The biggest improvement I can see would be to reward the dealers who provide the best service (and who do not gouge buyers) with more cars, particularly the MINI Cooper S.

While not increasing production rates, the extra cars would come from poorly performing dealers' MCS allocations. They would have to do a better job or they would lose sales (cars to sell). This would make the first experiences customers have with the MINI better and happier customers are provide better ratings in consumer magazines which helps keep the car's rated value high which keeps demand high longer.

 

I tried to post this earlier, it didn't take for some reason.

First, don't make anything else "standard" on the car. Especially things that add cost or weight, like Xenons.

Don't fiddle with the dash or gauges unless you are adding some. (really, do we want two separate turn signal indicators that bad? I usually remember which way I moved the lever. Give me more gauges instead, like boost, oil pressure, etc.)

Most importantly, offer a true performance version. Knock off 200lbs, and add an optional Limited Slip Differential. Actually, make the LSD optional on all cars.

 

Manual Seat adjustment that let's you adjust seat bottom angle independently of height, like a power seat.

The angle drives some people to replace the stock seats. And on the subject of power seats, why not? The car already weighs 2700 lbs compared to my original's 1,200 lb weight.

Might as well be comfortable while motoring.

Regards,
Red

 

>>my only three complaints:
>>
>>1. Visors too small
>>2. Electric windows way too slow
>>3. Power steering electric motor embarassingly loud!
>>
>>

I love the sound of the power steering motor! I feel like I'm driving a George jetson-mobile. Turn on the car, flip the headlight switch...FLASH on go the Xenons, then the tilt

 

After 24 hours of MINI ownership........I want to turn off the front Pass Air Bag.

Sadly, more than 90% of my time will be spent alone in my MINI and if I'd ever cause the bag to be deployed, I would like to mimimize the repair cost by not having to replace an un-needed deployed pass air bag.

The car that my MINI replaced had that standard in the 2001 model.

And when the bag protection is needed, I could easly turn it on.

 

>>...I want to turn off the front Pass Air Bag.

That's an interesting issue. Isn't passenger airbag weight sensitive on the MINI? Similar to the seatbelt warning signal, the red warning signal will flash when someone or something heavy is on the seat without the seatbelt on. Doesn't the passenger airbags operate under the same principle? Hence, if no one is on the seat, the air bag will not deploy. :smile:

 

On my old car, there was a switch controled by the ign. key that physically turned off the pass air bag.

There was a light on the console (next to the switch) that showed the bag was off.

If I sat a heavy box on the seat while the switch was turned off, there was a flashing light on the inst. panel instructing me to turn the bag back on. That would happen if someone occupied the seat too.

But I controlled the bag and could prevent its deployment if there was no one using the seat. Which was usually the case.

 

The only thing I could think of that was not already mentioned is the addition of a auto dimming driver's side mirror to go with the auto dimming rear mirror. I have them in my minivan and they work great.

 

Have the car re-engineered and built by Toyota.

Fire the product manager who approved the window-(might)-drop-upon-door-opening and have MINIDivisionbot post that that individual has cleaned out his or her desk.

Hire a six-year-old to come up with a solution for the window seal that makes sense.

 

Since the rear sunroof panel is already there, why not make it removable for transporting tall objects? :smile:

 

>>Since he rear sunroof panel is already there, why not make it removable for transporting tall object? :smile:
>>

now there is a good idea..


speaking of changes...

1. Move the outside thermometer into the clock
2. Add Compass to clock
3. Add TSD to OBC, I want to be able to punch in a distance and speed and tell me when I am going to be there.. I want to be able to punch in a distance and have the OBC tell me when I will arrive based on current speed.. (SAAB has this)
4. More Trip Meters... At least 2.. I want to be able to an overall distance and be able to also hit a button for intermediate distances..
5. Changeable color for the dashboard...
6. more metering.. how about a multi purpose lcd, or plasma meter. You could have 4 graphs on each... boost, oil pressure, a/f,oil temp... stuff that is already available on the ecu output..
7. Better Pads.. TOO much brake dust
8.Lite up the lines on the tach with rpm...

