First-generation MINI Cooper Convertible production comes to an end
08/08/2008, 10:29 AM
By Drew Johnson
One more chapter has been closed in the MINI storybook as production of the first generation MINI Cooper Convertible has come to an end. The last of the first-generation MINI Cooper Convertibles to roll off the assembly line was a Cooper S fitted with MINI’s Sidewalk package and painted metallic White Silver.
But MINI convertible fans need not worry as the production halt was planned in anticipation of the new R57 model. Although the updated MINI Cooper has been on the market for several months now, the convertible has soldiered on in first-generation guise.
The second-generation convertible will mirror the current generation Cooper, and will also borrow from its new range of 1.6L powerplants.
No official word on when the new convertible will begin production, but we expect to see it on the market before the next convertible season hits.
08/08, 11:14 AM
posted by:
bigp
well why wait to make to the bext generation.?
08/08, 11:24 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
With all the money they’re making, you’d think they could have brought the second-generation convertible to market a bit sooner.
08/08, 12:20 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
With all the money they are making… why bother changing it over until you have to. The first gen model was still selling like hotcakes.
08/08, 1:03 PM
posted by:
ktulu
mini cooper is about the best car in th world
08/08, 2:53 PM
posted by:
ngrozdanov
I hope they will keep MINI’s happy face!
08/08, 4:02 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
“With all the money they’re making, you’d think they could have brought the second-generation convertible to market a bit sooner.”
While the two generations may appear extremely similar, the newer coupe uses all-new engines and almost no carryover parts.. so Mini probably waited to use up all of their first-gen parts on the convertibles before switching over to the second-gen. Makes total business sense.. it’s not like you can tell them apart anyway!
08/08, 8:23 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
“I hope they will keep MINI’s happy face!”
I think it’s a pretty safe assumption that the face of the 2nd generation convertible will look pretty much the same as the one on the 2nd generation coupe and Clubman.
08/08, 11:23 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
The Clubman is ugly. Most agree
08/10, 12:58 AM
posted by:
RTT10
i am between mini or a GTI mk V… help me DECIDE
08/10, 6:52 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
The GTI is a fat pig. Go with the Mini
08/10, 8:36 PM
posted by:
josh
In all honesty RTT10, I’m biased as all hell (I work for MINI), but drive both before u make ur decision. If it Cooper V GTI… I’d say GTI. If its a MINI convertible (S or not) V GTI… MINI. If its Cooper S Hard top V GTI… I can honestly say they are perfectly matched. I drove both on the product knowledge training and could fault neither. The MINI has a really great over boost function that makes driving fast much more fun and now thinking back on it, the golf was great if you want EVERYTHING to be perfect, but souless, where the MINI coulnd’t wipe the smile from my face. And that over boost function…
Ultimatly, its your choice and which ever you choose, believe yourself when you say that you’ve bought a great car, but get the MINI (thats my bias!)
08/11, 2:22 AM
posted by:
DriveCritic
But with the pricey options list on the MINI Cooper S, most models that head out of the dealer has a sticker price closer to the R32 and than GTI — R32 > Cooper S anyway in both performance and class.
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