MINI lifts lid on new cabriolet

[X30YES]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before ? .....Autoexpress "1.4-litre petrol for the One, a 1.6 for the Cooper and a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol motor for the top-of-the-range Cooper S. Diesel buyers will be able to choose the Cooper D, with a 1.6-litre oil-burner. All will be avail­able with manual or auto gearboxes.

The car is set to debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, with sales kicking off in the summer. Prices will start from around £14,000 for the One."

[Scottie]

I'd rather have the older shaped one.;) :D

[vintageb3]

See they are still going for the useles sunroof feature.:rolleyes:

Wonder if the roof will have the "white marks" characteristic as well?:eek:

Don't think I will be buying one...would rather spend £20+grand on a better car.

mark

[vintageb3]

Would rather wait for this:)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/209604/fiat_barchetta.html

mark

[KenL]

I'm sure it will be good but, I fail to see why so many people buy soft top versions of cars. You almost never see them driving with the roof down, even in perfect weather.

[X30YES]

I'm sure it will be good but, I fail to see why so many people buy soft top versions of cars. You almost never see them driving with the roof down, even in perfect weather.

This pair always go Topless!!!:rolleyes: :p ;) :D

[AndyP & Lenore]

If they'd bring out a hard top cabriolet I'm pretty sure we'd have gone for one. But there's no way we're going for a soft top. Just heard too many horror stories.:(

A.:D

[X30YES]

Ask Dave Hogg about horror stories on his first cabriolet :eek: ...having said that ,he bought another one :rolleyes:

[ianking]

No more mini Cabriolets for us either im afraid.

[AeroJonny]

I'm not a fan of the cabriolet or the R56...needless to say this doesn't exactly ring my bell.

[KenL]

I'm not a fan of the cabriolet or the R56...needless to say this doesn't exactly ring my bell.

What don't you like about the R56 then?

[AeroJonny]

Have i touched a nerve??;)

I'm not going to pretend to have driven one so I can't comment on that sound of things although the reported performance and economy figures are undoubtedly impressive. There are aspects of the interior I really like, I think it's nicely styled, but I don't like the built in stereo system as it doesn't offer the opportunity of an easy upgrade of the head unit(yes, I know all about mikey's stereo upgrade). Externally is where I find it a letdown...it just doesn't do anything for me. It sits too high, looks overly inflated and well, just a bit bland. This is just my opinion, but it's pretty obvious from what people say that I'm not unique.

All that being said there will more than likely be one in my driveway within 6 months (whether it's mine or my mum's is the debate). Really want dad to get a Golf R32 tho...yummmy:D

Don't ask me bout the crag top...I'll end up hurting mark's feelings;)

[vintageb3]

You won't hurt my feelings Jonny...aesthetics is an open book;) :)

mark

[AeroJonny]

I know mate, just havin a wind up:P Ken seemed to take offence, it's all just my humble opinion anyhoo:D

[weefossy]

We love driving topless, her and me, so we love the car. Saying that I have never loved the look of the car with the roof up, but when it's down it does get attention. We have never had any problems with the roof, but you have to accept it's cloth. On recent visit to Bentley at Crewe .......droooool....... their hoods wern't really any different or superior, they were still cloth and they will mark / look crubby when dirty.

Would I change what we've got for a new one? Not at this point in time.

[KenL]

I know mate, just havin a wind up:P Ken seemed to take offence, it's all just my humble opinion anyhoo:D

I did not take offence, just wanted your narrow-minded view on the R56 :p

[AeroJonny]

time to type some random crap so i can say...:D

[Clare1]

See they are still going for the useles sunroof feature.:rolleyes:

Wonder if the roof will have the "white marks" characteristic as well?:eek:

Don't think I will be buying one...would rather spend £20+grand on a better car.

mark


The ''White marks'' usually only appear after the car has been washed with too much soap on the cloth, and not washed off properly. :eek: ;)

There is also a Roof Protection Solution you can buy from all MINI parts departments, it is recommended that its applied every 6 months to help prolong the life and looks of the cloth.

[vintageb3]

The ''White marks'' usually only appear after the car has been washed with too much soap on the cloth, and not washed off properly. :eek: ;)


Claire...I have only met you a few times...and you have always been very pleasant and helpful. However the reading of your post annoyed me. I will explain why at the end of my post.

