' 2012 Mini Cooper Convertible ' Test Drive & Review - TheGetawayer

I tested this Mini Cooper SD Convertible for a weekend on the twisty broads of southwestern germany ...
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[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks for watching, my friend ! I like small and fast cars, but the Citroen DS3 was more exciting for me. I guess, if the Mini would have been a Cooper S or Works, I would have ended the review with a smile on my face

[@TheGetawayer]

The turning circle of the Mini is shocking ! I didn't even mention that, but when I was filming flybys and had to turn the car on some narrow roads, it needed the same space as BMW 5 series :)

[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks, I do my best to provide an honest opinon. Glad you enjoy the videos !

[@aor3200]

I personally dont like that display in the center, old style mini speedometer was better. And when we are talking about modern bmw diesel engine that is too thirsty in my opinion. When you said about that handling is not like cart one reason must be that mini has 4 seats and longer body than 2 seats roadsters. 4 seat convertibles which i have driven always flex and mirrors shake because of body flex in bumps. Maybe cooper 2 door version would be better?

[@northstar15]

I wish ALL car reviewers were this honest and straightforward

[@TheGetawayer]

That's a huge compliment and means a lot to me! Thanks alot !

[@mattydomingo]

excellent review, keep up the great work!!

[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks ! That's a nice compliment :)

[@nexypointy]

well I'm gay so fashion is definitely something to go gaga for. Love your honest reviews.

[@TheGetawayer]

It isn't the world's most exciting car, that's for sure. But I appreciate that you still watched the review, JR ! Thanks for the feedback, buddy

[@TheGetawayer]

Thank you for your comment, Paul ! I am not a professional journalist or reviewer working for a magazine. So apart from not having the best video quality, I think my honest opinion about the cars that I present, is what people like about my reviews. The handling, well...You have to keep in mind: Most people won't / can't drive their Mini to its limit and reach the point were it get's twichty. That's why everybody thinks its a great handling road car...For me : It's talented, but not superior

[@TheGetawayer]

Thank you very much for your comment ! I was really disappointed about the Mini. In germany they are everywhere and after this drive I think people really only buy it because of its design, but not because it is a good car

[@TheGetawayer]

They are great to drive too ;-)

[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks ! I'll do my best :)

[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks for the feedback, buddy ! I already asked Toyota and Subaru for a GT86 or BRZ but couldn't get one yet. The cars come on the german market this mounth, so it will take me more time to get one, than those people from the us or elsewhere where the car is already on sale

[@TheGetawayer]

The Fiat 500s that I have driven were more fun to me, even with just 100 horsepower. They are very popular here in germany. I should really review a Fiat someday. Thanks for watching, Matt ! Greetings from germany

[@Groovevinylsmx]

Your german accent is really cool , anyways i own a mini and although i`m not an expert im very pleasant with it , i think it is a really good car , regards from Mexico

[@TheGetawayer]

Schön, wenn Du trotzdem das Video geschaut hast :) War ne spontane Sache...Mit kleinen Autos wie dem Audi A1 oder meinem Favourit dem Citroen DS3 hatte ich hier auf den engen Straßen im Odenwald schon ne Menge Spaß. Viele sagen der Mini fahre sich besser und da schien er mir als Cabrio für das warme Wochenende ne gute Wahl... Abgesehen davon, dass die Frauen echt auf dieses Auto stehen, kann ich aber auch nicht verstehen, warum soviele von den Dingern rumfahren...Vorallem bei den Preisen :)

[@TheGetawayer]

Not really. You get a small digital speedo in the rev-counter, so you don't need to watch the big one in the middle. Would be really distracting otherwise

[@albprosound]

This is what i am calling "Realistic review"....

[@TheGetawayer]

Thank you very much ! I should really try to get a Clio Sport, eventhough I don't like the standard Clio. Maybe Renault Germany can help me out with a car, because they are hard to find here in germany

[@TheGetawayer]

Thanks ! Well, I guess a stronger diesel would make this car much more exciting to drive. It wouldn't need to be as fast as the Works edition, but at least 170 to 180 hp would justifiy the high price of the Cooper SD...In the end you don't save money with this diesel, because it costs so much. I wouldn't buy the SD over a standard Cooper S

[@PwbBm]

I totally agree about a little disappointment! Diesel has very narrow power band and driving it is somehow a total mess. Not really a pleasure as everybody is saying! Please review GT86 (or Subaru) that should a huge success!

