* You need a key to lock the car (why can I push the lock down?).
* That auto locking, programming, non battery replacement and copying/cutting the key bullzhyte.
* You need a muscle to blow the horn.
* The power window switch location.
* The side view mirror switch location.
* The side seat width and higher angle, problem entering and exiting.
Must be some of your driver seats entry side are crack huh?
* The fob short distance signal (useless,might as well use manual).
* High clutch pedal play (could be some of your axle problem due to jerky release of the clutch.
* Hard time pulling the seat belt - no room to fish the locking end.
You need to be a contortionist to reach that seat belt.

 

1 If it makes you feel better the car is not trying to let you lock your keys in it. You can use the switch is the driver's door is unlocked and you are on the passenger's side. You can get the auto locking turned off, I like it on...nobody is going to come up and steal you away Keys aren't what they used to be unfortunately for the DIY key person.
2 Not sure about the horn, my button presses just fine. I press it too often as I forget in my R50 that the horn is a small button and not the MFSW switches like in my R56.
3 Power window switches look cool there and beat the placement of the ones on a PT Cruiser (mid/upper dash).
4 How often do your side mirrors need adjustment, it's nice that they are out of the way and still at a short arm's reach if needed.
5 Is the bolstering in the way? Kind of confused by that one. I just tuck and duck to get in...to get out, turn and stand.
6 True, the fob distance is sub-par unless you use you body and an antenna...my last vehicle was like that, i added an aftermarket alarm and remote start, up to 1 mile range (too much, lol)
7 Not issues with my clutch, but maybe something you can have looked at?
8 Seat is no issue for me as I have it all of the way down and back, but yes the seat belt is kind of a pain if the chair is scooted forward. But luckily I have no issues with that at all.

 

I feel you on the short distance key fob signal and seat belt location - I'm short so I have my seat pretty far forward, grabbing the seatbelt is a nightmare.
I might be one of the few, but I'd rather have my window switches located on the center console than the doors, I just like it there. I love the switches on the e46 as well.

 

No car is perfect and obviously LITTLE things bother you, so maybe a MINI isn't the car for you (it isn't for everyone). Maybe you should try another small car like a Kia Soul or a Scion xB, maybe one of them will give you a more enjoyable driving experience. For me, I just ignore the little idiosyncrasies and enjoy the go-cart like ride

 

I just ignore the little idiosyncrasies and enjoy the go-cart like ride

Yep, no car is perfect.
I feel that these issues are only personal and that's only me.

well, The go -cart ride is not even close to my Lotus 7
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...upercar11.jpg/

....and talking about simple car, no radio, no heater, no roof, cramp, noisy, not much gadgetry and you need a slim butt & shoes to drive, 999 lbs which easy in clutch, brakes, suspensions, gas & drivetrain .
the only perfect car!

 

Buy another car problem solved!!!!!!

 

Perhaps I should refine my earlier statements. These are minor annoyances, but as soon as I drive off, I don't worry about them anymore. They don't detract from the fact that this car is quite simply a blast to drive, and they definitely don't make me love my MINI any less

 

Don't sweat the small stuff, just keep on motoring!

 

+1! Great simple advice. Motor on...

 

The only two door cars that don't have awkward safety belt locations are the ones with the belts built into the seats, or the ones that have that hook for the belt, which then becomes awkward if you need to get into the rear seat.

 

Glad you brought that up! I was thinking about ordering a belt hook since I am vertically challenged. I carry my dog with me in the back seat alot so that would have been a problem. Thanks!

 

Medevack1, you're too hilarious!

...

While I agree about the window switch location, the idea is they appear to be in a "race" configuration. That was one of the looks the MINI designers/engineers were going for. Just look at the extra switches at the top where the sunroof switch is in the 2nd-gens. You can at least tell yourself you and your passenger can roll both down with the flip of two fingers on one hand. And not all cars auto-down both driver and passenger side windows.

Only solution for programming is go with a 2nd-gen. You can DIY all day long. Otherwise, figure out all the options you want and make "one" trip. I believe it's a flat rate per visit, not option (anyone here can chime in and correct me if I am wrong).

Horn. It was nice on older 1st-gens having two small horn buttons. Never made sense to me either to integrate the horn into the airbag. The older airbags are held in place with two torx-bit screws on the back of the steering wheel. I have not looked in my current '06 MCS to see if they are the same. You can always take it off and see if perhaps some small amount of rust has developed around the horn contacts (this was common in my old '85 and '86 Chevy Monte Carlo SS', so it's possible maybe to occur in other vehicles?).

As for seat width/shape, yes, you can bump that side part of the rear cushion all day long getting in and out. It's a racing design done to help keep you in place when you take those twisties really hard. If you bump the cushion enough, you will eventually get cracks in the leatherette, especially if you don't always get around to putting on leather treatment (and that may not prevent that problem 100%). The tradeoff is to slide the seat back each time you get in/out.

Key fobs. The early 1st-gen MINIs had two buttons and used a small 2032 battery. They actually have great range. I was able to get my old '02 MCS keyfob to do locks up to 50' away at times. If that's not good enough, there is a thread around here that explains how to crack them open and solder on a wire to extend the range.

