The foot well on my '07 MCS gets incredibly hot. I have heard of others complaining of this issue. I took the car to the 2 local dealers (Vista and Lauderdale Mini). Both said it was a design flaw that I would have to live with. From what I understand, there is no shut off valve to keep hot water from circulating in the heater core when heat is not wanted.

They took readings with an infrared thermometer and got 138 degrees on the side next to the gas pedal. It should be noted that it only takes 15 seconds for human skin to get a 3rd degree burn at 133 degrees.

My wife can’t drive the car - she wears open toe shoes and has burnt her feet. I live in S. Florida. We wear flip-flops here. Not with a Mini – you’ll burn your feet.

Mini refuses to fix my car. They offered me less than wholesale when I requested to trade it for a BMW. I have hired an attorney to try to get a lemon law buy back. Failing that I plan to make it my mission to let the world know that Mini has design issues and that they will not stand behind their product.

My goal is to get them to do a recall so these can be fixed. Who knows, maybe during the fight they will offer to buy my car to shut me up.

Anyone who has experienced this problem please let me know. I would like to compile a list so that my attorney can show this is not an isolated problem and that it represents a serious safety issue
Thanks
Steve

 

Mine is warm but not 133 degrees warm.

 

I live in FL and haven't worn socks in about 6 months (when I retired )...I've never noticed heat in the footwell

I'm familiar with the problem as NA Miata's had that issue and the foot pocket of my 95 was good for keeping a stew warm....but have never noticed it on my 07s..

Not disputing you...just saying it isn't on every car...did some cars end up missing some heat shielding?

 

I've never noticed any heat in the footwell as well.

 

I have noticed that when the heat is on, it can get Very HOT! but turning it down, or having it off, I have not noticed any extreme heat at the footwells.

 

I live in South Florida and drive my Mini daily, mostly wearing open sandels. I have not had any issues with heat in that area.

 

Go here and act on it:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=130821

 

Do you have an earlier made Mini?

 

Steve, I too have a lot of heat coming front this area. Let me know if you get any resolutions?

 

I don't have an issue with it either, live in AZ and wear flip flops 9mo's a year

 

If you pull that panel off down next to the throttle pedal (just 2 screws), you'll see the heater core lines.

Since Mini hasn't come up with a fix, maybe wrapping these lines in some heat proof (exhaust wrap) type material would help keep the heat in the lines and not radiating through the plastic panel. Maybe carbon fiber tape?

 

Mini says it's normal. The only way to get them to do anything is to log a complaint to the NHTSA. I know a couple of people who have gotten some nice red welts on their lower legs from the center pillar.

 

No problems here but then again Ferris is an '08. Perhaps this is an issue with the earlier builds.

I have to agree with Minidrivr. At the very least you'll be able to drive the car again. Just make sure you document everything for the lawsuit if it goes that far.

 

I haven't had my car long enough to notice, but I took off that panel to install some wiring for XM. I don't see why you couldn't put some insulation, maybe like that cloth stuff you see in cars, underneath the panel. I think there's some space.

PS: Just like the thin cardboard coffee cup sleeves, you might not need too much thickness.

 

I was going to say "wear thicker socks" but I'm figuring
that you might not think that too funny

Mine gets hot enough to hurt my feet with shoes on
(which is fine this is the only car i've ever had that actually
has more heat than I want) but it isn't hot when I turn it down.

Hearing stories like this is very troublesome.
I want my wife to get the mini.

 

I wear these if I'm out for a long fast drive; they work well:

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/p...07&prod_id=640

 

It seems to be worse in some cars. I have not noticed excessive heat on mine yet.

 

It's probably worse when your foot is plastered to the floorboard for a longer period of time.

 

Are you serious? The pillar next to the radio/center stack? The only place mine gets hots is right next to the heater core lines, which are right next to the throttle pedal.

 

Steve,

You could try removing the panel to expose the offending hoses. Depending on clearance you may be able to wrap them (or at the very least "shield" them) with insulation. If there's enough room you could try 3/4"-1" double sided glass insulation that is available at Home Depot--etc. and is commonly used to insulate the exterior of water heaters. Foil tape, or nylon ties, can be used to secure.
Another product which is thinner and specificaly designed for thermal breaks, and will reflect heat is "Reflectix"--available in various thicknesses and cofigurations. Checkout reflectixinc.com for info. Sometimes you can find this in supply stores or order online.
Good luck!!

 

That's where I mean, down by the gas pedal. I'm using "center pillar" as a generic description.

It was about 55 degrees the other day and I was driving home with the climate (non automatic) in the full cool position --- split half vent and half floor. I measured the temp when I got home and it was 124 degrees; that's with supposedly cool air passing through it for 45 minutes.

Go for a long fast ride. It gets hot.

 

I've been following Arnbut's early reporting of this and I can honestly say mine does not get (what I call) hot at all. Maybe a little warm but nowhere near the temps reported here. And many others haven't noticed it either. You know what I'd do if I were the OP or Arnbut et al? I'd say to the dealer "my wife burned her foot on the footwell, you documented it's 138 degrees in my car and claim it's a design flaw (ie it occurs in every car). I'd like to challenge that claim. Let's take a test drive in one of your cars, measure the temp, and see if you're right or wrong. Try a few cars if you want. And if you're wrong and it's just my car that gets that hot you agree to do something about it for me, OK?" Has anybody tried that avenue? I mean if every 07 Mini got to 138 degrees on every drive I think it would be a lot bigger deal than it seems to be. Thoughts?

 

and it's a fair bet that tolerance stacking means that line is pressing on the panal on some cars, and pretty far away in others. The design flaw is that "normal" parts can create the situation. Who wants to sort through a whole box of parts to find just the ones that work? Mini dealers don't, that's for sure.... I just got some literature from "Heatshield Products" and there's tons of stuff out there that can be used to insulate the panel or the lines themselves. Log the complaint with the NHTSA, and then fix it yourself for about $30 and a bit of time. Call it a day and hope that enough complain that Mini does a TSB and supplies the insulation for free to those others who go to the dealers for a fix. While this does take a bit out of pocket, it's the least hassle for each owner who finds it, as you WILL get a solution, and eventually the sleeping giant of the fed gov may eventually act.

Matt

 

Been there; complained that...
The dealer compared to other cars and could replicate it; MINI said "normal".

Dr. O. is spot-on. I logged the complaint with the dealer and with the NHTSA; the wheels will turn, abeit slowly. 'Til then, I'm fine with my Simpson shoes and long pants ---- my wife drives the R53 almost exclusively.
I'm not a sandle kind of guy...

 

Just measured mine at 113 F. Ambient temp 67 F.