My sister in law has fallen in love with the Mini 5 years ago...now she is set on getting one after she saw the Mini Highgate. Trouble is it is only available as a convertible.

Are modern convertibles designed to withstand -20C winters or should they just be used during summer? Seems ridiculous that it wouldn't withstand winter ice and snow. What are your opinions and what could go wrong and what to be weary of?

The temp isn't continuously -20C but can get that cold and very snowy.

My sister in law always used to have convertible minis, until she found out that child seats and minis don't work too well. She has always lived up in Aberdeen and I don't think had any real problem with the winter temps.

How often will see be at Braemar or Ballater to see Minus 20 celcius,

& will see be driving on those tyres it came fitted with when she is.

It should be perfect for UK use. after all look how many beautiful summer days we have.

The only reason i never have a Soft Top or Convertible or would drive with the roof down, especially in Aberdeen, is the Seagulls would be certain to tell each other i was on the go.

george

My sister has owned Minis exclusively for the last twenty years - including original (proper) Minis, Metros, and a BMW Mini One hardtop. Five years ago, she bought a Mini One soft-top, which she loves more than any other Mini. She uses it year round and has no problem with winter temperatures.

I am amazed at how good is the modern-day soft-top. But then my experience of ragtop motoring is limited to a Triumph Spitfire I owned in the 70's, which leaked like a sieve in the rain, and seemed colder inside than outside on a winter's day.

Edit: George - PMSL

I always get a laugh when Aberdeen is used as an example of a place with Cold or bad weather.

It is at the seaside & has a bay & harbour used by ships to shelter in from storms.

Aberdeen comes to a standstill almost when it snows due to the Range Rovers, X5's and Audi Quatros driving about on Low Profile tyres.

(Include Mini's & Mini Countrymen (4x4') as those guilty of grinding things to a halt on the main routes, as old Ford Fiestas and the like just choose a back rat run and get around even on the cobbles)

There was a storm in the NE in 1963 that blocked roads for 3 months and a cold winter in 2010/11

a bitty snow this past winter.

There is an Airport & a Heliport because of the calm weather situation.

(You build Airports where snow & adverse weather is least likely.)

The Government used to use Leuchars Fife (RAF) as the weather station for triggering Cold Weather payments for DD8 postcodes, and hardly had to pay out except for one winter.

They then changed that to Dyce, (Aberdeen Airport) and hardly had to pay out even when people within 50 miles were sitting at Minus Degrees for 5 to 10 weeks.

Then they changed the Station to Aboyne & even though it was a mild winter that just passed, they needed to pay out 4 times this winter to a huge amount of people.

(that will no doubt get changed again before this coming winter!!)

george

Edited 26 July, 201213 yr by sk4gw

All modern cars are thoroughly winter tested including the Mini covertible.

If it is available to buy in Slovakia then you can be sure the car has been tested to the conditions of that particular market...

I always get a laugh when Aberdeen is used as an example of a place with Cold or bad weather.

It is at the seaside & has a bay & harbour used by ships to shelter in from storms.

Aberdeen comes to a standstill almost when it snows due to the Range Rovers, X5's and Audi Quatros driving about on Low Profile tyres.

(Include Mini's & Mini Countrymen (4x4') as those guilty of grinding things to a halt on the main routes, as old Ford Fiestas and the like just choose a back rat run and get around even on the cobbles)

There was a storm in the NE in 1963 that blocked roads for 3 months and a cold winter in 2010/11

a bitty snow this past winter.

There is an Airport & a Heliport because of the calm weather situation.

(You build Airports where snow & adverse weather is least likely.)

The Government used to use Leuchars Fife (RAF) as the weather station for triggering Cold Weather payments for DD8 postcodes, and hardly had to pay out except for one winter.

They then changed that to Dyce, (Aberdeen Airport) and hardly had to pay out even when people within 50 miles were sitting at Minus Degrees for 5 to 10 weeks.

Then they changed the Station to Aboyne & even though it was a mild winter that just passed, they needed to pay out 4 times this winter to a huge amount of people.

(that will no doubt get changed again before this coming winter!!)

george

Fair points but it has been cold and does get colder than many parts of the UK. Sister in law actually lives a bit inland (ok only Westhill) but I remember various years when I was visiting my folks and it was cold enough freeze the neat winscreen washer I had (Shell winter solution).

My sister in law always used to have convertible minis, until she found out that child seats and minis don't work too well. She has always lived up in Aberdeen and I don't think had any real problem with the winter temps.

They've got two sets of isofix points, so what's the issue with them?

I'm curious as they seem like they'd be fine, bar the usual putting the seat in the back of a 3 door issue.

They've got two sets of isofix points, so what's the issue with them?

I'm curious as they seem like they'd be fine, bar the usual putting the seat in the back of a 3 door issue.

Moving a car seat in and out is very awkward, even for a 3 door, easiest way was to lower the soft top. But then no space for push chair