I see that you quoted me directly...so you are answering my post.

I would be interested to know who told you soap caused the white marks?

Is this your opinion...or a BMW opinion?

I have never used any soap of any kind near my roof cloth. I only use clean water on the cloth when washing the rest of my car. Soap...or car shampoo as I call it...will, over repeated washes remove the roof cloth protection so should be avoided.

On my last roof cloth, it had white marks above the window quarters (at the hinge) and where that area of white marks touched the seams on the back of the roof below the back window. If you have ever owned a Mini convertible you are likely to know where these marks are. I know people like Hogg88 know where these marks are...since he had them on all five roof replacements his car had. I assume that if the roof cloths had not marked...he would have not complained.

Here are some pics on a blue roof on the same car:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=87247&d=1117481428

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=87248&d=1117481428

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=87249&d=1117481428

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=87250&d=1117481428

To be clear, these white marks are the roof cloth wearing due to the roof operation. This is how it was explained to me by a BMW technical specialist. He did not mention soap being the culprit.

My roof cloth was replaced because of white wear marks and the fact that at these wear points, holes had started to form.

I'm now on my second roof cloth. I was instructed not to open the roof for seven days after it was fitted. In fact, the roof was not opened for ten days and the car garaged without use for that period.

I used the roof four times over the next weekend and the second cloth marked within these four uses at the very same points mentioned above.

No 'soap' was used between the fitting and indeed to this date.


There is also a Roof Protection Solution you can buy from all MINI parts departments, it is recommended that its applied every 6 months to help prolong the life and looks of the cloth.

Can you give me written proof of this recommendation please? I'm not looking for what it says on the bottle. If this is a BMW recommendation on BMW paperwork or in a owners manual...can you please point to that?

I used this protection, it doesn't remove the wear marks or indeed holes. In fact it makes the wear marks look worse. The protection makes the cloth look darker...but only where the cloth hasn't been worn.

I asked the BMW technical specialist when and what I should use on my new second roof cloth. He told me that BMW don't insist you use anything. I was told by three service reps that the protection is "like a wax for your roof...BMW don't insist you use it. Some people wax their cars...other don't. The roof will be fine without it."

It would be nice to know who is actually right here.

I have not treated my roof as of yet, as the roof is only two months old...it has been washed every time I wash the car. I differentiate between the use of "wash" and "clean"

I'm waiting until the car is out of warranty in a few weeks and I will start using Raggtop cleaner and protection. This is what is recommended by HAARTZ the manufacturer of the roof cloth.

It is true, it is part of the design of the roof that it folds onto itself. It is therefore inevitable that eventually roof wear will occur. The sheer fact that this occurs after two days and four full operations of the roof mechanism...points out to me the design of the roof is poor and flawed.

What is your opinion?

Two years?...is that a reasonable amount of time for a roof cloth to last?

The reason I am annoyed with reading your post is this: I KNOW what the problem is because of my two cloth experience. The first cloth showed signs of wear (read as: holes forming) after two years and had marks when I bought the car....so it is likely that the next roof cloth will exhibit the same damage after the same amount of time. I planned to keep the car until it was rust, but now as you will understand, I'm faced with the big possibility of having the inconvenience of having a third roof cloth fitted...and also incur the expense myself for what is essentially a design fault.

I think the manufacturer should be paying for any new roof cloths that fail within five years.

You will understand that if someone knows what the problem is, and that point is agreed to by a BMW technical specialist and the problem then just shrugged off...it can be quite annoying to then read a post from a BMW employee telling you that you can't wash your car correctly.

I also feel that your reply was sales orientated. I posted a negative about the convertible...and you publicly announced that there isn't a problem with the roof...its a problem with customers not being able to wash their cars.

There are scores of people with roof wear problems...the Mini forums are full of posts about this problem.

Maybe all these folks can't wash their cars either?

I have also seen a copy of the BMW internal paperwork showing how to "repair" the roof problems. It starts with the words "Only if customer complains..."

As I said in my earlier post...I would rather spend £20+grand on a better car so I certainly won't be buying a new convertible.

