BOOST GAUGE!!! - Come on guys.. That one should have been a no-brainer. every forced induction, performance minded vehicle should have this as standard.

Real water temp. - My 1991 VW cabriolet had a real water temp gauge, along with oil pressure.

DIESEL, DIESEL, DIESEL!!!!! - Sure there are plenty of us Americans that won't even consider one, but I have had a diesel car in the past. I would jump at the chance to get a turbo diesel that gets upwards of 60mpg. The torque of a good, small diesel is very condusive to enjoyable motoring.

 

I'd like the looks and feel of the R50/53 with the efficiency and performance of the R56. Not too much to ask! ;o)

Zip

 

Thought I'd add a few more.

DSG Transmission is an awesome idea!

I wish you could get wheels painted black or dark grey when you order a black roof, just like you can already get white wheels with a white roof.

 

Well, that's interesting. The article actually says "ALL" of it's models. So I could get a Cooper with AWD? Or if I was in Europe, an AWD One D?

Anyhow, an AWD Cooper S could potentially be pretty cool.

 

That's the reason you have that stupid little slider on the belt. All these years I've wondered why it was there, and now I know--it's to prevent the seatbelt from getting stuck between door and seat! Just adjust it until it ends up at the right point when the belt is off. No need to buy anything.

 

My 4:

temperature gauge,

a more convenient seat back adjustment,

a better fitting seat belt that doesn't scrape my neck,

turn signal change--to ANYTHING else! Go back to previous BMWs if the engineers need a model.

 

Dampen the grab handle above the passenger window, so it does not bang closed when released...15k VW's have this.

Pneumatic cylinder to let the glove box open slowly & quietly..just like BMW's do.

 

1. iPod adapter for $100 + labor
2. Gauges -- oil pressure, engine temp, maybe turbo boost
3. DRL that doesn't use the xenons
4. Add a few mm to the diameter of the cupholders and move them back even more. Or something.
5. HD radio standard
6. Interesting dark colors. Purple Haze would look good in the R56.
7. All-Season tire option available with sport package
8. A jack, even with runflats
9. Lock on the glovebox? Meh. Either way.
10. Stronger/tweaked auto A/C -- I think the auto sensor is too close to the output, as I have to run it way cold. It thinks it's 68 in the car, it's more like 74.
11. Better Hi-Fi option. Don't go back to H-K. Logic7 like BMW, with surround, would be good. Like the 7 series. http://www.bmwworld.com/audio/logic7.htm
12. Tweaked bluetooth. If I have the radio loud and the phone rings, I nearly jump out of the seat, for one thing
13. Factory blackout exterior option

 

DEFINITELY FACTORY BLACKOUT OPTION, AND REDO THAT CENTER STACK... BLACK WHEEL PAINT SHOULD BE AN EASY ONE SINCE THEY ARE ALREADY WILLING TO PAINT THE WHEELS WHITE FOR THE WHITE ROOFERS

 

1. ALL Wheel Drive (possibly with an auto raise/lower chasis option like the Range Rover).

2. DIN sized stereo!!!

3. Stereo pre-amp outputs. So adding a subwoofer and/or amp is easy.

4. Subwoofer option. A decent subwoofer, like a 200watt 8" under the seat or something?

5. NORMAL Key, OR, at the very least a normal SIZE key!! Better yet, LOOSE THE KEY all torgether and just make it keyless entry and keyless start (keypads with 4 digit password!).

6. Cell phone connector that is just a simple standard connector with +/-12v for charging, and an external antenna connector. Then, PHONE accessory manufacturer's could make adapter plugs for just about ANY phone on the market, like they do now for computer to phone sync cables. Instead of relying on the BMW to make them.

 

OH!! I forgot #7, my biggest one which should be #1!!

7. A Mini CooperST model. This would be the Mini Cooper S model in a 'T'ruck model. Just remove the back seats and install a bulkhead and small truck bed!!

 

How about an option for some sound damping material?

 

Two step sun roof operation.
1. pops both sections of roof open.
2. opens sun roof all the way.

Also bring back the horn buttons on the multi function steering wheel.

Digital speedometer in tach is all that is necessary. Giant speedo other than the unique factor is unneccessary. That space could be better utilized.

 

Check out your manual-if you push the sunroof toggle past the detent, it will just pop up the two sections. You still have to hold it to open it completely but it took me a while to figure out the first part.

 

Cosmoline is used as a rust preventive when shipping cars from overseas. There are products that will remove it. YMMV

 

Less plastic !

 

What if you could get R50 styling with the new motor?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=103134
http://motoringfile.com/2007/06/03/m...sic/#more-5858

I'm speculating, but it seems like that's what MINI Canada is getting starting in July...

 

That's what most of us want, isn't it.

If they also restored the other features like the key, center stack, turn signal operation, etc., it would be ideal.

But BMW stubbornly defends its weird designs (like iDrive and anything Bangle touches...). So I'm afraid the "let's see how we can complexify these" turn signals and key operation in the R56 are here to stay.

 

true black with silver roof and stripes and a quaife LSD

 

How about an engine that doesn't frighten the neighbourhood at start-up?

A $13k Kia Rio sounds better.

 

How about a wheel gap that matches the car's sporting pretense?

A $13k Kia Rio looks tighter.

 

R56 a big joke? Ummmmm, you can go ahead and keep your Dodge Neon Motor. I like my R56s' Peugot/BMW motor with more horsepower, better throttle response, and better fuel economy!

I'd like nothing more than a temp guage, and LSD standard on the "S" models.

 

Then go buy a Kia, no one is stopping you. Being disgruntled is one thing, being a PITA is quite another.

 

1: AWD agreed... the torque steer is unbearable
2: DSG agreed... but more likely it'll be an SMG form a'la m3/m5/m6
3: gauges... yes.. amazing there are none
4: DIN radio... of course
5: Diesel... yeah it'd be cool the MCD
6: HUD it should atleast be an option...
7: turn signal ?? I'm not sure I understand what the issue is... if you're referring to the triple signal.. it can be turned off i luv that feature
8: more foot room for those of us with size 11's or more
9: agreed Mp3 should not be a $500 option :S
10: exhaust?? scare the neighbors... hmmm although i'd agree that the mini sounds like a lawn mower on crack.. it's just a little 4 banger what'd you expect it to sound like?? like the others said, if you want a kia... buy a kia :P


The problem with all these issues is there are other cars that fit these bills... and they all cost more $$....

I originally purchased my 07 mcs for daughter and kinda inherited it... and although it wouldn't be my first choice of vehicle to drive... I do like the mpg's :>... all things considered when I start to look at other vehicles they lack some of the unique characteristics of the mini as well.... I paid 24K brand new... it only has the prem package.... I gotta say ... for 24K... nothing touches it..... nothing.... now if you were to add a buncha the aforementioned and slap a 38K tag on it.... there'd be a little more competition for it... except for the diesel option... that's an excellent idea... if mini ever built an AWD turbo diesel... I'd be on that bandwagon for sure

 

Smaller Mini's.