I recently sold a Nissan Xterra after 12 years. I purchased an 08 Clubman which I've had for about 6 weeks. I still have not got used to the small barn door windows. It seems like a very poor design, and they have a blind spot with the middle window split. I realized that it would take some getting used to, going from an SUV to a mini, but really not liking it at all. Am I over thinking this? Does anyone else have this problem? I love everything else about the car with this exception.

 

I like the barn doors, but I liked them right from the start. I usually put my backpack on the right side, so most of the time I am only opening one of the barn doors. I don't find it inconvenient to have to open both doors to put a load of groceries in. I like how the doors only open 90 degrees and they swing open all the way automatically.

The blind spot is a little bothersome when I think about it, but I've gotten used to it.

 

It bothered me at first; but then I realized that there is nothing that I can "loose" in there, except maybe a sign post ;-). Any cars or people that can be covered by it are too far back to matter

 

With the outside mirrors and getting used to the view through the inside mirrors I got used to it. In most parking lots I try to pull through a spot so I don't have to back out especially if there are big vehicles on either side. Driving on the road it is fine, just backing requires a little more carefulness.

Tom

 

Same here...

 

I've gotten used to it, don't even notice it anymore.

Dave

 

Have you lowered the rear headrests as low as possible? Makes a big difference. Some folks remove them altogether if they don't use the backseat for passengers. There may be a pin that you have to punch out to do it. Very simple. I was driving a Jeep Patriot before the Clubman and unlike the Jeep, I find no blind spots in the Clubman. Make sure your outside mirrors are adjusted properly.

 

Visibility out the back of a cabrio is even worse with the top up (rarely is but what the heck). Getting used to it is part of the game. Also, getting the side views set properly helps heaps. Here's a link from the Car Talk guys.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/avoiding-blind-spot-5

 

I drive big trucks for a living and have to rely only on the side mirrors. I consider the limited view out the back barn doors an additional view I never get with the commercial vehicles I drive. Use your side mirrors and eventually you'll get used to it.

 

It's seems if the minis were just a few inches taller, front windshield and rear window would have greatly increased visibility.

 

Then they wouldn't really be MINIs any more would they, except for the badge. BMW has taken Sir Alec's idea and turned it into a everyday grocery getter....better I'd get off my li'l soap box. My first encounter with a Mini was in '65 and now look at them. They'll be a few inches taller before you know it.

 

I got used to you will too. Give it time.

 

This is actually the reason I chose not to get a Clubbie. I test drove one once. The poor visibility drove me batty. So I settled for an R56. It just comes down to whether you can ignore it or not =/

 

I found that have the back seat down improves visibility out the back. The head rest block a lot of visibility

Tom

 

Yeah, I always have the back seats folded down. I have a rubber mat that covers the flat cargo space in the back. I haul all kinds of stuff back there.

Dave

 

Who needs rear window visibility?
Took this when I got home a couple mins ago

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

Nice picture bavvy! If it weren't for the exhaust pipes it could be anything. Really amazing how the snow sticks to such a vertical surface.