Hi Everyone,

I got a "new" 04 MCS a little over a week ago and have never enjoyed a new car as much! I've been glued to this forum and have learned tons of stuff. Seriously, I've put in as many hours in a week as a full time job. I've bought new wipers, badges, cargo air filter, seafoam, changed C to F, reset the computer, learned about fun flats, detailing products, where to keep an extra six pack cold or sandwich hot...list goes on, all from reading this forum. You guys and gals are great!

One thing I haven't figured out, and it may actually be a problem is my driver side door ****. All doors lock/unlock (even can open windows/roof) with fob, toggle switch seems to lock/unlock correctly. Though I don't like that the doors have to be closed for this to work. I'd rather open door, hit toggle, close door and walk away. Makes it easier for us women when we have other things in our hands getting out of the car to just put key in purse. Anyway, while I can lock passenger side door with pushing down the door ****, the driver door **** won't go down. Goes up/down fine with fob and toggle switch. When I push down on it, it has some resistance and pops back up.

Shouldn't I be able to push down on this **** to lock the door (though may not set the alarm I understand)?

Thanks for all suggestions!

BTW, I waved at another mini the other day and they just looked at me oddly. Guess the word isn't fully out on this

 

Perhaps this is to prevent you from locking yourself out.

As for the wave, I live in the san francisco and I never get a wave. Where did all the friendly people go?

 

Yeah, this may be cautionary as to not lock yourself out, though I thought I read somewhere that you can lock the car by pushing down on the ****. Guess I'll keep looking.

I also ride motorycyles, and while it seems to be mostly with the "harley" crowd, most folks on a bike will do the "wave" when you pass. Certainly notice this more in NC versus FL where I'm from.

 

Now that's a fact! I used to ride as well and 'everyone' on a bike would wave. It didn't matter what you looked like, how you're dressed or the bike you're on. I thought that was a very cool gesture which also helped build respect and comraderie.

Although, we never waved at mopeds or scooters. I was told not to by the person who taught me to ride.

 

Wave?? I've been driving my Mini for 4 months and got my first "return wave" yesterday on I-40 between Amarillo and OKC!! It was a great feeling and I smiled for 15 minutes... it definitely offset the numerous "non-wave" responses I've gotten from other Mini drivers seen in my travels... I really thought this would be a given - we drive very unique cars and are part of a unspoken fraternity/sorority... maybe the others are just so caught up in the thrill of the driving experience that they miss seeing the friendly gesture... I'll keep waving regardless - I'm looking for "you" to return it!!

 

Well, my first wave was from a guy in a black SUV. I thought it was the car he was admiring, kept weaving back and forth behind me after I took off at the light. Finally got up on my driver side and told me my 30 day temp tag blew off.

 

Many cars have this feature. You cannot lock the door by using the driver's side door lock in order to keep from locking your keys in the car. It's the same reason the toggle switch won't work. What used to work on my Honda though was to lift up the outside handle, then push the lock down. That may work on a MINI too, I don't know. Try engaging the handle from the outside then pushing down the lock. Or, just don't have some much stuff in your hands. You probably don't need most of it anyway! ;-)

 

Waving has become optional evidently, I continue to do it but returns are becoming rare, too bad, it was fun while it lasted. Back in the late 50's to not wave at other Porsches was a capital offense. But then we were few and far between, I think we MINI's are too common now.

 

I live in the Bay Area also and when my wife and I first got our MINIs it seemed like we would get about a 50% return on waves (ROW) but now it's probably 10% or less. Where are all the cool motorers??? (On NAM, yes, I know )

I agree with Ben, I think there are too many MINI owners and not enough MINI motorers. You'd think the probability would go up though...

 

Back in '07 when I bought my R50, I didn't even know the "wave" existed, but I found myself doing it anyhow. It is like some sort of spasam that just happens when I see another MINI. Since I upgraded to my R53 the amount of wave backs has gone down at least here in Colorado, they are still around 50/50 or maby 70/30 in the summer. But if you pass me in my FLAT(not shiney painted)DS R53 you will also see a hand out yhe window.

Oops I gave away my paint scheem plan

As for the door locks I agree you shuldnt be carrying that much stuff in your MINI, unless it is in a bag

 

Well, I'll keep doing the wave (like the lone person in a stadium standing up and sitting down) and see if I can get it to spread!

As for stuff in my hand/arms...hey, I'm a woman, there's always a purse, shopping bags, work bag et cetera to hold onto when getting out. Keeping key in purse is just one more thing I don't have to hold onto, but I can make it work.

I can appreciate the extra precaution of not locking keys in car, happened to me twice, both with the car running. Okay, once was my mom who just HAD to follow me into the post office to buy ONE stamp after I left her in the car with it running for the AC (made her use HER AAA card) 2nd was me running late for school and I should have bought the campus police a slim jim for Xmas.

 

LONG LIVE THE WAVE only question is, do you wave with the whole hand or do the 3 finger wave? For me it depends if it is a stock(looking) MINI or not, stockers get the 3 fingers but a really good looking MINI gets the whole hand.

 

Three MINIs yesterday, the very big and smily waves. Must have been the gorgeous spring weather here in NY.
Most MINI folks wave here.

 

Yet to get waves here in Baltimore, MD. I always feel the urge but I don't b/c it's not reciprocated. :\

 

[quote=DICKS GARAGE R53;3021700]Back in '07 when I bought my R50, I didn't even know the "wave" existed, but I found myself doing it anyhow. It is like some sort of spasam that just happens when I see another MINI.

It's like something just happens to me when I see another MINI. I always wave. I'll wave at you.

My husband is always saying that since he found my MINI they seem to be attracted to him.

 

I agree with your husband Kathy, seince I bought my first one I notice more and more MINIs, and they all seem to be following me in my area of town.

 

Since I've had my MINI I've had such a confidence boost. I'm so in control the minute I back out. No matter what fixes may be in store or if it even had to be parked I'd still have a that good feeling just knowing that it's mine.
Got a wave yesterday. Beautiful, orange-black top MINI.