First......after almost three years of ownership I noticed that my plastic door panel inserts were different. The passenger side has a silver patina finish (as does the dash) and the driver's side is plain silver. It's a little embarrassing that it took me this long to notice! So, the 'odd' panel is being replaced under warranty and the really good news is that I have just dealt successfully with the wear & tear on the driver's side panel.

Second.....I was cleaning the interior and accidentally hit the on/off radio button. To my astonishment the radio started playing and when I looked, my key wasn't in the ignition. I didn't know this was possible.

That's all.

 

1) Good deal about your door panel replacement

2) Yes, the radio/CD (And MFSW buttons) will work without the key in the ignition. This feature is called "Reserve Power" and will run continuously for about 10 minutes until the computer shuts the power off. When you park the car and turn off the engine (And take the key off the ignition) you will still be able to use both power windows and sunroof using the 10 minute power reserve, as long as, you don't open either door or the hatchback (Which interrupts the 10 minute power timer).

However, the powerpoints (Front cigarrette lighter and rear 12V socket) will not work without the key in the ignition and turned to the "Accessory" mode.

May be you know this or may be you don't, but if you have a '04 or newer MINI, you can lower both windows by pressing up and holding the power door lock toggle switch.

If you exit the car without closing the windows/sunroof, simply place the key in the driver's side exterior key lock, turn to lock the doors and hold. Your windows and sunroof will close automatically.

If you have the "follow me home" lights feature, pressing the headlights/turn signal stack towards you (With the car turned off) will turn on the headlights for a period of 30 secs up to 1 minute at which point the computer will shut them off again.

 

Opens the sunroof, too, at least it does on my 05. But it takes less time to go click-click-click and open all of them separately by their respective switches. I'm too busy shifting to press and hold anything for very long. (Except that long skinny pedal on the right!)

Didn't know the part about the radio, though. Must go try this!

 

At least for an '05, it's 30 minutes.

 

.

 

Thanks! I just learned something new too!

 

I didn't realize until after owning my car for quite a few months that, although I had ordered the chrome bumper accents, I only had the chrome on the front bumper, and not the rear. I then made MINI send me a check for $60, which is half of what the option cost.

 

You are very nice, I would have wanted more than $60.

Maybe being "special" makes your MINI more of a collectors item?

 

Just goes to show you can learn something new every day.

 

Holding up on the lock button opens up my '03, too.

 

My favorite hidden "MINI" trick is the side of the road parking light.


try this.. pull up somewhere, turn off the car, and before you open the door turn on your blinker, now take out your key and get out of the car.

this turns on the marker lights on whichever side of the car the blinker is on..

I remember the old Austin's had this trick..

very cool if you are pulled off the side of the road at night....

 

Me too! I guess we can all learn something some of the time!

 

Or if you think your MINI looks invisible as you walk away, just go back, open the door, and turn on the blinker. Parking lights illuminate front and rear! Key in ignition not required. Cool!

 

Thanks, I LOVE that. I still am addicted to using the key button to open windows before I hop in, but this is going to definitely be another option.

 

The radio is not controlled under the "Reserve Power" function.

Reserve Power operates for up to 10 minutes after shutting off the car, to allow you to close windows and sunroof. Once you open a door the reserve power feature is diabled.

How ever you can turn on the radio anytime without the key for 20 minutes, then it shuts off. You can keep turning it back on for another 20 minutes. Works with the doors open or closed.

Try it next time you go to the dealer, turn on the radio in all the cars on the showroom floor. On different stations of course.

Steve

 

I didn't know until my son (whom I was showing the car to for the first time on a visit north) showed me the window goes down about 3/8" when you open the door and then closes after you get back in. I had the car 5 months when he showed this to me. Young whippersnapper!

 

You can check your mileage by pressing the odometer button without the key. I learned the trick from watching the dealer check in my car one day.

 

if these things kept as secrets by Mini? Like, a list or something?

Maybe it's just me.....

Matt

 

Also shows the clock as well! (in an 05)

 

Shows the clock in my 03 also.

It took me almost a year or more to figure out that by holding the left side button on the back of the steering wheel, the radio would "seek" the next station. I always used it to just scan the presets.

 

Nice feature from the pedigree. This is also the reason that all Minis (and BMWs) are equipped with electric windows. It helps ensure a good seal.