R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 the ONE annoying thing about my car......

Old Aug 3, 2003 | 11:38 PM
  #1  
Nomonstersinme's Avatar
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the one thing that really annoys me about my car, is that when the windows are down and i'm the only one in the car, and obviously am going fast, the passenger's seatbelt keeps flapping between the seat and the side of the car.. :evil:
but then i turn the music up louder and its kinda ok...
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 12:00 AM
  #2  
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I had that same prob....
Snap it into the lock and no more problem...

Or Wrap it around the backside of the sear and lock it.

I had the same deal with floppy rear belt... just lock them into place and it's all good!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 12:41 AM
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my annoying problem is when it gets rainy my windows squeak when I roll them up on both sides. Anyone found a fix for this?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 12:51 AM
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Ya, I get that speak when it rains too. A miniscule (sp?) problem, but I just wonder if there is a treatment for this, Hmm.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 12:53 AM
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Opps, meant squeak. Guess I should have put the (sp?) by speak .
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 03:00 AM
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I have to bathe my MINI every few days

OH, one more thing, somewhat related, the horrid brake dust on the wheels
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 04:13 AM
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I've noticed the same thing as well (seatbealt flapping against the side of the car) when the wind currents are just right. If you have the sport seats, the solution is simple. Just place the seatbelt on the side bolster so it's still in a vertical position over the bolster (not buckled) rather than between the seat and the body. It's actually easier for passengers to get to it as they don't have to reach behind them. No flapping, scuffing or problems! I think moving it over by the 2" just takes it out of the airstream.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 04:48 AM
  #8  
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Seatbelt flapping...I just close the window so that about 4 inches of glass is protruding from the door...cured. :smile:
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 06:23 AM
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>>the one thing that really annoys me about my car, is that when the windows are down and i'm the only one in the car, and obviously am going fast, the passenger's seatbelt keeps flapping between the seat and the side of the car.. :evil:
>>but then i turn the music up louder and its kinda ok...

It's like Mississippi outside here in New England. Rolling up the windows and turning on the AC will solve the problem.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 06:34 AM
  #10  
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The one thing that really annoys me about my car, it that I have to stop driving it from time to time so that I can (pick one): eat, sleep, work, fill up with fuel, change oil, etc.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 06:40 AM
  #11  
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From: Jamul, CA
The most annoying thing about my car is the control it has over me!
Yea, I go to the market which is only a mile away, but instead of turning right to go to the market, the car makes me turn left and take a quick motor through "Jones Loop". Then, and only then, can I return to the market to do my shopping.

Do you know how strange it feels walking the shopping isles with ones adrenaline pumping?

Yfoiler
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 07:12 AM
  #12  
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My only problem with the car is that the wife won't let me drive it because it's "hers".

I am ordering another one and trading in the jinxed wrx soon I think. She won't let me do that either as she wants to have the only MINI on the block.... SELFISH....

Her best excuse is : I only get to drive it to work which only take me 5 minutes, so if you take it for a drive you will have more miles on it than I do.... I drive 70 miles to work everyday, and she recently switched jobs for a shorter commute... not she complains that it is too short a drive because of the new MINI! She hated to drive until now.... Drives me nuts because she said we would share and rotoate who get to take what to work, but not she can't stand that I put 70 miles on it in one day.....

She need to learn how to share... although I guess not since I will be ordering my S this week!

As for the brake dust on the wheels, there are different pad you can get that will stop this, but an even easier fix: clean the, and then spray PAM on them. It is designed to stop stickage in hot situations.... pretty much perfect for this.... I find the garlic flavor works the best.....

Seat belt fixes mentioned above, but I either close window and use AC, or buckle it...

