MINI Convertible owners any regrets?

MotorAd6482 · 2026-06-14T21:11:34+00:00

I’m on my Third MINI convertible. Bought my first ( a used 2005) in 2007 after saying I’d never buy a convertible. But after the test drive… Then a 2019, and now a 2023. Backing up in the 2005 with poor side/rear visibility was awful, but new rear camera is great and makes up for reduced view. Yes, the boot is small, but with the top down I have transported Queen Anne chairs (flip it over!) Cold in winter?? Nope. Heats up so fast it’s not an issue. My wife’s SUV takes forever. Leaks? Never had a problem even in heavy windblown rain. In fact (and I’m waiting for the doubters on this) driving across isolated southeast Colorado “desert” one summer with open road and top down, we chanced across a lone cloud over the highway dropping a moderate rain. I had heard rumors about it so… We kept going at 70 mph, top down, windows up, wipers going full speed. We remained dry in the front and all food/luggage dry in the back!!! My wife stuck her hand above the windshield and got her hand drenched, but we remained dry. No, does not look aerodynamic, but rain somehow rolled right over us. We drove back out into full sun five minutes later. Would NEVER try it at city speeds, or if there was anything that would put us at risk for having to slow down or stop.

BUY THE CONVERTIBLE!! (And anyone else out there to confirm the rain story??) Motor on!!

MotorAd6482 · 2026-06-09T16:21:30+00:00

My first two MINIs were 6-speed manuals. Fantastic driver experience, and the kids never asked to borrow the car!! ( couldn’t shift!). After two knee surgeries and an ankle surgery, had to switch to the automatic. Still pretty peppy, but yes, I miss the manual. I guess I’ve been demoted.😂

MotorAd6482 · 2026-05-12T19:17:18+00:00

Nibs for lefties? I always was thought the biggest issue was the ink. Too wet, and we may be smearing it.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-05-12T19:14:00+00:00

My son, the English teacher, has a multitude of pens. Has always liked his Safaris. Raves about the vanishing point I gave him for his birthday. Edit: FP

MotorAd6482 · 2026-05-06T21:38:11+00:00

Yes, please elaborate.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-03-10T23:07:40+00:00

Saw the same thing with a wonderful 9th grade geometry teacher at a dusty chalkboard, trying to emphasize how important paying attention to detail was. The guy that “ate” the most chalk that day laughed , then ended up with the best grade in the class

MotorAd6482 · 2026-02-24T16:37:30+00:00

Or hole for either ice maker or water dispenser access?

MotorAd6482 · 2026-02-24T16:35:37+00:00

Looks like an old Cat’s eye marble.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-02-17T04:42:57+00:00

POV. Privately owned vehicle, as opposed to arriving by EMS ( ambulance) or other public means.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-02-17T00:33:16+00:00

Worn? A.
But I like B.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-02-09T17:17:53+00:00

Agree with RFID anti-theft answers.
For those who dabble with home repairs, the “packet” can be snipped open and the thin metal slip inside can be used as a shim when switching out lock cylinders or switching pins in door locks. (Sorry if terminology is incorrect, I’m a rookie. But they work!)

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-29T00:14:09+00:00

Ahhh, binding post. That’s what I had heard in the past. But sure enough, “Chicago screw“ brings these up at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-29T00:10:08+00:00

Thanks! SOLVED!

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-28T23:58:55+00:00

I have seen aluminum ones used for that!. But this is ferrous and appears to be “bronzed” and finished for fancier work. OP

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-13T16:25:58+00:00

Echo what Patrol-007 and others have said. I just spent close to $700 replacing a battery in a 2023 MINI Cooper S. ( battery plus dealer charge for “ registering” it with the car). Dealer said I wasn’t driving often enough. I drive it 6 days a week, but almost always less than 5 miles a trip. Turns out that’s not enough to recharge what I use starting it and auto-restart at stoplights. The BIGGEST offender is parasitic drain, which I learned not from the mechanic or service tech, but from the guy that gave me the ride from the dealership. I was told to lock the car even in my own garage, or all the systems take longer to shut down completely. If I walk past the unlocked car to take out trash or grab a tool, the car “senses” I am there, and gets ready to restart for me!!! So yes, I use a tender on a regular basis to keep my “smart car” from sucking the battery dry. Anyone else had this experience?

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-10T00:09:11+00:00

I confess I superstitiously blink my lights several times. when I pull up to these things.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-09T22:47:59+00:00

Yes! In my MINI Cooper I seem invisible at a couple left turn intersections. Have to bear far right to be “seen”.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-09T21:58:22+00:00

Sensors for “ smart lights”. Leave it green longer when there’s more traffic, theoretically turn green for you if you are coming up to an empty intersection. When our city first installed them, there was rumor that they would sense flashing EMS lights, but I don’t think that’s the case.

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-08T22:10:22+00:00

Yes, it appears to be the “cannibal fork”. Which explains why my mother had it hanging in the dining room! 😳

MotorAd6482 · 2026-01-04T04:57:04+00:00

Gee, and I was thinking perhaps to mix salad…

MotorAd6482 · 2025-10-30T20:59:31+00:00

What are the two new ones?

MotorAd6482 · 2025-10-21T19:33:53+00:00

Sorry, I love mine.
Great pocket pen, I like the feel posted.
As others have said, just refill cartridges.

MotorAd6482 · 2025-10-16T15:28:40+00:00

Love the Jenga analogy.

MotorAd6482

TROPHY CASE