So, I've had the pleasure of driving some great twisting roads around CA and OR the last few months and one thing that is driving me a bit crazy:

On several very tight turns to the right, the center rear view mirror is right where I want to look for things like bikes on the road. I mean, I don't think I could select a better location to block my view. The result is that on these very tight right hand turns, I'm stooping so i can see below the mirror.

This happened to me frequently on Highway 1 in CA and on 242 in Oregon today going through the Willamette Nat. Forest.

Does this happen to you? It makes me want a detachable review mirror so when driving these roads, I can get it out of the way...

 

No but, I have realized that if you have the seat as low as it will go you don't have as much of a problem seeing around it. Plus again to me it doesn't really get in the way.

 

I usually lower/turn my head slightly when I approach anywhere with pedestrians or people on bikes ( and ) - this helps me to do a quick scan over the blind spot created by the low driving position + big rear view mirror.

 

I've encountered this too. If I adjust the seat properly to 'me', the mirror is in the way in certain conditions. Doesn't give me a 'warm fuzzy' to have my vision blocked, but I can't figure a way around it other than moving my head, as you suggested.

As for lowering the seat - I'm already short I need to see over the dash!

 

Seeing over the dash is WAY more important than seeing around the mirror. There's blind spot and then there's BLIND spot. My mirror is in the way too. Ford has a great set-up where the post behind the mirror adjusts up or down so you can literally move the mirror completely out of the way. Wish MINI would create a similar set-up.

 

I call it "ducking down" which I suppose is related to being 6' 3". I became aware of this after buying, but I would have bought in anyway. I'm shrinking with old age, so it's just a question of whether I live long enough to shrink enough.

Just checked and found that I have the seat in the lowest position.

 

I'm also 6' - 3" and have to stoop often to see around the mirror. It's often noticeable at traffic lights and long curving on-ramps. I do have the seat lowered completely btw.

 

I am 6'-6" and don't duck down for the mirror. I do stoop for the traffic lights some times.

 

I'm thinking of getting a "Wink" mirror, so I can mount it further forward and up tighter against the roof - for this very reason.

 

Yup -- drives me goofy sometimes. I also have an issue with is being in the way sometimes when I'm going downhill on right-hand curves. I have a place where I have to make a left turn onto another road in the middle of a sweeping downhill right turn. I have to duck down to be sure that there is nothing coming before making the. Ergonomics in the Mini could be a lot better, but I still love it.

 

Yea traffic lights are pretty tough! But since I try to drive with the top dropped as much as humanly possible, that greatly reduces your blind spots! Of course it does make you more vulnerable to other things like shredded truck tires and LARGE low flying birds (another true story).

 

As cool as those are. You would be totally ricing out your MINI with it.

 

But, typically the 'ricer' type mods are those that are either irrelevant function or actually detract from function. Here, i could see it actually being functional (but seemingly too wide, making the windshield even shorter).

 

Or in my case with a MINI Cabrio loaner, teens throwing a cracker into my car!

 

I do not have any problem with the rear view mirror position. I should note that I'm short (5'0") and have the seat set to it's lowest position.

 

I'm 6'6" and have to duck under the mirror in turns. I don't even notice it anymore, it's just second nature now.

 

For those who are having trouble seeing Traffic Lights, have you checked this out...
http://www.lightinsight.com/

 

Yes.

 

I'm sorry, but who is the arbiter of what is "rice" these days? Certainly not you?

These have been used on race cars since the 50's, I even had one on my race car in the late 60's.......it's hardly rice!

And besides, I'm long past worrying what anyone else thinks of my car and accessory choices - I'm going to do it because it works - and I think it will look fine. In fact, a friend has one on his '06 JCW and it works well too....

 

If your tall your going to have this problem. Im trying to figure out a way to make the, or a mirror, detachable.

 

I have the same problem in my Clubman....but then again it's just the same in my Chrysler 300!
Philip

 

you guy's should try driving a BMW M Roadster, tiny windshield.... HUGE rear view mirror. The right side of the windshield is pretty much useless. The mini has great visibility in comparison.