Up until now, I never thought of it as anything but a parking break. We used to have a mazda truck that had a manual transmission. It had a bench seat, so the parking break was by the left foot. I learned to start up hills by giving it a good rev and letting off the clutch.

 

Hill assist, like all the other electronic assistance features, pretty much (to me) falls into the "comfort accessory". It isn't needed, but it makes the car easier to drive. Having driven around Seattle a couple years ago, I personally would be so annoyed with starting on a hill ... well every time you start moving that I'd probably opt for an automatic (if Hill Assist wasn't on the Mini anyway).

Don't get me wrong, Seattle is great, but that's a lot of hill starts

 

I live in Vancouver, so a lot of hills much like Seattle.

I'd driven a standard all my life, and never really remembered hills as being a bother - but for the last 4 yrs I've been driving an auto. Amazing how much 'skill' you lose, although you retain the basic abilities. I'm sure in the next few weeks I'll get to the point where the HillAssist or handbrake isn't necassary.

Cameroon makes a good point though. It's mainly convenience at the end of the day. Not having to be aware that you're on a hill and make a fast switch to avoid rolling back. Not what you'd expect to find on such a 'driver's car' but we are talking about BMW here.

 

I don't think the carbon fiber and the plastic scoop issue are exactly the same. These two treads are the only two I've read about with respect to the carbon fiber scoop. The scoop was modified ie. painted, doesn't really say an unmodified carbon fiber scoop would react the same way. Anyway glad you posted them for reference!!

 

All good points and well taken.

Pat

 

I don't need to refocus. Bifocals.

Keith

 

After two months, I still look for any reason to drive it. Wife runs out of something - I'm off to get it for her. I truly enjoy my drive to work, especially after upgrading the sound system. I sometimes drive out of my way on back roads just for the heck of it. I can't wait to get it on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive.

There's been lots of negatives on the ergonomics, but this has not been a big issue for me - just took a few days to get used to the controls, but now it's like second nature.

It reminds me of that go-cart I built back in '72...It's all about the fun of driving.

 

I agree....once I got used to the controls they have never failed to amuse me.

I hear that....haven't had this much fun since I had my Spitfire!!!!

 

Love my MCS as much as the first day. Exactly the right car for me. I'm small, and the car is proportioned perfectly for me. Has the right amount of get-up-and-go when I need it, and is just fun, fun, fun to drive.

Loads of pros.

Cons? It's a bit noisy in the cabin, stereo could be better - but it's still good. The microphone for hands-free calling is weak, or there's a lot of road sound interference.

cheers