVERTIBLE R57 and scrool down and you can make own mind up.

[tr1]

Paul, Chris,
Thanks both for your advice, will ruminate on this as head says 09 but heart likes bells and whistles on the Sidewalk. If £££ were not an issue it would be the 09 with a strong spec.
chris, which Forum is your MY CONVERTIBLE R57 thread in?
All the best,
Tony

[chrisbla003]

Tony,
these are my 2 convertibles.
Chris

[slider]

go for the 08 , it looks much better .the raised hoops look great & the lower body shape is much more mini like. P.S the supercharger sounds geat , i've had mine 3 years now & love it as much as the day i brought it home...

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by slider (original)

go for the 08 , it looks much better .the raised hoops look great & the lower body shape is much more mini like. P.S the supercharger sounds geat , i've had mine 3 years now & love it as much as the day i brought it home...

A matter of personal opinion

I think the new convertable looks very good. I would defo go for a newer model.

[mooneymini]

I have always liked the Supercharged minis. But seeing as my mum has recently been looking to upgrade her 05 Cooper S Convertible, I have had a lot of research to do, as to if she buys a brand new one or a very late previous shape.

The improvements on economy and road tax are very appealing, and there are a lot of other improvements.

The only downside is when Speccing one on Mini.co.uk there are no decent colours.
She loves her current Hyper Blue colour, which seemed to be replaced by Lightning Blue? But this is no longer an option, and she is finding it very hard to like any of the current colours available to her.
Hopefully more will be released soon?

(I personally like midnight black the best)

[slider]

i don't completely dislike the new shape car but i can't help but feel it's becoming another typical clinical german car, this is good in terms of the tech stuff but the passion of the original mini is being left further behind. I know that designs are held back due to new bonnet height laws thus forcing all cars to look blunt & square but the lowering of the chrome hoops adds further to a simple oblong shape, a mini should be funky & fun not boring & practical like so many other cars...

[rainbowdreamer]

We were in the same position in January. Had the funds to hold out for a new R57 Cooper S but decided to look also at the Sidewalk.

Went for a ultra-high spec Cooper S Sidewalk. (See 'nearly 30K Mini' thread in R53 convertible forum.)

Very pleased with it as well.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by slider (original)

i don't completely dislike the new shape car but i can't help but feel it's becoming another typical clinical german car, this is good in terms of the tech stuff but the passion of the original mini is being left further behind. I know that designs are held back due to new bonnet height laws thus forcing all cars to look blunt & square but the lowering of the chrome hoops adds further to a simple oblong shape, a mini should be funky & fun not boring & practical like so many other cars...

What other German car does the MINI look like?

Also, the original Mini (1949) is quite blocky and really fairly odd in its lines and bends. I think the new car is more like the classic than the original MINI, if that's what you're looking for.

[rellik666]

I own a sidewalk and have had an extended test of the R57....I can understand this would be a difficult descision. I love my sidewalk to pieces. But I can see the benifit in the R57. To me there isn't the spirit in the R56/R57, that is the there in the R53/52. I love the sound of the car, the supercharger, the PSP, the pop and burble. And with a 2007/08 R52 a lot of the earlier issues have been sorted. Where as the R57 is still a new car. A new roof manufacturer has been brought in, but that doesn't mean the roof is going to be any better than the old one and may have different problems or it may not........there is still this nagging issue with the timing chain on the R56.....but then the PSP problem on the R53/52 has never gone away.......I personally prefer the looks of the R52/53 but that is very personal and only you can decide.....Ilove the nightspokes on the sidewalk and the toys that it comes with. I get lots of comments about my car from people and it isn't that special to look at, (I mean it isn't that different from stock not that it isn't speical), I had the R57 and didn't get one. Toys are good, I have a lot on mine as that is what the sidewalk package was, but in the end they won't help your resale that much. I love the sat nav, but it is expensive to update.

I would take them for a test drive and see which you like. The R57 has a totally different ride to the R52, it feels more solid and planted yet not as much fun in my opinion.....there are pros and cons to each.....but go with your heart on this as you will always be wondering what if.......it isn't a golf you are buying.....this is a MINI and with MINI comes passion!