[disclaimer: of course this is all theoretical]

My GP mirrors start whistling around 120mph now. They didn't whistle all the way to 140mph+ but the dealer replaced them both because the driver side one was a bit wobbly and the passenger side one was not quite to spec. They put a new normal set of mirrors on and simply swapped out the red covers. They smiled at me when I saw them the next time and mentioned the whistling at high speed. Now, you could say this whistling is a good thing, almost like Mom telling you to slow down or something! But, I'd rather the mirrors be silent at all speeds. Perhaps it is the fitment of the mirror covers to the mirrors that is allowing the wind to whip through and make the noise? Anybody have any ideas or experience with this?

[remember: this is all theoretical]

 

You're simply going to get the same smile out of me that the dealer gave you. But I'm curious to hear what your SA had to say about it, afterall this is a car that is encouraged to be taken to the track for DEs

 

um..........120mph, thats alot of air pressure on a small mirror........and personaly i wouldnt worry about a minor noise at those speeds.

 

My doesn't whistle 'til I top 200.

 

Mine doesn't whistle at 125+ why should his be whistling at a mere 120? Of course I have the windows down and a helmet on so I'm not sure I could hear a train whistle in the car, but mirrors should still be quiet.

 

I'm assuming that this discussion is relative to issues seen while on the track and not on the street. If its the latter please take these discussions offline so to stay within our guidelines. Thanks

Mark

 

I'm talking about the back strraightaway at Sebring. MY aplogies for not making that clear.

 

Thanks for the clarification

 

Is this just another one of those things caused by the aerodynamics of the MINI?

 

I know this may not have anything to do with your issue, and i've seen it discused on NAM once or twice... But when my AC vents are closed (i close the two passanger ones) and i get to about 90-100mph (on a closed course of course) i hear a very strong wistle that goes away when the vents are open...

 

Now for an aerodynamics question that is near & dear to all our MINI hearts-- does going 120/125/200 mph help with the amount of dust that settles on the back of the car, or make it worse?

 

thats what im trying to figure out. something doesn't sound right. i dont think i ever had a problem with a noise coming from the mirror's. guess its one of those things you have to hear/see to believe.

 

I think the only way the dust situation gets better with excessive speed is if you're going backwards!

 

I think there must be a loose edge on the mirror somewhere. Probably on the cap. Even at freeway legal speeds I am able to make the edge of my wedding ring whistle in the wind if I lay my had on my mirror just right while the window is down. The blunt MINI nose is pushing a serious bubble of air and it would only take a small edge. Perhaps as an experiment you could tape the edges of the mirror cap before you go out next time.

Since I have never heard any other GP owner mention this I presume it came from the retrofit. Perhaps once you pinpoint the cause, they will fix it properly. Rattles and whistles are too annoying to put up with.

 

I hate that when that happens! My old 02 would do that, too! I have had white, black, custom Electric Blue and even Chrome mirror caps and nothing helped. Finally I made a 1/8 scale wind tunnel with an old vacumn cleaner and custom designed a carbon fibre mirror cap that sort of looks like Lance Armstrong's racing helmet - you know, aero to the max, sort of pointy at the front. After numerous full size fabrication attempts, I finally came up with a set that works well and no whistle!

 

Hit a 141 and had no whistling however I was on the German autobahn and in a Mini Cooper S. I am sure your mirror is just a manufacturing problem of your single mirror
GERMAN AUTOBAHN + NO SPEED LIMIT = Mini Fantastic

 

Did you apply for a patent yet? This could be your ticket for retirement.

Usually it is the trailing edge of a surface that causes the vibration. Getting the air to exit cleanly is the answer to eliminating the vibration. Any little edge that can trip the airflow can set up the vibration.

 

For sure, you are correct about that trailing edge bit. I am working on a plexiglass-like, advanced clear material that will not distort even though there will be quite a curvy shape to it. This part is destined to be installed on the trailing area of the mirror, providing an incredibly smooth air flow and appearing to be like a sleek submarine in profile, with the actual mirror in the middle.
This design, naturally, will yield virtually no disruption to the aerodynamic matrix.
Now, buckle your seat belts for this news, I have also modified my wind tunnel, temporarily down-sizing to 1/32" scale, and with an increased air flow (newer shop vac, with blower function, possibly to be replaced by a small back-pack blower) to simulate extra high speeds our GPs will be seeing.
If I add the remote control model GP, I will be forced to increase both the air speed and other, top secret parameters will be changed as well, unbeknownst to the casual observer.

 

I don't motor with GyPsy too much (only 4,200 miles so far) but on the way to the bi-monthly autocross I noticed a whistling sound coming from the dash (center). It happened four times at a certain speed and as I was changing lanes (every time !!) . The sound was quite loud .. tried w/ AC on and off but the sound was still there... on the way back home nothing..

Suggestions?

 

"...roads, where we're going we don't need roads..."

 

I get the same thing....... on the highway in Wyoming...... where there is NO speed limit. Starts at about 118 and sounds like a bearing going out! I have it on video tape with audio. I know other GP's have the same. Hmmm??

 

Waiting for the vendor capitialization on this.

"GP Mirror mod!"
____

"Make your MINI look and sound like a GP with these red mirror caps you MINI will whistle at high speed just like the special edition models"

 

no speed limit? i'm gonna have to make a trip out there. lol

 

we should have a GP meeting in Wyoming and compare the different whistling noises ...

 

Please provide documentation on the lack of speed limit on any public road in Wyoming. From what I have seen, the maximum speed limits in the entire state are:

• 75 MPH on interstate highways
• 65 MPH on other highways
• 30 MPH in an urban district
• 20 MPH in a school zone or crossing

Rare enforcement does not entail the lack of a limit, if that is what you were inferring.