2016 MINI Cooper S Convertible FIRST DRIVE REVIEW with Emme Hall of C|NET • Roadshow

MotoMan is joined by friend of the show and serious race-car driver, Emme Hall, as they drive the 2016 MINI Cooper S Convertible. Along the ridge of the Santa Monica mountains they demonstrate the engineering and driving dynamics that go into transforming the all new MINI Cooper S into a convertible. As things progress, they debate the nuances of the 2016 MINI convertible as well as a raft of other topics . . .
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[@Greggory1987]

I just ordered a 2022 Mini Convertible in Zesty yellow, manual drive, yellow seats....I can't wait to get it in 3 months!!

[@MotoManTV]

Bold color choice. Post a pic when you get it.

[@Greggory1987]

@@MotoManTV I sure will...thanks.

[@michaelagostino3483]

YES! Emme is back! 1st video I've seen her in since she left TFLcars.

[@stevesalt2921]

Me too man!

[@HoofHearted2DAY]

Cheeky chemistry & someone to bounce off does wonders - great review :)

[@kevinsamuel3930]

I live in India where some cars cost 3 times as much as in other countries due to crazy taxes. I just bought a Mini Cooper S convertible for $100K USD!

[@bencritchley2005]

Why wouldn't you just import one for that money?

[@kevinsamuel3930]

@@bencritchley2005 Importing one privately would cost more than that. My car was imported by Mini India. Doesn’t make a big difference as the import duty on all cars is 200% here.

[@robertmichaelrodriguez2802]

I think that you guys did a great job with announcing the new Minni Couper S.

[@MarioMeyer1981]

I just got mine, so in love, so nice, and such a sexy little number if you configure it well, Harmann Kardon Sound system and sport seats is a must, the "Driving modes are a bit of a gimmick and the ambient light package is great just don't do the color line LED strips in the doors It is over kill and not necessary", My previous 2010 mini convertible, witch I traded in for a new 2014 Mini Cooper Hatch, witch I then traded in for a Mini Paceman(Had Some Drama with the dealership concerning the 2014hatch), before I got my Current new 2016 Mini Convertible, had a cloth black and White leather interior, I traded it in 2014 and the white leather was still Pristine, so people shouldn't be scared to order the white interior the quality and craftsmanship is immaculate!

[@MarioMeyer1981]

Oh and if you going for the sat nav version, take the Journey Mate XL it is packed with awesome features, the normal Mini Connected is a bit limited

[@TimAlma627]

Very nice episode Love you both

[@SG-sz5vh]

One of your better vids. Very entertaining. Kudos

[@dry509]

What about the shifting of the transmission, the brakes, does it rev match on downshift, etc?

[@ckjl7704]

I am driving mini coupe JCW and thinking of the new mazda MX5 or the new mini convertible

[@stevesalt2921]

Great vid! where was this filmed friend? Great to see Emme Hall back on you tube.

[@robhuting3834]

Great video. I was not aware of the trick with the trunk. Will use that in the future. Just bought a used on of these and love it. I think it competes with the Fiat 500 Abarth, maybe the VW convertible which seems less sporty. Other cars in the garage are a 991.2 and a 991.1S Convertible.

[@마이미니라이프]

it's very nice opencar.. for small car lovers.

[@ErikThureson]

Good stuff!

[@freezor80]

It competes with the Fiat 500 Abarth, Veloster R-Spec and the Fiesta ST. It is a little more up scale and costs more though, but performance wise it is similar.I live in KC and my wife and I have a 2014 Veloster R-Spec, 2008 Civic Si and a 1999 F150. All are manual. The truck is our tool, I drive the Civic Si. I hate the Kumho Tires on the R-Spec and will replace with better ones when she wears them out.

[@Lee-70ish]

What do I drive in the UK MM ? A 2001 Skoda Fabia with 160,000 on the clock and never had a problem runs like a watch (with about the same performance 90mph on a good day ) So much for small engine (1.2) reliability

[@larryspiller15]

not missing her on tfl at all

[@larryspiller15]

+Spica49134 glad I'm not the only one. seemed like everyone just loved her but I was not one of those people.

[@larryspiller15]

+Spica49134 yes sir, you basically read my thoughts

[@anguy11]

+Spica49134 she has high enthusiasm and energy which makes people happy. yeah she may go a bit overboard but I love her for that. she's unique in her own way. just like Brian Cooley being honest. or motoman saying "but I digress"

[@mohawk5010]

Car Magazine in the UK said it was positioned against the MX-5. At first, I thought it was far-fetched, but now I think it is a direct competitor. I could see how someone might look at the MX-5, want a more premium interior, not care about FWD vs RWD and jump to the Mini Cooper S.

