MINI Convertible (2004 – 2008) Review
MINI Convertible (2004 – 2008) At A Glance
The Convertible version of the MINI arrived in 2004, some three years after the launch of the hatchback. It was the final piece in the MINI jigsaw and one that proved to be both highly successful and profitable for its maker. Although it looks like a simple roof chop, there are many engineering changes in order to beef up the car's structure enough to maintain the original car's excellent dynamics.
Styling elements that set apart the Convertible are the retro looking external boot hinges and the chrome-look roll-over hoops. Unlike the original new-generation MINI, the Convertible was developed from start to end by BMW and the end result is a car that's roof is a superbly-engineered two-stage arrangement that gives the option to be run in full open-top mode or partially retracted.
The Convertible was powered by the Tritec 1.6-litre engine in naturally-aspirated Cooper form, or Supercharged Cooper S. As it ran alongside both the original new MINI and its replacement, the original Convertible was facelifted to coincide with the newer car's introduction, with a revised range of colours and upgraded interior and equipment levels. Strong image and residuals are a positive, but a relative lack of quality compared with the later Convertible is a downside.
Real MPG average for a MINI Convertible (2004 – 2008)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
90%
Real MPG
27–41 mpg
MPGs submitted
45
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