I am basking in new Mini love - chili red MCS from South Bay Mini here in SoCal -- but there are two GOOFS with the Mini design that are so preposterously awful I can't believe they slipped in to an otherwise perfect design!

Flaw one - the OEM armrest. It takes the simplest nudge with my elbow to SLIDE the cover open. It doesn't have a button that needs to be pushed or anything - it just slides open with pressure, and my elbow, casually pressing against it while driving, seems to do the trick perfectly. As useless as the storage compartment is, I am *this* close to GLUING the thing shut unless someone has an alternative.

Flaw two - the seat height crank. My God, I have nearly torn my pant leg open a dozen times! How on earth did this glaring flaw escape Mini designers? I consciously have to keep my pant leg away from the handle when I exit the car. I am *this* close to snapping half the handle off to avoid ruining my pants (it'll still be usable). Unless someone has fixed this another way!

Thanks! You can imagine how these two little annoyances are so omnipresent in my motoring experience.

 

the arm rest is an option, and lots have complained like you have. There are also aftermarket offerings that don't suffer the same problem.

I think the handle for the seat crank may have changed. I have an 02, and it rarely snags.... But I'd rather have that than a fixed height. I drive with it low, and my wife with it jacked up (she's vertically challenged).

Matt

 

I drive with my 2003's seat cranked all the way down, too, Matt. I've never had any issues with snagging. Sorry about your snaggery, LAguy...and welcome to NAM!

 

It would really help posting what model year you have

 

I have a 2003 MCS.

My seat is cranked all the way up. I never snag.

My front passengers have tried their seat adjusted up or down and never snag.

Never had an armrest. Not interested in one.

 

I don't have an armrest - seemed inconsistent w/ a 6 speed.

I have never snagged the crank like you say, nor have I seen this issue come up. Are you sure your handle isn't halfway off, or something? I have my seat almost all the way up (don't like being to far down IN the car - Gocart, remember ), unlike the previous posters, so we have covered the range here. What else???? Does this happen with certain types of pants and not others - I am thinking cuffs here? Really odd that w/ all the MINIs that are out there, you are the only one w/ this problem :impatient

 

I also, have not experienced any problems with the seat height adjuster. In my opinion, the two things you mentioned are relatively minor gripes. I think one could easily find a lot of faults with any car interior design.

 

Never snagged my pants. Ever.

Maybe you need to change the way you exit the car somehow...

As for the armrest, I don't have one, as it would get in the way more than it would help.

Arm rests are for "comfortable" cars, cruisers, and vans. IMHO, there is no need for one in an enthusiast's car. I don't miss having one.

 

sounds like your pants are too baggy to me. . .

j/k, I've never had that problem either though

 

The OEM armrest was a major turnoff for me in my last MINI. Not only does any pressure at all cause it to slide open, but if you run with it in the up position, it will open all by itsself! Had I kept the car, the armrest would have been removed at earliest opportunity.
Never had any problem with the height adjuster, in an 06 or an 03. Must be the type of pants.

 

The *only* time I've ever had the armrest pop open unexpectedly was when I didn't have it closed all the way. You can tell because you don't get that little "snap" sound when it slides open.

You also might consider trading in those bell-bottoms for a pair of pants from the 21st century, LAguy. Nope, never had my pant leg catch on the seat lever either.

 

what are you talking about....our cars are perfection...a work of art....
Turn in your MINI keys...you have been banished...LOL
Welcome to the MINI world...

 

Try putting some liquid rubber over the latching nub. It should provide enough friction to keep it from sliding open so easily. Otherwise, claim it defective. Mine never opens unless I slide it open. As far as the seat adjustment. I've never had any problems wearing jeans or work slacks.

 

Flaw one: You'll get used to it! I use to always slide it open while resting my elbow on it. Now, not so much. I haven't consciously done anything different, I just learned to... I dunno, rest my elbow on it differently?

I think too that the lid can be taken off and some more felt tape applied to the inside track. This should increase its friction, thereby making it less 'slidey'.

