Ok the cat is out of the bag. I keep on hearing about this "Secret Compartment" and I want to be filled in on the little secret. Ok granted, I didn't get my Mini yet. It's Scheduled for production right now, but can somebody please fill me in on this secret? I promise I won't tell anybody...

 

On the right hand side of the dash, above the glove box is a panel which looks like it's simply part of the dash facing. But, push on it in the lower center and it pops up, revealing a small storage area. Shhhhh.

 

Do you mean where the iPod is normally secured? If yes, there's a little "blank" area just above the button for the glove compartment...if you push (gently, now!) on the middle of this "blank", the secret will be revealed....

 

Take a look.... it's small but better than nothing..

 

It contains an emergency survival kit for lead foot motorers, including bribe money (not to be used for mods), a low cut top (for female motorers), eye irritant (for realistic tears), and a script card with multiple convincing stories (don't pick the pregnancy one if your significant other is in the passenger seat and obviously NOT pregnant...).

Some say there is a secret compartment WITHIN the secret compartment, but to date no one has located it...

 

Is this only on 2nd generation models? I don't think my '03 has it, at least I haven't discovered it.

Along the same line, does anyone know about that thing inside my glovebox, on the back wall? Sort of looks like a black plastic cigarette lighter... what is it?

 

Look at him - playing and showing off the new toy....

Only '07+ have the "secret" compartment I think. I know they definitely weren't in the '04 variety.

Is it an outlet plug? (like cig lighter.)

 

If you've got one of the flat GPS's (about the size of a deck of cards) you can hide it in there so the bad guys won't find it when they smash the window out to grab the laptop PC you left on the floor. You have to get priorities straight and since the PC belongs to the company and you'll get upgraded after the theft... Seems like a fair trade off. Now if I can get the bad guy to smash out the windshield that has a crack in it instead of the side window.

(just joking- don't want anybody's baby violated)

 

"Along the same line, does anyone know about that thing inside my glovebox, on the back wall? Sort of looks like a black plastic cigarette lighter... what is it?"
It's a happy find, Goodwood! Your glovebox is also a wine chiller! With the AC on, turn that little handle you see in there, and LO!: chilly cold air flows forth! Works real well, too.

 

This is why you route a 12V line from the battery to the fake laptop.

(Disclaimer: Don't do that.)

 

 

On an '03, you'd need to slam into something for it to open. It's where they keep the passenger's airbag.

 

So confess... how many photos of your new baby have you taken to date?

 

You can't imagine! I've never felt this strong bond toward any objects like this. My friends told me, "why don't you sleep with MINI tonight?"
Driving is fun and exciting, and it's just adorable to look at, you know what I mean.

 

Well, slap my pappy and call me Beauregard. I had no idea. Guess I need to go buy a bottle of wine to make sure mine works!

P.S. Relatives in Pasco, WA and Colville, WA... anywhere close to you?

 

I'll take your word for it. No need to find that if I don't need it.

 

so after this thread it's safe to say that the "secret" compartment should now be referred to simply as "the compartment"?

 

Noooo....It must still be called the secret compartment. how else would we draw in new crazy posters???

 

 

 

The door of my secret compartment rattles. It might be loose or out of adjustment or something...

 

I have to admit... when I first test drove a mini, I poked around the dash board and went to the sales person "what is this?" and WALLA!! I guess I knew what the secret compartment was after all... haha

 

Not that I'm thinking of doing it, but has anyone ever installed an aftermarket HU in there? I once put a HU in the glove box of a friend's 1976 Eldorado convertible. It's terribly inconvenient but he wanted to keep the dash looking stock.

 

Is it big enough for a pistol?

 

My Glock 27 fits in it like a glove.