Hi Maj,
If you get an '06 or '07 convertible you have the 1st gen MINI, which is supercharged. The car was completely redesigned for 2009 (2007 for the hardtop). The 1st gen ones had most of the bugs worked out by 2006, while the 2nd gen turbo engine, being a new design, had more issues early on.
You should test drive both models though, and get the one you like better!
I'm not sure about the speedo option, I think it was called the chrono pack.
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The speedo option is called the chrono pack.
Welcome to M/A, thanks for joining. -
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
It is a little hard to understand why the convertible update came out of sync with the hardtop unless you know the history. The Gen1 hardtop came out in 2001 and ran until 2006, but the Gen1 'vert wasn't released until 2005. So, the Gen2 redesign came with the 2007 model year for the hardtop but the Gen2 'vert update wasn't ready until 2009. I'm guessing the hardtop and convertible will sync up with the 3rd generation update.
Gen1 ("Tritec" engines, normally aspirated or supercharger):
Hardtop (R50 & R53) -- 2001-2006
Convertible (R52) -- 2005-2008
Gen2 ("Prince" engines, NA or turbo):
Hardtop (R56) -- 2007-
Convertible (R57) -- 2009-
Clubman (R55) -- 2007- -
oops, my bad. fixed.
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agranger MINI of the Month June 2009Supporting Member
You will find that, in the MINI lineup, the Convertible updates follow the hardtop by 1.5 to 2 years. It gives them time to retool separately.
I'd love to see how it is done as I think they come off of the same assembly line. I would have though it to be more complicated for manufacturing (to have jigs set up for 2 completely diffeent platforms and have parts/tools/process for 2 different engines/bodies on the same productin line), but what do I know. -
agranger MINI of the Month June 2009Supporting Member
Definately drive the 2 different models.
I prefer the more connected feeling (IMHO) R53 platform (the '05 to '08 'verts), but the R56 (newer) cars are nicer daily drivers. I also strongly dislike the headrests on the R56.
It's all in what you are looking for in a car. -
As for the speedo and tach, you can tell the tach to show you your speed digitally. So if you find the MINI you like, you really don't have to use the center speedo if you don't want to.
Of course, you could just gauge your speed by the tach alone....