[mini_diesel]

being the first year of launch and the recent report of problems,

would you suggest waiting to purchase a mini cooper convertible? If so, when? Next year's model?

This a very important question for many new Mini2 members who are considering purchasing the Cabrio and present owners of the new Cabrios.
The other thread (Roof Wear) has been one of the most view threads on Mini2 with over 6500 views. And I am sure that Mini is viewing this thread even though they will not acknowledge this.
I'm as a owner of a Mini s since 2002 and this question is one that confronts me also.
If the question is regarding the Roof Wear I it seems to me that there will be no answer for a while, since there has been no response from MINI regarding this matter except that this is "NORMAL" wear.
Otherwise the Mini non cabrio is a great car to purchase. All cars have problems.
This is the only problem that I can remember since the start of Mini production that has been considered as "Normal"and not acknowledge.
I find this curious.

IMHO this is one that is the strange and perplexing problems for all owners of the Mini Cabrio. Mini group is at this time not willing to acknowledge the problem and is leaving a situation that may become one of the expensive problems that has occurred since the production of the Mini. If for example, if 20% of all cars produced by Oxford is Cabrios then in one year there will be 36,000 on the road without a fix within in one year.
There has been over 6000 cabrios at this time produced, and it would be difficult and costly if there was a recall.
My belief is Mini is taking the position that there will be no modification and they will deal with this problem on a case by case problem. For example if in the U.S there is a Lemon Law and if this was filed by an owner for arbitration with excessive wear on the roof there would be a settlement by Mini, because this would not be accepted by by the arbritration board as a "normal" or acceptable for any car to have.
So to finally answer your question:

would you suggest waiting to purchase a mini cooper convertible? If so, when? Next year's model?

Quote:

????

[spur]

Great car but i do have problems. ANSWER; If you NEED a new car now, get it. If you can wait untill next year, when also, the NEW BMW engine is introduced, i would WAIT. Car would be so good without all the problems.

[Carolynn]

I would personally say that if you want the car, then order it now, but then again, I got my MCC at the end of July, and apart from a dim Zenon which justs needs adjusting, I have had no problems with my car and absolutely love it. I know many people on here seem to have had appalling problems but i guess its just the luck of the draw

I know there was a poll on here a while back to see how many people did actually have problems, and it might be worth keeping that post as a sticky, as i know I would be interested in seeing what percentage of the cars have been purchased 'fault free'

The other consideration though is that I have had a couple of months motoring where I have managed to take full advantage of the fact that its a convertible, driving around in the sunshine, but now that the weather is getting cooler, I can't honestly see myself having the roof down until next spring, but then I am a bit of a wimp

[usaminicooper]

SPUR: You have a big heart and must really love your cabrio.
Reading about your 7 years old looking cabrio roof sounds terrible.
I too had big problems with my 2002 S and still love it.
Love/hate relationship. Must have carried over from my last relationship

[TurboNutterChick]

I would say wait!

I have roof problems (although mine are interior), gearbox problems, boot lid problems, rattly window problems and a dodgy paint job.
All this on day 2 of ownership and for a bargain price of £19k.

Infact I would say definately wait!

[rentagas]

BMW engine next year! I thought it would be 2006 at the earliest. Isn't the engine a Peugeot/Citroen either supplied direct from them or modified by BMW. The car it will fit into will be the new "more profitable" or cheap to produce model.
I have one of the first MCSC's to be delivered to customers in the UK and if asked would I buy it again the answer would be a categorical

YES!


as long as I didn't have to deal with the arrogant, ignorant, confabulating t*ssers at BMW customer service.

My roof wear is "stable" almost to the point that I think the roof wear occurred in the factory and the roof was then modified with plastic guards to prevent further wear at some point during it's prolonged journey of 50 miles to my local dealer.

[abs0lutely]

I'd say YES.

You need to be prepared for the roof wear marks, but that's just a case of checking your dealer acknowledges the problem and understands that you will want a new roof under warranty if yours develops the problem. Mine has the problem, but I wont be doing anything about it until it's much worse/I know there is a decent fix.

It's a fabulous car, and if you like convertibles you'll love to own one MINI'ised!

Of course... I personally recommend the MCSC

[spur]

Rentagas, i bow to your superior knowledge. I was thought and was badly hoping the new engine was next year, i was going to sell and get a new one.

