2012 MINI Roadster Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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BMW listens. When people complained there wasn’t enough space in the backseat of the resurrected MINI, the Bavarian automaker went to work. Sure, it would have been easier and simpler to just increase space for rear passengers, but that’s no fun. Instead, two new models were created for the MINI – a 4-door Countryman with plenty of rear room and a 2-seat Roadster with none at all.
Of course, that’s not completely true. We got to the Roadster by way of the Coupe, which is merely a hardtop version of the same vehicle. It’s comical to talk about a trimmed and truncated version of the already-svelte MINI, but that’s just what we have here. The Roadster is 12.25 feet long with an 8-foot wheelbase, and it sits 20mm lower than its MINI Convertible stablemate. You’ll get no rear seat, but rather a parcel shelf with a pass-through to the 8.5-cubic-foot trunk, and while powertrains are the familiar options available to all MINI offerings, the Roadster offers some interesting additions down below.
Just like the Coupe, the Roadster gets extra rear bracing and reinforced rocker panels to keep things stiff while pressing the limits of its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. In fact, keeping the rear planted seems to have been a concern. The Roadster is also fitted with an automatic rear spoiler that deploys above 50 mph for a claimed addition of nearly 90 pounds of downforce.
No one claims the MINI can’t handle, but BMW is calling the Roadster the fastest MINI ever, especially in S and John Cooper Works (JCW) trims. The base Roadster starts with the familiar 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. At 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque, don’t expect acceleration-induced screams from your passengers, but since the Roadster weighs only about 2,700 pounds, it’s still quite zippy. The S turbocharges that same engine for 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Sixty extra horses and over 60 lb-ft of torque blended in make a big difference in this little guy, but if you want to make sure you’re the fastest novelty on the road, the JCW offers 208 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. An overboost option will even push the torque numbers up to 207 - however briefly - long enough to make a run to 60 in just over 6 seconds.
But the top is the big news here, and despite MINI’s attempts to position itself as a luxury compact, you’re dealing with a manual-folding soft top. Luckily, it’s a really great one. True one-hand operation both up and down means you can change your mind without having to pull over. Yes, the top can be operated easily while driving, and you don’t need to choose an automatic transmission to do it. A button push followed by a full arm rotation collapses the canvas canopy behind the driver in one motion - faster than you'd think - and it doesn’t intrude on trunk space either.
No, the Roadster isn’t the most practical MINI offered. BMW even admits as much. But it just might be the most fun, or at least BMW hopes so. As MINI continues to fracture and evolve into an ever-increasing trim and model lineup, fans have worried about a perversion of purpose that often accompanies such attempts to coddle every concern and address every angle. If the Roadster is any indication of how MINI will obviate such obvious pitfalls, methinks there’s little reason for worry.
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
User reviews for 2012 MINI Roadster
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by Jac B
Apr 05, 2022
Love this car... but it turns out that the electric roof is not widely available for this model year.Apr 05, 2022
by Jana L
Apr 15, 2021
I absolutely love this mini! This is a solid well built car. Apr 15, 2021
by Christopher T
Jan 21, 2021
I found the car in nice shape fairly low mileage but $1000. over priced Jan 21, 2021
What users have asked
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2012 MINI Roadster Pricing
Original MSRP
$24,350 to $34,500Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.35
Engine
Alternator: 120 amps
Exterior Features
Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: front
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.71
Engine
Alternator: 120 amps
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: front
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.4 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.71
Engine
Alternator: 120 amps
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: cloth
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: front