[Paul]

This is the last time we'll review a new first generation MINI, and the Sidewalk limited editions are a sort of "final hurrah" from MINI for the Convertible range, a special edition to see it through ...Read full report

[akwaba]

because i'm waiting mine's, this review is too short...... i wonder you'll speak about sidewalk again, again and again

I'm a little bit disapointed by "seats uncomfortables"... is it horrible or just not good enough ?

thank's

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Is it just me, or are the photo links very sllllooooowwww?..... I had to give up on them

Shame to see the last report on the original new MINI The end of an era.....

[Paul]

The seats I found very uncomfortable to be honest. Don't know why, I just couldn't get them right for me.

I'm 6' tall and quite long bodied apparently, if that's any help. And I'm REALLY fussy with seat position too.

[Minnie Mouse]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Is it just me, or are the photo links very sllllooooowwww?..... I had to give up on them

Paul are the seats the same as the Park Lane seats? If so is it the hardness of the seat you didn't like?

Just tried the photo links Tigger and they loaded just fine for me!

[Paul]

The seats you sort of sit on, rather than in, and I just couldn't get cosy, it was more my lower back than bum.

[mister.t]

The photos were fine for me too. Seen a couple of PW Sidewalks, and they look stunning, especially the wheels + int combo Top marks for another great review

[supa-dupa-cooper]

The words, 'I, Want and One' spring to mind

Especially an Astro Black Cooper S Sidewalk *drool*

[Paul]

It was a real head turner, and I was honestly surprised by this. I thought it looked great, the seats did divide opinions (and the steering wheel/gear shift) but that was mostly due to the colour more than the style.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Thanks for the comments on the photo speed, they're much faster this morning

A really nice looking MINI and the seats divide opinion in our household too; I like them, Eeyore thinks the colour reminds her of.... I don't really want to say, but it takes her right back to the very early days with Roo and certain changing duties

Tigger.

[Paul]

That was pretty much the divide around here too!

[minicabrio]

I'd say the seats remind me too much of Dale Winton or David Dickinson... neither of which i'd want to be constantly reminded of to be honest! A shame to hear they're not comfy though, this has always been a strong point in my own cabrio - I can cover hundreds of miles in a day (and I have done) and not get a sore/achey back!

I'd say that yes there are HUGE compromises, handling, lack of space, dark interior.... but on that sunny day when you can drop the roof, listen to the engine and exhaust, get the wind in your hair, it's just bliss.

Top review though Paul, shame to see the end of an era I wonder how long it will be before we see your new convertible review

[rainbowdreamer]

I love the MINI Sidewalk, but cannot convince myself to buy one when the new Convertible is just around the corner.

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer (original)

I love the MINI Sidewalk, but cannot convince myself to buy one when the new Convertible is just around the corner.

It's still a fairly long corner though

[akwaba]

I have waiting for the new engine and really be deceipt by the botox look of the R56.
A providential coincidence is the sidewalk, state of the art in R53 body. sidewalk will never be outdate, because sidewalk is already on an another side, an old fashion style : propeller wheel, chrome line, malt brown leather, retro dashboard... you are in a plane from royal air force glory !!!

So at this time it's already a "collection" car. I'm not looking for comfort, security everywhere, cab silent, space,... i want to ear the engine and burble, take wind in my face, get the roughness of the road, consume fuel more and more ... i want a real go kart car, that only mini have done.

soon...

ps : i want to speak english better...too

[Matt_and_Cat]

We've had our Sidewalk for a couple of months now. Bits were falling off our old Peugeot, so waiting for the new model wasn't an option as some have suggested (and to be honest I prefer the speedo and look of the "old" new Mini).

We're lucky enough to have a Cooper S and it's an amazing car to drive - I still love the look on other drivers' faces when they realise (as I breeze past them) that a "mere" convertible can be so quick, and make such a good noise.

I'm quite happy with the seats - a bit of fiddling round with the lumbar support and height adjustment when we first got it, but I have done a few long trips in it with no problem. In fact I don't really ever want to get out. I do like the colour and haven't had any negative comments about them. We can even (just about fit the two child booster seats in the back and have a family day out (but that's not really the point, is it?!)

There are issues with boot size (boot... where?! Did I miss it?) and it is dark with the roof up, but that's offset in the Sidewalk by the chrome line interior and the colour of the wheel etc that seems to be lift it quite a lot - I'm not sure I'd be as keen on a black interior, for example. Given half a chance I'll have the sunroof open if it's not full on topless weather. The bottom line is that you don't only need sunny days to have the roof down. I accept it's preferable for it not to be raining or snowing, but apart from that it always seems fair game to me. I even managed a trip to London (from Leeds) down the M1 with the roof down all the way down. I would recommend heated seats - it is a British summer, after all!

It really is a car to have the roof down on, and enjoy the s-miles! There are much more sensible cars: a mini with a tin roof, some might say - I certainly did when we were first looking, but one test drive and I was hooked.

There are some piccys on this post, taken by our five year old when we first picked it up, but I can't work out how to put a link in here to go to the other thread, sorry

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt_and_Cat (original)

It's here ! It's sparkling silver, so the pictures on the mini website are quite appropriate (give or take a few details... like the speedo being in MPH...) and I couldn't really do the colour justice anyway. For the official mini photos of a Sidewalk in sparkling silver:

MINI - MINI Sidewalk -

then "pictures and films"


All I have of ours are the photos that my 5 year old boy took on my phone as we were picking it up and then en route. I'll try to get some piccies somewhere more picturesque soon.

[Matt_and_Cat]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

It's still a fairly long corner though

And being in a mini convertible round the corners is the best bit while some of the rest of us are waiting

[Paul]

I couldn't believe the number of people I noticed in Convertibles. About 80% of which had the roof up, even on really hot (for the UK) days.

[akwaba]

in martinica too (french west indies), many people buy a cab because it's a dream, but majority of them like air conditionning more, because weather is hot and prefer stay under black tint glass in order not to be seen.

But, driving on morning on the job's road and at the sunset in the evening to go back home... delicious... i'm sure of that

and i'm not speaking about WE, on more.

[DeadCanDanceR]

I parked next to a "Sidewalk" this week...(well, I guess we all do)!...

It was a white car, so it didn't look as exciting as the black one shown here. Nevertheless I thought that it looked very nice! I liked the wheels and loved the interior!