Three reasons...the roof, the look of the 56. and the fact that I don't feel I should have to fight with a company to get my basic statutory rights.

mark

[ELFMAN]

This is going to be good...... I can see the BMW Newsletter headline.... “SOAP causes multitude of problems on MINI Convertible” . Yeah, and my steering rack replacement was caused by TERMITES!!

Clare, if only you knew the hassles Mark's had with his roof(s). MINIs are FAB, but they have FAULTS, and owners get mad when the faults are 'dismissed'. Although you've probably sussed that from Mark's reply.... Best of luck.

[Scottie]

"Now hands that do dishes can feel soft as your face, with mild green Fairy Liquid".

or maybe you should have used a Dove Gentle soap bar on the roof Mark

Take it you will now be in my club Mark;) ;) :D that's a lot of Mark in this thread.LOL

but it's an ok club to be in

[AeroJonny]

Yeah, and my steering rack replacement was caused by TERMITES!!



I must have termites round here too then. I'm on my 3rd column and mum's on her 2nd. :mad::mad::mad:

[Clare1]

Mark, Woah! :eek:

I was only saying it was ''recommended'' that convertible owners use this product. I have not said it must be used.

Sorry you have taken such offence to the fact that I said ''USUALLY'' the marks are caused by excess soap.

I have Never said anything about anyone not being able to wash their cars properly AND I have NEVER said that MINIs do not have faults.

Like everyone else on here, I do have my own opinions, and these do NOT reflect those of BMW/MINI.

[vintageb3]

Mark, Woah! :eek:

I was only saying it was ''recommended'' that convertible owners use this product. I have not said it must be used.



Hi Claire

Its not recommended and the reason I know this is : I asked that direct question of a BMW technical specialist. He said it was not a requirement. Its an option. Like waxing is an option.


Sorry you have taken such offence to the fact that I said ''USUALLY'' the marks are caused by excess soap.

These marks are not caused by soap they are caused by the design of the roof. The cloth comes over and touches itself. When the car is in motion those points of the cloth wear. The reason I got so upset was as Elfman said....I have been through all this and ITS NOT SOAP! What's more...I still have to live with the the wear marks...on a new cloth! So Claire...are you really surprised that i took offense? Not only that but the car now has no paint left on the top of the wings after the fitting of the new cloth. The trim as wormn right through the paint to the bare metal...great design!


I have Never said anything about anyone not being able to wash their cars properly AND I have NEVER said that MINIs do not have faults.

I will quote you directly: "The ''White marks'' usually only appear after the car has been washed with too much soap on the cloth, and not washed off properly."

Err...you kinda did imply that as a convertible owner...I wasn't washing the soap out of my roof cloth.


Like everyone else on here, I do have my own opinions, and these do NOT reflect those of BMW/MINI.

Well Claire...if your opinion is that I got white wear marks and holes in my roof from soap...I think your wrong...and so does BMW.

Still love you though:eek: :D What's my discount structure looking like now then?

As the Mafia say...Itz only Bizness!

mark

[hogg88]

I have to agree with Vintageb3 !!

My first MINI Conv. was being used as a test car for BMW / MINI !! And BMW / MINI admitted that the WHITE marks were caused by wear !!!! :mad:

The more you drive with your roof down, the more defined the marks become !!!

Still love my 2nd MCSC and would take a lot more than my roofs white marks to change it. :)

David

[vintageb3]

Ah!...Mr Hogg NMS real convertible roof expert;)

mark

[Clare1]

Ive decided not to reply to you on this subject Mark. . .:D

[ELFMAN]

I must have termites round here too then. I'm on my 3rd column and mum's on her 2nd. :mad::mad::mad:

Does that make your family “Fifth Columnists” then? :D Better watch or big Gordy Brown will have you slapped in a detention centre.........:p :D :p

[AeroJonny]

shhhhhhh...we're trying to keep a lid on it ;) it's bad enough my dad's an immigrant!

[vintageb3]

Ive decided not to reply to you on this subject Mark. . .:D

Good call my dear!;) :D

There are no winners here...well OK...BMW win win win...and the customer loses...but Hey!...what's new?:confused:

mark

[Clare1]

Shhhhh! lol:D