I love it, and my girlie has a benz that does the same. I never have to adjust back to "normal" cars

 

its really not that bad. i set it to blink three times when im changing lanes and turn it on only when i have to turn. i also think this is great because i dont have to hold it in position just to switch lanes (like i did in my 06 corolla) and i also dont have to fully turn it on to switch lanes. i dont push it in the same direction to turn it off though and i think i have only once pushed it too far that it turns on the other signal. i guess it just takes time to get used to.

 

There ya go!!! Once I got used to my '07 all others feel clunky, including my '03 Cooper!!

 

I was filled with rage over the signals for my test drive, I mentioned it to my MA (or is it SA???) and he told me how to actually use them correctly, then I took a 24 hour test drive and fell in love. The signals are very good, you just have to know what's up with them.

 

24 hour test drive? Now THAT'S a long drive

 

I've gotten used to it but it seems the whole turnsignal stalk thing is overengineered enough to become counterintuitive.

 

they take some getting used to but i totally agree they are hella anoying!

 

If you prefer, push it in the opposite direction to cancel. Just don't push it past the detent.

 

Pretty sly trick huh? After driving it that night and the next day, I was already referring to it as my MINI.

 

Maybe this will make sense to someone as it helps me remember...

Think of everything in the R56 as a toggle switch. Specifically think of the turn-signal stalk as two toggle switches. Down toggles left and Up toggles right. When you set 3-flashes and tap the toggle (like your auto-down window toggle) it auto-blinks 3 times. When you push harder and past the indent then it stays on until you toggle it off.

I actually wish I could have it blink more then 3-blinks as I have a tendency to turn the blinker on before looking in all my mirrors and blind spot and by the time I actually go to turn the wheel the 3-blinks are done and I have to tap it again.

So I give the turn signal a big and I also give the R56 a thumbs up for putting independent left and right hand arrow lights on the tach. The single "you have one of your blinkers on" light of the old model drove me nuts.

 

Obviously someone has never driven a modern Audi or indeed any number of other European makes as this is a fairly common "feature" now. Programming is easy on the MINI, you can do it yourself via the OBC and set it at 0, 1, 3, and 5 flashes.

 

Actually, with the 1st Gen MINIs, that limitation varied depending on the options. If you had the Chrono Pack or the OEM Nav system (both of which moved the speedo to above the steering wheel), it gave you independent left and right turn signal lights.

I hate the "all one light" too, so I was very happy that mine didn't come that way (since I have the OEM Nav).

 

I dislike the tactile aspect of the turn signals. They took the perfect feel and function of my previous BMWs, and designed in a ridiculous system. I've had the car a year and I still don't like them.

The 3 flash is no big deal. I'm pretty sure at least one of our previous BMWs had it--and without the tiny detent. Also, cancelling by pushing the same way doesn't make sense.

 

Thanks...I am going to program it to blink three times, and be more patient. As someone else said as well, it really is the only thing I find annoying about the car

Thanks again!
Sharon

 

Can you please share what he told you?

 

I took a few MCS' out for test drives and found that after a few confusing moments I had it down. I think you just have to concentrate on the difference in feel between the detent and just before and you will get used to the fact that with the detent they stay on - a gentle tap in the opposing direction turns them off. I really like the 3 flash option for lane changes.

just my $0.02

 

He just told me that when you flick it in the appropriate direction you get three flashes, if you press it in the appropriate direction they will stay on continuously (until the self canceler kicks in). Pretty easy. When you manually cancel just flick it in the opposite direction.

The most important thing is the difference between flick and press. Sit in your car for 3 minutes with this specific mission. You'll get it, and it will become second nature.

Also, who cares if the cancel in the same direction is weird... just don't use it if it is uncomfortable.
Here is a link to the owners manual. Look on page 39 to get a detailed look at it. Spend a little time with it, you'll be converted.

 

Took me about five minutes on a test drive to get the hang of the signals. Sure beat my current car (My MINI is on the ocean) that wipes the windshield when I signal a lane change.

 

I had the new style turn signals figured out after the second intersection on my test drive. I find them really natural to operate, every other car's just clunky.
I can flick the turn signal with my left pinky & activate the intermittent wiper with my right (button on end of stalk)

 

I agree. Why suddenly decide that an interface standard that has lasted dozens of years and millions of cars, is suddenly obsolete? Change for the sake of change is counter-productive.

--Dan
Mach V

 

Ahhh, but change for the sake of me is another story.

 

My only complaint about the signals is that the detant before going to continuous on mode isn't obvious enough. Too often I get the wrong mode because I can't tell if I've hit the detant. I'll learn it, but it should be more obvious.

 

So what, being able to flick the stalk to get 3 flashes, like on every decent European car, is over engineering and a bad idea?

 

No, but as I said in my post, I think that's been there on other cars before.

I think the real difference is that it's gone from a "mechanical" stalk to a purely "fly-by-wire" stalk. I suppose it's better, but it seems like just one more thing that can fail.

It does seem that people either love it or hate it--nothing in between. Count me in the "hate it" group.

 

Yes. Simpler is always the more elegant solution.