is there room to add a valve? If it's solenoid operated, it could be slaved to the heater system with some hacking. Then there's no issue about heating the cabin when it's already hot, or it fighting the A/C. Just have to check that the cooling system doesn't use the heater loop as the themostat bypass when the car is cold.

I don't have a clue here, but it sounds like this would be part of the fix, along with some better insulation.

Matt

 

Arnbut -- I ordered mine on 6/29 and it arrived at the dealer 8/1, so the build date was sometime in July. I'll get the exact date tonight, as I rode the Fatboy to work today.

What the build date for yours?

 

Mine was built in mid-June.
You're thrashing my theory...

Do you have holes in your scoop or is it a solid piece? Did you put in the chrome scoop thingie?

 

Painted scoop w/holes.

The ambient outsite temps were 95-99 when I first noticed and started checking.

NHTSA sent me a form to sign regarding my safety complaint. I sent it back a week ago. If I hear anything from them, I'll post it.

If I'm the only one that thinks it's a problem, then I doubt Mini is going to fix it. More owners need to register this issue with NHTSA if they want this addressed.

 

I would've filed with the NHTSA also if my new car had high temps on the bonnet. I haven't seen a reading over 160 though; even on days when it was 104 outside.

My dealer and Mini backed me up though.

 

Wasn't you prior an '07 MCSm and the new one an '07 MCSa?

Mini may run the fan longer on the MCSa's.

 

Could be.
But since it's so effective at transporting the heat away, wouldn't you figure they'd do it universally?

I wish there was a sincere Mini tech-head we could pose these questions to...

235 degrees is hot, dude. Hot enough to give first degree burns, second degree if you linger on the bonnet.
If Mini considers it "normal", the NHTSA might make them put this on the bonnet:

 

I agree with Arnbut. I wouldn't be suprised if they always allowed air to flow thru the heater core. Possibly allowing it to vent outside when not being vented inside to heat the interior.

Arnbut -- Has your June R56 had any ECU updates? If so, what version?

 

look at the parts descriptions here at realoem.com

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...46&hg=64&fg=15

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...49&hg=64&fg=35

REALOEM.com (no www) is a very, very good resource to see what's what in the car.

No, it doesn't route any air outside the car when it's on the cold setting, it just send the air around the heater core, not through it.

Matt

 

They did whatever they did on delivery day, Aug 2. I don't know which updates.
The recirculating gizmo runs about 5 times longer on this car than the yellow car... ...that's gotta mean something.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=130821

 

I have an R53, and I have the same problem with foot well right side behind Black ABS plastic panel.....Was "Going to" tuck some wires up there today and burned my freakin finger. So damn hot it would burn insulation from any wiring for sure...

Any ideas what the heck its from ?

Seemed to be the aluminum metal framing which is right up against the carpeting that attaches to ABS panel from the back side.

 

This is a two year old thread, but see this six month old thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lemon-law.html

The above NAM Member had his 2008 MCS replaced under Lemon Law for excessive heat through the foot pedals.

Also see link on couple posts above to one thread on Service Kit released for R56's with Heater Core cooking your foot.

 

If it's a problem for both 1st and 2nd Gen MINI's the only common denominator is the exhaust in that area...

Must be a mounting subframe attachment point which bolts up in same area in both gen cars....

Only thing that makes sense is that the heat is being transferred to that area via some attachment. And for 2nd generation Turbo MINI's the exhaust temps are probably a bit higher than the SC versions hence why it appears to be more of a problem when not just probing the area with fingers or toes.

 

has a heater core that always gets hot water. This makes the air temp contol more responsive, eliminates the water valve, and means that hot water is always flowing... The pipes are right under that plastic panel on the center stack by the gas pedal. some are closer to that panel than others.

What sucks about this is that if you're in a hot climate, or it's a really warm day, this pumps even more heat into the cabin...

Matt

 

I live in southwest Florida and I've never experienced any excessive heat in the cabin with the A/C on. And I don't have to run the A/C at full blast to cool the cabin. And I 've experienced no heat in the footwells. Guess I'm just lucky.

 

Hey Matt,

Does the R53 have same pipe set up as you described ? About near burnt my finger while installing some wiring there....

 

I just bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S--Turbo. Today was my first day all day driving and my foot has HOT if my ankle brushed up against the plastic it was very HOT. I live in South Texas and the closest dealer is over 3 hours away. I joined this forum to find out if there is anything to do about the heat and after reading all the post ...I think I am SOL.

They are ordering a manual for me since the car did not have one, I also do not have a radio manual. Teaching myself has been a real treat. My steering wheel has the phone symbol on it and I have contacted a local place that does Blue Tooth. But they have not gotten back to me. Can anyone direct me to which I might buy or do you think the wiring is in it?

Thanks

sue

 

Unfortunately the hot panel is a design flaw. Guess they only thought of that part in england where the driver's side is on the other side, without the pipes. The heating core pipes run right past our feet (200+ degree liquid ). Mine got the official fix at the time. It's just some heat deflecting material. Doesn't make a difference once you've driven 15-20+ minutes because the heat just builds up and stays there.

 

there is a TSB or something about this, but they only deal with it if the customer complains. They take off the panel and add some insulating material. You could do this yourself if you're ambitious...

All the MFSWs have the phone button, but if you didn't get bluetooth from the factory, I'm not sure if the dealer can install it. (They could if they really tried hard, but it's probably cost prohibitive). Anyway, check around as there are lots of blue tooth options out there....

Matt

 

Central West Florida here and did not notice this until I read about it here. I put my hand down by the lower side of the center console and the plastic was warm like a heating pad but not putting heat into the cabin or footwell from what I could tell.

But...I only have foot anyway....

 

^^^^^^^^^^^I can confirm that the Southwest Florida MINI's don't have the problem.

The 2008 MCS that was Lemon-Lawed for excessive 'foot-pedal' heat was over in Ft Lauderdale.