When the MINI Cooper SD Roadster was delivered to the side of the house, I had a quick look to see if the neighbours were watching. First thought was that a Jimmy hat and wig, plus false beard and dark glasses would be needed as a disguise, just in case they thought it was mine. I didn’t know whether to wear it or drive it. It looked like a big slipper sitting there in the drive.
As dusk fell and I thought no-one was looking I opened the door and jumped in. Thud! A serious scud on the napper from the roof. Whoever had been driving it prior to me was a right wee smout. But once I had lowered the seat, pushed it back and raised the steering wheel it was an excellent fit.
It wasn’t in the least claustrophobic. As someone who was reared in a Healey 100/4 and 3000 cars, it actually felt quite good.
Shoved the key in the slot, thumbed the starter button, and the diesel clattered into life. Instant Healey perceptions gone.
So I nosed it out of the drive and took it for a spin, hoping no-one would see me, or more to the point recognise me in a Noddy’s two seater with racing stripes. Oh, the shame of it.
But I tell you what after a few miles I didn’t give a toss. I actually started enjoying myself. The driving position was naturally good, there was plenty of room in the two seater cabin for two folks and it just felt good. Yes, there was a niggle, the seat cushion was too short for the longer-legged, but everything else considered, it was a niggle rather than a complaint.
No doubt there will be some earnest little scribblers out there moaning about wind noise. Well, here’s some advice, get a life. It’s a rag top, it’s a convertible. It’s all about the motoring experience. With a nice little driver under you and the wind rustling through the grey hair, life doesn’t get much better than this.
Having said that, with the hood up, wind noise isn’t really an issue, I’ve heard worse. And OK it’s not supposed to be as well insulated as a steel roof, so wear a scarf. But really, it was as snug as a flea on the back of a collie dug.
As for the fabric roof itself, it was a doddle to use. It’s semi-automatic which means that the driver or passenger has to manually unclamp the leading edge from the top of the windscreen. There’s a big grab handle there, and a simple half turn releases the clamps, then at the press of a toggle switch, the roof flips up and over, and folds away neatly behind the seats. No skint knuckles or ripped nails. Ideal for flipping it up and down between rain showers.
Which was good because I took it for a spin over the Cumbrian moors in the wet and the wind. And you know what, I didn’t care. Now forget any preconceptions you have about diesel engines. This had a 141 bhp, 2 litre oil-burner with a twin scroll turbocharger and although it wouldn’t frighten a drag racer (race driver as opposed to cross-dresser) it’s the 305 Nm of torque that makes the fun. It pulls like a wean with a Christmas cracker.
For a couple without weans, or even an elderly couple wanting to re-zest a little bit of later life, this is ideal. Surprisingly enough it has a sizeable boot, and there is more space behind the seats. There are also additional cubby holes under the floor, and a ‘ski-hatch’ through the rear bulkhead to carry longer items. This is a well thought out and very practical two seater.
More than that, this will put more fun into your life than a bus load of clowns. With a wheel right at the edge of each corner it’s as stable as a house and as nimble as a bullock being chased by a butcher with a cleaver. And with the 205 section Contisport Contact 3 tyres it has grip to spare without being over-tyred. Turn-in was delightful and the only time it scrabbled for grip was when I was getting too eager out of the corners with a bit of torque steer tugging at the arms. Lovely. It makes you feel alive.
It’s also got another wee trick up its sleeve, or up its trunk, if you see what I mean. It has a wee spoiler on top of the boot lid. Now whether it actually does anything, aerodynamically I mean, other than add to the price, it pops up when the car hits 50 mph. The first time it did that it gave me a fright, cos I hadn’t noticed it beforehand, and all I saw was this piece of blue appearing in the rear vision mirror. So I stopped to close the boot, properly, as you do! Dohhhh!
Naturally when I stopped it had lowered itself back into the metalwork, which it does at 37 mph, but I twigged pretty quickly this time. Good job the road was empty and no-one who knew me spotted me!
Would I have one? The fun factor alone says ‘yes’ but could I live with the looks and the jibes? I’m not so sure, this is a young person’s car, or without the stripes, an elderly couple’s last fling at fresh-aired motoring enjoyment.