Good Luck!
bEN
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 08:50 AM
  #13  
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Yeah, bloo gets quite dirty easily, esp. the back window. At first I was washing the car every 3 days but with all the construction going on where I work (never mind that I'm a contractor ands take bloo to the jobsites

The brake dust is quite awful, ain't it? When the OEM pads are almost gone I intend to change over to the EBC Greenstuff pads. I did the changeover on my MGB cause my wire wheels were a pain to keep up with and voila, no more pounds of brake dust (and better coefficient of friction gives me better stopping power and less fade, too).
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 09:14 AM
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Pam!!!!
Very interesting I think I might try that
RAT
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 09:52 AM
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the only thing that annoys me, is that the engine is 1.6 instead of 2.2
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 09:57 AM
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>>the only thing that annoys me, is that the engine is 1.6 instead of 2.2


So you mean to say that you wanted it a Honda Accord instead?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 09:59 AM
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My top complaint is regarding the soft paint of the high gloss silver interior trim. The door pulls don't have lacquer and therefore they can get scratched/scuffed very easily.

This is the main reason why I am getting Anthracitr this time around with the '04 MCS.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:04 AM
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>>>>the only thing that annoys me, is that the engine is 1.6 instead of 2.2
>>
>>
>>So you mean to say that you wanted it a Honda Accord instead?

no just that forced induction is no substitute for displacement...
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:07 AM
  #19  
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>>but then i turn the music up louder and its kinda ok...

A truly classic automotive repair strategy....cranking the stereo...elegant in its simplicity!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:08 AM
  #20  
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>>>>>>the only thing that annoys me, is that the engine is 1.6 instead of 2.2
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>So you mean to say that you wanted it a Honda Accord instead?
>>
>>no just that forced induction is no substitute for displacement...


I agree but by the same token I would like to have a V6 in the MINI. Look the problem here is that if you increase the engine size in this car it will become something more than a MINI. If you want a V6 in a German hatchback, then get a VW GTI.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:12 AM
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Speaking of driving with windows down (which is the best way to fly), the one thing that annoys me is when I spray the window washers or get any water on the shield and use the wipers, the water pours into the open windows, usually draining right down onto the factory tweeters. I find it better to spray the windows at a stoplight, but this isn't always possible, and I hate to have to roll up the windows just to use the washers.
Anyone have any other ideas on this?

BTW, My MCS will give a VR6 GTI a run for it's money. Power to weight ratio, not just displacement is the key.
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:14 AM
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>>>>>>the only thing that annoys me, is that the engine is 1.6 instead of 2.2
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>So you mean to say that you wanted it a Honda Accord instead?
>>
>>no just that forced induction is no substitute for displacement...

Ahh but with greater displacement comes greater weight and worse gas mileage.
Everything is a compromise. Light weight is a nice feature. Just load up your MCS with a bunch of bricks and see how it goes- not really fair since this is all dead weight and doesn't add anything for power which a bigger engine provides.

I bet that the simpler MINI ONE and MINI Diesel might do fairly well with basic set up and light weight options. Not powerful but nimble and still very fun to drive.

Machine guns not included- ammo weighs alot you know.

 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:14 AM
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>I agree but by the same token I would like to have a V6 in the MINI. Look the problem here is that if you increase the engine size in this car it will become something more than a MINI. If you want a V6 in a German hatchback, then get a VW GTI.

...but then the handling wont be the same. I think it can be done, theres got to be a little space in the block to eek out another 0.4L at the very least. or convert the MINI to MR with the M engine like the QVICK MINI.

.......it's just a minor annoyance anyway. :???: I'll live
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:20 AM
  #24  
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>>Ahh but with greater displacement comes greater weight and worse gas mileage.
>>Everything is a compromise. Light weight is a nice feature. Just load up your MCS with a bunch of bricks and see how it goes- not really fair since this is all dead weight and doesn't add anything for power which a bigger engine provides.
>>
>>I bet that the simpler MINI ONE and MINI Diesel might do fairly well with basic set up and light weight options. Not powerful but nimble and still very fun to drive.
>>
>>Machine guns not included- ammo weighs alot you know.
>>

tell me about it. I was thinking of lowering the MINI maybe 2-3inches, then I placed my equipment in.. then said forget it. after the 1st 200rounds, 3inch drop. the sidewinders aren't even in the car yet.. if I switch to LAW rockets instead? what do you think Doc?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 10:24 AM
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Monster gat a pair of shoulder strap pads for the belts. This stops it and make the belt more comfortable.
 
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