Just do what I did with my TR-3: Don't ever put the top up. I used to drive it to work in the winter wearing my race helmet to keep my head from freezing - and earmuffs on the outside of the helmet for effect.
I don't know if it's a feature or a problem but what ever it was it probably prevented you from destroying your top. Have you read the owners manual yet? My Mini is not a convertible but I've owned probably seven or eight rag tops in my lifetime and you don't want to lower the top when it's freezing. You don't even want to lower the top when it's close to freezing. I find it hard your owners manual doesn't cover this.
+1 what he said. Besides, if it's been up a while you want to give it a good cleaning before running it down again anyway. Be very conscious of running it up and down while it's dirty. Grit, dust, dirt, whatever can and will cut the fabric over time. You don't want to know what it costs to replace that canvas. The two most popular canvas cleaners are Ragg Topp and 303.
Thanks for the feedback - my first convertible. Must be a feature, since it worked fine in my garage today. Since I have you attention and you both have some good real knowledge, what's your preferred cleaner/cleaning method for the top?
I don't dare try lowering the canvas on my beautiful Roadster in the cold for the very reasons fellow MAers have said, but now I am curious. Is there really an interlock on the top at low temps? Am impressed if designers included that feature.
I don't know about the tops on mini's, but I used to have a jeep. I got it in January and couldn't wait to fold the top back. As soon as the first 55° day came along, that top was off. The problem was, I parked it in my garage and left it overnight. The following morinig it was around 20°. The fabric had contracted so much, I was unable to put the top back up, ended up tearing it at one of the seams, and got to drive to work in the freezing cold with the top down.
"Safety notes on the convertible top
▷ At temperatures below +14 ℉/-10 ℃,
do not move the convertible top or
else damage could result."
I would not be surprise if operation of the top was electronically blocked below that temperature on partially automated tops... though admittedly I have not tried.
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