R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: cary, nc
Thanks for the great tips
Okay don't know how common this knowledge is so
If you press and hold the trip button before turning the key you can acess the on board computer
your seat will go back to the original postion when slid forward using the outer releases
The ECU is held in place by the airbox on an S
If you unplug your ECU long enought the sunroof open and the windows go down
The change holder is the same shape as the gas cap on an S
Your vin is on thw window, door sill and in the engine bay The side refelectors are only on US cars
The shift **** doesn't screw on
Even if you don't have the OBC the tach display still comes with the avg, kph, mpg, range displays built-in
The gas pedal has its BMW part # written on it
The car was designed to be slighty off balance so that it was closer to 50/50 wieght distribution with a driver
It has equal lenght driveshafts to prevent torque steer
There is a slot just foreward of the dirverside rear wheel that one can hide a key in
reseting the ECU removes 1 mile off of the odometer
The car will protect it self from exceeding redline except when down shifting do to rapid increase in revs
redline can be moved through software adjustments
If you press and hold the trip button before turning the key you can acess the on board computer
your seat will go back to the original postion when slid forward using the outer releases
The ECU is held in place by the airbox on an S
If you unplug your ECU long enought the sunroof open and the windows go down
The change holder is the same shape as the gas cap on an S
Your vin is on thw window, door sill and in the engine bay The side refelectors are only on US cars
The shift **** doesn't screw on
Even if you don't have the OBC the tach display still comes with the avg, kph, mpg, range displays built-in
The gas pedal has its BMW part # written on it
The car was designed to be slighty off balance so that it was closer to 50/50 wieght distribution with a driver
It has equal lenght driveshafts to prevent torque steer
There is a slot just foreward of the dirverside rear wheel that one can hide a key in
reseting the ECU removes 1 mile off of the odometer
The car will protect it self from exceeding redline except when down shifting do to rapid increase in revs
redline can be moved through software adjustments
Thanks
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
Question!
I have a question!
I've just had to check my VIN as I need to replace my windscreen on my 04 Cooper S. I noticed that on the small plate, it says Model: R50. Shouldn't it say R53?
Are there any other MY05 Cooper S owners reading this who can check to see if yours also says R50 instead of R53?
Thanks heaps!
I've just had to check my VIN as I need to replace my windscreen on my 04 Cooper S. I noticed that on the small plate, it says Model: R50. Shouldn't it say R53?
Are there any other MY05 Cooper S owners reading this who can check to see if yours also says R50 instead of R53?
Thanks heaps!
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
All cars nowadays [and motorcycles] have an ECU.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_control_unit
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
Mate, with the bonnet open, it's on a plate on the right side - almost where the wheel arch is. It shows the Model details and a VIN.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
thought you were checking it online vs some database 
I never looked at all the info on that plate.
::::steps out to garage to check plate::::
Ah its the emissions control info plate on the left (drivers) side of my cars. The last part of the emissions control group number reads R50.
Possibly the main group designation for the Mini originally (R50) with the split offs being sub-numbers R5x but falling under the main group?
I never looked at all the info on that plate. ::::steps out to garage to check plate::::
Ah its the emissions control info plate on the left (drivers) side of my cars. The last part of the emissions control group number reads R50.
Possibly the main group designation for the Mini originally (R50) with the split offs being sub-numbers R5x but falling under the main group?
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
thought you were checking it online vs some database I never looked at all the info on that plate.
::::steps out to garage to check plate::::
Ah its the emissions control info plate on the left (drivers) side of my cars. The last part of the emissions control group number reads R50.
Possibly the main group designation for the Mini originally (R50) with the split offs being sub-numbers R5x but falling under the main group?
I never looked at all the info on that plate. ::::steps out to garage to check plate::::
Ah its the emissions control info plate on the left (drivers) side of my cars. The last part of the emissions control group number reads R50.
Possibly the main group designation for the Mini originally (R50) with the split offs being sub-numbers R5x but falling under the main group?
