What You Hate Most about Your Mini???
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
These are dislikes, not hates:
1) Visibility -- I can't see traffic lights when stopped because of forward and low roof line (which also puts the rearview mirror in prime position to block the view of the road when ascending an on-ramp). No seating adjustment will fix this, you have to tilt your head down low.
2) Top of steering wheel blocks top of tach. Yes, it's a MINI, but was it designed for dwarfs?
3) Seatbelts get stuck between seat and B-pillar.
4) Cupholders. I hate that they're there at all. Seriously. I don't drink and drive -- ever, but the German engineers have us stereotyped as fast-food sloths who can't go 5 miles without a Big Gulp.
5) Not a fan of the fob. You have to look at it to make sure you have it oriented correctly when inserting into the dash. The buttons are tiny and the trunk opening button is also the panic button.
6) The single button BC control is a PITA. They could have used other existing devices to allow you to scroll through options, then select. The menus are obtuse and it usually takes 3 or 4 attempts to set an option because of the cumbersome navigation.
Other than that, the car is PERFECT
1) Visibility -- I can't see traffic lights when stopped because of forward and low roof line (which also puts the rearview mirror in prime position to block the view of the road when ascending an on-ramp). No seating adjustment will fix this, you have to tilt your head down low.
2) Top of steering wheel blocks top of tach. Yes, it's a MINI, but was it designed for dwarfs?
3) Seatbelts get stuck between seat and B-pillar.
4) Cupholders. I hate that they're there at all. Seriously. I don't drink and drive -- ever, but the German engineers have us stereotyped as fast-food sloths who can't go 5 miles without a Big Gulp.
5) Not a fan of the fob. You have to look at it to make sure you have it oriented correctly when inserting into the dash. The buttons are tiny and the trunk opening button is also the panic button.
6) The single button BC control is a PITA. They could have used other existing devices to allow you to scroll through options, then select. The menus are obtuse and it usually takes 3 or 4 attempts to set an option because of the cumbersome navigation.
Other than that, the car is PERFECT
2. Again, I have no problem with the top of the tech being "cut off" by the steering wheel. Just lower your seat a little if it's a problem for you. I actually have mine set up fairly high because I like to put my arm on the window sill rather than the armrest and, as I said, even at this I don't a problem with this.
3. I don't know anything about pieces of plastic on the seat belts. Haven't had any issue with the seat belts. Are you talking about the rear seat belts? Is this a CM thread? No one has sat in my back seat yet.
4. I can get on board with a complaint about the cupholders, buit not because I would like to eliminate them. Rather, because thry're too small and inconveniently placed.
5. I have comfort access so the fob never leaves my pocket.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Greater Boston, Mass.
. Something about some dude named Jack as I recall...
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
Cupholders are great but in horrible positions!
and the most irritating thing about my mini:
THE FREAKING CREAKING!!! OMFG!!! :-)
I did add the Cabrio braces and that helped... going for the Xbrace(or similar) for spring.
and the most irritating thing about my mini:
THE FREAKING CREAKING!!! OMFG!!! :-)
I did add the Cabrio braces and that helped... going for the Xbrace(or similar) for spring.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Greater Boston, Mass.
creaking where? We have a new Cabrio and want to avoid that if possible.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Riverside County
The only dislike I have is of the dip stick.
It's difficult to really tell if it is low or not (100% sure at least).
It feels like the oil is being wiped off by the tube, when it's pulled out.
"Hmmm, it might be low so I’ll just top it off... but not too much... just in case".
For crying out loud. This has got to be one of the simplest automotive maintenance checks.
I know... boohoo LOL!
It's difficult to really tell if it is low or not (100% sure at least).
It feels like the oil is being wiped off by the tube, when it's pulled out.
"Hmmm, it might be low so I’ll just top it off... but not too much... just in case".
For crying out loud. This has got to be one of the simplest automotive maintenance checks.
I know... boohoo LOL!
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: UT, USA
The seat belts getting caught between the seat and the door for sure, the brake dust is more of an inconvenience since I'm practically OCD about my car being dirty but it's a part of owning a car and it's not a huge deal.
Otherwise, not much. I adore my sunroof <3 & for some reason I've come to love the double pull to open the door ha.
Otherwise, not much. I adore my sunroof <3 & for some reason I've come to love the double pull to open the door ha.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Not to dwell on the negative, but I thought of one more today -- the outside door pulls. I hate having to squeeze the thin inner black device in the right spot (closer to the rear). Every other car I have just requires a tug on the handle anywhere.
The double pull on the inner handle is just because the doors were locked/auto-locked. I'm used to it from other German cars, but now that I have NCS Expert up and running, I plan to program the auto-unlock feature. When I have a non-Mini-acquainted passenger in the car, I try to remember to hit the unlock button as we stop so they aren't confused.
