I picked up a nice set of Bridgestone Blizzaks and they do miracles in the snow. I took them in a parking lot with dsc off aan it was very hard to get the car to spin out. $800 off of Tire Rack. A great investment if you have snowy winters. They also allow you to have a little fun if there isn't any snow on the road

 

Mini's have always been FWD, it allows for more compact packaging, and it is a Mini, not a BMW.

Large steering wheel? Unless you're talking about a classic, I have no Idea what you're talking about. The one in my car is a bit smaller in diameter and thicker than the one in my Mazda was, and the ones in the Lexus (Lexi, Lexuses?) have been. So, maybe a pic to show us what you're talking about/

 

1) Wish the sport seats were more comfortable (i.e. had better thigh/leg support).
2) Don't like how so much water drips onto the seats when opening the doors after it's been raining.
3) Don't like that I have to stop driving it when I get to work and that I have to wait all day until I get to drive it again.

 

#3

 

we got a 04 mini cooper s cold weather pack, its bog stock atm, but due to a rotting exhaust im looking for a catback system (looking at IE) and cold air intake. oh and roof racks! thinking thule ones.

 

The "Openometer" on my 11 Cabrio

 

its the standerd steering wheel, just bigger than what we're used to lol. my last car was a s2000, and she had a TOMS jdm mr2 turbo. But we're loving the mini, first 2 weeks of ownership we had put 3500kms on it! we drove down to seattle then up the icefields parkway to jasper, epic roadtrip, the scenery is stunning as we're used to the australian landscape.

 

I saw this on a friend's car. I personally think it's downright silly. If you want to add a gage, how about something meaingful like oil temperature.

 

The MINI-Thule racks are great and look like they belong on the car. If you get them, plan on leaving them on the car. On and off is a serious hassle and I chipped the paint on my roof the first time I put the thing on.

 

Absolutely stunning landscape in that area! Sounds like a great ride. I've done the drive from the other side of the mountains; Calgary through Banff and on up to Lake Louise/Emerald Lake. To this day I don't think I've been on a better drive. Very jealous that you live in the area, but enjoy the MINI up there!

 

pepperstripes cheers for the advise! yeah i think they look the goods on a mini. NJ Mini its mind blowing scenery, i went through x2 8gb sd cards, lol

 

I know it's been posted a lot, but I hate that the bonnet release is on the passenger side.

 

I still don't get the seat adjustment latch, to lean the seat back. Who decided that engineering marvel was a good idea!? It takes 5 minutes to lean my seat back 2 degrees!

 

This thread could be divided into 1st gen and 2nd gen, as many of the first gen issues were fixed in the second incarnation. It's actually rather interesting to go back and read the older threads, and find out how many issues were addressed in the 2nd gen cars. Almost like.... someone was reading the threads and reporting back to the company... almost...

 

Hate that I can't turn off the Auto HVAC because it will just put out HEAT! so the fan is on all the time, constantly turning the temp up or down to keep the fan at a low speed. Did the 2nd gen fix this?

 

I hate that my Mini is sitting in Southampton waiting to board her ship and not in my garage! I REALLY REALLY hate that!

 

amen.. hate my *** getting wet bacause I didn't notice water on my seat from opening the door!

 

Agreed. However the good part of this is that my wife never adjusts the seat angle because she can't figure out how. I put it where I want it and that's where it stays.

 

The only thing I hate about my Mini is the frequency and cost of repairs. In 27 months, I've gone a max of 8 weeks w/o a trip to the shop. And I've spent nearly nine grand above and beyond routine maintenance or modification just keeping it on the road.

That's $333.00 a month in repairs for over two years just to keep it stock and operational.

If i add oil changes, tires, lights, and a battery to that, of course, it's more.

 

I'm sorry to hear its causing you that much aggravation and cost. Those prices you mention sound like dealer prices. I would honestly look at an independent shop to do work on the car so that you aren't paying the MINI labor rates which are very high. Near me the MINI rate is higher than what Porsche charges. A licensed Indy shop can normally perform warrantied work without affecting your warranty from MINI.

Not sure where you are located but if you are in the NJ area I can try and recommend a few shops.

 

I find it irritating to the EXTREME that it costs hundreds for "upgraded" seats and they STILL won't give adjustable lumbar support. Fercrissakes, my old Intrepid had it and it was standard. How did some MINIs get that? A loan car I got from MINI of Dallas had it! It was a 2011 Cooper S convertible and there was a **** to stiffen the back! Was this a feature added AFTER the 2009 model year?

 

Not sure when lumbar adjustment was added, or to which models. My 2012 MCS *has* adjustable lumbar, on driver & passenger. "Gravity" leather seats.

 

What I dislike most about my Mini (1st generation convertible) is the fact that everybody always asks how many hours i've driven open, while that famous Openometer is only an option on the 2nd Generation convertible from 2009 on...


(but i would never want to trade to 2nd Gen)

 

Lumbar support is available on all seats above the Sports Seat. (thank goodness it doesn't have lumbar) My back needs to be straight and cannot have lumbar. Sport Seats do give you support in other places, if it had lumbar it would cost more than the $250 that it does on base models. I would love to go with the highgate edition but because of the seats, I can't.

 

When I first bought my S the passenger seat locked up, I could lean it forward to get into the back but after swinging it back down it wouldnt recline, I took it to the lot and they took the seat out and said they had to fix a cable? I have always heard you just get in it and slam it back with the handle up until you hear a crack and its all set or busted lol. The seats are definetly a weak spot