If the situation gets very bad, the armrest can also be removed with a replacement center console cover. I'd guess about $100 for the part, and if you want the dealership to take care of it, and hour or two for labor.


Flaw two: Erm, quit wearing bell-bottoms? Seriously, I don't know what to say about that one. I have snagged my pants on it before, but that's probably about a half dozen times in 2 1/2 years of ownership.

I would try getting out of the MINI in slow motion to see exactly what you're doing to snag your pants, then make a conscious effort to swing your leg clear of the crank. After a while, you'll naturally get out of the car in that fashion!


-Paul!

 

I've never had a problem with my armrest opening when I didn't want it to unless it wasn't completely closed. In fact, mine is such a snug fit, it sometimes takes a little more effort than I expect to get it open to retrieve my sunglasses. Maybe you can see if the dealer can adjust it at all for a tighter fit?

At first I did snag my pants a few times on the height adjustment lever. This happened more often when I had my jeans cuffed, and the cuff is what caught it. Haven't had that happen recently, I think it just takes a little getting used to.

 

I have the Euro MINI armrest (hinges open & shut from the back) and I much prefer it over the sliding model. Not sure if you can get this part now, but there are many aftermarket choices.

I've caught my pants once or twice. But, oddly, it only happens when I wear hiking boots. Maybe something about limited ankle-flexing that puts your leg in that position when exiting? Anyway, whenever I have those boots on, I take care in exiting the MINI. You might want to get a piece of black duct tape and "hood" the end of the lever if it bothers you that much.

Theo

 

I'm surprised no one has asked this, but what kind of pants are you wearing?

 

The pants snagging problem is definitely related to the type of pants. I have one pair that constantly snag the height adjustment lever while my other pants do not pose a problem.

The owner of new '07 (from England) has posted that the pants snagging problem persists with the new model.

 

arm rest? I was so happy they didnt include one in my 03. i hate
arm rests...they get in my motoring way. :win:

im not sure about the seat crank. never had anything get caught on it
less the soldering iron cord or heat gun cord when i was working on
the car.

 

Well I've never had an armrest (and don't really miss having one either)...so I'm good there.

Also, never had issues with the seat adjustment lever...maybe my entrance/egress patterns are different or something, but this has never been an issue.

I suggest giving it time...there's lots of little adjustments I've made to (and for) my MINI that, although a bit awkward/inconvenient at first, in time were just as natural as can be. As suggested above, I'd look for mods you could do to the armrest to get it working more to your liking.

Happy motoring!!

 

Stop using those bell bottoms pants from the 1970's!!! (J/K)

I don't have the OEM armrest in my '05 MCS, so I can't comment. I have experienced it though in other MINis and find it to be annoying and lacking in storage space. Not worth the $200 asking price IMHO.

Never had an issue with my pants catching on the seat height handle. I drive with my seat pumped 4 notches down from its highest position.

 

Is your seat adjustment handle broken/cracked/split/damaged in any way? Mine's smooth and round, and I can't imagine anything snagging on it.

I occasionally have to close the armrest cover. It never opens more than 1/2 inch on its own.

 

Of Course! Take your pants off when you drive!

 

This thread is too funny! "It's not the seat adjustment handle that's the problem...it's the pants!" seems to be the consensus! Mumini's suggestion bring about interesting imagery...can you imagine walking with your co-workers to the parking lot, waving goodbye to them and then casually taking off your pants before getting into your MINI!?!

Seriously, I wonder if there is a problem with the handle, and IMHO no flaw is too small to bring to the dealer's attention on a new car. Also, I have never liked ANY sliding armrest design on ANY car because of the exact reason you cite. If the increased friction suggestions don't work, glue it shut or get rid of it altogether!

 

Well, I've never snagged my pants, either, but I'm sorry to hear you're having that issue... Strange. As for the arm rest, I've had that problem as well, mainly right after I picked the car up. I kept leaning on it when getting in or out of the car and kept popping it open when my weight came to bear down on it. Once, I even popped the cover all the way off! I just learned to not lean on it when entering or exiting., personally. It's main benefit really is a bit more extra storage space, IMHO,