CO2/tax
133-137g/km
£180
Running costs
49mpg (Cooper)
£56.80 fill-up
Performance
0-62mph/top speed
9.8 seconds/123mph
FEW cars have enjoyed the enormous sales success of the BMW MINI since it first arrived in 2001. Seen by many buyers as a baby BMW, there’s nothing exclusive about the model, yet this is a car with a following that rivals haven’t been able to emulate.
Much of that is down to the feel-good factor conjured up by the cheeky styling inside and out, although the go kart-like handling also goes some way to explaining why the MINI is so popular.
Another reason is the wide model range, which from 2004 included a convertible. Stylish and fun to drive, just like the hatch, the Convertible Mk2 from 2009 was even better, and it’s one of the most affordable drop-tops on the second-hand market.
History
THE second-generation MINI hatch arrived in 2006, but it would take another three years for its open-topped sibling to arrive. Launched in March 2009, the Convertible
