Hi,, I never had a Mini before, but always want one,
my wife wants to get a used Mini covertiable 2008 with 18k miles.
I like it also, but still worry about the covertiable issue,

I had a Porsche Boxster before, sold it while the little baby borned. the boxster has the covertiable problem, stay in the air, not even close or open. while I took the car to dealer, I found it's a popular issue on all the 911 and boxster covertibale( it's SO EMBRASS while drive it to the dealer )

the Mini coveritable has the same issue, I searched posts here, so many complains about it..
is it by chance or just wait for it come??
if my wife really going to get that Mini,, what should I look at while test it?

please give me some advices.

Thank you

 

A 1st Gen R52 has a less checkered reputation than the 2nd Gen R57. Both versions have reported drop-head problems from time to time as there is a lot going on when they are in motion but be assured that the number of problems reported on any forum are a small fraction of cabrios running loose without any complaints. One difference between the R52 and the R57 is that the R57 top will function while the car is in motion up to around 10 MPH. When you locate the one you want the appropriate wind deflector is something you really want.

We got ours with 24K on it and the 1st few hundred miles I was nervous as a cat waiting for something to fall off. That after reading horror stories on NAM. After 40+ thousand miles it has been just the normal wear and tear plus a few extra goodies to make it even more fun. Good luck with your MINI.

In the wards of an old NAM sage (wag), "Without pictures it didn't happen."

 

I've got an '06 JCW cabriolet and I've had no problem with the top other than occasionally (like 2 times a year) it will stop just as the top is starting to engage the windshield frame. I reverse a little bit and then continue closing and it works fine.

Of course, there's the infamous wear spot just above the rear of the drivers and passenger's side windows (and the corresponding spot at the left and right rear corners). I simply place a piece of black felt between the fold of the top at the rear corners as before it's nearly down and then complete the down process. Doing so has completely halted any wear there.

I'd say go for it, most especially if it's a JCW car.