I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

I got my MINI-Fini cuplink cup holder about 8 months ago and the darn think is bad already. It does not stay in one position. It just swings from side to side when anything is in the cup holder. Its almost like the plastic ribs that hold it in place have worn out already. I know what you are thinkg, "he shouldn't be putting those 99oz thirst busters in it every day". I don't I don't use it that often and it is usually with a water bottle or the MINI freebie mug.

It swings back when I accelerate or turn one way, and forward to hit the dash when I turn the other way or brake. The cup just about jumps out when it swings.

I emailed MINI-Fini. I'll let you know what they say.

Chris

 

I would double check that the holder is fully seated in the mount. I think it should snap into place. I'm not near our car or I'd check it out for you.

 

The other thing is to double check that the receiver bracket is not mounted upside down. I made that mistake when I installed mine in typical guy mode (sans instructions).


>>I would double check that the holder is fully seated in the mount. I think it should snap into place. I'm not near our car or I'd check it out for you.

 

Here's my writeup on the install:

http://homepage.mac.com/rv6a/minicuplink.html

It had a sticker telling me which side was up and it was installed properly. It worked great for a while with all the detents grabbing. Now, only the detents at the extreme ends of the travel grab. That's why I think the plastic has just worn out. I thought that maybe it was just not seated properly, so I did remove and reinstall the cupholder part. No help. Still swung.

 

Did the cup holder came with the car? If so, it should be under warranty. :smile:

 

While the cupholder may be under warranty, if you did not use a "Mini approved" mug, this may have voided the warranty. Water bottles from a gas station or grocery store were never tested on this cupholder. Most likely the weight of the cup was never tested and cupholder could not take the extra weight or size. This is a good reason why I am holding off on getting a cupholder until my warranty expires. It is just too risky right now, and it is my daily driver. Maybe when the JCW cupholder comes out, I may purchase that.

 

I installed the bracket upside down on purpose, because I wanted to be able to move the holder from side to side and remove it easily. This worked great for months- it resisted moving and stayed in one place. A couple of weeks back, this stopped and the cupholder started swinging from side to side way too easily. I put a bit of duct tape around the part that inserts into the holder and that fixed it. It doesn't show, but I'm fairly sure it wouldn't meet BMW engineers' standards in its current condition.

 

>>While the cupholder may be under warranty, if you did not use a "Mini approved" mug, this may have voided the warranty. Water bottles from a gas station or grocery store were never tested on this cupholder. Most likely the weight of the cup was never tested and cupholder could not take the extra weight or size. This is a good reason why I am holding off on getting a cupholder until my warranty expires. It is just too risky right now, and it is my daily driver. Maybe when the JCW cupholder comes out, I may purchase that.
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Use of the silver and orange MINI cups are approved unless they have been filled with any liquids once you have left the dealership. This is considered an aftermarket mod and voids the cupholder warranty. If any steam escaped from the cup, it will also void the windshield and sunroof warranties.

 

With MINI warranty issues being like they are, I figured once I got behind the wheel I voided the warranty. I'm a non-approved accessory.

 

>>Did the cup holder came with the car? If so, it should be under warranty. :smile:

Nope, mine is a 2003 which is prior to the Enzyte influenced cupholder being standard.

 

One odd thing I just noticed this morning is that it felt a bit more firm. I wonder if it is a hot/cold thing. The temps here in Phoenix have been in the 70s/80s in the morning and ~100 in the afternoon. The afternoon is usually when I use it (to beat the heat) so that is when I notice it. Maybe the plastic is softening just enough in the heat to cause the 2 parts of the mounting post to not stay spread out like they should.

hmmmmmmm......

 

if in the rare case that your mini fini cupholder stays firm for more than 4 hours, please seek medical attention immediately.

 

>>if in the rare case that your mini fini cupholder stays firm for more than 4 hours, please seek medical attention immediately.<<




Clo/Wanda

 

This all sounds like a conspiracy brewing! My cupholder came w/ the car and it too just started swinging around on its own? But, I am having a hard time convincing the wife that BMW could have planned this because they still can't find the funny little squeak my driver side window makes every morning. Oh well.

 

>>One odd thing I just noticed this morning is that it felt a bit more firm.<<

Odd! When you're over 60 it's a damn miracle.






Oh, I'm sorry, wrong board.


R.E.

 

>>This all sounds like a conspiracy brewing! My cupholder came w/ the car and it too just started swinging around on its own? But, I am having a hard time convincing the wife that BMW could have planned this because they still can't find the funny little squeak my driver side window makes every morning. Oh well.

Yup, squeeky windows here too. Was told there is nothing wrong. I bet if it was a "real" BMW, then they'd fix it pronto.

 

>>Yup, squeeky windows here too. Was told there is nothing wrong. I bet if it was a "real" BMW, then they'd fix it pronto.

Real BMWs have 2 wheels

 

*** UPDATE ***

MINI-Fini replied to my email. They are sending a replacement ASAP. They did say that they changed the material that they are making the cupholders from.

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2003 LY/W Mini Cooper