Maybe you guys should have opted to spend an extra $100 for the sport steering wheel with the radio controls on it.

 

I do have the sport wheel....just haven't gotten used to using the volume control on the wheel..always forget its there.

 

Because I keep forgetting it is there, which is weird because my last car had steering wheel controls too.

Another thing that is hard to get used to: pressing the phone button on the steering wheel automaticaly dials the last person you called. Is it supposed to do that? I would think it would just bring up the phone book.

 

I didn't get the MSFW because I didn't want cruise control.If its like the phone button on the radio pressing it redials, holding it down brings up the phone menu.

 

Ah. Will try that. Thanks!

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Btwyx
I didn't get the MSFW because I didn't want cruise control

 

I didn't get MFSW because I didn't know I will not get cruise control withoot it. Honestly, I thought it just gives you convenience of accessing some controls on a steering wheel in addition to ones on a dash.

 

I thought they addressed this? The scoop is functional and allows hot air get out of the hood and this supposedly cools down the turbo faster as well as preserves from heat buildup and scoop melting.

But not sure how good it is to let the air get into the engine bay while driving. This may make it dirty.

 

Gotta say that I think I see what you're hinting at (and if I'm right,) I agree.. I'm not sure why ANY car maker would make cruise control an option you have to pay for. It's not like some new invention or something.. just stick it on the wiper stick like every other car and make it standard. I don't care about the radio or phone controls on there, I just want the MFSW for the cruise

 

That is my story as well, I asked and was told there was Cruise.. Found out too late,when I tried to add the MFSW my build had started. However, in retrospect in a manual I don't really need it. At least that is what I have convinced myself after driving the car. I thought I had read up on everything but you know it is always the little things..

 

Nope...I changed the scoop to an M7 Carbon fiber one and put an M7 heat shield on...still hot as hell

 

There is considerably more involved in installing cruise control beside putting controls on the steering wheel, most of which involves complicated electronics. So at $100 I think the MFSW with cruise is a bargain.

 

I tried to configure the interior as classy as I could - chrome trim, beige leather.

And these controls at the steering just remind me my kid's XBOX360 controller...

Basic Honda\Toyota\Huindai has cruise control. I didn't even assume Mini wouldn't have one

 

Wait... Initial desing was blocking the air flow completely, so the scoop was 100% just for looks, right? At least that's my impression from reading this forum. I guess that scoop version melted - the heat buildup under the hood melted the scoop.

Now, my 2009 MCS' scoop allows the air to flow in and out through the scoop. At least when I shut the engine down and come close to the scoop I feel air flows out and I smell (it smells pretty badly, actually) the turbo. Now I think this should be resolving the issue with melting as extra heat goes out and doesn't fry the scoop. Yes, it is still hot just like the hood itself. But I hope it is not hot enough to melt.

Or I am completely wrong and nothing changed?

 

There have been changes (as you noted, it's now at least partially open), but it seems that some of the 08s with the partially opened scoop were still having issues with a sagging scoop.

 

Oh, ok. It's just not the summer yet I guess I'll try to replace one with carbon fiber one in case it melts.

 

Why pay to replace it? For the first 4 years, it'll be replaced free under warranty as many times as necessary.

 

That's likely what I'll do at first (once I get my MCS and if it droops), but paying - in time, effort and aggravation - to schedule the replacement and get out to my dealer will be far in excess of the cost for something aftermarket that won't warp.

Mostly I hope that people take theirs in for a replacement to send a message to Mini that they just need to invest in a higher tolerance plastic.

 

I have the MFSW, it looks good and keeps my hands on the wheel more. The cruise control is a great feature, but most of my driving is on city roads. I do look forward to testing it on some stretch of highway. I tried it once very briefly just to see that it works, but I do use the radio buttons whenever I have the radio on. What I really need is convince my navigator that I need a new phone with bluetooth and / or USB - not really sure exactly what will work best.

The NAV def gets the most work even in the "dumb" mode. I toggle it often to see the highway condition - not because I'm on the highway, but because it makes me happy to see why I'm not on the highway.

There is a whole long thread on the scoop issue, after reading it, I modified my order to have the carbon fiber scoop installed at purchase. So far it's working with no complaints and no aggravation. I don't think there is much more to add to this issue except follow the tread if you have the standard scoop.

 

I've read a story somewhere here at the forum when melted scoop was replaced by warranty for a carbon fiber one and the guy paid the difference. At that point I didn't even have a Mini though, so not sure I took that 100% correct.

Is there genuine Mini carbon fiber scoop accessory?

 

That would be orangecrush (Mark) who did that and IIRC the CF hood scoop also started to warp.I don't know what the final outcome was though.

 

Thread about hood scoop upgrade to carbon HERE.

Follow-up Thread by same member five weeks later HERE.

Cooper D Hood looks like the best idea.

 

^^Yes those are the threads.Thanks pilotart

 

I live in Seattle which has very steep hills. Downtown can be espcially steep and intimidating with traffic behind you on a hill. Some folks pull up to you very close.
I have never needed hill assist or the ebrake. I just do the switch very quickly and the car only rolls backward a couple of inches before taking off. It must be a skill thing. I just don't see that it is that difficult.

Maybe I am underestimating the amount of skill it takes.

Hummm