MINI Cooper Convertible Review
Published: 16th February 2005
MINI Cooper Convertible
Safety and Security 
The following safety & security equipment is standard on the MINI Cooper Convertible:
Park Distance Control , Anti-lock Brakes System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Crash sensor, Disc brakes all round - ventilated at front, Electronic Braking distribution (EBD), MINI Mobility System (MINI MS), Run Flat Indicator (RFI), Smart Airbags - driver and front passenger, Head and Thorax airbags - driver and front passenger, Three-point safety belts with pre-tensioners and belt force limiters, automatic central locking at 10mph, passenger airbag deactivation and ISOFIX child seat attachment.
The MINI Convertible is prepared in the event of a rollover. A tube of high-strength steel integrated in the A-pillars is able to absorb one and a half times the mass of the car. In addition, the rear dual rollover bars made of high strength aluminium pipes and comprising integral headrests offer high levels of occupant protection in the unlikely event of a rollover.
Our test car was fitted with 16” spoke FIN light alloys wheels with run flat tyres, which were part of the £1300 CHILLI pack fitted to our car. Should you suffer a puncture you will be warned by the run flat indicator and can continue your journey at a maximum a speed of 50 mph for up to 80 miles. Our car was also fitted with ASC + T - dynamic stability control, with traction control.
With the roof down the alarm still continues to monitor the interior of the car from a lower level which means that you can leave the car with the rood down, with some protection.
Comfort and Refinement
According to MINI's press literature 'once seated in the MINI, it feels instantly right' and we couldn't agree more.
The MINI Convertible is undoubtedly a comfortable place to be, the leather sports seats are supportive and well padded, but they could do with being heated for those evening drives with the roof down.
The drivers seat and the steering wheel are height adjustable enabling you to find the perfect driving position.
Our test car was supplied with an optional wind deflector (£160) which sits over the rear seats and arrests the air turbulence. It works well and your hair remains unruffled, which is also helped by the steep front windscreen even at motorway speeds.
Our test car was fitted with the optional - Lights Package which adds extra ambience to the car with the addition of door entry/exit lights, front reading lights and illumination in the door handles. The Lights Package is priced at £90.00, we especially liked the illuminated door handles were rather interesting and chic.
The MINI Cooper Convertible's level of standard refinement is high and includes a lockable glove box, remote central locking, cup holders front & rear, electric windows front & rear, electric door mirrors, air conditioning, smokers package, footwell lamps, 50/50 split folding lockable rear seats and seat back pockets.
How It Looks - Exterior
The designers of the new MINI aimed 'to capture the original MINI's heart and soul' and this has certainly been achieved. From the 'classic wheel-at-each-corner' design, to the contrasting roof and door mirrors the new design is instantly recognisable as a MINI.
The MINI hatchback is undoubtedly cute, and this has been retained with the Convertible. All the classic design cues remain in place; there is no doubt this is an evolution of the classic MINI.
MINI have literally cut the roof off from the windscreen to the back of the car. With the hood up, the roof nearly follows the same lines as the Hatchback, the central B pillar has been removed, at the rear of the car where the C Pillar would be, the hood mimics the lines of the Hatchback, but in order to keep the rigidity of the soft top the pseudo pillar is quite thick, which does hamper rear vision.