 

>>Since the rear sunroof panel is already there, why not make it removable for transporting tall objects? :smile:
>>

Like this?

 

One thing I really liked with my last car was automatic headlights. It's not a big deal to turn them on, but it does help in the transition months as the dusk/dawn times match when I'm driving.

Water intrusion seems to be a pretty big problem. I've been lock in/out of my car several times after it was warm (above 32 F) and raining and suddenly dropped to 22 F overnight. Generally this would fall under guality issues: Windshield, Yo-Yo, Steering column/rack.

Auto-up windows would be nice in the US (promise not to sue if I am stupid enough to leave my arm in the way as it is closing :smile: ) and changing CDs and finding a good location for them it a real balancing act. I added a convienent bag to carry them tied to the stereo tubes. It helps, but what's even better is the euro parcel shelf.

A little more chrome on the interior would make it look less cheap, especially around the speedo, tach, and gearshift. I will do this aftermarket, but if it were initially installed, it would really dress the car up.

It would be nice to have the on-board computer be two lines. That way you could have temp and consumption or speed and consuption or range and... you know what I mean. If you could make it display two sets of info or have some of it permanent, I wouldn't have to scroll through 100 times / mile. OK, maybe I have an OCD problem , but it would be nice.

Offer a tire repair kit as an option (like the mobility kit) for US MCS owners, who would rather not have runflats.

More service dealers. I know sales is nice to limit to keep the sales/dealer high, but since my service dealership doesn't stock most parts, I don't see why any BMW dealership couldn't do MINI repairs/warranty work and order parts just as well? It would bring competition to the service side to do a good just with customer service and a good job on the car. If I'm not happy now, I have to live with it or drive 4 hours one way to the next nearest dealership for service.

Better training of service. My local dealer didn't know and told me some options were not possible. After several thread that I read here on NAM and on MINI2 I discovered, they just didn't know. I had to call a dealership across the country and have them teach my dealership how to do it.

Well, I hope that's not too much. Actually, I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything. These are just as the topic says, how to improve.

 

A gear indicator on the tach.. would be absolutely Wonderful, please Santa please

04MCS JCW :smile:

 

ALL WHEEL DRIVE

 

i would kike some sort of window pane at the forward edge of the door window so that so much rain water does not enter the car when the window is cracked.
cheers, jon
disgruntled smoker

 

>>>>Since the rear sunroof panel is already there, why not make it removable for transporting tall objects? :smile:
>>>>
>>
>>Like this?
>>
>> Maybe it was modified for Simpson, eh!

 

IMPROVEMENTS:
1. Home link system built into rear view mirror to open garage
2. Compass built into rear view mirror
3. Side mirror angle all the way down like other BMW's to assist in parking.

 

Oh, and the number one improvement of all:

A stereo that plays MP3's!! Come on MINI get with it already!

 

1 - fix the rattles, squeaks and groans!!!!

2 - improve the build quality and make it more consistent!

3 - fix those blasted weak windshields!!!!

4 - improve the design of the power steering/fan.

5 - change the design of the roof rain gutter / lip above the door windows,
so that the doors still close properly without water leaking into the car during
rain in case of the window dip not functioning - a frequent occurrence on my car,
and a very poor design!

6 - improve the design of the seat tilting/sliding mechanism for rear seat access.
Other manufacturers have a proper design, you can do it too, MINI!

7 - improve throttle response. This is a fun car to drive, but ultra-slow
throttle response is the one non-fun thing in driving a MINI!

8 - get the cruise control to work properly, it has waaayyyy too much +/- variability!
In fact, in it's current state I consider it largely useless.

9 - did I mention to fix those many irritating squeaks, groans and rattles?

It's still a blast to drive, but there is also significant room for improvement!
If it weren't a MINI, I wouldn't be driving it any more.

 

#0- BETTER DEALER SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Fix rattles, squeaks!

