R60 What rail accessories would you like to see?
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
Here's another vote for a solid iPad solution as well as slightly larger cupholders. I don't need "Big Gulp" sized ones, but it would be nice if they could hold a SIGG bottle...
Gas tank is too small. Cupholders are too small. Connection?!?
Gas tank is too small. Cupholders are too small. Connection?!?
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham Al.
i cannot imagine who would make accessories for the rail other than mini. if they do come out with something usefull you know it will be expensive. i agree that the cup holders need to be expandable to fit larger cups. if they do not come out with new options im sure someone will come up with a mod to fix some of the issues. i have allready seen someone use another console that is taller than the original. i guess time will tell
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
I just posted this elsewhere on the forum...but, I'm putting it here also as it is actually on topic here. lol
As far as the size of the cupholders being too small to actually hold a drink....why doesn't MINI just make a cup with a lid, or a water bottle that will fit in the holder? I'd bet they'd sell a lot of them!
As far as the size of the cupholders being too small to actually hold a drink....why doesn't MINI just make a cup with a lid, or a water bottle that will fit in the holder? I'd bet they'd sell a lot of them!
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 3
From: Over there -->
I just posted this elsewhere on the forum...but, I'm putting it here also as it is actually on topic here. lol
As far as the size of the cupholders being too small to actually hold a drink....why doesn't MINI just make a cup with a lid, or a water bottle that will fit in the holder? I'd bet they'd sell a lot of them!
As far as the size of the cupholders being too small to actually hold a drink....why doesn't MINI just make a cup with a lid, or a water bottle that will fit in the holder? I'd bet they'd sell a lot of them!
Check with your MA to see if they have any of these old items on the accessories shelves.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
I'd like to see a cupholder that isn't so bulky. The rail ones have unnecessary extra width on the outside that prevents them from being used on the front rail. I'd love to stash one under the armrest and be able to throw the armrest up and put a cup in when I need to. The stock ones are too wide, but they don't have to be.
So as long as we're asking for slightly larger cupholders, I'd like one where the interior diameter is a bit bigger and the exterior is a lot smaller.
So as long as we're asking for slightly larger cupholders, I'd like one where the interior diameter is a bit bigger and the exterior is a lot smaller.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
I think in need a small container for my spare change, and a bigger cupholder, to fit my travel mugs and standard water bottles. Those buttons that are carelessly placed behind those cup holders..... they should move them up to a useable location. or put the cupholder back about an inch. But improvements will pass me by, I think this is my last new car for a long time..... and I intend to keep it a long - long - long time.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham Al.
i see that the 2012 model shows a rear armrest option. i hope it has more room inside than the front and still allows the rear seats to fold down. i think a crystal ball attachment would be usefull, to see what options will be available in the future. 
Neutral
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I was really excited about the phone/ipod holder and the placement of the USB port.
Until I got home and tried to install it realizing there were some strips of plastic in the rail keeping any of the accessories from being up against the front of the rail.
So I'm trying to even figure out how they intended that holder to even work...especially when the provided USB/AUX cord is only 6 inches long.
Really the only place you can put that holder is the back...and it's useless there. Unless you don't have the center arm rest...I guess it could go there.
Maybe there is a way to take those plastic strips out.
Until I got home and tried to install it realizing there were some strips of plastic in the rail keeping any of the accessories from being up against the front of the rail.
So I'm trying to even figure out how they intended that holder to even work...especially when the provided USB/AUX cord is only 6 inches long.
Really the only place you can put that holder is the back...and it's useless there. Unless you don't have the center arm rest...I guess it could go there.
Maybe there is a way to take those plastic strips out.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: The Woodlands, Texas
I've heard needle nose pliers, but, I used a small bladed screwdriver and it worked fine. Be careful what you put close to the brake handle, MINI wasn't far wrong by putting in the strips. My front ones are still in, but, I did remove the ones by the armrest once I yanked it out.
Bill
Bill
That's actually a good idea. Definitely room for new ideas/options.
I'd like to see a cupholder that isn't so bulky. The rail ones have unnecessary extra width on the outside that prevents them from being used on the front rail. I'd love to stash one under the armrest and be able to throw the armrest up and put a cup in when I need to. The stock ones are too wide, but they don't have to be.
So as long as we're asking for slightly larger cupholders, I'd like one where the interior diameter is a bit bigger and the exterior is a lot smaller.
So as long as we're asking for slightly larger cupholders, I'd like one where the interior diameter is a bit bigger and the exterior is a lot smaller.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: TruckEE, CA
I assume the owners lounge contest can only be seen by Countryman buyers? Can't see it with the OL login for my current MINI...
I love the center rail, here are some things I'd like to see:
1) Quality universal attachment. Some kind of really secure and solid feeling thing that would clamp on the rails, with a half-way unclamp that would let it slide. Then there would be some kind of coupling that would let you attach other things to that clamp, for one thing just a plain flat surface so any suction cup based thing could attach to the rail. For photographers, the thing I'm thinking of is basically like a quick-release kind of plate only it would attach to the rail, and then other things would attach to it.
2) Telescoping iPhone holder that would let an iPhone be raised to be roughly in front of the speedo, so that you could use a custom GPS app.
3) MINI bowling alley with small pins that could be reset with a button.
4) Tripod holder, that would have clamps front and back - you could slap a tripod down and it would lock in place automatically, with a single button release for both clamps.
5) Collapsable Partition to keep the rear seat occupants from being able to see each other.
6) Flat box (top at level with rails) to hold gloves or anything else that would take a small space.
7) Collapsable arm rest that could be raised to be used but flatten into the rail when not wanted.
I'm sure other ideas will come eventually... I'm really interested to see what people do with this. I can also imagine putting the same rails elsewhere in the car too, perhaps along the top center of the roof...
I love the center rail, here are some things I'd like to see:
1) Quality universal attachment. Some kind of really secure and solid feeling thing that would clamp on the rails, with a half-way unclamp that would let it slide. Then there would be some kind of coupling that would let you attach other things to that clamp, for one thing just a plain flat surface so any suction cup based thing could attach to the rail. For photographers, the thing I'm thinking of is basically like a quick-release kind of plate only it would attach to the rail, and then other things would attach to it.
2) Telescoping iPhone holder that would let an iPhone be raised to be roughly in front of the speedo, so that you could use a custom GPS app.
3) MINI bowling alley with small pins that could be reset with a button.
4) Tripod holder, that would have clamps front and back - you could slap a tripod down and it would lock in place automatically, with a single button release for both clamps.
5) Collapsable Partition to keep the rear seat occupants from being able to see each other.
6) Flat box (top at level with rails) to hold gloves or anything else that would take a small space.
7) Collapsable arm rest that could be raised to be used but flatten into the rail when not wanted.
I'm sure other ideas will come eventually... I'm really interested to see what people do with this. I can also imagine putting the same rails elsewhere in the car too, perhaps along the top center of the roof...
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I would like to see some better stuff to mount on the rails, like an iPad-Gooseneck arm or aluminum rail mount hardware you can use to attach a laptop swing-arm for the passengers in the front or rear. Perhaps Playstation Protable (PSP) attachments, Montor mounts, Tea Serving Tray or folding "airline seat type" food trays so you can eat at Sonic...
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