What would you change about your MINI if you could?
But a good way to tame torque steer? Rear wheel drive!
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Mile High City
I just installed larger wheels and wider tires and it seems to have calmed the torque steer down quite a bit. Maybe the tires just have a much softer rubber compound than that of the runflats.
andrewholmes - pm'd you on the hatch malfunction - had the same problem.
Check this inked thread, may help with your hatch. Mine's stayed fixed for 2 winters now...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=94833
If you do a search on "boonk" (the sound and opening hatch makes) you'll find several related threads and the funny way my Mini teased me when my hatch wanted to open itself! Dealer tends to replace part, which fixes things temporarily, but it's the construction that's causing the issue - moisture in the switch.
Hope this helps!
My beef: Mini replaces parts with replacement parts - which is great, but hows about engineering the defects out? (I guess that's called the R56, huh?)
- MCS clutches that make a whonghy sound (hard spots on the dual mass flywheel, solution: replace with same dual mass flywheel! duh.)
- Every time I go in I get a new rear wiper blade. They should be good for longer than that!
- 10000 or 15000 mile oil changes? C'mon.
- two words: run flats. ugh.
But... I love this car.
Check this inked thread, may help with your hatch. Mine's stayed fixed for 2 winters now...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=94833
If you do a search on "boonk" (the sound and opening hatch makes) you'll find several related threads and the funny way my Mini teased me when my hatch wanted to open itself! Dealer tends to replace part, which fixes things temporarily, but it's the construction that's causing the issue - moisture in the switch.
Hope this helps!
My beef: Mini replaces parts with replacement parts - which is great, but hows about engineering the defects out? (I guess that's called the R56, huh?)
- MCS clutches that make a whonghy sound (hard spots on the dual mass flywheel, solution: replace with same dual mass flywheel! duh.)
- Every time I go in I get a new rear wiper blade. They should be good for longer than that!
- 10000 or 15000 mile oil changes? C'mon.
- two words: run flats. ugh.
But... I love this car.
My beef: Mini replaces parts with replacement parts - which is great, but hows about engineering the defects out? (I guess that's called the R56, huh?)
Still love my MINI.
I only have a few things.
- I would add some more lumbar support (or adjustable lumbar support) to the cloth seats.
- I know the throttle-by-wire is probably necessary, but I HATE it. I wish there was a different way.
- I would change the boot hatch "programming" so that I was not forbidden to open the boot 99% of the time.
- I'd add a little distance between the wiper/high beam staks and the wheel so that my long, gangly fingers did not accidentally trip over them while steering.
- I wish the toggle switches were actual toggle switches (i.e., they stayed where you left them). The whole "return to center" thing is basically a glorified pushbutton.
Anyone else?
- I would add some more lumbar support (or adjustable lumbar support) to the cloth seats.
- I know the throttle-by-wire is probably necessary, but I HATE it. I wish there was a different way.
- I would change the boot hatch "programming" so that I was not forbidden to open the boot 99% of the time.
- I'd add a little distance between the wiper/high beam staks and the wheel so that my long, gangly fingers did not accidentally trip over them while steering.
- I wish the toggle switches were actual toggle switches (i.e., they stayed where you left them). The whole "return to center" thing is basically a glorified pushbutton.
Anyone else?
thought that was standard.I have heard alot of comments about the toggle switches, but they work fine for me.
I think that trunk lock issue can be modified by the dealer too, givem a call.
My desired changes would be more mechanical in nature. ~ R53 1st Gen.
1) Doors are heavy, and hinge does not have a built in stop at 2/3 open to hold doors open - just before it is all the way open. This can be bad in a garage with other cars or walls nearby. So I would ask that MINI make a hinge with a temp built in stop point just before the wide open point.
2) Remote to close all windows/roof and lock doors same way it open's them.
3) Rear seat sunroof section to be able to flip up.
4) Better Back up lights or make Rear parking sensors standard.
5) Better side support / bolsters for front seats, and they don't have to be leather either. ( Even Subaru's have heated Cloth seats........)
Other than that, I likem just the way they are........
Although I'd like mine to have 1,200 miles. I'd hate to go through break in again.
With rear wheel drive it would cease to be a MINI.
it'd be a Minor!
Sir Alec Issigonis is famous for his creation of the Mini and a range of later cars for the British Motor Corporation (BMC), but he became known to the general public for designing the Morris Minor. Over 1.6 million of the lightweight, rear-wheel drive car were eventually produced, mainly in Cowley, Oxfordshire, and exported around the world. (Wikipedia)
1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, CA
My only complaint after 4k miles; the standard leatherette seats. They are hot and have zero support, lateral or lumbar. Tomorrow I'm calling the dealer and checking to see what the cost would be to have cloth sport seats installed.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
- I would like the JCW seats that they sell in Europe.
- Shorter rear seat would create more leg room.
- Offer a factory Ipod holder in place of the lame (American Big Gulp) cup holder.
- Supercharger continued as an option on the R56 models.
- Keep it MINI.
Yep, like I said it would cease to be a MINI. Mini's have a heritage of motorsport greatness. Morris Minors have a legacy of being a rather boring car.
Mini's have a heritage of motorsport greatness. Morris Minors have a legacy of being a rather boring car.
MC 2
Not according to Getrag. They did a technology demonstrator where they could test different drive systems. The rear wheel drive variant was the slowest and worst handling of the lot. (Best was "twinster" all wheel drive with independent drive to each front wheel.)
Morris Minors have a legacy of being a rather boring car.
A Mini version of the R32 would definitely rock, but our cars are already a little (ahem) portly for their size, wouldn't want to add too much more weight.
Oh yeah - one more change: More durable PAINT! Rock chips suck. That, or if I had the foresight and foreknowledge to install a clear bra when it was new...
i apologize for that word. rape meaning dominate, own, destroy. 
not the actual meaning.
but if they could find some weird technology and a break through with metal an AWD mini would be awesome.
Also, to make up for the weight gain, add more stock power
not the actual meaning. but if they could find some weird technology and a break through with metal an AWD mini would be awesome.
Also, to make up for the weight gain, add more stock power
1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, CA
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
I just picked up a BMW service replacement car for my MCS and I gotta say auto-up windows aren't a luxury, they're a neccessity. If MINI doesn't have it and BMW does, it can't be a function of trying to protect us from ourselves, it's prolly just an oversight. Anyone know if auto-up is selectable through User-Defined options? Love push-button start too, but it shouldn't be neccessary to insert the key case, proximity should be enough. After all this IS the 21st. century and since they never came through on the flying cars, I demand a keyless push-button starter.
BMW sells a push button start retrofit kit. 61-13-0-405-111 or 113. I am interested in retroffitting comfort access, but do not have enough info on how to achieve this at this time. Anyone?