Mostly good, some complaints

Mini offers major pluses ... and minor problems

 

I don't get it...their gripes aren't even a problem in my MINI.

 

WTF
"A bin or console to stash CDs and cell phones would be a welcome addition.Some of the pieces should fit together better, however. The steering wheel had a rough edge of poorly trimmed plastic, the air vents occasionally shut themselves with the fan on high, and the shoulder belt snagged in the seat latch every time I pushed the front seatbacks upright after accessing the rear seat."



There is nothing like that on my car and as for stashing the CD's, use the secret compartment you idiot.

 

I have no idea where this guy got his few complaints from either. Is he sure he was even in a MINI?

 

Well, I do have the a/c-vent-shutting thing. Of course my SA has "never heard of this," which seems to be the typical line...

 

Now you can take that article to him and tell him to wake up and open his eyes.

 

"I'm saving fuel and easing congestion on the road, and I still look better than you do."

Nice.

 

i always thought pluses was spelled plusses doh!

 

This is exactly what continues to happen with the press. The reviewer uses conventional perspectives to evaluate a car that is known for its unconventionalness and originality. If the press complains about the **** placement for the radio, it's not that the location of this **** is the problem, it is that the journalist cannot think outside of his/her experiences.

Just because the volume control is in an "out of the ordinary" place does not make it a design flaw. In fact, I happen to find it ergonomically correct that I can rest my arm on the stick shift and have the volume control within reach.
Regards

 

I'm sure the volume control is no big deal after you're used to the car, but it's a pain in the arsenpepper if you're not used to its non-standard placement. I think I inadvertantly changed the station at least five times during my test drive.

 

The volume control **** has been criticized for as long as there have been MINIs...."it's too small, it's too fidgety, it's texture is odd, it's in the wrong place." These guys can't be pleased!!! Thank god MINI got a something right w/ the car....at least a thing or two.

 

I think this is probably an issue with any short term test drive. The writer did say the pluses were major and the problems minor.

Who among us can say they got used to the MINI's unconventional features on their first drive? Or are all reviewers expected to just lather the MINI with praise constantly.

I've yet to read a review that says "Wow! This car is no fun to drive."

 

I suspect it is a custom among proper journalists to never rave outright, but to find some fault with every car, and find something to praise about every car. Very diplomatic. To rave would call into question their journalistic objectivity and if that were to happen they would be scolded by the editor and possibly not get that raise they were hoping for. I suppose it's fair to expect them to pan something....makes no difference what car it is. After all, if the car was perfect they would simply have to say it is too expensive.

 

The volume control toook me a little to get used to it but now it falls naturally into my hand....

 

I like the volume control especially the one on the Steering Wheel...no one even notices you increase/decrease volume level

 

I agree....my new motto!

 

I just came back from a business trip to the Hyundai/Kia proving grounds in Mojave, CA. The day I was leaving, I saw an all Laser Blue MCS in the parking lot. As I was looking at it, a writer from Motor Trend came out.

Long story short, he was using Hyundai's track to test 11 cars, the MCS being one of them. He drove the MCS to the facility, the test had not begun, but I asked him what he thought. He said it was a ball to drive and I'd have lots of fun when I got mine. The only semi-negative he mentioned (again, the test had not begun, just a drive to the facility) was the ride was rough. The MCS had the sport option and run flats.

The article is due out in January.

 

The thing is, this guy isn't knocking "MINI's unconventional features." He's stating problems with plastic trim and snagging belts and calls it, "sloppy engineering." No, I haven't heard all reviewers lavish nothing but praise on the car. But this guy's complaints have been the first of their kind that I've heard about.

 

I find it interesting that so many MINI owners act like someone just insulted their child when they mention a complaint.

Maybe "sloppy engineering" was a poor choice of words, but the guy drove one car not a whole fleet.

There's lots of people here that mention an issue that most others don't have. I don't think I've ever moved the driver's seat to get in the back, so I wouldn't even know if it snagged the seatbelt.

But, what lovely children you have...

 

Doesn't change the fact that he's not knocking MINI's unconventional features. Not sure where the rest of the melodrama fits though.