[Hot Orange]

Hi all,

Since I'll be picking up my Cool Blue cabrio soon, I would like to get some tips and advice on how to take care of the car and prolong the life of things like the soft-top cover etc, as well as how to make driving it more fun and practical. So here goes:

1. Rear-view: I read a lot about rear-view problems caused by the soft-top or the roll-bars, and I read in one thread about using a reverese backup camera to help in that regard. Where can I order one and how easily can it be installed? And how effective is it?
2. How would I go about protecting the soft-top from the scorching sun and heat that can get to 55 degrees Celsius in the summer and would most likely damage it? Is there something like a sun-block solution for cars (lol) ?
3. How about cleaning the soft-top? What do you guys and gals use?
4. I think I've seen pictures of people covering their cars completely when unattended; is that common or was I just imagining things?

I think this will be good for now, but I'll definitely add more questions once I remember them or think of them .

Thanks in advance!

[rkw]

I'll comment on rear visibility.

I have the OEM rear view camera. It is excellent and for a MINI cabrio it is well worth the fairly high expense. Please note that the car must have the factory Sat-Nav system (which it uses as its display screen). The installation is straightforward but involves time-consuming labor to remove interior body panels for installing and routing wiring -- not unlike installing aftermarket stereo components. The instructions specify about 5 hours labor. I did it myself and I took much longer because I was learning how to work on the car for the first time. You can find more information here:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/..._camera_review
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=53297
It's not a tragedy if you don't have a rear view camera. You'll learn to adapt to the parking sensors and side mirrors. Lots of vehicles (trucks, buses, even some SUVs) have as bad or worse rear visibility, and drivers learn to adapt to the situation.

I highly recommend an extra wide angle outside mirror for the passenger side, such as Multivex: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html. With the roof up, the cabrio has a huge side blind spot because of the large expanse of roof cloth. The Multivex eliminates the blind spot and makes for safer, less anxious driving in traffic. Search MINI2 for "Multivex".

['wiz']

I have had worries about a couple of the things from your list too!

I have a cat so I have to vacuum the roof!

That has also resulted in me needing a car cover, the official ones are silver so will help with the heat too

There seem to be a coulpe of different ways to look after the roof, just wash with car shampo/plain water or use a treatment like AutoGlym for softops.

Have lots of fun

[Hot Orange]

RKW:

I read about the OEM camera solution but like you said it needs the Sat Nav system for it to work since it uses the same monitor, and I was thinking about something that could just be attached to the rear-view mirror or something and linked to a camera that is set on the back (actually I bookmarked a website that sells something like that but it's on my home notebook so will have to get back and find the link to post it and get your opinion on whether it's practical or just a gimmick).

As for the Multivex mirror, after reading about it in a few places here and then reading your recommendation I went ahead and ordered one for the passenger seat side mirror! Though I'm a bit worried that if I don't like it it's gonna be hard to remove it!

Thanks for the advice !

wizgleeson:
Nice tips, I'll check out mini-mania for the official cover you mentioned for the car . Hopefully it will help protect the soft-top, as well as keep it somewhat cleaner :P.

I'll most likely come back with more inquiries after I pickup the car and drive it . Should be fun though .

Thanks again .

[Lordon]

Has any one used a car cover in windy areas. Not only do we have hi heat but spring and late summer can really blow here. And with that is the dust problem, does any one have a tip ot three on dealing with this in the sensitive areas.

Thanks

[West9]

I drove a ONE Cabrio for a day whilst my ONE was in for a gearbox and an clutch change, I will admit, the rear view mirror is obstructed badly, I had to use my drivers side mirror to look behind me...

[jkjn]

I use my cabrio for work, which involves parking in very tight spaces at the side of the road. I haven't found the rear visability a problem. I just dip either the left or right mirror (so I can see the kerb) and rely on the parking sensors and the limited vision.

Parking the mini is certinly a lot easier than with a fully paneled van!