[@DabCityyy]

verrryy nice :)

[@lilredscout]

sorry, I am in love with the older MiniS's. I have owned three and this is my fourth. It just doesnt have the kaboom of the earlier mini karts. I have always owned S's and this one just is too big and less fun. I have it for three more years, so I have to fall in love.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

It's a peppy, fun car...what more do you want?

[@randolphb.1667]

The MINI really only has two competitors; the Beetle and the FIAT. These are really the only vehicles in that price class that people will be cross-shopping, unless money is no object then they may cross-shop the A3 and 2 series, but no way would they even consider a Mustang or Camaro. The consumers looking at MINIs, Beetles and FIATs are consumers that don't care about horsepower, they want a car that no one else has, and everyone and their mom has a Camaro or Mustang. They are looking for a car with style and personality and sense of uniqueness. I have a 2014 Beetle Convertible and a 2008 Cooper S hardtop, and I love them both. The R56 has had some drawbacks, but I still love it.

[@MBvolcom92]

Personally I believe this car falls under the "hipster" or design savvy customer segment group. So I would say it competes more with cars like the VW Beetle, Fiat 500, Audi A1. People who buy mini's don't really care about the engine, fuel efficiency, etc. They want style, and they'll pay good money for it. I live in Oslo, Norway. I'm currently a business student, so in other words I have the fine privilege of taking the bus and the metro...

[@PTNM15]

I think the closest thing that it competes with would possible be a Volkswagen Beetle... maybe Fiat? (NAH!) But even that vehicle has its own fans. Both iconic cars. I personally feel that the MINI is purchased for its uniqueness and even quirkiness (for some: center speedometer, looks, toggle switches.) I guess you could maybe say keep it "in house" with the BMW 2 Series, of course a vehicle with a different price point but you could opt for building a 228i M Sport instead of going for a range topping JCW MINI. But you'd be missing out on those unique & cool MINI only exterior colors and even aesthetic options (stripes, mirror covers, many wheels, trims.) Overall I feel like the MINI stands on its own, with its unique styling & history. I definitely have to agree on the customization, to build your MINI, something I will be doing on the next MINI purchase. I always joke with others that MINI does everything à la carte, base build $24K, have some fun with the customization... a few clicks later... $35K. A very popular car here in Hawaii... there are about 20 MINI's within a 5 miles radius from my home. Everything from Base Cooper's to highly optioned JCW Countryman's. Even Roadsters that seem to be driven off road quite often (muddy exterior). BTW Thank You for such cool reviews... It was especially nice seeing Emme. (: Hawaii, The Big Island I recently picked up a 2013 MINI Countryman S

[@NuclearGrizzly]

A moment of silence for Bowie? F that...raise a joyful noise :-)

[@zelinli4287]

The car that you buy for design and the iconic symbol is the car MINI compete with: VW Beetle

[@BullshotDarts]

gotta go with the convertible...

[@jesperhald3969]

In my opinion, the Mini is a retro-thing, and as such it competes with other retrocars such as The Beetle. I would definitely prefer the Mini any time due to driving dynamics and style, no doubt! I live in Denmark (absolutely NOT a convertible-country!!) and drives a Skoda Superb 1.8 Tsi and a Fiat 500 (Das Auto der Fraues!)

[@Amajor34]

+Jesper Hald MINI buyers generally don't cross shop the car with the beetle, as the MINI is a much more premium and sophisticated proposition.

[@jesperhald3969]

+Alexander Major, I agree, but MotoMan asked for alternatives, and in the "retrosegment" and in that price segment, I don't see any other alternatives. There are alternatives such as the Cascade, the A3 and the Golf, but they are all too dull in my opinion. A decent alternative, which isn't retro, would be the new MX-5/Miata, but me being 6"6´ it isn't really an possibility! ;-)

[@chosenArchitec]

The car sounds good hmmm

[@IceDree]

I agree with Emme, the faux wood sandwiched between the hard plastics indeed looks cheap … Plus, a MNI with wood? We love wood trims, but that ain't right! Yes, the interior is VERY light-colored …. Any hint of stains will make it look awful. The only cars I can think of that competes with the MINI are the Beetle Convertible & the Citroën DS3 convertible…. Maybe even the Cinquecento convertible, but that's a smaller car. As always, excellent work M!

[@MotoManTV]

+IceDree Hey Amro! Sooooo - You're going to laugh but I *really* want to try out the DS3 convertible . . . May need to build in some extra time on coming European trips to try some cars out like that . . .

