R56 Huge rear view mirror blocking front view
#54
I'm 6'4" and I almost sold the car back, the mirror was so bad. Finally I took it out, removed the plastic shell on the mount, cut about an inch out of the mount and bolted the two pieces back together from the inside, trimming the joining edges a little. It works much better (still too big). You can't use the trim shell again, but it's so close to the windshield you'll never know. Took about an hour.
#55
#56
#57
I'm 5'10, but my usual driving position in the Mini seems to be more upright, farther forward, and slightly higher than some other people my height seem to prefer. (I have to duck my head a considerable amount to flip down the side visor thingy.) I can't say that I often find myself peering awkwardly around the mirror, which judging by some comments in this thread is fortunate, I guess.
I do often have to look through the sunroof (or contort my neck, or stick my head out the side window) to see traffic lights, though. Maybe I should look into getting one of the stick-on Fresnel lenses to help with that. I know it's a bit off topic, but does anyone have experience with these? Do they work as advertised?
I do often have to look through the sunroof (or contort my neck, or stick my head out the side window) to see traffic lights, though. Maybe I should look into getting one of the stick-on Fresnel lenses to help with that. I know it's a bit off topic, but does anyone have experience with these? Do they work as advertised?
#58
#60
You do have to make some adjustments to deal with this car. I also was used to a higher sitting position. I lowered the seat to avoid the mirror blind spot and am now comfortable with the new driving position. I still sit relatively high as I have trouble seeing the stoplight at an intersection. The stopping spot is too close for the Mini windshield and my driving position. I can deal with it though... small price to pay for the fun factor.
#61
But hey there are blind spots all over the car. Just look around them if you don't like it get a Mini van and be a goober.
#62
#66
#67
#71
I'm 6'4", have the seat all the way down and back about 2/3rds of the way.
That leaves about 2 inches of room over my head (no sunroof). Yes, I have long arms, but I telescope the wheel rearward. The mirror is a huge issue. As mentioned, right turns, especially right and elevating, can be downright dangerous. I read somewhere on this site that an owner dug the chip out of his mirror and pushed it up into the headliner, discarding the mirror, but retaining his keyless access. I would probably find a half-dome to place over the opening to clean it up. Beware - If you cut up the mirror and then decide you want it after all, a new mirror will run you over $400.00. If windowless vans can get by w/o a rearview, surely a little MINI can. I WILL eventually lose that mirror.......
That leaves about 2 inches of room over my head (no sunroof). Yes, I have long arms, but I telescope the wheel rearward. The mirror is a huge issue. As mentioned, right turns, especially right and elevating, can be downright dangerous. I read somewhere on this site that an owner dug the chip out of his mirror and pushed it up into the headliner, discarding the mirror, but retaining his keyless access. I would probably find a half-dome to place over the opening to clean it up. Beware - If you cut up the mirror and then decide you want it after all, a new mirror will run you over $400.00. If windowless vans can get by w/o a rearview, surely a little MINI can. I WILL eventually lose that mirror.......
#72
Mirror issue fixed.
I removed the mirror, dismantled and removed the electronic sensor for the Comfort access, reattached the sensor to the wiring and tucked it up behind the headliner - Viola! problem solved, remote works.
Twist the mirror off, and disconnect the wiring plug. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY pry apart the mirror along the seam just aft of the mirror glass - there are 6 clips holding it. BE GENTLE. Once the frame pops, remove the glass. Dismantle the plug itself, removing the wires from the plug and noting how & where they inserted. Each terminal has a small "barb" holding it in, which must be depressed after un-clipping the plug halves. Pull the wires thru the mirror bracket and set the bracket aside. Remove the chip from the mirror housing by carefully unscrewing the cross-heads. Reassemble the plug and reconnect to the chip. Carefully tuck the chip into the headliner thru the mounting hole (remove the bracket cross-head if necessary). Welcome to the BIG VIEW. I may try to find a small glass-mount mirror and fix it VERY LOW on the windscreen. Maybe. My side mirrors do a good job seeing behind the car, though a convex glue-on might help a bit.
During my test drive (how huge the windshield appears!!) I heard my other problem - the wind noise again, which sounds like someone is blowing air over an empty bottle. Since the mirror is now gone, I easily placed my fingertips at the top center of the windshield and pressed. The whistle IMMEDIATELY stopped. It started again as soon as I removed the outward pressure. I was playing a 75 mph tune alternating pressure on the shield. It only took two months to pinpoint it. So suddenly I can SEE clearly in peace and QUIET at speed. I'll soon call the dealer to have the shield properly sealed. Suddenly, my two biggest thorns are cured and the car is now a keeper. I think........
Twist the mirror off, and disconnect the wiring plug. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY pry apart the mirror along the seam just aft of the mirror glass - there are 6 clips holding it. BE GENTLE. Once the frame pops, remove the glass. Dismantle the plug itself, removing the wires from the plug and noting how & where they inserted. Each terminal has a small "barb" holding it in, which must be depressed after un-clipping the plug halves. Pull the wires thru the mirror bracket and set the bracket aside. Remove the chip from the mirror housing by carefully unscrewing the cross-heads. Reassemble the plug and reconnect to the chip. Carefully tuck the chip into the headliner thru the mounting hole (remove the bracket cross-head if necessary). Welcome to the BIG VIEW. I may try to find a small glass-mount mirror and fix it VERY LOW on the windscreen. Maybe. My side mirrors do a good job seeing behind the car, though a convex glue-on might help a bit.
During my test drive (how huge the windshield appears!!) I heard my other problem - the wind noise again, which sounds like someone is blowing air over an empty bottle. Since the mirror is now gone, I easily placed my fingertips at the top center of the windshield and pressed. The whistle IMMEDIATELY stopped. It started again as soon as I removed the outward pressure. I was playing a 75 mph tune alternating pressure on the shield. It only took two months to pinpoint it. So suddenly I can SEE clearly in peace and QUIET at speed. I'll soon call the dealer to have the shield properly sealed. Suddenly, my two biggest thorns are cured and the car is now a keeper. I think........
#73
#74
#75