2025 MINI Cooper S Convertible - First Drive & Interview with MINI USA PR Director

[@althor5550]

I’m on my 2nd 2006 S convertible. 1st gen convertible didn’t offer “openometer” gauge. That gauge came with 2nd gen convertible…What I’d be interested to know is if MINI will offer the 3 cylinder hardtop/convertible variant?

[@MotoringFile]

They will offer the convertible as a Cooper C but it will have the four cylinder rather than the three.

[@alwong604]

MF has become MINIs biggest apologist. I get it. You need to pay the bills. But here lies the rub. I cannot see this car bringing in NEW buyers, but it's certainly alienating EXISTING customers. Sorry to be such an ass but it needs to be said.

[@MotoringFile]

This is a casual chat about the new convertible with the head of MINI USA PR. It’s not the place to rehash all the issues we’ve already addressed on the site. For those who don't know, here's a recap; we’ve broken the news about the loss of the manual (and continue to critique it), bemoaned the disappearance of shift paddles (calling it out in every review on the site), and regularly criticized option packaging and aspects of the product itself. And guess what-it’s working. Steps are being taken to address some of the issues we’ve reported and critiqued regarding this new generation.

[@mars22872]

@@MotoringFilewell said. Great work. I appreciate the work you do. Love this brand. The new interiors are amazing. So happy that the hot hatch lives. Such a unique car in a world of SUV’s

[@davidsucks922]

Have you ever stopped to think that there were many people who didn't like the F56 who were sidelined from MINI ownership for a decade? In my opinion, the F56 had fussy styling, mediocre automatic transmission, dated interior look+tech, and uncomfortable seats. The new car addresses all of that. FINALLY I will most likely be pulling the trigger on the new F66 JCW once it drops, barring it sucking on a test drive, which I doubt it will. I very much welcome the changes. Every time I see an F66 on the road I fall more in love, the styling is so clean and modern but charming at the same time. So, in other words... speak for yourself

[@alwong604]

@@MotoringFile Sorry if it came across as a personal attack. I do not know who it is that is calling the shots at BMW but they clearly do not have an understanding of what MINI buyers want if we take current sales numbers as any sort of indication. NOW, this part is tricky. CAN BMW make a car that sells at MINI's volume... Profitably! I know it's easy for us to tell BMW what to build, but it they are also bound by the constraints of economic reality. Thank you for humoring this troll.

[@MotoringFile]

@@alwong604 No worries - appreciate the response and completely agree with your point.