[@IceDree]

You won't believe it, but I actually went to check out the DS3 (hardtop) myself when it first came out … its actually pretty cool in person. The one to see is the DS5 though, they took the Aviation inspiration theme to the next level! Center console switches (not as plenty as the Porsches, but hey! they all real), overhead switches & compartment extending over the big glass roof to give you that old school Bomber feel! I wanted to send you a photo last night, but the network crapped out) I was very close to trade in my Kia for one a couple of years ago … the only thing that stopped me is all the cars in their inventory were white …. I don’t do White (I have an exception for one car)

[@SPYCRABFAN]

wow I cringed so bad when he sat on the tailgate jeez

[@chrisfairlamb9373]

The Mini Convertible is retro , fun and has style in spades inside and out . The VW beetle is rerto and has a sort of staid style but it is it fun ? Hardly . The VW Golf convertible is an open top compact but basically well its just boring boring boring . The Fiat 500 attempts retro style but it doesn't really cut it or provide open air fun. That leaves the Mazda MX5 which has loads of style and is definitely fun - it is even a little bit retro [ think MGB ] but it has only 2 seats and a cramped plasticky cabin . Finally there are cars like the BMW 2 series and Audi A3 convertible . Both beautiful to look at , with a touch of luxury ; both have 4 seats and they are even fun in a cruising/refined sort of way but retro style and cool? Nope . Conclusion the Mini doesn't really have a direct competitor - its unique . Not perfect but a unique style icon

[@headcas620]

The design is all wrong. There's too much space from the top of the fender to the wheel. Stupid pedestrian crash safety made them raise the hood too far. Thanks Yurop.

[@Lee-70ish]

+headcas620 not just Europe the E type and the MG both had their lines decimated by US regs bumper

[@lejink]

I'm not a fan of cutting the roof off of a decent car It ruins it imo

[@jamieefuentes2919]

Do you at least like the other minis

[@cuddles6938]

Especially if they don't strengthen the body when there is no roof to help with ridgity.

[@roberthallen8833]

I've read your comments for sometime, driven the 3 cylinder, thought about the S, wondered why they never placed a small Buick v 8 under the Bonet. turbo are loud jusf by the idea of pushing air threw the plastic pipes and yes they have to do all sorts of port polishing to push more air quicker threw the ports. I opt for a bigger block

[@kojpim271]

Tfl anybody

[@o2i3u5klwerh8]

It competes with the fiat 500c as it is a girls car. Hi from Portugal with a Skoda Yeti!The best car in the world!

[@nikb6528]

Love Skoda! We own the newest Octavia!

[@o2i3u5klwerh8]

+Nik Brudar Thats an awesome car!

[@nikb6528]

*****​ It is! I love it haha. It offers so much for small amount of money.

[@freezor80]

Hellcats lose to F-Type R AWD because a Hellcat is crap for putting power down. This can should no longer be called a Mini. It is no longer Mini. I had considered one back when they were smaller. I could not afford it. Now I can afford it and will never get one. It is too big for what it is.

[@tahaniobid4662]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️☹️

[@saddist1Gtown]

I am not impressed with the rather amateurish review of a car that is rather beyond any of the tacky offerings from the Koreans and Japanese, Emme is an owner of the older model Miata (she said so on TFL) and I am 100% sure this car is faster and far more equipped than her Miata. It's a suttle sophistication that the average Japanese car owner is alien to, as they are more accustomed to shiny blingy cheaply dressed up plastics... Tut ..tut ... out of their depth, on this I'm afraid.... park this car up in a car park of an upscale hotel it belongs there , and it would be the pick of 9 out of 10 European women compared to what's on offer in its class.

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

D to the F to the I...

[@chrisogrady28]

'The most British of British convertibles' WHAT? It's a German company. Do you really think it's more British than a Morgan Aero 8?

[@larryspiller15]

it's got a strong heritage and people actually know about it

[@cuddles6938]

Only one I see on Cnet doing cars is Brian Cooley. I see she is dying her hair something other then blonde.

[@qwerttypoiuy]

mini is getting too BIG

[@bdumitru07]

does she knows how to drive? doesn't look like

[@alexstern3583]

Yea she can drive

[@nikb6528]

It's so funny how ladies tend to sway their whole head and body into the direction they're turning lol

[@michaelpesce5886]

Is this a car review, or a fucking date?

[@rudys0951]

Couldn’t finish this review. These two are so irritating.

[@lilredscout]

an also, lets not be sexist. I would imagine that a LOT of people who drive Minis are also gay. Let the references to your girlfriend or date go.

[@abdullahwraikat4058]

JL Serkes wait what cars has nothing to do with genders or sexually OMG you connect everything with sexually