[@fullfist]

your English is very good

[@zbawicieldiesel]

Tkanks for great review. Well done! So in Your opinion is a BMW E87 116i/118d a better drivers car than Mini?

[@lamborghiniSPA1]

Looks like a fun drive, does that large center gauge get annoying when your driving?

[@TheGetawayer]

Yes, I was pretty surprised too. Maybe the engine needed a service. You never know with these rental cars ... I think the problem with the mirror is nasty and I didn't experience that in any other modern convertible. The hard top version must feel a bit better to drive, but in the end, looking at the price, I'd rather have the Citroen DS3, which is coming out as a convertible very soon

[@simonesimon3485]

Ok Dankeschön :) Habe in letzterzeit oft autos gesehen die dem mini ziehmlich ähnlich sehen. ICh habe bis jetzt nur gesehen das es von der marke Skoda ist! Welche Serie könnte das sein?

[@TheGetawayer]

Yes, I was pretty surprised too. Maybe the engine needed a service. You never know with these rental cars ...

[@TheGetawayer]

I know the diesel isn't available in the states. I try my best to get cars that aren't diesels, but they are just very popular here in germany, where diesel is cheaper than gasoline. Here in germany most customers are women and young-urban-professionals ;-)

[@TheGetawayer]

Yeah, I wish I could afford one...A Cayman would be great :)

[@TheGetawayer]

Hahaha :) It wasn't pleasing to drive, believe me. And I noticed that there are alot of old men driving them here in germany. I wouldn't have picked it for a review, but I got it as a rental car and then I just had to film it :)

[@NYCaddicted]

Was kann ich sagen, wieder mal ein gelungener Test - wie sonst auch :-) Wie kamst du dazu, dir den auszuleihen ? Ich war noch nie ein fan von dieser Marke, allein schon dieses Aussehen und alles, einfach nicht meins :-) Dein Video hat meine Meinung noch mehr bestätigt :P Weiter so, Daumen hoch !

[@TheGetawayer]

Oh, by a mile, buddy ! Just the fact that the 1series is rear-wheel drive makes it a much better driver's car in my opinion

[@MikePT15]

nevertheless great review!

[@TheGetawayer]

Es geht ja bei der Traktion dennoch weniger um PS als um das Drehmoment, soweit sollte man schon technisch im Bilde sein ;-) Der Golf GTD hat auch volle 350 NM und macht seine Sache sehr gut. Bist Du denn schon mal einen SD gefahren ? Reicht Dir die Leistung ? Ich traue dem Mini einfach mehr zu...Siehe John Cooper Works GP...Der bringt die Leistung ja auch auf den Boden...Den SD hier fand ich echt zu müde, wenn man GTD und 123d kennt....

[@simonesimon3485]

Hey, ich bin AUCH ein Mädchen das total auf den mini abfährt :D ich würde mir gerne einen holen, bin aber 1. erst 15, somit noch keinen führerschein und keinen plan von autos :D Der mini hat ja ein hoch fahrbares dach. Ist das hintere fenster dann aus plastik oder trotzdem aus glas? und kann man da auch gut durch sehen? Lg Simone

[@TheGetawayer]

:) Funny comment and kind of true

[@jimmyverhaegen]

He got it in the end.

[@stoneeh]

im getting a cayman s the next 1-2 years or die trying :)

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Very good review, I do like the Mini but think they're overpriced. If I wanted a small cute looking hatchback I'd take a Fiat 500 I think. Much cheaper and does the same thing. Don't think I'll be in the market for a car like this ever though! Interesting conclusion, didn't see that coming! +1

[@TheGetawayer]

Da hast Du sicher Recht. Vorallem was die Steifigkeit angeht..Deswegen habe ich ja den JCW auch erwähnt. Aber 30.000 € und mehr wäre mir der auch nicht wert. Für 28.800 € hätte der 123d Motor in dieses Auto gehört...

