Full Test: 2005 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles

There aren't too many inanimate objects as cute and endearing as a Mini Cooper. Certainly none that have as great an effect on normally unfriendly, big-city drivers. Pilot this little bug-eyed bulldog around even such egocentric places as L.A. and other drivers will actually smile and let you merge into traffic. And that's just a side benefit of the Cooper. Above that, the car is a blast to drive, as we discovered during our year-long experience with a Mini Cooper S hatchback.

Now, with the debut of the 2005 Mini Cooper convertible, the folks at Mini have jacked up this car's already high fun factor by dropping the top. As with the coupe body style, the ragtop is available in two flavors: the mild 115-horsepower base car and the spicy 168-horsepower Cooper S that features a supercharged engine and a sportier suspension and tire package. We sampled both.

Call the Fashion Police!
We received the base Mini Cooper convertible a few days before the S version rolled in. And my, what a sight it was! We know Mini wants to be different and all, but orange paint with a navy blue top and interior? It was like the automotive version of What Not to Wear. Maybe the lads in the color department had a few pints too many before they specified this getup…. When the Mini Cooper S convertible arrived, it was dressed in a blue-on-blue ensemble that was a lot easier on our eyes.

In addition to the debut of a convertible body style, changes for the 2005 Mini Cooper include slightly revised front and rear fascias and a trio of updates for the supercharged S model: the availability of a six-speed automatic transmission, the option of a limited-slip differential (manual transmission only) and increased output (up 5 horsepower and 7 pound-feet) from the supercharged engine. Those who need more horses under the hood can spring for the John Cooper Works kit, which also pumps out more power this year — 207 hp and 180 lb-ft.

Although similar to that of our long-term Mini Cooper S, the interiors of these test cars appeared a bit more upscale thanks to a sporty three-spoke steering wheel (added for 2004) and color-keyed instrument panel and door trim. Our non-S tester had the newly optional Cockpit Chrono Pack that puts the speedo in front of the steering wheel (next to the tach) and fills the big circular void left in the dash's center with four gauges, including a pair for oil pressure and oil temperature. Optional chrome detailing inside and out added a final chic touch.

On a practical level, the Mini convertible's small bottom-hinged hatch offers storage for maybe a half-dozen grocery bags. If you need more capacity, fold down the rear seat and a generous 21 cubic feet becomes available.

Open-Air Options
Packaging an insulated and power-controlled convertible top into a Mini Cooper must have been a daunting task, what with the serious space constraints and all. But those Mini designers did a jolly good job. Should you just want the feel of a sunroof, simply press the "top down" button once and the top slides back and stops, providing a generous opening. Want full exposure? Hit it again and the top goes down without any more effort on your part — no latches to undo or covers to snap on.

While cruising on the highway with the top down and windows up, a couple of us thought the wind slapping the tops of our noggins was a bit too much. In fairness to Mini, the company does offer a very effective windblocker that, although absent on both test cars, was experienced earlier on a first drive event. But in spite of the buffeting, it was still possible for the front occupants to carry on a conversation at 75 mph without shouting.

As impressive as the soft top's operation and versatility are, so too is the retention of the Mini Cooper coupe's solid-as-a-block-of-steel rigidity. After Southern California's recent spate of heavy rains, potholes popped up on the streets like dandelions on a neglected lawn. Although we subjected both Coopers to the asphalt craters, there was nary a shudder to be seen or felt.

Caffeinated or Decaf?
As with the coupes, the big difference between the standard Mini Cooper convertible and the Cooper S convertible is what resides under the bonnet. We drove manual transmission versions of each. The base Cooper's 115-hp engine is paired with a five-speed, while the 168-horse S gives you six gears to pick from.

Before we jumped behind the wheel, we were prepared to declare the base car a slug. After all, even a base Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla has more power than the Mini Cooper. But it turned out that there was enough zip on tap to satisfy most of our staff. Further, the refinement of the little four meant that taking it up to 6,000 rpm didn't make you feel like you were beating on the car. The hard numbers aren't going to impress your buddies — the 0-60 sprint takes 9.8 seconds and the quarter takes 17.14 ticks — but keep the revs up and there's enough scoot to deal with heavy city traffic and open freeways alike.

Spend the extra $3,450 for the supercharged Mini Cooper S and you'll be rewarded with substantially improved gusto. A 7.7-second 0-60 time and a 15.69-second quarter mean this Mini has no problem scurrying away from SUVs and minivans that threaten to trap it in traffic. As with the standard Cooper, power down low is a bit soft. The engine hits its stride once the tach's needle is swinging past 3,500 rpm.

In either Mini convertible, gear changes are a delight thanks to light, precise throws teamed with a smooth, progressive clutch. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes, aided by electronic brains that distribute the braking force wherever it will be most effective, haul 'er down in short order. Both Minis took only 117 feet to stop from 60 mph. Having brakes this strong is a comfort in a world of unpredictable, spastic drivers.

Catch Me If You Can
OK, enough of that boring, straight-line stuff. Ripping through corners is what the Mini Cooper is all about. The chubby steering wheel hints at the car's nimble personality — steering feel and feedback are top-notch. The fully independent suspension features a multilink rear setup (typically seen only on rear-drive performance cars) and anti-sway bars front and rear, all of which keep the car responsive, predictable and stable while driving aggressively. Impressive structural integrity, which feels virtually equal to the hardtop's, is achieved through beefed-up side sills and A- and B-pillars.

Whether you're slicing through traffic or tearing up a twisty road, there's not much that can stay with this little bugger if the curves are plentiful and open straightaways are few. Backing up this impression is the base car's fast 64-mph run through our slalom course, which puts it wheel-to-wheel through the cones with full-on sports cars like the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8. Yes, this Mini Cooper convertible had the optional Sport package, which gave it the same sticky tires (195/55VR16 Dunlop SP Sport 3000s) as the Cooper S convertible, but there's no denying its giant-killer potential.

Able to attack the slalom with even more vigor, the Mini Cooper S convertible whipped through the cones at nearly 67 mph, a most impressive feat. As both Coopers had identical suspension calibrations, the increased speed is obviously due to the S' greater power that provides more pull from cone to cone. To put this stellar performance into proper perspective, consider this: We're talking a bigger number here than those achieved by the C6 Chevy Corvette and Porsche 911.

With pricing ranging from around $22,000 for a base 2005 Mini Cooper convertible to the mid-$30Ks for a loaded S, there's a Mini convertible within reach of most working stiffs. Whether you're a commuter looking for a fun daily driver or an enthusiast who takes delight in leaving sports cars in the dust on your favorite crooked road, you can't go wrong making a Mini Cooper drop top your ride.