I only have a few things.

- I would add some more lumbar support (or adjustable lumbar support) to the cloth seats.

- I know the throttle-by-wire is probably necessary, but I HATE it. I wish there was a different way.

- I would change the boot hatch "programming" so that I was not forbidden to open the boot 99% of the time.

- I'd add a little distance between the wiper/high beam staks and the wheel so that my long, gangly fingers did not accidentally trip over them while steering.

- I wish the toggle switches were actual toggle switches (i.e., they stayed where you left them). The whole "return to center" thing is basically a glorified pushbutton.

Anyone else?

 

I miss having lumbar support. Even my Volvo had it on the cloth seats.


Art

 

I'd add a SooperDooperCooperLaser that could obliterate away any hapless, supersizeme SUVs (as they all seem to be) wandering the roads.
Other than that, I'd really change nothing... maybe add a cooling package to the leather seat lumbar area; I always seem to end up with excessive warmth and/or sweat in that area.

 

I already did it......changed my '02 or an '06!

 

The only change I would make is that I wish I'd ordered the fog lights. I can't stand that little plastic oval above the pipes and I'd also have a full bank of toggles.
Also I wouldn't have spent the extra on S-lites that I used for about 6 weeks only.

Of course if money were no object, I'd slap the M7 Cosworth Stage 2 in Simon, but warranty issues keep me from making any major unauthorized changes. That and the $6500 price.

 

Ditto on Hu99, wish I had fog lamps, full switch bank, AND interior chrome pack. All doable, but $$. Wish coolable seats were possible.

 

Better seats, less variety of cheap plastic in the interior, less cheap plastic on the exterior and more power.

 

I would get a scantily clad blonde for the passenger seat!

 

Throttle by wire?

I hate that I am still a rookie!

 

I would lose the sun-roof and go with a hard top.

 

why lose the sun roof?

 

The sunroof adds 55 pounds of weight in the single worst part of the car: the roof.

 

It means that rather than controlling the throttle body by a direct cable linkage, the accelerator pedal operates a variable switch, which in turn electronically opens and closes the throttle body.

The term itself originated with "fly-by-wire", where some planes are designed so that the pilot's movements of the throttle/aileron/rudder controls do not move the control surfaces directly. Instead, the motions are converted to computer signals, and motors drive the control surfaces in response to the computer signals. It's an absolute necessity for some aircraft that are not inherently dynamically stable, but not strictly necessary on cars. I've never been bothered by it, by some people complain that their interface with the throttle body feels "loose", "delayed", or "disconnected" in a throttle-by-wire system.

Scott

 

Is this what gives my automatic a mind of it's own at 0-5 MPH?

 

Oh man this is easy...If I could change my MINI, it would:

- not rattle
- not have a windshield that looks like it's been sandblasted
- have an owner who wasn't too cheap or impatient to spring and wait for the LSD (guess that's my fault)

mb

 

Oh......by the way?

I would get a scantily clad brunette for the passenger seat!

 

Hmm, that sounds strangely like the R56

Seriously, I'd like Reverse on the right hand side by 6. I HATE where it's at now.

More usable torque throughout the rev range, like the R56. Shift less. Faster car.

And am I glad my MA at the last minute told me that U couldnt get adj lumbar on cloth or l'ette. Best $$ spent on a car seat upgrade ever.

I've heard the new sport seats on the 2007 S are a huge improvement across the board, they even have little centered nubs between the legs. New mfgr I guess....

 

I've got one. They cost more than any option.

**Checks over shoulder to see if she's watching**

 

How much do you want for her?

 

The so-called "SPORT" seats would be actual SPORT seats. Lumbar support?! Who cares? Give me LATERAL support!!! Then I wouldn't have to hang on to the steering wheel in corners.

I'll be getting rid of the run-flats soon enuff, so that's an easy one.

I wish it rattled and squeaked a little less. And I only have 10K on the clock! Imagine what the Seattle Rattle is going to sound like in 5 years!?

I wish I'd ordered the HK.

I wish the radio had better reception.

I wish it wasn't so damn cute.

 

I would lose the Leatherette for some cloth seats, its too hot.

The dealer installed driving light switch would be a toggle like the fog lights and in the toggle bank.

The sunroof open is very loud but the HK stays clear when blasting so the HK is a keeper and so is the sunroof, maybe just quiet down the wind a little.

Needs to come with earplugs for the wife as I can't Turn the HK up when she is in it..... Thank god thats only only on weekends.


That laser thing would be great too..

 

I'd make the programmable options USER programmable. I have hopes for the new MINI on this point because the new E92 3 Series allows the owner to do this via a menu. Thanks for fixing this BMW!

I'd allow the US market MINIs to have auto-up windows like the rest of the world has. Thanks Ian for correcting this design defect.

I'd make the windows and sunroof (or top) closable via the remote. They can be opened via remote already. I know, it's a "safety feature". Why not give out Darwin Awards to those manage to get themselves mangled?

Make the Euro Parcel Shelf standard in the US. There's no downside to these shelves and it probably costs less to make.

Make the Bluetooth buttons on the 05 and newer steering wheel WORK! Either they should work, or they shouldn't be there.

Reprogram the head unit to display song titles for MP3 CDs.

Make the passenger side mirror tilt down when in reverse like BMWs do. If you don't like it, just put the mirror control onto the passenger side (like BMWs)

Make the exterior mirrors self dimming like the interior mirror.

Make the front and rear washer use separate tanks. The headlights don't get cleaned enough to justify them having a dedicated tank.

This ain't meant to be a rant, just a rapid fire list of practical and no cost to minimal cost improvements to the finest small car that the world has ever seen.

We already have rechargable keys, better interior lighting, better headlights, LSD, better gear ratios, doubled back-up lighting, and MP3 capability (among other things) added in the 05 facelift. MINI is on the right track!

Rawhyde

 

Did I mention that I would get a scantily clad red-head for the passenger seat?

 

Install a flux capacitor- and wings.
oh, and I'd opt for the 'underwater package' with a periscope!

 

I agree with the mirrors redirecting when you go into reverse. My friend has them on his 325i and they are bad ***! Other I did notice that if you watch the mirrors as you shift into reverse, they redirect themselves slightly. It doesn't seem to be enough to make a difference, though, but I figure there has to be a point to it.

I would like better leather on the seats. It wears terribly, although I like how smooth and fine it feels.

Seat backs that don't pop off. This drives me crazy and looks terrible in the meantime.

I wish I had Xenons and the DSC!

Way bigger wheels. Mine are cute, though.

I wish the windows autoed up, I wish they didn't streak when I put them down.

I wish the windscreen wasn't so soft. It's terribly pitted, it looks perpetually dirty from the inside.

A little more power in 3rd gear. Maybe 4th.

A more dampened feel to things when they close. The doors feel heavy, but tinny. The glove box feels and sounds of nothing but hard plastic. The hatch has a "hard" way of closing. The bonnet never sounds like it is is really closing when you drop it.

Better finishes in the cabin. All that painted plastic, it's all scratched, the door handles are worn to hell.

Last, but not least, far better CD players! The front deck skips on any dirty or scratched CD. The changer skips half the time whenever you accelerate or brake, and it doesn't matter how gently you do it. Maddening. I really hate them. The skipping has ruined many a fine mood!