Phew. That makes sense then. Was just a bit of a shock when I first noticed the R50 there, as you could imagine. Thanks so much for checking mate.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Trussville
On the interior of the doors, there's a little "rise", at the frontmost end (on the top). I've found that if you're in the driver's seat and the passenger door is fully open, that pulling on this handy little "lip", allows enough force to swing the door closed without having to really reach.
I'm sure there's at least one more good reason for the lip (so don't try to correct me. Expound, rather.
)
I'm sure there's at least one more good reason for the lip (so don't try to correct me. Expound, rather.
)
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
OK, So i read all 1383 posts, and what I learned is a lot of useful information.. and that everyone wants to know all about storing the parcel shelf and unlocking the car by using your chin.. over and over and over again! 
Thanks all for the great info
Thanks all for the great info
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 4
From: Always curious ...
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Back at Bragg
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't noticed before on my 06R53 but on the side of the driver's side belt buckle receptacle, down by the e-brake handle, there is a chunk of the fuzzy side of velcro. Any ideas what this is for? Or are my search skills failed?
Cheers!!
Cheers!!
I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to post this in, but when I had the windows down and I set the alarm using my key the alarm set sounded, lights flashed and the red indicator on the directional post was blinking. I wanted to get something inside the car so I leaned in, retrieved it and when I almost cleared the window the alarm went off. Is there a motion detector somewhere inside the car? I did this 5 more times, each time when I was almost clear of the window the alarm went off. I was very careful not to have any part of my body touching the car when I leaned in.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Maybe my girlfriend was messin' around with my spare key
Has anyone else experienced this?
Maybe my girlfriend was messin' around with my spare key
I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to post this in, but when I had the windows down and I set the alarm using my key the alarm set sounded, lights flashed and the red indicator on the directional post was blinking. I wanted to get something inside the car so I leaned in, retrieved it and when I almost cleared the window the alarm went off. Is there a motion detector somewhere inside the car? I did this 5 more times, each time when I was almost clear of the window the alarm went off. I was very careful not to have any part of my body touching the car when I leaned in.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Maybe my girlfriend was messin' around with my spare key
Has anyone else experienced this?
Maybe my girlfriend was messin' around with my spare key
And Poppa Bear (that's an awesome screen name -- that's what I call my dad!) I thought that fuzzy stuff was to stop the belt receiver from scraping the e-brake casing. But let's hear what smarter people have to say....
There IS a motion sensor in the cab - mine is a little screen near my overhead toggles. Although...if your girlfriend is like me, she was probably messing with you.
And Poppa Bear (that's an awesome screen name -- that's what I call my dad!) I thought that fuzzy stuff was to stop the belt receiver from scraping the e-brake casing. But let's hear what smarter people have to say....
And Poppa Bear (that's an awesome screen name -- that's what I call my dad!) I thought that fuzzy stuff was to stop the belt receiver from scraping the e-brake casing. But let's hear what smarter people have to say....
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 3
From: Akron, Ohio
x uh oh x has a 2007...in 2007 when they redesigned the MINI to the R56 from R50 and R53 they added overhead toggels.
Your Motion detection is in that square things on the headliner with plastic inserts on it....I believe it is over the rear seats
Your Motion detection is in that square things on the headliner with plastic inserts on it....I believe it is over the rear seats
Hold on Newdl, I just re-read your post. Seriously - I'm pretty sure my '04 MCS had overhead toggles, too...for the sunroof -- are you sure about that conversion for R50/53 to R56? Unfortunately, I don't have it anymore to reference/take pics (Note to self: NEVER sell my MINIs again, no matter how many of them pile up in the driveway...)
Thanks again
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 0
From: H-bar-on-two
Hold on Newdl, I just re-read your post. Seriously - I'm pretty sure my '04 MCS had overhead toggles, too...for the sunroof -- are you sure about that conversion for R50/53 to R56? Unfortunately, I don't have it anymore to reference/take pics (Note to self: NEVER sell my MINIs again, no matter how many of them pile up in the driveway...)
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Darien, IL
If your car is off and you have the driver's door open you can make the car think the keys are still in the ignition by putting the pod next to the ignition. If you put it in the right spot you will hear the chime that the car makes when you leave the keys in the ignition with the door open.
I have an 04 MCS.
I have an 04 MCS.