The double pull on the inner handle is just because the doors were locked/auto-locked. I'm used to it from other German cars, but now that I have NCS Expert up and running, I plan to program the auto-unlock feature. When I have a non-Mini-acquainted passenger in the car, I try to remember to hit the unlock button as we stop so they aren't confused.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 90
Likes: 4
From: Hertfordshire, UK
If you are reffering to 1st Gen, it's on the correct side 
(speaking as a Brit).
My R56 has it on the wrong side!
The amount of times I go for one in either and I get it wrong... Even my Land Rover Discovery is on the WRONG side
(speaking as a Brit). My R56 has it on the wrong side!
The amount of times I go for one in either and I get it wrong... Even my Land Rover Discovery is on the WRONG side
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 0
From: Robertsdale, Alabama
I'm very happy and satisfied with my Mini.
I've had to do a few things to it since I've owned it but I've had to do things to other cars/trucks I've owned. No more - no less.
I like tinkering with it and like driving it even more.
Motor-On!!!!!!!!!!
Kinda like my 96 Harley custom...little more up keep but a riot to drive and I love the comments I get on both.
I've had to do a few things to it since I've owned it but I've had to do things to other cars/trucks I've owned. No more - no less.
I like tinkering with it and like driving it even more.
Motor-On!!!!!!!!!!
Kinda like my 96 Harley custom...little more up keep but a riot to drive and I love the comments I get on both.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLQR8sYfqQ
I haven't moved mine yet, but I think I'm going to try it. When I'm using my phone over Bluetooth, everyone says it sounds super clear, but the Voice Assist doesn't really listen to me. I'm hoping that moving it over will help with that. And if it doesn't, I can always move it back!
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Oh right--the point of the thread.
I've only had my Countryman for 3 days, but so far the only quibbles I have are:
1) I wish it had power/memory seats and mirrors (not a huge deal since my husband will rarely drive it, but he's 6'2" and I'm 5'7", so there's a lot of adjustment when he does!).
2) The runflats sure are loud and stiff! I'll probably swap them out either once they wear down or I get my first flat. You really can feel when a bump is coming out of the tires, and hear it when they hit an especially bad concrete seam!
I've only had my Countryman for 3 days, but so far the only quibbles I have are:
1) I wish it had power/memory seats and mirrors (not a huge deal since my husband will rarely drive it, but he's 6'2" and I'm 5'7", so there's a lot of adjustment when he does!).
2) The runflats sure are loud and stiff! I'll probably swap them out either once they wear down or I get my first flat. You really can feel when a bump is coming out of the tires, and hear it when they hit an especially bad concrete seam!
The double pull on the inner handle is just because the doors were locked/auto-locked. I'm used to it from other German cars, but now that I have NCS Expert up and running, I plan to program the auto-unlock feature. When I have a non-Mini-acquainted passenger in the car, I try to remember to hit the unlock button as we stop so they aren't confused.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
Not to dwell on the negative, but I thought of one more today -- the outside door pulls. I hate having to squeeze the thin inner black device in the right spot (closer to the rear). Every other car I have just requires a tug on the handle anywhere.
The double pull on the inner handle is just because the doors were locked/auto-locked. I'm used to it from other German cars, but now that I have NCS Expert up and running, I plan to program the auto-unlock feature. When I have a non-Mini-acquainted passenger in the car, I try to remember to hit the unlock button as we stop so they aren't confused.
The double pull on the inner handle is just because the doors were locked/auto-locked. I'm used to it from other German cars, but now that I have NCS Expert up and running, I plan to program the auto-unlock feature. When I have a non-Mini-acquainted passenger in the car, I try to remember to hit the unlock button as we stop so they aren't confused.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
My only complaint is the RF tires. The only reason they're necessary is because of the design of the exhaust system which doesn't leave any room for a spare like on a Justa. If they had done the dual exhaust like BMW does on the 335i, one pipe on either side instead of two in the middle, it wouldn't have been an issue. I think the two in the middle look is very cool, but I would have rather had a spare and non-RF's. With everything I've read on here about the noises, rattles and problems of the cabrio and sun roof, I'm very glad I went with a hardtop with no sun roof. It was a no brainer for me though because I never used the sunroof on my last car. I only have about 1,000 miles on it, but so far, knock on wood, no squeaks or rattles. I think the RF's are a cause of a lot of the noises too. I swapped mine out at 150 miles. Overall, I'm very happy with my MCS! Lots to love and little to hate.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
You can disable auto-lock through the BC and thus eliminate the double-pull, but we're talking about keeping auto-lock active here. I believe the only way to enable auto-unlock while keeping auto-lock is by reprogramming the CAS module. The double-pull is definitely a BMW thing. Had it on my 3,5 and X5. VW takes a different approach and will auto-lock upon driving, but allows a single pull of the handle to open the door from the inside, assuming there's little reason for a person INSIDE the car to want to unlock the door but not open it.
Once you have NCS up and running, it's a piece of cake to make changes. Aside from the cable and computer, it's easier than getting lost in that single-button world of the BC anyway
Last edited by d@g; Dec 28, 2011 at 03:09 AM.