Mini Cooper Convertible 1.6T S JCW Chili/Media Pack 2dr Review

For Very quick, with super-sharp steering and responses, and a great-sounding exhaust. The Chili Pack adds part-leather upholstery, 17-inch alloys, climate control, xenon headlights and a trip computer, and the Media Pack adds climate control, a DAB radio, sat-nav and Bluetooth.

Against It's very expensive – even more so with these option packs – and the ride on the firm suspension is stiff to the point of rigidity.

What Car? says

2 out of 5 stars

It's great, but arguably a bit too edgy and much too expensive, especially given the talents of the mainstream Cooper S.

What Car? readers say

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Key facts

0–60mph: 6.9 secs
Top speed: 146 mph
Average mpg: 38.7
Tank range: 426 miles

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Cheaper

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The full Mini Cooper review

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Great fun to drive, roof up or down
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Agile, but ride is firm
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Nothing to cause concern
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Reasonable asking price, great residuals
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Lots of cheap plastics but mostly good
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Everything's in order
Behind The Wheel
2 out of 5 stars
Rear visibility isn't the best
Space & Practicality
2 out of 5 stars
Front is fine, rear is tiny
Equipment
3 out of 5 stars
Adequate, but not generous

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Compared with the other models in the Mini range, there's a more limited number of Mini convertible versions on sale. However, whereas we prefer the quicker versions of the hatchback, we reckon you can make do with one of the less powerful convertibles. With a soft-top, it's less about sheer driving thrills, and more about the style and the wind in the hair.

Whichever you buy, though, consider taking out one of the two very worthwhile low-cost fixed-price servicing packages: tlc and tlc xl. The £150 tlc covers you for a first service visit (oil service and micro-filter), brake fluid service at two years and a second service visit - oil service, micro-filter, vehicle check, spark plugs and air filter. tlc XL, meanwhile, costs £380 and covers a further brake fluid service, plus a third and fourth service visits.