[rentagas]

Certainly not superior knowledge but the usual rumours and speculation gleened from these pages and from motoringfile.com!
The new engines should be lighter and more economical and be turbo rather than superchrged according to what I have read. They are also a different shape so that to fit them into the existing chassis they have had to put a bulge in the bonnet -seen in some spy shots. The bulge is not thought to be a production feature just an expediency to try the engine in an existing chassis

[miniboyblue]

I have owned my MCSC from the 21st July being on of the first in the country to like rentagas, and have had no problems with my car AT ALL. This is my third Mini inside two years and I have had no problems with any of them. In 20 years of car ownership ranging from Astra GTE's to Mercs and BMW, Porsches etc,etc, the Mini ownership experience has been the best to date.
Yes mine has slightly different shading effect at the fold/hinge points of the hood, but have any of you looked at all the other convertible hoods out on the roads !!!
Some of us it is true have had terrible problems with their cars which is unacceptable from any manufacturer with production techniques in the 21st century. But generally speaking I think it is a fantastic car, with a great engine, gearbox, image, and following.

How many cars are there out on the roads today like our Minis, with the character that they have ??

[usaminicooper]

,

Quote:

but have any of you looked at all the other convertible hoods out on the roads !!!

Yes, next door at BMW and they don't have the bumps and marks as the MCC.

[abs0lutely]

Indeed, I have a BMW convertible, and after a year and a half the roof is in excellent condition compared to my MCSC!

The MINI Convertible roof wear is totally unacceptable - there is no way you can pass it off as "not that bad" or "normal wear and tear". Obviously some MINIs will be worse than others, and it will also depend on how much you retract your roof, but to even suggest that this is a problem suffered by all convertible cars is ridiculous!

[miniboyblue]

Simple solution to me then absOlutely is that if the roof wear on your "Mini convertible is totally unacceptable", SELL IT !, keep your BMW !! and stop whinging.

Surely the simple solution to sort out your roof wear problems.

[usaminicooper]

Quote:

whinging.

If you are going to Flame someone on Mini 2 who doesn't deserve your remarks at least get the spelling correct

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by usaminicooper

If you are going to Flame someone on Mini 2 who doesn't deserve your remarks at least get the spelling correct

good advice. hope we can all manage to follow it usam1n1c00per

[miniboyblue]

Hi usaminicooper

Apologise for the spelling but not the comments as I do not like being miss quoted I do not believe I used the terms "not that bad" or "normal wear and tear", in my reply.

But I did say that I can only comment on my own experience as I have been very pleased with my car but am appreciative of the fact that, and this time I do quote, "Some of us it is true have had terrible problems with their cars which is unacceptable from any manufacturer with production techniques in the 21st century" !. I also did not say that this problem was suffered by all convertibles but I do not know of any car, especially a brand new design that has not suffered from some problems.

My point was that as owners, especially those of us that are lucky enough to have a garage full of cars, were that unhappy with a fault on the car you would either get it sorted under the warranty.Then if you were still unhappy with it and had no other option left open to you then sell it.

[usaminicooper]

miniboyblue: .That is an excellent response !!
What do you think of this approach?

Quote:

but I do not know of any car, especially a brand new design that has not suffered from some problems

I agree that new designed cars have teething problems except that the only difference between last years model and this years Mini is the Convertible TOP.
And Mini got it wrong in many cases.
I understood it when I bought my Mini S in 2002 and I was willing to deal with a new model and those problems that come up.
Now I'm less forgiving.
I think Mini had enough time to get this RIGHT.
And should cooperate with owners to fix all that is WRONG.
I

[abs0lutely]

Totally agree.

Also, with regard to this:

Quote:

...unhappy with a fault on the car you would either get it sorted under the warranty.Then if you were still unhappy with it and had no other option left open to you then sell it.

Well we can't get it sorted under warranty yet - hence the need to ensure MINI/BMW are kept aware of the problem so they can develop a fix! Also, selling it isn't an option for me (or many others) - we love our cars, we just want them to look their best. Nothing wrong with that is there? I'd still by another one now, but until the roof issues are resolved they will remain something that MINI-lovers need to pressure BMW over.

Quote:

I'd still by another one now, but until the roof issues are resolved they will remain something that MINI-lovers need to pressure BMW over.

MINI CABRIO MOTTO:Pass it on.........................................

Quote:

I think Mini had enough time to get this RIGHT.
And should cooperate with owners to fix all that is WRONG.