I've got a DS MCS on order, so I stopped by my local dealer to drive one, since I've only driven a Cooper. He drove it fairly rigorously and then let me drive. I was driving about 40 mph as we approached some railroad tracks and I downshifted and began to slow the car when he chimed in that the railroad tracks were pretty aggressive. I took this comment (in hindsight I was wrong) as giving me the greenlight to drive aggressively and proceded to hit the gas. Well, we hit the tracks hard and bottomed out the demo causing the curtain and seat airbags to deploy on my side. It happened extremely fast and I guess the car performed as desired considering the circumstances. Needless to say, be careful when you find yourself driving onto a set of aggressive tracks.

 

Could you explain, "a set of agressive tracks"?

 

>>> Well, we hit the tracks hard and bottomed out the demo causing the curtain and seat airbags to deploy on my side.



Airbags all deploy at the same time. Are you the same person that posts crap about the MINIs on Microsoft's Carpoint?

X2

_________________
Pure Silver and Black, Cooper S. Sport, Premium and Cold, no hood stripes.

Men who drive Minis don't have any shortcomings to make up for!

 

They were at the top of a rise in the road and they were extremely uneven. I didn't realize that they were as bad as they were, as far as the impact that they would cause, until after the airbags deployed.

I don't post crap about the car, moron, just what happened. As I said in my post, I have one on order with a November 1st production date.

Finally, the smart airbag system the car uses, deploys the airbags where the computer deems necessary, which explains why the front driver and passenger airbags as well as the passenger side and curtain airbags didn't deploy. I imagine that the impact was greatest on the driver's side and the other sensors weren't tripped.

 

X2Board,
He's correct.... the computer determines what airbags need to go.

That said.....
K... tell me... How PO'd was the dealer?
Happy Motoring,
SW

 

 

The salesman seemed to be in shock. He acknowledged the fact that his comments right before the impact could be miscontrued. Also, the car shut down after the deployment. The windows lowered slightly and I think the hazard flashers may have started. The general manager at the dealership said that there is a system in the car that shuts the vehicle off, but allows things like the windows, door locks, etc. to work. The car was still on, but I couldn't rev the engine and get it to move and it finally turned off. All and all, I was impressed with the car and a bit embarressed by what occurred. I never would have accelerated over railroad tracks this ominous if I had not perceived being given the green light to do so by the salesman.

Also, sorry about the moron comment, but I sure hate being accussed of making untrue comments when I was just reporting what happened. I love this car and I'm very excited that I'm so close to mine being built.

 

>>Also, sorry about the moron comment, but I sure hate being accussed of making untrue comments when I was just reporting what happened. I love this car and I'm very excited that I'm so close to mine being built.

Hey, you called it as you saw it, my incorrect stating of the "facts" was indeed moronic, no offense taken. I too love this car, everyday I go out for a drive, turning down roads I've never paid attention too before, I've found some really fun backroads in a 10 mile radius from where I live, the middle of the week is the best time to go out and have fun, most people are at work, so I basically have the road to myself. Just wait till you get yours, you will know exactly what I'm speaking about. My job requires a lot of traveling, fortunately, I have not had a trip since I picked up the MINI and my first trip one is going to be driving, I rent cars for anything over 50 miles, but this time I'm taking the MINI, too many back roads between where I live in CT and Albany, NY to drive anything else.

X2

 

It still wasn't cool to call you a moron. I'm quick to defend the car, too when I read some of the misinformation that's written here and on other sites by people who have some type of vendetta against the MINI.