Later 1st-gen keyfobs have three buttons (boot option is the extra) and do suck. They use an internal battery that charges off the ignition. If you have two functioning keyfobs, you have to rotate them or they will lose their charge. Range is awful. I've had to push the buttons on mine really hard at times, and I'm standing right next to my MINI. Sometimes there is a one-two second delay before they unlock. And you can't crack these open to do any mods (that I know of).

In either keyfob case, you can hold the brass key end against your chin. It will use your body as a range extender. It looks stupid, but it works.

Only way to compensate with the rear seat belt is to fiddle with the height extender. If you get in the habit of putting your seat back when you get in/out, put it on before moving the seat up and leave the belt in a loose configuration. Then slide forward and tighten it up.

Clutch... agreed on others saying maybe get a shop to check it out. Supposedly, as a hydraulic design, there is no adjustment to it. Not sure on that myself. The fulcrum position may change with wear (the point you feel the clutch engage/disengage).

If you bought your MINI used, there is no telling what the previous owner did. I got lucky and had 115K miles on my '02 MCS (I wrecked it) with the original clutch (and it was originally a dealer demo; I bough it from a friend as the 2nd owner). I was just about to change it at that point. Got 69K miles on my current '06 MCS. Not sure if I will make it that far. Thankfully, I have my new clutch/flywheel sitting here ready to go.

Maybe this info will help you feel a little better. And happy motoring. Don't forget to wave, even if the other $&#*% forgets to.

 

.....and the THINGS I LIKE WITH MY MINI ARE...
* CUTE (that's why women outnumbered men driving this car)
* NIMBLE
* GOOD SUSPENSION
* FOR LITTLE CAR, IT'S QUITE INSIDE WHEN ALL WINDOWS ARE CLOSE
* FAST FOR 1.6
* GOOD AIR CONDITION & HEATING SYSTEM
* NICE SOUND RADIO
* THE PAINT & COLORS

 

What makes you say this? According to Forbes Magazine, Mini doesn't even make the top 10 for cars women drive:

http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/25/car...atedstoriesbox

 

I love the location of the mirror adjust. I can easily reach it to quickly drop the mirror down to parallel park.

 

+1, great feature. Keeps me from curbing my nice wheels.

 

there's all ready a topic for things you hate about minis

 

Wat?

 

yes the range on the FOB is short, but did you do know you can double the range by touching it to your chin?

 

- Keeps you from locking the key in the car. My Honda Civic is like that but you can lock that door by holding the handle up and then pressing the manual lock pin.

- Auto locking can be turned off.

- I don't mind the window switch position. Especially after working on older cars where the door panel wiring has broken at the hinge.
I don't like the 'toggle' door lock function. I want down to lock and up to unlock.

- I'd rather have a stiff horn button that won't honk when accidentally bumped while getting in/pout of the car.

- side mirror switch no problem for me.

- I don't understand the side seat angle you mention. I don't have a problem.

- My fob is comfort access type with replaceable battery. The lock/unlock works for me at over 100'. It's actually has too much range. I have found my rear door popped and windows rolled down from inadvertently pressing the buttons from inside my house.

- Have AT

- Have a little trouble with seat belt I have short and have the seat forward. My wife is shorter and drives with the seat all the way forward.
For awhile she had a piece of fabric tied in a loop to have something to help grab the clasp. Now she as gotten use to it without.
Also the side sun visor hits the headrest on the seat and can't be moved down/up if the seat is too far forward.

 

I'm on year #6 driving a MINI, formerly an R53 now an R56. I guess I got used to pretty much everything on the OPs list except the last one. Trying to grab the seat belt is a great big pain if you are someone who has the seat adjusted forward.
I had a loaner Toyota Corolla for 2 months while waiting on my R53 to be replaced, and while it had most of the switches and controls in a more traditional layout, I never readjusted to it and had to live with the sloppy, no power, velour nightmare. I was so happy to get back into a MINI I was even nostalgic for the daily seat belt search!

Annette

 

I don't understand the beef with the fob distance. How far away do you need to be to lock/unlock your car? I unlock it when I'm getting in (a few feet away at most.) and lock it as soon as I get out and shut the doors.

 

To me, this comes into play when it is either raining (e.g. on the porch of a townhouse, unlocked and ready before running out and getting wet), or a friend that is riding with you needs in your MINI and you are not as close. For anyone that owned R53s with both kinds of keyfobs (like me), you'd understand the comparison between the two. As I mentioned previously, I can actually stand right next to mine, and it won't work all the time. For the times it acts up, sometimes it delays a second or two, sometimes the locks won't even move.

 

I agree...I haven't had issues with mine really, maybe a few times there has been a 2 second delay after I press the trunk or unlock key then the lights flash. Other than that, this thing ROCKS compared to my prius that I had. That thing honestly you had to be within 5 feet of the car to lock or unlock it.

Last night was at my brothers condo and my car was parked 3 house lengths away, i pushed the button on accident from inside the house and the lights flashed. Much better than what i had