When I am getting out of the car I have difficulty getting the door to stay at the half-open position. It wants to close on me as I get out. Also it's very hard to get it to the full open position. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Yeah, especially on an up slope. But I don't know what to do about it, other than hold it open with my hand or my knee. I think that's just how it is.

 

I find that I only have trouble if I try to fling the door away from me and get it to voluntarily stay in some open position. Generally this just results in it rebounding all the way back in. If I actually reach out and hold it in an open position, though, it basically stays there, even on a slope. I really like how wide the doors open up!

 

i got 'bitten' by the chilly red democar the first time i took it out for a spin.

it was very painful.

i don't seem to have a problem with my MCS, but when its windy i make
sure I hold onto the door handle while I get out.

love the rich "thunk" noise when you close the door. solid.

 

The MINI's doors are kind of heavy (that's a good thing) and the hardware that keeps them open is kind of flimsy (that's a cheapo thing). So, go figure. Or actually, go hold your door open.

 

Try adding about 150 square feet of Dynamat in each door and then come back here and complain about the door being heavy and not staying in position. I did that.

Feels and sounds good though.

Ken

 

The reason why you are having problems with the door and stopping it at one of the open positions is because of the fact that the door is long. Meaning, from the hinge to the door handle. It also has to do with the lightweight hardware used on the hinge mechanism. Get used to it and you will have no problem until you have a passenger that doesn't expect it. Kinda like a passenger pulling hard on the door handle to a point to rip it off. Then you explain to them to try again and it opens. Simple to get used to but just inform the passengers on the ladder of the two.

 

^ Exactly...and once they bust off door releases, you can use the ladder to climb in through the sunroof.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

>>I find that I only have trouble if I try to fling the door away from me and get it to voluntarily stay in some open position. Generally this just results in it rebounding all the way back in. If I actually reach out and hold it in an open position, though, it basically stays there, even on a slope. I really like how wide the doors open up!

This is correct. There are "Notches" that hold the door open in (I think) three positions (something like halfway, three quarters, and fully opened. Push it open until it goes over the notch and then release it slowly and it will stay.

Earl

 

<<This is correct. There are "Notches" that hold the door open in (I think) three positions>>
There are also at least (2) versions that I know of...of hinges.

My 2002 has a real flimsy one and I know it because.... it was yet another thing on my MCS to come loose.

On a 2004 the hinge is much more ..substancial ..

I don't know what a 2003 hinge looks like ???

Peace,
D

 

yes! It sometimes takes me 5 or 6 tries to get the door to stay open. I hate that when it happens.

 

Actually... I think the doors are the only thing I HAVEN'T had a sniggling little problem with! Well, except for the freezing in the winter...

 

>>When I am getting out of the car I have difficulty getting the door to stay at the half-open position. It wants to close on me as I get out. Also it's very hard to get it to the full open position. Anyone else have this problem?

I have not. My 2003 behaves fine with 5500 miles.

Have you tried slowing down before you open the doors? :smile:

Regards,
Red

 

My '03 doors work seems to work fine on flat ground, but not as well on a hill unless the door in in the full open position. I always park in some kind of parking lots so I use that middle position a lot.

 

>>Try adding about 150 square feet of Dynamat in each door...

How do you fit 150 square feet of material in a door that has what.. :visualizing: 8 square feet of area? (something like that anyway..) Just wondering.. and why so much! The car better be silent like a cathedral after that! haha