I always find little things that I could post in this thread, but then I forget them all when I step on the right pedal.

 

I'm stunningly disappointed at the half-baked iPod/iPhone interface. Salt in this wound is the absurd price to have it added. How could they get this so horribly wrong?

 

I had some engine problems at first with my JCW. The turbo died at about 10K miles, and then both the turbo and the engine were toast at 14.4K. It took the better part of a month for the dealer to get a new engine from Germany and install it, but all seems to be good now with ~30K on the new motor.

Yes the car is a bit stiff riding, but that's to be expected with cars that handle this well. I could do without the wheel/tire noise, and I expect that getting rid of the run flats will greatly improve that, as well as some of the ride harshness. I'd like to put on a set of Michelins, but they don't seem to make them in 205-40x17. Anybody have any suggestions for a tire that both wears well and drives decently? I'm considering going to a 215 because, hopefully, they'll stick out a bit farther from the rim than the 205s. These little skinny tires don't leave me with any protection for the wheels from scuffing on the occasional curb - which I've done more than once.

Tom S

 

What was the cause of the engine failure?

I put 215 on my MCS and I don't like the way they handle. I've lost that crisp turn in that I was used to on the 205's. It really handles different.

When I drive my wifes car with the 205 I can tell a huge difference. You may just want to park further away from objects that may harm your wheels.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatM

What was the cause of the engine failure?

I don't really know. I'd noticed that the check oil light had been coming on intermittently, but when I looked at the dipstick it seemed OK. I complained about it when I took it in for service. They checked it out but the warning didn't come on for them until they were just about to return the car to me. Then it showed up and they decided they'd better investigate. They dropped the oil pan, found metal shavings in the bottom, tore down the engine, pronounced it junk and ordered me a new motor.

Although all seems well now, I'm getting close to 50K and toying with the idea of ordering a new one and selling this one. I'd order somewhat different options this time because I bought my 2009 off the showroom floor.

Tom S

 

We'll shoot that's easy. Just order a JCW Coupe. Now your cooking.

 

Tom, I have P215 Firestone Indy 500s, I was never a fan of Firestone, Im old enough to remember the R721 disaster and of course the Explorer/Firestone miscoupling debacle; so apprently being owned by Bridgestone has done wonders for them. They are everything the reviews on Tire Rack said they would be, I take back my earlier Firestone hate mail.
The difference between a P205 and a P215 is less than miniscule so the people saying their 215s have sloppy sidewalls just bought the wrong tire, put them back-to-back and there is no physical way anybody is going to pick them out. My runflats were 205s and they sucked, so much for the 205/215 theory.
Apparently the original owner of my Astro Black Club had a turbo lunch as well, the chain tensioner POS has been dealt with as well and then they dumped the car at 39K. I have 53 and change now, we will see how everything goes. So far flawless w/ the exception of the infamous melting hoodscoop (ice cream reinforcements, perhaps?).

 

+1

 

+1

I don't believe there is a control to turn on the mirror heat. The car does it when it senses the outside temperature is below 37 degrees F. It'll show you the snowflake in the tach display window at the same time, I guess to let know you that it's cold outside. I agree with your wish to be able to manually switch on the mirror heat, and putting the mirrors on the rear defroster circuit seems a reasonable way to do it without requiring another switch in the car. Since the whole thing is computerized anyway, I bet it could be done with some sort of software patch. Are you listening, MINI?

 

There is nothing I hate with my CM. It is the best vehicle we have ever owned and driven.

 

 

After going trough another summer with the JCW, I do have to say that I am not so fond of the turbo charger. It really does make less power in July and August where I live.

Now that the cooler fall weather is here, the car is a joy to drive again. I want that kind of performance year round. So the next car I buy will probably be natually aspired.

 

What brand of tires did you put on??

Are they 215/45/17's ??

I put 215/45/17 Michelin Exalta PE2's (non-run-flats) on my 2009 factory JCW and the car not only rides better and quieter then the Dunlap runflats that were on it but it corners perfect.They also look much better. They are summer only performance tires and probably won't do you any good if you drive in snow. They are great in the rain and do not hydroplane at all. They are perfect for me because I do live in Florida and don't worry about snow at all.






They are a little taller and fill the wheel well better as well as being wider. I really like them and I do carry "Slime" and a 12 volt pump in the cubby hole in my trunk.


