2007 MINI Cooper Convertible Performance Review
Performance - What the Auto Press Says
Test drivers are very pleased with the 2007 Mini Cooper Convertible's performance, finding that it rides just as well as the hard top version. New Car Test Drive says: "The Mini convertible surprises and delights with its serious motoring capabilities. Its chassis is extremely rigid for a topless car, so the Mini's acclaimed go kart cornering capability is left intact. Drop the top and enjoy the ride."
Reviewer after reviewer mentions the convertible's stable ride, which is impressive considering it doesn't have a fixed roof. Automobile Magazine explains: "No fixed roof means less body rigidity, but that inevitable loss is substantially negated by floorpan stiffeners, thicker steel for the side sills, and additional rear crossmembers. The result: only an occasional whimper, rather than frequent cries, of protest from the cowl and the body over rough pavement."
Though a few test drivers still complain about a harsh ride on imperfect pavement, most are satisfied. The only other complaint about the convertible's performance is a sometimes sluggish base engine. Cars.com says, "You might occasionally wish for the Cooper S's supercharger when passing or trudging uphill."
Acceleration and Power
The Cooper Convertible comes with a choice of two inline four-cylinder engines. The base model gets a 1.6-liter 115-horsepower engine, while the Cooper S gets a 168-horsepower supercharged engine. Reviewers have mixed feelings on the base engine, which makes 115 pound-feet of torque. Most find it lively, but also note that it lacks power in certain situations. "The 1.6-liter engine of the non-supercharged version provides brisk acceleration perfect for city driving, merging or passing on the highway," says Kelley Blue Book. "Load in a few passengers or try climbing a steep hill, however, and the Cooper isn't so willing."
While the base engine isn't particularly fast -- Edmunds reports a 0-to-60 miles-per-hour sprint of 9.8 seconds, while Mini reports 8.9 -- most say it still feels zippy. Woman Motorist says, "Because it seems like your backside is riding a quarter-inch off the ground, the Cooper feels like it's wildly fast." New Car Test Drive also offers the engine a nice compliment, saying it "provides as much fun per fuel dollar as any car on the market."
If reviewers are a bit lukewarm about the convertible's base engine, they're anything but when it comes to the supercharged powerplant in the Cooper S, which boasts 162 pound-feet of torque. Both Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book say it's worth the extra money, with the latter concluding that it "provides a significant increase in performance." Number-wise, that translates to a 7.7-second 0-to-60 time (Mini reports 7 seconds), according to Edmunds' road tests. Edmunds reports that the Cooper S "has no problem scurrying away from SUVs and minivans that threaten to trap it in traffic."
For even more impressive performance, Cooper S buyers can opt for the John Cooper Works kit, which adds a faster 207-horsepower supercharger, in addition to several other performance, exterior and interior upgrades. CNET says that with the JCW, "Running the tach up makes the car feel like a rocket" and further notes: "One of our reviewers commented that he needed to keep an extratight grip on the wheel during acceleration. The increased power and excellent handling of the Mini is a recipe for bad behavior." CNET reports that the kit takes the car's 0-to-60 mph time to 6.5 seconds, and gives it a top speed of 140 miles per hour. But as impressive as John Cooper Works may be, is it really worth the more than $5,000 premium? CNET says no: "We would have been happy to shave the kit and some other options off and just enjoy driving with the convertible top down, which is already part of the base price."
A five-speed manual transmission is standard for the base model, while the Cooper S gets a six-speed manual. Optional for the base model is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and optional for the S is a six-speed automatic. Reviewers unanimously prefer the standard manual, with Edmunds commenting, "Gear changes are a delight thanks to light, precise throws teamed with a smooth, progressive clutch." Road & Travel Magazine says, "The 5-speed is so nice it makes learning to shift for yourself worth the tiny effort."
On the other hand, test drivers have no shortage of criticism for the Cooper's automatic transmissions. Edmunds says, "With the optional automatic transmission, this car would be a sin." The Chicago Sun-Times finds that the CVT and conventional automatic transmissions "slow acceleration a bit," but also notes that they make the Mini "easier to live with in congested traffic." New Car Test Drive dings the CVT even more, noting that it's "not as responsive as a proper manual gearbox" and concluding that it "drains the fun out of the Mini Cooper."
Fuel economy is a plus for the convertible. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the base model at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway with the manual transmission. The Cooper S is rated for 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway with the manual and 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway with the automatic. Reviewers are especially impressed that the supercharged S nets similar figures as the base engine, with Consumer Guide reporting a "commendable" average of 32.3 mpg in highway driving. On the down side, the Mini Cooper Convertible drinks premium fuel, while rivals (including the Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible) take regular.
Handling and Braking
When it comes to handling, most feel that the 2007 Mini Cooper Convertible is a star thanks to its impressively firm suspension and sharp steering. "The Mini is the car you want to be driving when the road gets twisty," says Edmunds. CNET adds, "Steering is tight in the Mini, and the handling contributes a large part of this car's fun factor." That excellent handling is achieved through the convertible's retuned suspension. "It's no surprise that the drop-top versions handle just the same as their hard-top brethren, due to underbody reinforcements and a rear crossbar with integrated roll-over headrests," explains Autobytel.
The base model features McPherson single-link springstrut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The Cooper S upgrades to sport suspension. Edmunds says, "The non-sport Cooper has a surprisingly firm ride and can find its way down a twisty road with all the gumption of a Cooper S." But a few others note that the ride could still be smoother. Consumer Guide warns, "Expect choppy travel over all but glass-smooth surfaces." Cars.com echoes, "Though choppy on urban surfaces and rougher pavement, the ride is pleasant on smooth roads, if short of perfect." Test drivers generally approve of the S model's sport suspension, which CNET says is "firm, but not overly so." Consumer Guide thinks it takes handling to "an even higher level. Still, stiff suspension and low-profile 17-inch tires can upset adhesion in bumpy turns."
Most reviewers agree that the Mini's rack and pinion power-assisted steering is its forté. "Ripping through corners is what the Mini Cooper is all about," says Edmunds. Consumer Guide also sings the convertible's praises, commenting, "Minis turn on a dime," and noting "outstanding steering response." Road and Track echoes: "The steering was excellent, with just the right amount of assist. And as expected of a car with a wide track and wheels at its outermost corners, the car carved through turns."
In a comparison test drive with the 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, Edmunds found that the better-balanced Mini out-cornered the competition: "In our slalom test, it was no contest. The Mini slipped though the cones at over 66.4 mph, which is much faster than the Beetle could manage. It's also not that far off the 68 mph we recorded in the BMW M3 Competition Package." In fact, in a separate test, the Cooper S model "whipped through the cones at nearly 67 mph, a most impressive feat." Woman Motorist similarly notes that the firm suspension keeps the Mini "perfectly flat through tight turns. It feels like it belongs on one of those miniature racetracks that crop up around putt-putt golf courses."
Stopping power is good, with Consumer Guide calling it "first-rate." BusinessWeek notes that the four-channel anti-lock disc brakes "stop the MINI like a Velcro ball thrown at a Velcro wall." However, Edmunds is a bit disappointed, noting that the brakes "feel fantastic and resist fade as well as any brakes we've ever tested, but they use more real estate to stop the little car than expected." Consumer Guide also reports a flaw, noting that "sudden high-speed braking induced momentary right-rear wheel lock in one test car." Brakes come with Corner Brake Control and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The optional John Cooper Works kit comes with even more powerful uprated sport brakes.
