I received a Mini Travel Thermos cup for Christmas. I had seen it at the boutique shop at the local Mini dealership. But like someone else said, it only holds about 6 oz. of coffee. If you put something thick in it it will not drain out, rather you have to suck it out. It is more for looks I guess really.

 

Since I am by myself most of the time I can use the passenger seat for stuff. So I'm thinking of getting something like this http://www.amazon.com/High-Road-Swin...8725441&sr=1-1

It will allow me to drive energetically and not spill anything. If you have a passenger there is this http://www.amazon.com/BDS-Organizer-...725441&sr=1-17

 

Both are great ideas and great alternatives to cup holders.

 

Here is my .50 solution to the million dollar problem. Not the best but works for now.

 

Hey, thanks for the idea. I'm just going to wait until I get my car and see what I think.

 

Yikes! What a joke - all these lame cup holder solutions because MINI got it so wrong.

I hate the cup holder in our Countryman. Can't blame it on German engineering. My Audi Q7 has an awesome cup holder that fits a wide variety of cup sizes.

Unfortunately, I am a total, coffee snob from Seattle and just any insulated mug does not do it for me. I have to have my Kleen Kanteen insulated mug with 18/8 stainless steel vacuum liner and no after taste. But of course, it is larger than a shot glass and does not fit in the MINI cup holder.

We will give this a try: http://www.amazon.com/Insert-KAZ-KUP...sim_sbs_auto_1

Another lame solution, I know. But at least it will let me keep my mug.

 

The key word is "Mini" the Q7 is larger and therefore has more room for a full size cup holder. The Mini is a small car and there isn't much space for a lot of extras. If you can figure out where a larger cup could go tell BMW. :-)

 

You really believe that? Pretty sure mini could have found an extra inch of diameter. Or offer two models if size constraints are really pressing up front.

 

I'm sorry, but it is silly to think MINI could not make their cup holder open up a fraction of an inch larger in diameter due to the size of the car. There are hundreds of small cars made by other manufacturers that prove that wrong. We certainly love the Countryman, but are not so brainwashed to think some things MINI does cannot be improved on.

 

Yes Mini possibly could have designed things differently for better cup holders but then it might not have the "Mini" look. As I said you figure out a better way and let them know.

Here is one cup holder I just found that might work. (Maybe)

"t is secured in place by sliding under your floor mat so you can use it in any automobile." http://ecommerce.mossmotors.com/p/ne...itialQuestion=

 

[QUOTE=Flamewinger;3451974]Yes Mini possibly could have designed things differently for better cup holders but then it might not have the "Mini" look. As I said you figure out a better way and let them know.

Do you really think a cupholder that is 1/2" larger would not have the "MINI" look in a CM. A vehicle that many MINI purists would say is too large and not a true MINI to begin with.
Oh and I left a message with BMW. I let them know I figured out a way to design larger MINI cup holders. I am sure they will return my call as they must be very interested!

 

 

That looks like a good solution. Do you know if there is clearance to slide under one of the rubber mats? They are thicker than the standard mat.

 

I have yet to get one so I don't know about the fitness. I'm guessing that since it is made for the Mini's it will fit. Call or email them.

As for any virus, it is a web link so any virus in on your system. It is not something I uploaded.

 

I just thought of something good though about the smaller cup holders. My last car had large cup holders - but drinks were always tipping over and spilling all over the car, passenger seat and floor when I would turn. So maybe tighter cup holders aren't the worst thing after all?

 

I wonder if this one would work? I was in a bike shop today and they had these. It also comes with suction cups.

http://www.kasswinns.com/liquidcaddy/index.html

 

I like the one on the stroller best.

 

I have this exact problem with my Volvo. I can't stand it. If I could only count the number of times I have walked into work with coffee stains on my pants! I know the cup holders in the Mini are small, but compared to oversized one that spill everything, I would much rather have small. In my last mini I had the aftermarket cup holder installed and it was fantastic. I imagine I will get something like that later on! Luckily, I'm so obsessed with Contigo and everything is safe in those suckers!

 

Our CM went through this one...damn Sonic cups. I had the techs pull the "teeth" from the holders while they were fixing the shifter assembly. The design is just horrid...a fanged cup holder for elves with a convenient drain hole feeding the shifter circuits....awesome.

 

Any tricks to getting those teeth out? I'll take mine out tonight and cover the holes with electrical tape.

 

The problem of loose, "oversize" cup holders was solved years ago by savvy manufacturers with the spring loaded fingers in the holder that adjust to cup size and accommodate a snug fit with a wide variety of cup sizes. Many, many cars use these with success today. The problem here, is the guy that spec'ed the cup holder in the MINI made them open about a 1/4" to 1/2" too small. Even small, narrow-based travel mugs do not fit. This is not about trying to fit a Big Gulp - just regular sized mugs.

 

The size of the holder is one thing...but it seems to me that the mechanism in the thing is somehow reversed. The break-over in the spring is easier to hit if you pull up on the "teeth"...really should be the other way around...and even the teeth themselves seem to be pointing the wrong way with the more gentle curve on the bottom of the prongs...oh well...I am working on some dentures for the beast now it has gone toothless.

 

The techs pulled mine out for me when the replaced the shifter assembly. I assume they pull the teeth, springs and all, from the underside of that cover.

 

So you don't have cup holders at all or you don't have the teeth?

 

Based on your comment that the dealer pulled them out, it sounds like a good aftermarket product idea to develop larger size cup holders that will replace the existing ones. Who can do this?