hi, am trying to figure out what the best thing to do is, for blindspots. this has gotta be the biggest and perhaps the only negative of this car. anyone install sensors/mirrors/cameras after market?

would appreciate it greatly
jai

 

I've posted this link innumerable times for this very question all the way from the R52 to now.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/avoiding-blind-spot-1
The other part of the remedy is to keep your head and eyes on swivels always being situationally aware of all traffic before things get exciting.

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2014-...16A/ES2608509/

I have mirrors.

They work spectacular.

 

^^ Have them in the R52 MINI version and they work.

 

OOohhh those are nice! I didnt know these existed. I've got the cheapy button style mirrors stuck on mine. So how do these install? Does the existing glass just pop off? Or do you have to take the mirror housing apart?

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2014-...erior/Mirrors/


Note there are heated and heated/w/autdimming ( electrochromatic ) . Its a swap job. so if you have non heated mirrors, you get the standard heated ( just no heated function ). If you have heated mirrors , then its just snap out and plug new ones in. If you have heated and autodimming , you get the heated/auto dimming mirrors. You cannot upgrade and add autodiming to your mirrors with these or heated ( unless you modify, which I don't know anyone who has ).

Video for install: just like the VW mirrors.

 

Sweet. Gonna have to order up a set. Don't like the look of the button style. But at this point, its function over looks.

 

Back in the 50's (another life time) I was a young LEO in the suburbs of Detroit and one of the things I learned how to do properly was adjust my side view mirrors. Since then I have never owned a car that caused me a problem with 'blind spots'. Take the time to do some research and learn how to properly adjust your mirrors and you'll never have a blind spot problem again.

 

Being a Yurpeen in Yurp, I've had these mirrors on both my second generation Minis and I think they are pretty poor. The Mini convex mirrors feel like they have the same curvature all across the width so don't offer as wide a field of view as other manufacturers' mirrors. I had a Mercedes a while ago where the mirror 'beyond the line' was really heavily curved and they worked really well. I think the Mini line is just a fake, stuck on to make the mirrors appear to be wide angle.

However the Euro mirrors may be better than what you guys get normally - at least mine don't tell me anything about where objects may be.....

 

It would help if the guy in the video knew how to aim his mirrors. What's the use in seeing your doors?

 

exactly! I learned how to adjust side mirrors to eliminate blind spots 100% about a year ago-done.

 

No amount of side mirror adjustment will allow you to see around the rear corners of your car, that's what the rear mirror is for.

Shifting out your side mirrors requires you to rely more on the rear view mirror to see those rear corners.

However, the OP has a convertible. The rear window is so small on the convertible, and the roadster, it causes a blind spot that cannot be avoided.

Stating "learn to adjust your mirrors" will not solve the blind spot issue with the convertible or roadster.

 

It's true I've never driven a Mini convertible or roadster but in all fairness I've owned two Miatas and there was no problem with getting the mirrors adjusted properly.

 

+1 on the above-2 MX5s and an S2000 both of which seem to have as small or smaller rear windows. Also, if that's the case any sort of convex, mirror in mirror type thing wouldn't work either.

 

The OP did not ask about adjusting mirrors. He asked about DRIVING AIDS...not a replacement for good driving habits. I have a 2005 R 52 S and will be towing a 7' high trailer. I will be using aux. side sensors and a rear view camera. I haven't decided what kind yet...it's a winter project.

 

!
One works better and is more reliable than the other.

 

I'll use both...I like all the help I can get.