Item: Used Mini Convertible 2009-2015
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/sports/used-review/n956">Fiat 500C</a> is a small car that, like the Mini, has been styled to look cute. However, it doesn’t drive with the same verve as the Mini and, in some cases, its engines aren’t as efficient.

If you fancy something a bit&nbsp;bigger and much classier, try an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/sports/used-review/n815">Audi A3 Cabriolet</a>. The A3 is a very refined car, and the open-top version continues to be so whether the roof is up or down. The plush interior is a particular highlight, as is the fantastic range of petrol and diesel engines.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<h3 dir="ltr">Diesel engine timing chain</h3>

The Mini Convertible was launched after the&nbsp;BMW-sourced range of diesel engines were introduced, so it doesn’t share the same oil starvation problems as early diesel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n499">Mini hatchback</a>s. However, some owners have found problems with premature timing chain wear in the best case scenario&nbsp;or complete failure in the worst. If the engine rattles at idle after&nbsp;start-up, you’ll need to budget for expensive repairs, since it is often a time-consuming, engine-out job to sort the issue.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Gearbox</h3>

There are reports of the six-speed manual gearbox failing and needing to be replaced, along with concerns about the clutch, which has been known to require expensive repairs.

<h3 dir="ltr">Stop-start system</h3>

The stop-start system has been known to malfunction and stall the car at junctions – and Mini dealers often struggle to diagnose the fault. The system has also been reported to stop working altogether, leaving an error message on the dashboard, which can be fixed only by a dealer.

<h3 dir="ltr">Interior</h3>

The dashboard and other interior areas&nbsp;have also suffered from rattles and creaks. Some owners have insisted on having new dashboards fitted, but this doesn't always solve the problem. The speakers can rattle and distort, and in some cases fail completely and need replacing.

Also, we’ve seen numerous reports of problems with the air conditioning system. Make sure you test it by first setting it to maximum heat,&nbsp;then switching to cold and noting&nbsp;how quickly the temperature drops. If the system is working correctly, it should go from hot to cold in seconds.

<h3 dir="ltr">Windscreen</h3>

The Convertible's upright windscreen is very susceptible to chips, so make sure there aren’t any large ones in the area in front of the driver, because that could lead to an MOT test failure. Also, chips can develop into cracks. Smaller ones can be repaired, but bigger ones will require a replacement windscreen.

<h3 dir="ltr">Water pump</h3>

A small number of cars built between 20 August 2009 and 30 September 2014 had an additional water pump for the turbocharger that&nbsp;wasn’t particularly robust. In extreme cases, it could even melt and catch fire. A recall was issued for dealers to replace the pump on affected cars with an improved one to prevent this from happening. A Mini dealer should be able to tell you if this work has been done.&nbsp;

Mini as a brand came in 22nd place out of 31&nbsp;manufacturers, which isn't a particularly stellar result.

If you would like to see the full reliability list for small cars, head to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2017-what-car-reliability-survey/n16172"> What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.

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Sports

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

CONVERTIBLE

Enjoyable to drive and able to seat four sun-worshippers, a used Mini Convertible is a pint-sized plaything for not a lot of money

Used Mini Convertible 2009-2015

The most economical Mini Convertible is, quite predictably, the 1.6-litre diesel. Thanks to a combined fuel economy figure of 70.6mpg (NEDC) and CO2 emissions of 105g/km, you won’t have to stop for fuel very often or pay much in road tax. The more powerful 2.0-litre diesel is almost as good, at 62.8mpg and 118g/km.&nbsp;

The 98bhp and 118bhp petrols&nbsp;share a combined economy figure of 49.6mpg and 133g/km, while the more powerful turbocharger Cooper S gets 47.1mpg and 139g/km&nbsp;and the thirstiest JCW model is down to 41.5mpg and 157g/km. To find out about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a> for further information.