[@thomaswicksteed]

The Mini is old fashioned now and recent ugly variants like the Countryman and Coupe suggest that BMW do not know how to produce a good looking replacement. Your comments about the handling are interesting for in the UK we get a lot of propaganda that the "superior" handling comes as a result of the rear suspension which reduces rear cabin space as well as luggage accomodation. It is good to get knowledgeable views from someone who does not have to be nice to motor manufacturers. Paul

[@TheGetawayer]

Ich bin mir sicher das an dem Auto was nicht gestimmt hat...Beim S-Benziner sind 8 liter sehr sparsam, beim SD-Diesel nicht :)

[@TheGetawayer]

Ich finde es schön, dass Du mir im Kern Recht gibst, auch wenn es Dir ( als Mini-Fahrer ? ) wohl schwer fällt...Der 120d hat 380 Newtonmeter, der 123d 400 Newtonmeter und der 125d 450 Newtonmeter Drehmoment. Das mag schon ordentlich sein aber VW bekommt es ja beim GTD auch hin... Deutsche Kritik an meinem Akzent prallt übrigens völlig an mir ab, denn die meisten meiner Zuschauer sind Amerikaner und mögen wie ich spreche...

[@TheGetawayer]

Hi Simone ! Die Heckscheibe ist auch Glas. Leider sieht man nicht allzu viel dadurch. Schlimmer ist aber das man offen kaum über das zusammengefaltete Dach schauen kann, weil es sich nicht im Kofferraum versenkt. Ich glaube aber das wird Dich nicht aufhalten, denn alle Mädels lieben den MINI :) Grüsse, Guido / TheGetawayer

[@TheOccTher]

1st off: love the German accent. 2nd, one purchases a Diesel for cost savings not sport. Why would Mini offer an engine that beats it's high end Cooper Works edition?

[@radbcc]

Good review. Diesel model not avail in US. Wonder what % of US buyers are women? I see a lot of older richer men in the US driving this as a weekend toy car...

[@stoneeh]

man, talking about old men.. i rarely see someone driving a porsche who doesnt have grey hair.. even 1st generation boxsters.. what is up with that??

[@TheGetawayer]

Ja, ich muss ihn auch nicht haben, Marius...Das neue DS3 Cabrio oder ein 500er Fiat Abarth wären eher mein Geschmack in dieser Liga. Und die fahren wirklich nicht schlecht als der Mini und kosten weniger...

[@gumball7790]

fahr selber nen cooper s, aber schaffe es nicht über die 8ltr hinaus... und der wird geplagt =)

[@MikePT15]

Only saw this review because i really was interested in your opinion. Never liked this "new coopers" apart from the "john cooper works" and after watching your review i know that you feel the same way. Not a great drivers car. You can choose very different and better hot hatchs for that kind of money. The mini is more about fashion and style (and not much for me) than driving pleasure and driving experience.

[@t3chn0m0]

Du solltest wirklich den JCW mit 211PS und der mech. Sperre fahren. Außerdem nicht das Cabrio. Ich verspreche dir ein vollkommen anderes Fahrerlebnis. Der JCW liegt im Durchzug 80-120 Km/h im 5. Gang auf 335i Niveau. Der Diesel passt null in so ein Farzeug mit "S" Badge. Außerdem verliert er durch das Cabrio seine Verwindungssteifigkeit und hat auch noch mehr Gewicht. Geht gar nicht fuer den Preis. Danke fuer das Review!

[@Cartman22100]

Also ich in kein Fan von diesem Auto ! Hässliches Design, Extem überteuert und ein typisches Frauenauto. Vor fast 3 jahren hatte ein Kumpel von mir einen Cooper S organisiert (erstes Modell, Das Auto hat seinem Vater gehört). Mir hat lediglich der Sound gut gefallen, das Geheule von dem Kompressor war ganz cool !

[@stoneeh]

this car really screams "homo". i do not envy you driving it, but still thanks for making the sacrifice for our benefit hehe