There is a copper colored, vertical bar grid on the rear window, driver's side on our two week old Clubman S.

I have asked the dealer and "Ask MINI" what it is for but neither knew.

We do have NAV and the upgraded radio if that makes a difference.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

I just picked up my clubman S today and it has the same thing. I have seen this on other "square back" vehicles I have owned. I believe it is a type of antenna either for the radio or Nav system. I don't have Nav, however. The regular clubman in the showroom also had it.

 

could it be the electric rear-window defroster?

I've seen other vehicles with the same lines... but they are normally horizontal

 

It definitely sounds like an integrated antenna (vs a defroster) if its only on the drivers side but Clubmans have big flying ones on the roof so I don't know why you'd want both types...

 

I think it is the radio's diversity antenna. In the first gen MINIs, you used to get those lines in the back rear windows only when you ordered the factory NAV.

I could also be a defroster but I doubt it.

 

I always assumed it was a defroster from the picture, but I didn't realize it was only on one side. Somebody here will get to the bottom of it and tell us, I'm sure. Otherwise, I'll be tracing wires when I get mine next week.

 

The rear windows do have the regular black/grey defroster lines. I think it is unlikely they would feel a need to defrost that rear side window.
I expect that it is some kind of antenna.

But for what?

Someone will know.

 

prolly right about the antenna... I mis-read the OP thinking they were going across both windows. Can't wait to be annoyed by them on my own CM-s

 

My MA told me it is the Bluetooth antenna.

 

Why would it be a bluetooth antenna? As far as I know, bluetooth is a short range connection between devices. My guess would be a radio antenna. But if thats the case, what is the antenna on the roof for?

 

Okay, I think I know what it's for. If you get the Convenience package, you get a "strengthened antenna" for your cell phone. My guess is that this is it.

 

Hmmmmm.....damn good call. Thats the most logical theory I've heard so far.

You're good!

 

I don't have the convenience package.

 

I don't either, yet still have the same stripes

 

Same here. No convenience package. But I have the stripes.

 

OK, so we've determined it has nothing to do with the convenience package. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

LOL!

 

Bueller's off today.

 

Not necessarily. It's possible that they put the antenna there, but not connect it to anything. It's probably a five dollar part, and it's easier for them to leave it on all the MINIs than to make exceptions.

 

It's the antenna for the TV option in the UK. They've adapted it as an AM antenna for the USA. As I understand it, it may go away in the USA-bound models.

 

What's AM?

 

I still listen to AM, bueller!

 

I listen to our NPR on 820AM - even on my days off.

 

I listen to AM for hours every day. I'm kind of disappointed with my Clubby's speakers on AM because they sound like they are blown. I hear a little crackling sound but other than that, AM sounds pretty good. It sounds horrible on my wife's RX-350 though.
Also, I will stop by Sandia Mini tomorrow on way to Colorado and confirm what in the heck the lines are.

 

I still listen to AM for traffic reports, local and on the way to the river. Haven't tried AM in the Mini though....not yet.

 

I am also trying to find out from my dealer what the lines are.