Hi, Minnie Mouse here again.

As I lurk in the forums, I'm seeing some comments about things people don't actually love about their MINIs (!!!)

Stereo - is the basic one pretty bad? I'm not much of an audiophile, but I don't want tin either. What would you suggest? I'd likely want to use my Ipod - can you just use the USB connection or do you have to get the special Ipod one?

Armrest - I saw some complaints about it, but not sure what the problem is??? I thought it looked handy, getting the one with the cell-phone setup.

Here's the biggie - standard or automatic transmission??? I think I want standard - clearly more fun. But people here are saying I'm nuts - too unhandy in city traffic, hills. Can any city folks fill me in on this?

Cheers,
Minnie

 

I've had my '07 MCS for a few months now. I got the 'upgraded' stereo, and I'm not that impressed with it. Sounds great until you crank it up - and why else would I pay for 10 speakers? You can use the aux input for an iPod, you just have to control it via the iPod. The kit allows you to control the iPod with your radio.

The armrest is just kind of cheesy. It's hard plastic, but not uncomfortable. The thing that bugs me about it is it slides open all the time when I lean on it and my elbow goes flying back. But I'd get it again - it's handy for a pack of gum.

I got a manual without having driven one before. I love it! City driving does get old, especially since the MCS clutch seems particularly hard to engage smoothly because it has no feel and it engages quite high. But I sit in traffic every morning and evening and I wouldn't trade it.

 

We've had our 07 MCS since November 3rd- a manual transmission, upgraded speaker package, and armrest.

I'd say that the speaker upgrade was worth it- but it's probably best just to try it out at the dealership. Audio is a very subjective thing. A separate amp is also part of the speaker upgrade, which makes for a little more power.

How you'd feel about it in general would depend on how you listen and what you're playing. If you're expecting lots of thump and you want it loud, you might even want to consider an aftermarket sub. Jazz, classical, or other styles where the signal's more balanced do better even when it's loud.

Once the USB port is available in the US cars, you'll be able to control an iPod with the car's controls with the addition of an adapter cable. For cars on the lot right now, there's a different iPod connection that's dealer installed and is quite a bit more expensive. All cars come with the Aux port tho.

Agreed on the armrest- I use it to hold my cell. It seems a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the car, and I accidentally open it with my elbow pretty often.

The feel of the clutch in the manual is light, but if you're used to a manual transmission it doesn't take too long to get used to it. Compared to my past manuals, it's very easy.

For me, the 'lightness' actually makes it easier to drive during traffic- I do about 2.5 hours of rush hour commuting each day in the Seattle area and still take some extra time for a drive when we get closer to home

 

MM,
Had our '07 since Sept. We've got the upgraded audio, armrest, and autotrans.

We listened to two cars' audio (one with and one without upgrade) at the dealership and decided the upgrade was worth it, mainly because I like my road music loud.

I agree with misslindsey and nicknbecka on the armrest: underwhelming but needed.

We debated the longest on the transmission. Even though I've had many stick-shift cars, the auto was attractive due to my long commute in stop and go traffic. And we're glad we went auto. The ability to manually shift adds enough fun that I don't miss the clutch.
Enjoy!

 

I guess if we aren't complaining we woudln't be breathin...but I do enjoy my mini even after the 5 days I have owned it... but a few querky items... definitly the stereo even thought its a H/K upgrade it doesn't sound like it... definitly only for backround sound not something you will turn up....infact my Grand AM GT stock radio cranked much better and had fuller sound with only 4 speakers... and of course the clock is possibly the hardest item to locate since it toggles... odd it wasn't either somewhere else or on the radio dial as well besides just being on the that BIG speedo!!!

 

Yes - there are little "quirks" that some of us love and some of us hate. You'll find that in every car I'm afraid. But overall, I think we all love our MINIs or we wouldn't be here on this wonderful site. As for me in particular, I don't care for the armrest. It's more of a pain in the butt than it's worth. But others love it..so there ya have it...

Donna

 

I've loved all my past cars, but there's always been something that really bothered me, or in some cases even hated! The car that Tachikoma replaced had no cupholders and everyone over four feet tall that sat in the back seat managed to hit their head on the roof while seated.

I think that the biggest problem with the Mini is that I'm now ruined for any other car. The thousands of great parts are really great, and the couple negatives are measly little "meh?"s. When you're down to whining about how the armrest is comfortable, but it doesn't really hold much, well...

I give people a ride, and suddenly they're complaining about their car. The little stuff starts to add up: Why does my car make me bend down to move the seat forward?

Oh! @Minnie Mouse: I forgot to mention that hills don't have to be a problem with a manual transmission either. The hill assist holds the brake for a couple seconds while you move from brake to gas pedal. We eventually chose the manual over the auto for the fuel efficiency and fun factor, but the auto's a blast to drive too

 

I think people who complain about the base stereo are either the kind of music nuts that could do well on the music category during Double Jeapardy or they have bionic eardrums (or maybe they just like to complain).

I'm a bit of a music nut myself and I find the base stereo on our two 06 Coopers to be completely acceptable. Granted, the HK stereo on our '05 MCS is a bit better, but not exponentially so.

 

You mean like on the tach right in front of you?

 

I love this forum! I'm glad no one talked me out of the manual -- the test drive was so great! Here's another good thing about the mini -- it's so small, the salesman just tossed us the keys & left us to it. (No room for him, so no "granny" in the backseat.) We took it out for a good for a good long spin & took turns driving.
MM

 

I was a bit skeptical about the automatic till i took a test drive. Even then, i wasn't sure if i should be getting an automatic (sporty car, shifting and that) - but i am having fun with my automatic now . I can still manually shift if i want to and it downshifts for me when i slow down - laziness has immediate benefits alright.

 

I love hill start assist! It only comes with the DSC though, so you have to either pay the $500 for that or get it in the sport package. I personally like the idea of having it, especially now that it's snowing and no one else on the road knows how to drive.

 

I love my 6 spd and the radio with its' 320 watts and Harmon Kardon 6 speakers is pretty good.
The arm rest is a bit weak.
Overall the interior looks very nice but a little on the cheap plastic side.
It is ok, just not super high quality. Other than that I like like the car.
Oh, why is it that every suv or truck wants to look up my twin exhaust, even at 70 mph.

 

Simple solution: Rear Fog Lights

 

Are you serious?

 

They're really bright. A couple flicks of the rear fogs and most people give a little more space, especially if they're just absent-mindedly doing it.

Some don't move even then, though.

 

Very. That's a good part of the reason i got rear fogs - to deal with tailgating.

 

Yeah...I make eye contact a few times to see if that works before flicking the rear fogs (did it only once so far - the old lady was scaring the hell out of me).

 

Do you think they can become pissed and they turn to road rage.

 

The trick is to hit the fog lights while simultaneously accelerating.

They will think you are braking and you'll free up some space between you and them.

If that doesn't work, try giving them some caltrops.

 

Anything's possible but sometimes in stop and go traffic, it's not easy/possible to merge into another lane or just drive out of tailgating range . Their first reaction hopefully is "oh the car ahead has a brake light on".

 

Yeah, eye-contact is a big no-no from where I originally hail. That's a provokation (even if the other person had clearly just done something wrong). Best to practice avoidance, IMHO.

~Neal

 

I agree.
Some people are just looking for an excuse to release some rage.
Best to avoid the a**holes altogether and if ncessary keep the cell handy to notify the police.