Mini Convertible Cooper S
The convertible, of course with a soft and fully electric sunroof, was finally hooked up to the latest generation Mini after about three years. There are no surprises here, this is a wingless version of an already known model.
Already on the big test of the Cooper S (2007), we were delighted (to be honest - all previous versions of the baby BMW already brought a smile) from the excellent driving position, excellent handling, excellent 1-liter turbocharged engine. engine., and excellent stability and position on the road, and excellent brakes and steering. .
Well, you understand? The Mini is also one of the extremely rare convertible cars that manages to put a smile on your face the moment you drive, even if you just have a (virtual) workbook or your wife filed for divorce. The price did not shock us, but it will scare many away from the purchase. If not earlier, then when he marks several lines in the extras list.
Offensive build quality, which we have already criticized for the Cooper S, and we will repeat it again with the convertible. The faulty tire (profile) between the driver's door and the body is to blame, but since we also had a few minis in the test where everything was in the best order, let's start with luck. If you have one, you make good money.
We drove such a convertible already in the winter in freezing temperatures and found it to be a lot of fun if you are dressed correctly. How about riding a Cooper S Cabriolet in spring and summer? More fun! There is a noticeable lower body rigidity compared to the covered Cooper S (logically, the roof is an important element of strength), as well as poorer soundproofing of the otherwise excellent soft roof, but convertibles are bought by buyers who mainly look due to the wind in their hair.
In a Mini, that might be too much for those with the windows down at over 50 kilometers per hour, but when the windows are up, passengers in the front seats in the convertible do just as well on the motorway at 130 kilometers per hour. And the one in the back seat? Forget it, although the Cooper S convertible is officially designed for four, only two small children survive in the back.
The trunk has grown from 120 liters to 170 liters compared to the slightly smaller previous generation, but it's still big enough only for shorter holidays and more modest purchases. Downward-opening doors that support up to 80 kilograms help with loading, and the rear roof section also rises 35 degrees and enlarges the opening so that you don't have to press the suitcase into the trunk. ...
A rear shelf is also welcome, which can be placed higher or lower. Compared to the previous convertible, the new - an important novelty - the protective arms behind the heads of the rear passengers are no longer fixed and protrude shamelessly, but automatically pop out in the event of an accident.
The new solution is especially good when reversing, as the struts obstruct less the rear view, which is still shortened by the wide C-pillars (if the roof is open) or on the rear of the loaded tarpaulin if the roof is folded down. In the latter case, the back becomes rather high and less transparent.
The speedometer is also poorly transparent (fortunately, it is possible to bring up a digital display of the current speed on the screen in front of the steering wheel), but the convertible inherited this from its covered cousin. Yes, the convertible and station wagon are very similar on the inside. An exception is, for example, a counter that counts the minutes when the roof is folded down at the rear: the Mini does not have this, but it is available at an additional cost in the case of a convertible. The cover, however, is even less fun when it comes to soundstage.
When the roof is down, it's just great to hear the roar of the engine at low revs and the crackling of the double end of the exhaust pipe as you let off the gas. Most of the time, only the economical start-stop system was disabled, as the sound of an engine restart is not something one would listen to regularly. Whether children or not. Who buys a Cooper S and looks at the expense?
Mitya Reven, photo: Ales Pavletić
Mini Convertible Cooper S
Basic data
| Sales: | BMW GROUP Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 27.750 € |
| Test model cost: | 31.940 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 128kW (175 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 7,4 with |
| Maximum speed: | 222 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 6,4l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - displacement 1.598 cm? – maximum power 128 kW (175 hp) at 5.500 rpm – maximum torque 240 Nm at 1.600-5.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 205/45 R 17 V (Continental ContiSportContact3 SSR). |
| Capacity: | top speed 222 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 7,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,1 / 5,4 / 6,4 l / 100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.230 kg - permissible gross weight 1.660 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 3.715 mm - width 1.683 mm - height 1.414 mm - fuel tank 40 l. |
| Box: | 125-660 l |
Our measurements
| T = 17 ° C / p = 1.200 mbar / rel. vl. = 31% / Odometer Condition: 2.220 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 7,6s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 15,5 years ( 149 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 6,1 / 8,0s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 7,4 / 9,0s |
| Maximum speed: | 222km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 9,5 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 36,0m |
| AM table: | 40m |
evaluation
Driving is pure pleasure. Lowering and raising the roof in 15 seconds at speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour is just one of the advantages of this car, which we treat every wind-hungry man, woman or couple without (larger) children.
We praise and reproach
flywheel
Transmission
engine
road position and handling
driving position
driving pleasure
entrance space
trunk
workmanship
rear window lubrication in bad weather
a draft in the cabin with the windows down (without the windscreen)
opaque speedometer
