Recently ordered a new MINI convertible and wondered if all the reviews i've read about a problem with rear window visibility is as bad as all the critics claim it to be. Would love to hear current convertible owners opinion.
Thank You, Lori

 

Most important: with the top down, visibility is not a problem

With top up, you do need to be a lot more careful backing up and changing lanes.

My advice: drive with the top down!

 

+1

 

The park assist is helpful. My wife has it and she can back up without straining her neck.
My $.02 worth

 

Superior advice, that, and therein lie the embers of fanaticism but topless is not always possible. So, there are directions on how best to use the side view mirrors to maximum effect and the rear view for reference only. Situational awareness becomes uppermost in watching and keeping track of all traffic aproaching from the rear. Click and Clack have it all figured out. Go to: http://www.cartalk.com/content/featu...alkMirrors.pdf

This should help you out immensely. Topless motoring should be your entire goal in life from this point onward.

 

Great advice on mirror placement. Thank you so much.

 

Upon reflection, one caveat: Two weeks ago at our monthly meet and eat, I found displeasure in where I had parked and in the course of backing out I overextended my reach. With the iPod blaring somthing from Steppenwolf, I didn't hear the backup warning and very gently rubbed bumpers with another vehicle. It just rearranged the dirt on his but scratched the left rear arch, broke the reflector and distorted the bumper cover only slightly. All is back in good order with replacement parts and some judicious leverage on the bumper cover. The lesson here is that even with the best of sensors, detectors, reflectors and co-pilots, errors in judgment will happen with resulting consequences. So, motor on with all good intentions but don't relax the surveillance.

 

Another thing...I try to park in spots where I can pull though to the other side so I don't have to back out.

I also have a little convex spot mirror on my right side mirror. I bought a set of Multi-Vex mirrors but don't like them and they are sitting on a shelf now.

 

And keeping it clean during winter months (should you partake in that sordid activity as I do) is a nightmare. It's constantly caked over. As soon as it warms up, I'm slapping on some mud flaps on the rear.

 

The mudflaps help some with the crud getting on the back window, but you still get build-up. I have taken to just keeping a small squeegee and some wet wipes in the trunk for a quick clean-up.

 

I have the Multi-Vex and kind of encouraged Austin S with my glowing reviews. I love mine. I can see about 6 lanes wide BUT there is some optical distortion on the outer edges. They are not for everbody. It took me about a week to get used to them but some don't like it. It is like the kind of distortion many right side rear view mirrors have but on steroids. You may want to PM Austin S and see if you can buy them on a trial basis.

I also have a rear camera that I installed and it makes a huge difference (see my gallery). I can clearly see if there is a kid or dog or car when I am backing up.

Rear viz in these R57's is bad but the fun more than compensates.

Happy Motoring!

 

Definitely install a back-up camera if you can afford it. I bought my '05 MCSc used and it had a DVD system already installed (with monitors in the headrest - can't figure that one), so all I had to do is add the camera. Helps alot when at the grocery store or around the schools...

 

I have been called Paranoid, OCD, ****, Monk and other names - and these are just by my loving wife - but I couldn't try them for a week. I think I had them on for 2 days and I knew I would never get used to the distortion. I would trade them for a large bag of cashews.

I will be in Newport, RI June 3 and 4 though.

 

What type of camera did you install?

 

I followed this excellent post:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...up-camera.html

I ordered the camera and monitor using the links in the post. Total cost was about $170 I believe. It works great!

Happy motoring!

 

Thanks for the info!!!

 

You are welcome. Lacning 74 did all the hard work for us. Here is some more info from another posting on this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by frank1330
looking forward to the details. I am not the most technical guy - although I did install sirius on my miata...

Frank, Some more details on my 2009 MCS convertible back up camera install:
I pretty much followed the instructions from the posting at https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...up-camera.html Don't pay any attention to the wiper mount camera as this is another option for hardtops but not us convertible nuts. I ordered the 3.5" LCD display and the camera directly from the links in the referenced posting. They were still active in April when I last checked.
The above post is for a hardtop but the convertible is actually more simple.
The 3.5" display fits easlily into the cubby below the window switches.
I tied the display power into the power port leads (looks like cig lighter)
The camera comes with all the necessary wiring from the camera to the LCD display
I removed the boot handle (chrome handle on back of tailgate) and ran the camera cable through the existing rubber grommet that you see at the bottom of the tail gate.
I ran the wire beneath the boot carpet and up through the center console.
IMPORTANT - I wanted my display on all the time. This display has two video inputs. If you connect the camera to one of them you have to turn the display on every time you start the car. If you plug the camera into the other the display will come on by itself and not require you to press the display on button each time. The display instructions do not address this. Video input 2 on my display provided the automatic on that I wanted.
I did drill one small hole and installed a rubber grommet but this is behind the chrome boot handle. There is already one there for the license plate light that you may be able to use.
I connected the camera ground to the brown wire that runs to the license plate light and I connected the positive wire to the red wire included with the camera cable. It lets you feed the positive 12 volts from either end. I connected mine to the power socket and the camera and display have power when the ignition is on only.
The camera mounted with small screws to the underside of the boot handle (or you could use double face tape).
The tail gate trim prys off failly easily.
I mounted the display but you could tape it in place. There is a small plastic trim piece that makes up the back of the cubby and this pops straight as it is held in place with two metal snap connectors. I mounted the camera (which came on a swivel/tilt mount) to the plastic trim piece and snapped it back in place.
The wiring is very straight forward. If you are not comfortable removing the tailgate trim, the console between the seats etc. any audio shop or shop that adds accessories should be able to handle this. It took me about 3-4 hours as I was figuring it out as I went but I could do another in about 1-1/2 hours.

Bottom line: this makes driving the convertible so much easier and parking is a breeze. Let me know if you have any other questions. I highly recommend this addition. I have attached two photos of my completed installation. Look carefully at the display and you can see the bumper of the MINI. It is curved due to the fish eye lens.

Doug

 

hi Gawanna.. there's no pix attached and I'd love to see how this looks installed. I'm getting comfy with the blind spots, but this sounds like a great "insurance" type mod.

 

I was worried about this too. I've been driving my 2010 convertible now for about a month now, and I'm definitely more comfortable with it now. Rear visibility isn't bad. I think the pop-up roll bars are a vast improvement over older ones in terms of visibility. Right-side blind spot is not good, but as long as you pay attention to what's around you, you'll be okay. The car being shorter and more maneuverable (especially S or JCW) seems to make up for the blind spot pretty well.

 

Check out my gallery by clicking "gallery" on the top right of this post. There is a pic of the monitor and one of the camera (just to right of license plate). The small monitor is recessed. If I didn't have the garage door openers and rain sensing wipers I would consider buying a rear view mirror with the built in monitor (google it). There are several available.

Happy Motoring!!