I invite all comers to help compile a list of what might be considered design flaws with the R56.

There have been threads declaring this or that is a flaw that should be fixed by BMW via recall. Invariably, someone remarks that BMW doesn't care and is taking an arrogant or an ostrich approach--hoping it will all go away.

Would like to get a consolidated list going to see if there is fire or just smoke in all of this. Some items I've seen sound like actual design defects. Others not so, even if they may not be desireable.

Without passing judgment, the nominees drawn from other threads that come to mind immediately are:
1) Mushrooming of the shock strut.
2) Overheating of the bonnet on the MCS
3) Protruding hot exhaust pipe

Please add others with enough explanation to support a nomination as a design flaw.

 

Did they fix this? I just picked up my MINI and specifically looked at this and I don't see an issue with the exhaust pipes!! - To me, I'd have to move my legs into a funny position to get burned, and the bumper is further out than the exhaust pipes.

 

I personally don't have TOO much of a problem with it, but this seems to be a cramp for many people:

4.) the one-touch-open sunroof

 

I've never felt at risk, but there is a thread around that has half a dozen folks that have been 'branded' and are not happy.

 

Moderator: I may have this in the wrong area and trust you'll move it, if need be.

 

Well, if you read any car reviews, the term, "dinner-plate speedometer" seems like the biggest gripe in the design department. It is larger, and therefore less liked, in the R56 MINIs...

For the first generation MINIs, anyway, the thing than bugs me when driving the most, are the down-tubes that book-end the center stack, (radio and HVAC controls). The one on the driver side intrudes into my "knee space" when driving. I wish it wasn't there. It makes my right leg uncomfortable, though it visually does a nice job of accentuating the center stack.

 

I want a spin on filter. The current thing is a nightmare. On the first gen. the PS pump and PS fan are a joke. On the second gen. the Play School center stack and the rest of the dash are just weird.

 

Keep in mind that the exhaust tips will move outwards as the exhaust heats up....heat expands

 

The # one design flaw in my opinion is the placement of the exhaust pipes. I've burned my leg twice getting something out of the boot. Now I'm very careful.

 

Driver and passenger doors that don't really hold themselves open dependably, but tend to crash on our legs when we forget to pay attention.

 

Rear view mirror is dangerous.

 

Um....Can you please explain? Why do you think that?

 

Add to that the one-touch windows are unintuitive as well. Both sunroof and window switches can use an additional detent for the one-touch feature.

 

For taller people, the mirror blocks about half of the view out of the windshield. Not close up stuff, but farther down the road, to say, an intersection or the inner part of corners. I've had more than a few times where cars came out from behind the rear view mirror. Also, on the few times I've hit twisty roads on a trip, I always had to duck under the mirror to be able to look into the curve for hazards.

I've driven a 2nd Gen MC and it has the same issue. In other cars, the seat can go low enough it is not an issue.

Try this out next time you're driving: While sitting at an intersection, raise your body up from the seat untill the top of your head is an inch from the roof (with a sunroof car. Without? I'm not sure.) Then look out of the windshield and see how much is obscured.

I'm seriously going to remove my rear view mirror and install it on the dash like a 50's corvette.

 

Could you draw me a picture of what that would look like?

 

Since it doesn't rain much here, it's not that big a problem, but when it does rain, water drips or pours onto the seats and occupants as you open the doors to our 1st gen 2008 MCSC convertible.

I haven't branded myself with the hot exhaust tips yet or dealt with a hot bonnet.

I'm planning on some preemptive anti-mushrooming mods soon.

Visibility and mirror issues? Well, it's a cabrio,what can I say?

 

The oversized speedometer with incorporated radio controls makes it impossible to upgrade the stereo like the first Gen.

The melting hood scoops on the R56S (I believed that was already mentioned).

Not being able to close the center dash vent.

You can open the windows and/or sunroofs with the key fob button but you can't close them with the key fob.

Having to hit the one touch window switches twice to open them just a little instead of taking your finger off the switch to stop it.

 

OH - I forgot my OWN pet peeeeeeeeeve...

When you either open the door or the windows just after a rain, or after spraying the windshield, all the liquid drips all into the driver's side window! Grrrrr.....

 

Try being tall, and on a really twisty road, you're always having to duck your head to see the edge of the road.

I'd like to reinstall a different mirror, except the remote key fob functions operate though the receiver in the mirror housing. For a test, you don't have to be an inch from the roof, just high enough so that the center of the mirror is eye-level.

I also don't like the center speedo thing. I prefer real, working gauges, and the temp gauge in the chrono pack isn't a true gauge. More like an idiot light with a dial.

The exhaust tops have never been a problem, and a MCAW circuit solved the window up/down issues.

 

Well if it really bugs you remove it entirely or cut it off, so you retain the top portion covering the center stack for looks. They don't actually support anything.

 

I had to smile at the memory of soggy left pant legs I've had. I now keep a cloth behind the elbow rest just for this.

 

Thus far:
-Mushrooming
-MCS air scoop melting
-Tail pipe position leading to burned legs
-Dinner plate speedo doesn't lend itself to mods
-Cartridge oil filter
-Weak door hold-open mechanism
-Rearview mirror placement that blocks distant vision
- 1-touch window control
-Lack of center vent shutoff
-Limited key fob control/functions wrt sunroof and windows
-Lack of rain gutter over doors/windows
-R53 center stack down tubes
-Chrono temp gauge is really an idiot light with a needle.

Despite all this, I still love my Mini. If there are more, I'll continue to catalog and maybe MINI will notice.

 

Oil Filter! Whats wrong with a traditional spin on filter? #1 on my list.

 

No need for drawing

 

Really - this 'list' isn't useful at all. It just gathers what SOME individuals view as 'quirks' or 'design flaws' for whatever reasons. I really don't feel that that majority of MINI owners would agree to this list of things.

-Mushrooming ... huh?? I have no idea what this is referring too.
-MCS air scoop melting * this may indeed be a design flaw *
-Tail pipe position leading to burned legs Does Not Apply to me. I do NOT find this a design flaw.
-Dinner plate speedo doesn't lend itself to mods Love it. Saw it BEFORE I purchased. It's a design.. but NOT a flaw as it doesn't 'result' in something negative happening.
-Cartridge oil filter * no comment - not knowledgeable in area to know *
-Weak door hold-open mechanism No issue with my Mini, works just fine.
-Rearview mirror placement that blocks distant vision No issue with my Mini, works just fine.
- 1-touch window control No issue with my Mini, works just fine (same as my toyota)
-Lack of center vent shutoff haven't found this to be an issue.
-Limited key fob control/functions wrt sunroof and windows would be NICE to have the function, but can't say it's a "DESIGN FLAW".
-Lack of rain gutter over doors/windows This I did notice!
-R53 center stack down tubes Don't Know what stack tubes are - can't voice opinion.
-Chrono temp gauge is really an idiot light with a needle. It works!

So really, out out the list, there is really only 1 possible design flaw - which might be the hood scoop. All the others are really not design 'FLAWS' at all, but things on your 'wish list'. The exhaust pipes.. I was nervous about this, but now after having my MINI - I can't imagine getting burned by them. I'd really have to position myself oddly to get my leg under the bumper area and to the exhaust pipes.