Mini main dealer servicing is actually pretty reasonable when compared with other premium brands, so looking after a Mini Convertible shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.&nbsp;

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Enjoyable to drive and able to seat four sun-worshippers, a used Mini Convertible is a pint-sized plaything for not a lot of money

Prices for a Mini Convertible at the time of writing started at £3000 for a 2009 1.6-litre Cooper, but use&nbsp;our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Check the value of a used Mini Convertible with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/valuations/">What Car? Valuation</a>

Given the potential long-term reliability issues with the diesel model, you might find that the initial savings made in fuel costs could be undone by expensive maintenance bills later on.&nbsp;It might therefore be more cost-effective to go for a petrol model, with the 122bhp 1.6-litre Cooper providing the best blend of performance and running costs. If insurance costs aren’t a concern, a Cooper S or faster John Cooper Works would be an even more entertaining way of going topless.

Choosing a 1.6-litre Cooper also means you get a decent level of equipment, but look out for an example with the Pepper&nbsp;or Chili packs to get more kit.&nbsp;

Our favourite Mini Convertible: 1.6 Cooper

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What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

It may sound obvious, but inspect the operation of the roof with a fine-tooth comb, because a new canvas top&nbsp;or&nbsp;folding mechanism&nbsp;could cost more than the whole car is worth. Also, you’ll want to make sure there are no leaks, so put it through a car wash and inspect the seals for any seepage.

Rear parking sensors are fitted to most models, but because rearward visibility is still so poor, check for parking damage all over;&nbsp;that can be expensive to set right. Also take&nbsp;a good look at the alloy wheels and inspect them for any kerb damage. Repairing alloy wheels can also be expensive and a bit of a hassle.

The small size and premium image of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mini">Mini</a> make the Convertible ideal for those who want a classy small car to use in town.

Annoyingly, four-seat&nbsp;convertibles tend to be large and, quite often, rather expensive. Even if you consider buying a used one, they tend to come from premium brands&nbsp;and therefore hold their value well. Fortunately, there’s always the Mini Convertible. It may not be the most spacious car around, but it is big fun and can be yours for surprisingly little money.

Engine choices mostly mirror those of the regular Mini hatchback, but because the Convertible weighs 30kg more due to&nbsp;the additional chassis strengthening needed to make up for the lack of a permanent roof, don’t expect quite the same level of perky performance. The 98bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine available from mid-2010&nbsp;is good enough, just as long as you don’t mind revving it hard. The 118bhp 1.6-litre unit in the Cooper is the one that should suit most drivers, though, because it's fast enough to be fun while still being fairly&nbsp;frugal.

If that's not enough, try the Cooper S, with its 175bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. And&nbsp;if you really want to move, the John Cooper&nbsp;Works version has an impressive 208bhp. If fuel economy is important, there's a 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel available&nbsp;from Cooper spec and above. In 2011, the Cooper SD was introduced with a 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine,&nbsp;and this makes for a very relaxing but high-performance Mini. An automatic gearbox was also available; this is&nbsp;well matched to the car's performance and fairly smooth. The manual is still more satisfying to use, though.

Accommodation in the front of the Convertible&nbsp;is rather good, and the driving position has lots of adjustment to&nbsp;ensure even the tallest of drivers can make themselves at home. The same can’t be said of those in the back, but then the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n499">Mini hatchback</a>&nbsp;isn’t that great in this regard either. Boot space is also an issue, because the folding roof mechanism encroaches into the luggage compartment when&nbsp;the hood is down and access to the load area is through a tiny slot. The roof impedes your rearward&nbsp;visibility when folded down, too.

The Convertible&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;come well equipped as standard. Entry-level One examples got a CD player, electric windows and mirrors&nbsp;and remote central locking, while the Cooper got&nbsp;alloy wheels&nbsp;and&nbsp;a sportier-looking interior. Air conditioning was optional on both.&nbsp;

Customers were mostly encouraged to specify option packs when the car was new, so it's worth highlighting some of the more popular choices here. Salt is something to look for on the One, because it adds front foglights, a trip&nbsp;computer&nbsp;and extra storage compartments. On Cooper models, there was&nbsp;Pepper, Chili&nbsp;or a combination of both. Pepper added a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated mirrors and windscreen washer jets (also&nbsp;Bluetooth and climate control on later models), while&nbsp;Chili included a three-spoke steering wheel, sports seats, sports suspension and larger alloy wheels.&nbsp;

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Used Mini Convertible 2009-2015 review

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Alternatives

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