Hi,
I've read in several reviews that the 06 and earlier models are a little cramped for us guys with big feet. I wear a size 13 steel-toed boot (yeah, they are huge) to work each day...any of you out there that comment of foot room (or lack of)? Will I be hitting the brake pedal when trying to accelerate?

 

You can't make your feet smaller, but you can choose footwear more appropriate for driving than a steel toed boot.

A dedicated pair of driving shoes would probably be the best investment a guy like you could make to improve the handling of his MINI.

I imagine that driving in those big bulky boots would be like driving while wearing big puffy mittens.

Leave the work boots at work and wear the comfy driving shoes while commuting.

There is also a certain cult of MINI owners who prefer to drive barefoot.

Oh, and welcome to NAM!

I'm sure some of our Sasquatch members will chime in with more suggestions for those with the big feets!

 

No problem. I don't drive with steel toe boots, but my size 13 sneakers and other shoes fit without problem. Much easier than my old 4runner, where there was not enough width between the brake pedal and the tunnel to find the gas pedal sometimes. Enjoy, and take it for a test drive with the boots on before you buy.

 

Where can i find out more about this cult

 

That's what I do 100% of the time. Of course, I pretty much never wear shoes anyways, so there you go....

 

I like to drive barefeet in my Accord but that's because it's a bit uncomfortable driving with shoes on. I also like having shoes on - so i just have a pair sitting in the car for when i get out. When i test drove the mini, there was enough space for me to have shoes and be comfortable.

http://tafkac.org/legal/driving.bare..._barefoot.html <--

A friend's dad was ticketed for driving barefeet (in WA). The DMV people knew no such rule for this state and well, you don't argue with a cop

 

I once drove my R53 whilst wearing size 10 steel-toed boots. There is no wiggle room for your right foot when on the accelerator and you might actually get your foot trapped by the brake pedal. I wasn't so much afraid of braking when trying to accelerate but rather having my foot impeded if I needed to hit the brake pedal in an emergency.

 

I did find it a little cramped for my size 13s in my 02.
The rubber foot pads wrap around the pedal stem which takes up precious fractions of an inch. So I replaced the foot pads with metal ones which mount on the surface of the pedal stem and don’t wrap around. It gave me a little more space, plus I’m a little more picky about my selection of foot ware...no more problem.

 

Thanks for your inputs! Looks like I'll be checking out the R56, which was redesigned to have a little more foot room. If that don't work, I guess there is always surgical options to shorten my feet...

 

When you do get your MINI, regardless of whether it's an '07 or earlier, I would echo the suggestion that you not drive with your safety shoes. The one time I did I really had no feel for the pedals at all. Kind of detracts from the driving experience, in my opinion.

 

I've got a pair of winter boots that are designed to be worn over other shoes. I've never been able to drive with them in any vehicle. I agree with changing over to proper footwear for driving, and you shouldn't have a problem with the pedals unless you look like these guys:

 

I wear size 12 Steal-toe boots to work and never had an issue.

 

I wear size 14 shoes. Occasionally I forget to take off my hiking boots (my job may be more fun than yours) and am able to drive my 05 Cabrio in them. It does take good foot control. I normally drive in my indoor soccer shoes, also size 14, without a problem.

Because of my activities in general, I don't find it difficult to dress appropriately, including changing shoes.

 

i wear size 12 skate shoes and my feet BARELY clear each pedal. i have to be careful and use the outer edge of my shoe just to be on the safe side.

 

My husband has size 15's and had no complaints when he test drove my Mini. Yes, she is mine!

Hope that helps!!