Anyone notice the gas cap is on the opposite side to the R56? Wonder why? I like mine on the drivers side....especially at the full service gas stations.

 

They did it for safety.

If you run out of gas on side of road, which side would u rather have the gas cap as you fill it?

 

Not sure where you found that info? I guess the British don't get the same level of loving as their cap is on the same side. Meaning drivers side....

 

I seriously doubt that this is the case. The "R" platforms were designed by Rover and adapted by BMW for the 1st and 2nd gen cars. The new "F" platform is entirely designed by BMW. BMWs (at least the current ones) have the fuel filler on the right side. Since it has been clearly stated that BMW intends to build small, front-wheel-drive cars based on the MINI platform, it is likely that this is the reason for the switch in fuel filler location.

 

i prefer right side... shorter queue line at the pump

 

From the folks at MINI USA.

This very question was asked more than once over the course of the last two days at the F56 product launch in CA. Just relaying what was said there...

 

That would depend a lot on what country you're driving in.

 

That makes perfect sense. A matter of convenience and conformity by BMW.

 

I prefer the passenger side, myself… Always seem to be more available pumps and you don't have to worry about opening your door into one of those concrete poles.

 

Amazing what happens when the PR folks get involved....
Remember when selling NEW gen1 cars they would point out the gas gap on the passenger side...more convient (100% true imo)....maybe safer to fill your car...less chance of getting pinned between cars st the gas stations?! Lol.
To say it is a "safety feature" imo is pure hogwash.....guess the Brits and any member of the former British empire doesn't need the same level of safety in a "British" car as does the rest of the world....
But to say it was moved to match other BMW products sound and smells right!!
It it walks and talks like a duck....call it a duck....er BMW.

 

Color Explanation
RED ↓↑ Drives on right
BLUE ↑↓ Drives on left

 

Exactly !!!

 

If you open your door while backing up to the right, the exhaust hits you pretty hard.

 

I asked my mini dealer that same question while waiting for an oil change and he gave me the "safety when filling on the side of the road" answer. We then questioned how somebody can run out of gas in a mini...The switch of sides doesn't bug me as much as the smaller tank size. An F56 will never be able to squeeze out 632.5 miles with a single tank (my claim to fame).

 

What is the F56 tank size in US gallons?

 

10.6 and 11.6
40 and 44 litres

 

I've heard that this was the reason as well, actually. Also from MINI in a bulletin somewhere over the course of time since the F56 was announced and subsequently released.

 

I'm not buying it. Sounds like a glib and dismissive answer that puts a halo around Mini for being so safety conscious. But, as others have pointed out, what about countries that drive on the other side? Logic would suggest the gas cap would be switched.

 

Some will like one side, some the other. BMW gas tank filler is on the same side as the MINI. Frankly, I could care less which side it is on.

 

I prefer it to be on the driver side, so I can watch if the highly trained gas pump attendants in Oregon doesn't scratch the paint by missing the gas hole.

I always thought that it depends on which side the exhaust is. If the exhaust is on the left, then you get a gas cap on the right. If you have exhaust on both sides, then the gas cap can be on any side.

 

I was told by my MA when I picked up the car and he was going over everything that the the fuel cap was on the right for safety if you ever run out of gas.

 

Must be a slow day for anally inclined

 

Passenger side is pretty consistent amongst European makes from my experience. It's actually a bit of a surprise to me that the previous Mini's had their gas tank on the driver's side.

(Hi, new here, don't have a Mini, but currently considering an F56 after a test drive)

 

This reminds me of the statement," eliminating the oil dipstick keeps contaminates from entering the oil".
And by the way, I like the new computer oil level measures on my F56S and my Audi A7.

 

10.6 justa
11.6 S ?