[johnsocal]

Check it out http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider...peek/index.cfm

[wwwebber]

"The all-too-cute cabrio is scheduled to hit European roads as early as summer of 2003. Dealerships here are hoping the cabrio will arrive before the 2004 model year ends. "

Is this confusing / contradictory ?, or is it just me ?.

[knaone]

I dont really like that to be honest... i am not a big fan of cabbys, i am sure it will appeal to lots but its not my cup of tea!

David

[MINIjewel]

Quote:

Originally posted by wwwebber
"The all-too-cute cabrio is scheduled to hit European roads as early as summer of 2003. Dealerships here are hoping the cabrio will arrive before the 2004 model year ends. "

Is this confusing / contradictory ?, or is it just me ?.

Europe-summer 2003
Dealerships here (US)-2004

It will come out in Europe about a year before it comes out here in the US. Hope that clears it up.

[Monsta Mo Mini]

True poser's car
Yuk!

[BruceK]

Interesting, but that's certainly no picture of the car. It's a photoshopped image based upon this very early official BMW image:


They played with the license plates! Ohhhh... a "3" became an "8" and a "P" became an "M". Ohh.... and they felt bold enough to copyright it and put a little watermark on the door, too! )

[Electrc109]

I knew that picture looked a little off! What a horrible excuse for a tease! =)

[Paul]

Yup, spotted the fake right away!

I only just noticed. In the original early press shot, the interior rear view mirror is a different 'squarer' shape.

Well I never.

[Basil]

Due out in Oz in 2004.

God forbid, MORE moving parts.

( )

[Paul]

OK.

I don't usually trust the magazines, and I certainly don't trust websites (hmmmm, I know...) anyway. Asked MINI HQ (AGAIN) what they could tell me about the Convertible.

They said nothing, apart from it's still due (in the UK, not sure about the rest of the world) to be released in Spring/Summer 2004.

The diesel really does look like next years 'big' MINI release.

[Bad Manners]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Mullett
Yup, spotted the fake right away!

I only just noticed. In the original early press shot, the interior rear view mirror is a different 'squarer' shape

I noticed the mirror, scrolled down and noticed you had too.

It's interesting that both the "Comment on this story" links on that page are broken!

[minimaster]

I am one who can't see any beauty to this new topless Mini

[Cape Cod MINI]

peeyuuu.
Turning our MINI's into cabrio's is sinful, especially when so many seem to flip in accidents

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimaster
I am one who can't see any beauty to this new topless Mini

You are not the only one that sees it that way. I also think the convertible is ugly and ruins the otherwise fantastic look of the car with the hardtop roof.

I've never been too fond of convertibles to begin with. If MINI believes that they must offer one in their lineup (To compete with the upcoming and blatantly late to market VW Beetle Cabriolet) then they either need to fix that lousy canvas top or offer the car strictly as a 2 seater roadster.

I think money better spent would be to explore other mINI variant possibilities such as a pickup truck, wagon and even a 5 door variant.

[ravemini]

if im gonna drive a rag top it better have a roll cage...hence my jeep wrangle with the 6 point cage

[rich]

I don't like it

BMW would be better off developing an all new 2 seat convertible coupe a la Mazda MX5 rather than chopping the roof off the current car

I could imagine it looking vaguely like an Austin Healey or a smaller cuter TVR

That would be a good time to go RWD too, maybe, as they could use an existing small BMW platform (1 series/Z4) to save on costs & make it somewhere other than Oxford which will be full making the current cars, plus the new diesel plus a likely Civic-like MINI-MPV

And how long before the X5/Cayenne style move into a small but chunky MINI off-roader?

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
I don't like it

BMW would be better off developing an all new 2 seat convertible coupe a la Mazda MX5 rather than chopping the roof off the current car

I completely agree. EVERYONE completely agrees.

[eBrit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wynn


I completely agree. EVERYONE completely agrees.

This is a MOST unusual event on MINI2. Merry Christmas

[rich]

Quote:

Originally posted by eBrit


This is a MOST unusual event on MINI2. Merry Christmas

Ho ho ho

[Mini M!]

i honestly think that there will be many more variants prior to a convertible mini...

if BMW/Mini can be selling MC or MCS like hotcakes for the next 12-18 months, they really don't need anything new to be injected to the system to dilute current sales.

typically, variants or performance models (M for BMW) get in the way about a year or two after initial sales, and that's with a typical, established model. It seems like the Mini can survive pretty well and making very good money without the convertible at this time.

IF there is a strong competitor in the segment - Luxury compact convertible, then BMW might consider getting the Mini Conv for production quicker.

May be not a good example, but the New Beetle has not even have a production convertible out for sale yet after so many years. the project just got going to keep the beetle a little interesting at this time of its life/product cycle.

however, from what it appears, i think many will agree the mini convertible is a novelty that many would like but a few would rather not see.