The cover fits back onto the cubby hole.

 

I hate the way I save some extra money to buy some upgrades/accessories, and my MINI decides she wants to see the mechanic. This week I spent almost $1,000 on 2 hoses!! (Power Steering)

 

Just as a quick bit of observation...my '12 seems to have some of these kinks worked out that people are complaining about.

The sunroof is perfectly quiet while closed, and while open, does not rattle in the least bit. I would never order a MINI without the sunroof.

I have yet to have a problem with the cup holders and have put a variety of different size cups in them. I think they may be lower on the car compared to the shifter now. eliminating the problem with shifting into 5th gear while having something in the passenger cup holder.

The runflats on the 17"s are not bad at all. they kick back a decent amount on bumps, but the car in general has a fairly stiff suspension compared to other midsize/compact cars to corner and handle better. So I definitely dont see a problem with that.

One touch on windows. I believed fixed a couple of years ago. but they are one touch both ways up and down now.

The only thing I have noticed that hasn't been fixed is the OP problem with precipitation coming into the cabin after it rains. That has a lot to do with the shape of the car unfortunately. but that same shape allows for fantastic open window driving when it's nice out. so it makes up for it.

 

I don't have many dislikes about our new '12 Cooper but here they are:

- No auto up windows (only auto down).

- The ride with the stock 175/65-15 tires ContiSportContact tires is worse than the ride in my E46 3-series, which runs ContiExtremeContact DWS tires. Who knew a car with low profile 45 and 40 series tires front and rear would ride better than a car with such high-profile tires?

- No coolant temperature gauge.

That being said, no car is perfect and I could give you a list of things I dislike about the BMW or any other car I've ever owned.

 

You're telling me your '12 cooper doesn't have auto up windows, but my S does? Are you sure you've tried?

 

Do you have a convertible or hatch? I know the convertible does not have the auto up but the Hatch does.

I don't know why the car should take a hit on no coolant temp gauge. You knew that before you bought it right? The tires on your E46 are non run flat right? Well the Mini's are run flat. I thought that would be an easy distinction.

 

I did know that the coolant temp gauge didn't exist when I first test drove the car. Not a deal breaker, but you get a coolant temperature gauge in a Toyota Corolla, which is the ultimate non-enthusiast's car. Anyway, there are retrofit solutions available in the aftermarket so maybe I'll do that down the road.

This MINI has the 15" wheels and tires. According to MINIUSA.com, the runflats are a no-cost on the 16" and larger tires on the Cooper. I doubt this car has runflats, since it's got 15's.

As far as the windows go...

The car's a hatch, not a convertible. I played with them for 5 minutes trying to get them to go auto-up. Both windows go auto-down but not auto-up. I called the dealership and they stated "yeah, your Cooper doesn't have auto-up windows".

But then I found this thread that states that maybe the car needs the auto-up window reset procedure to be done, as earlier R56 Cooper owners are reporting that their cars have auto-up windows.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-windows.html

Weird. Maybe something to look into tomorrow.

 

I found that strange as well. The convertible does not have auto up but the S and Justa should. Mine does. Its not a 12 but it is an 09. I can't believe Mini would regress.

 

One example: MINI ceased offering paddle shifters on the later non-S R56 cars. Early R56 automatics got them.

 

Your right forgot about that. Doh!
Sounds like they are really trying to distinguish between the different cars??

Edit: Also to your point the dealer told me just today that the Convertible didn't have the auto up. He never mentioned the Justa. Course most dealers don't know what there selling for quite sometime after the new model intros.

 

well i hate the side skirts and how they get dirty from my tire shine. i think i just need to get them painted.
how the minis dont come pretinted

 

I don't like how the bluetooth works with my phone. It doesn't read the phone book so that you can just speak a name and it calls them. I mean BMW, Ford has got you on this one. In my F350 you get in, the phone connects, and then you can call just by pressing the voice button, say a name and it calls them..... how can Ford make it so easy and BMW/Mini makes it so difficult or maybe I am spoiled by the ease of Fords bluetooth

 

Pretty sure the window auto up function is just a program setting. The dealership could correct this for you if they wanted to, but it's easier just to tell you your car doesn't have that option.

There are several threads on this site about modifying program settings though I havn't tried it yet myself.