2. Better/thicker windshield glass

3. Eliminate the yo-yo

4. Improved door-arm-rests

5. Improved low-RPM torque

6. Headunit play's MP3 data discs

Regarding some of the other complaints, some of them are fixed for
2004 (center console, colored dash a-la-Jerseygirl,better HID's)

That said, overall I'm very impressed with my MCS so far. I really enjoy
the ride, handling, braking and style. After the first 1/2 thank, I'm averaging
25.9MPG, tho I'm keeping it under 4500RPM and have only "floored" it three
times that I can recall. Mix of highway/city. Features are cool too :smile: Tho
s$%^ happens, even @ 150mi

Bumper damage, grrrrrr

 

1) Limited Slip Differential - at least as an option, it makes the LSD more practical for us - not everyone enjoys a tranny pull or the costs associated.

2) All Wheel Drive - Its a dream and a long shot, but this car could really get off the line and handle great with AWD / LSD setup. After being around DSMs (eclipse, talon), they were great stoplight cars. While were at it....if the car can controllably put down more power, why not make it 200+hp on a 1.8-2.0 liter engine?

3) Reduced Fat Diet - Can't the car be any lighter?

4) An armrest with a center console. Come on, the emergency brake can be compressed to the passanger side of the console. Center consoles are much better for things you frequently have to get to on the road (wallets, phones, etc)

5) Offer MP3 stereos

...but I still completely love it. I'm really hoping for something enticing (like above)when mine comes off lease in '06!

 

Another one to add to the list is the location of the horn button. On numerous occasions when I was setting the cruise control, I accidentally honk the horn instead. I think the new 3-spoke steering wheel resolved this issue. Unfortunately I opted for the 2 spoke because I like the look of 2-spoke better.

 

I can’t believe the items that I have read here that need to be changed.

Would anybody like the car to be more drivable?

How about changing some of the following items just for a start:

1. Raise the Rev limiter to 7500 rpm
2. When you do hit the rev limiter, pull back the spark instead of shutting off the fuel.
3. Manufacture the rear control arms to a little higher tolerance. Now they can be up to .125” longer or shorter then the next one. The cars are not even close to square from the factory.
4. Make the rear sway bar adjustable. This along with the rear control arms will help take the push out of the car.
5. Build in about 1 to 1 ½ degrees of negative camber in to the front. 1 degree would be nice in the rear.
6. Factory alignment, take out a little of the extra amount of toe in up front. Yes,we still need to car to go straight. However this can be done with much less toe.
7. Fix the gear boxes ability to downshift in to first during fast deceleration. A problem in autocross. A reverse lockout wouldn’t be a bad idea.
8. Gearbox, regear the box to have a much shorter first and second gear. Gearing this little brick of a car for anything above 125mph maybe even 120 mph is just not realistic unless you add another hundred horse. Gear it for the drivable range. It has six gears let’s use 5th and 6th for more then just fuel economy.
9. Factory LSD option would sure save a lot of work in the aftermarket.
10. Workout a better method or lets say “a method” for bleeding the clutch slave.
11. Lighten the flywheel. People can drive a car without a heavy dual mass flywheel. It may even make for some better drivers.
12. Offer a lighter wheel package from the factory. The wheels are so over built you could run them on a bus.

I didn’t want to do top ten so I thought twelve would be just about right. Now for those of you who have made some or all the changes above, you know what it can do for the car. For those of you who have not, “Try Them”. Get with your aftermarket people and have them help you out. Then… Get out and drive your car. Have fun with it. Have a gas with it. Stand on the gas with it. This is one of the most fun car platforms to come along in a long time. It’s affordable, relatively practical and brings a smile to just about everyone’s face when they drive it, ride in it or just seeing them on the road.

 

I've seen the suggestion of "homelink" come up 3 times so far.
I checked homelink's website about 2 months ago, and MINI was listed with availability date TBD.
However I just checked today and MINI was gone from the list...... I wonder why......

>>IMPROVEMENTS:
>>1. Home link system built into rear view mirror to open garage
>>2. Compass built into rear view mirror
>>3. Side mirror angle all the way down like other BMW's to assist in parking.
>>