i didn't know that you could see the side turn signal repeater lights reflected in the outside rearview mirrors. I didn't know that there were little lights inside the inside door handles, or that they make little reflections on the dashboard.

Here's something that I don't know and would like to know: in cars with NAV or Chrono, there's a blank warning light in the tach. For non-NAV/Chrono cars, there's a blank warning light in the speedometer. In which markets are these blanks used for indicators, and what is the indicator?

 

I'll have to check that one out ... what purpose could they possibly serve?

 

These small amber leds are only in 05's and newer along with the other ambient lighting and the "puddle" lights under the door. They help you (or more accurately, the guests in your MINI) to find the door handle at night. ...I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell people where the handle is - and in my '02 at night I just had to reach across and let them out!

It took me a little while to not be distracted by the reflection from the passenger door handle light in the dash. Now I don't notice it any more. Overall, I love all the new lighting additions!

 

Sorry if this is a repeat, but I didn't see it mentioned and may have just overlooked it.

Only the drivers door handle(outside) has a keyhole.

 

Absolutely, ANY MINI dealer must service your car, either scheduled maint. or warranty work.

If you did not buy the car there, they may make you wait longer for an appointment.

Steve

 

Ummm, how is this possible? The repeater lights are ahead of the mirrors?

Steve

 

This is a pretty cool idea. I'm going to try it out on my new MINI.

 

I'm a fan of stealth and of clean looking installations, but I suggest you check your EZPass rules carefully to determine if this is legal in your state.

In Illinois, the transponder has to be visible, ie mounted on the windshield, pretty near front and center... Since I have to stick to the letter of the law, even dash-mounted is unacceptable (actionable by law enforcement).

Front license plates are required here, too ,
Tatt

 

I have had my (Illinois) I pass mounted to the inside of the rear sunroof ever since I read about it here on NAM. I think the rules say it has to be where it works. It does just fine on "open road tolling" at 65 mph.

They give instructions on where to mount it so that it should work, but I don't recall that they care where it is mounted if it does work.

They warn that it has to be "activated" about 100 feet prior to the toll booth, so if you normally keep it some where "electrically hidden" you should get it out ahead of time.

 

Another feature that I found out days after ownership, all the radio controls on the backside of the steering wheel. Very cool!

 

Only on the two spoke MFSW wheel. On the 05 & up MFSW they are on the front.

 

Nevermind... thanks for clarifying DrDiff!

 

The Mini is the first car I've driven where I can leave my FastTrak transponder for bridge toll access IN THE GLOVE BOX and still have it report to the toll receiver. Awesome.

 

Must be because the bonnet is aluminum and not steel - perhaps the transmitter is more visible through aluminum?

 

has anyone ever gotten in trouble for not having the ezpass in the right place?
first, someone would have to see you go through the booth at 45...50...55 mph and then stare at your windshield to see if you have a pass

seems unlikely, i say, go for the stealth look!

 

Slot, what slot - I don't see a slot??? in the wheel well, body trim, inside outside shere is this slot...

 

I painted mine black and stuck it to the auto wiper box on front windshield with industrial velcro....

 

Am I going to have to go out in my bathrobe again to see if this works with mine? I hope so.

 

Let's see, where's my wallet.

 

I stuck mine on the rear sunroof panel. Works like a charm. It's been almost a year and no violations.

 

One more from the "Things that make you go "hmmmm" file... It's been a while, but recently my MCS reminded me that it is still "haunted"...

Sometimes I play the radio without the key in the ignition, or with the key inserted but the ignition not "on". Twice now when doing this, I have seen the multi-function controls on the steering wheel "energize" (light up) when I turn on the radio. No, it doesn't happen every time - I don't think it's "supposed to" happen at all. No, neither the headlights nor parking lights are on when this happens.

I turn off the radio, the steering wheel stays lit. I get out of the car and close the door, the steering wheel stays lit as the interior lights fade out. I lock the car with the button on the key fob, yeah it still stays lit. <head-scratching smiley>. Unlocking and re-locking with the key-fob, finally the steering wheel goes dim and puzzled me goes to the gym to meditate on this weirdness...

Tatt

 

There is a timer that lets you continue to use auxilliary components such as the stereo and sunroof (though not one-touch) for 10 minutes after taking out the ignition key. Getting out and closing the door interupts this somehow.

As for the MFSW lights staying lit, are you using the Dension Icelink+ and Ipod? The only time I encountered wierdness with the lighting was when my Icelink took a poo-poo and needed to be swapped out...

 

Yeah, I have closed windows and sunroof after taking the key out, in fact I read about that first in the manual...

Good guesses Tarzan but, No IceLink, No iPod either... No electrical mods...

Last time the MCS acted haunted, a few other folks chimed in about how they thought "they were the only ones" who had the same "issue" . Wish I could remember what that was, sunroof maybe.

"He thrusts his fists against the post, and still insists he sees the ghosts,"
Tatt

 

I just found out, after a brief but heavy rain, that after a rain storm, when you go out to your car and start it and open the windows because it is hot and steamy out, and then you start to drive off and immediately start to turn to the right and stop....that all the standing water on the roof of the car rolls off the roof and comes through your open window in a wave of water that rushes into the car and all over your right leg

 

LOL, I admit it took me more than one soaking, to thoroughly learn that. When it's wet after a rain, leave the sunroof CLOSED for the first half a mile or so . The roof is smaller than the beltline, too, so water doesn't fall down, it falls IN thru the open windows!

Or before takeoff, break out the nice soft microfiber towel (that's in the boot for just such an emergency), and blot up 90% of the water that would otherwise end up all over you (and the interior ) . If you soak it up beforehand, all the better to deal with "steamy" conditions where you want to open up the car BEFORE you drive off.

Tatt