It doesn't. But it's done it since new - ONLY if the top is down for more than 8 hours, and it's not a "I'm destroying myself" sound, it's just a loud annoying squeal... I've lubed all the pivots, but it still does it. But I can cycle it a zillion times during the day and it won't make that sound. Just first time I put the top up each day. Weird.

 

1. at least twice a day... as long as the temp is over 50F and no rain.
2. 4+ years, nearly 50,000 miles
3. nope! I had the roof replaced before the warranty ran out...

 

And for me, not even that. One unexpected benefit of the Mini's retro styling is that the very upright windscreen is really bad at killing bugs but really good at deflecting water round the sides as much as over the top.

I reckon it's a speed-dependent thing:
- light drizzle is no problem from 30mph up;
- rain is no problem from 50mph up;
- heavy rain is no problem from 70mph up.

But, as a Brit, the 'over 90' bit confuses me - you mean it's possible for the temperature to exceed 90? And not just in blast furnaces?

Andrew

 

My 06 has the top down 90% of the time. Morning going to work and afternoon coming home. If it begins to rain I go a little faster until I start getting wet.

We cruise the mountains and take late evening rides just my bride and I.

 

I'd say I put the top down on Buzbee about 50% of the time in the summer - in Dallas, especially around the noon hour, you're asking to be turned to a crisp and burned beyond recognition if you're trying to drive with the top down in the summer.

When the weather is cooler (fall, winter, spring), I put the top down often, especially if I'm alone in the car.

I got Buzbee March 12, 2008 and haven't had any mechanical problems with the top.

 

I love having my top down. I've had mine since March, but I plan on driving it year-round in WI. I just got back from a 3500 mile road trip and only put the top up when:
1. We got too sunburned. Despite applying sunscreen both my mom and I had painful burns - hers on her ear tops and mine on my nose and lips. We did a few days top up to heal.

2. On the Interstate when there were a lot of semis. Too loud and too smelly.

3. I always put my top up when parked. Even in the garage. Not only because I'm afraid people will mess with it, but then there's bird poop, dust, and it will keep my seat covers (Wet Okoles) from fading so quickly.

I had my top lubed at the MINI dealer before my trip and the top still squeaks going up.

 

In cool weather. I used to put the top down often.

 

I drop the top as often as possible. I love being all bundled up and having the top down in 40 - 50 degree sunny days, just blast some heat and roll the windows up and it's comfy.
I did learn the hard way once that if it's raining you need to decide quickly if you think you can keep going or if you should put the top up. At highway speeds you'll stay pretty dry. Once I got caught in a torrential downpour on a mountain highway, I tried to stick it out with the top down and then the hail came. I should have stuck it out longer since I was still fairly dry but I stopped to put the top up and got totally soaked. Oh well, it dries out.

I always keep a blanket in the car in case I have a whiny passenger that doesn't think the seat warmers are enough. I can get pretty hard core about my top being down until it hits like 90 and then I will put it up (sometimes).
Also for longer highway trips if my husband is with me, he wants the top up because he gets too dehydrated and doesn't like the trucks. If I'm on a longer highway trip I wear a hat and bring water.
Why buy a convertible and keep the top up?

 

05 MCc with 72k miles -- had the right side cable snap while under warranty (ca. 35k?), and had the right-side rubber latch tip disappear.

Top is down unless 1) it's raining, 2) it's below 60, or 3) passengers complain. (I usually suggest they invest in a hairbrush...) Also use the sunroof a lot for #2 (or anticipated #1) above. Usually close it when parking. So, it goes up & down a lot.

 

well... spoke too soon. cable on passenger-side broke on Labor Day (50,100 miles). warranty was out in JAN. Called dealer for estimate.. they said (without looking at it ) that it would be around $6000

today, went with option #2 and got the part replaced at another garage for a fraction of that amount (also, in and out the same day).

PSA to all R52 owners who are soon-to-be out of warranty... if you plan on keeping your R52 and you're nearing 50,000 miles... be prepared to have that cable break! and you better have a plan on how to fix it.

 

Thanks for the warning. They just replaced my top under warranty. I did buy my car from Carmax and have the extended warranty so I'm hoping I'll be good for that cable break. It buys me 2 more years under their plan which has a $75 ded.

it's killing me I can't drop the top for 2 more weeks. The dealer insisted do not operate the top for 3 weeks after they replaced it

Ali

 

Did they say why?

 

that doesn't make sense... whats your outdoor temp?? is it below freezing? when I got my top replaced in JAN, I was told to not open it right away since the material will need to stretch. Since it was cold, it didn't matter to me at the time. Once it got warmer, I think I only waited a week... if that. let me ask my roof guy...

 

72 hours should be fine.... otherwise, wait a week to be completely safe. 3 weeks?? not sure where they got that timeframe...

 

Hi -

Is there a write-up on how to replace the cable? How much do the parts cost?

Thanks!

 

They said it takes 3 weeks to stretch the top out properly. I even told him that people on the site had been told by their dealers just a few days. he insisted that it's 3 weeks. Not even the sun roof...

I wouldn't want to open it, have something go wrong and then invalidate my warranty for it or something. This morning I did notice something clanking in the roof when I hit bumps, sounds like a loose screw so I'm going to contact them about it.

I'm in VA right outside of DC, it's not cold here, most days are 80's. For example today is a lovely top down day, I saw a woman on my way to work with her top down and I was all but snarling at her in envy.

Ali

 

there is a write-up.. I'll have to find that thread again and post here... but the parts (its a whole kit actually) that runs about $400 - 450 from the dealer.. but can be found online for less... the cable itself didn't break.. its where the cable connects to the sunroof cassette... its just a crimped piece of metal wrapped around both pieces. when that breaks, you might as well replace both sides since you have to buy it as a pair and you'll have to peel the roof back anyways...

** EDIT **

here's the link here for the other thread - https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cabrio-talk-2005-2008/123728-help-top-wont-open-2.html

start at post #40.. but the detailed explanation is post# 47... very nice explanation with pics.

 

Top is always down on the backroads or freeway driving except in rain. I did put it up at 105 degrees and cranked up the AC. I even got my wife to ride with the top down except for freeways. Here temperature window is 70-80 degrees. I will need a new leather jacket for the winter though.

 

Thanks!

 

I can't wait for winter to come so I can pull out my thick Nappa leather jacket. In SoCal, i don't get to wear it often.

 

I love to go topless at least once a week.
Had it almost 2 years
No problems with the top.