My wife used to have a 2009 Mini hardtop, which we traded in on an SUV when our baby came along.

After a few years of driving in SUV-purgatory, my wife allowed as how she'd like to have a Mini again, so now we're shopping for a Mini convertible .

I was wondering if any experienced Mini owners would care to weigh-in on things we should watch out for when looking at used Mini convertibles.

Price is a bigger driver for us than model year or Base vs. S, so I'm afraid I don't have any more specifics about what we might get.

In our price range we've seen ads for 2005-2009's with 50-100k miles. In general I wouldn't have any concerns with a 50k mile car, but getting up to 100k starts to make me a bit nervous. Is that justified with a Mini?

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

- Josh

 

I own a 2006 R52 S JCW and before that I had a 2006 R52 S. Both 6 speed MT's. I can't thin of anything specific to the convertibles to look for other than the condition of the top and top mechanics. Other than that just look for all the same things you would be looking for in a hardtop like service records. I prefer the Supercharged S's which were made up until 2008 unlike the hardtops which went turbo in 07. I do all my own work and have gone over my 06 from head to toe.

 

Here's a list of used MINI purchase questions we compiled that may be helpful:http://www.soopercooperinfo.com/Used...questions.html Good luck.

 

Before going any further, add soopercooperinfo to your favorites folder.

R52/S for sure. The SC whine is intoxicating, you will know when to run the top up when you can't hear the SC over your co-pilot's whining. Top down motoring is motoring at it's best. Canvas care is essential, use either 303 or RaggTopp. Don't worry about mileage on a well cared for motor, we've 80K on ours and looking forward to another 80K and more.

 

Thanks y'all, going to soopercooperinfo.com right now!

I used to have a Miata so I'm well-acquainted with the joys of top-down motoring and am looking forward to having some of that again real soon