Drove daughter's 2010 OB MC, manual tranny, sport seats, cold weather package for a couple of days. It has about 4,400 mi. on it. I drove it about 100 miles. My DD is a 2000 Z3 roadster with 96,000 mi. on it. Here's some random thoughts:

1. Great fun. The MC handled at least as good as the Z3.
2. Mileage is awesome! Computer shows 38.6 mpg, mix of city and highway.
3. Steering feels numb on center. Is this related to the electric assist?
4. Shifter feels notchy in fist and second until it's warmed up. Common issue?
5. Intake noise was distracting - I'm used to hearing the exhaust on my Z3, not the intake.
6. Seems like doors take an extra effort to close. Car is very tight, though, no wind noise.
7. Intermittent wipers should be standard (unless I missed something).

Overall a great experience. Am thinking of getting one of my own.

Thanks for listening.

Proud Dad

 

I had a hard time finding my intermittent wipers, until I read the manual. Push the button on the end of the wiper stalk.

 

My shifter is really notchy between 1st and 2nd, I think it's an R56 thing.

 

Thanks for the hint on the wipers - yep, I saw it but thought the button was for the washer.

I've also attached a pic. Great color, too bad it's history.

 

It might have something to do with the soft rubber bushings in the control arms. Some people replace them with polyurethane bushings.

 

LOL I thought my wiper fluid nozzles or pump was out...I kept pushin the button and nothing but wiper movement... then I found that you could do the push down and get wipers to work so I am still thinking no wiper washer is working... Finally pulled it towards me on accident and got a windshield full of fluid... Success just not how I expected either

 

My 2010 MCS has the same issue. When the weather was really cold, the shifter simply did not want to go in 2nd until the car was warm. Now that the weather has warmed up, it's still a bit too notchy. Going to have the service dep't take a look at that.

 

My '10 isn't like that at all. The shifter is like butter even when it was 5F...

 

My 2010 Cooper S also has a smooth shifter.. NO problems so far (Keeping my fingers crossed).

 

My shifter used to feel notchy as well when I sat too far back. Once I adjusted my seat to a point where I didn't have to "reach" for it the notchyness went away.

 

I have an 09 R55 S 6-spd dealer loaner right now. It has about 20K miles on it. Our car is an R57S Auto.

Since I began driving in 1981, all but two of our cars have been manuals. I was looking forward to seeing how this thing feels with the stick.

I'm unimpressed. The shifter has long throws, is notchy, and with that huge **** feels truck-like. I wasn't exactly expecting RX7 or S2000 type shifting, but this thing feels like my early 80s Mustang or a VW Golf.

YMMV. If it were my car I'd swap out the tranny oil, put in a short shifter, and get rid of that F150 shift ****.

 

As someone who currently owns two Mustangs equipped with T5 transmissions (used in Mustangs from the 80's to present), I can say that IMO the MINIs shifter feel is better in virtually every way, especially compared to the stock T5.

Is it the best out there? No... But it's not THAT bad.

 

FYI, tranny fluid, along with engine oil/filter, was changed at 1200 miles. Shifter feels like it is not quite lining up with the shifting rails (or whatever similar configuration is in the MINI gearbox). Once it's warm there's almost no resistance. Sounds like each car is a little different.

 

tranny fluid is lifetime in MINI's. Why was it changed at 1200 miles?

 

Yes, partially due to the electronic assisted steering, and partially from the soft bushings that robin casady mentions.

I have no problems with the shifter being notchy in my car, smooth as butter. But, I can tell a difference between when the trannys cold and when its been warmed up....but most cars are like that.

 

The "lifetime fluid" thing is pure BS. Just a way for them to reduce the cost of their "free" maintenance program, and to ensure that their cars don't last too long.

Here's an example of what a travesty these extended oil/fluid changes are: BMW M cars still stick by their older maintenance schedules. My '07 M Coupe called for a 1200 mile service, with a STERN warning in the owner's manual about how critical it is to the life of the car. It includes oil, tranny oil, and even differential oil changes - yes, at 1200 miles. The tranny & diff oil are changed again at every other inspection, starting with Inspection II, which comes along somewhere around 55k-60k miles. Oh yeah, one more M detail - the M cars do NOT use runflat tires, while the rest of the BMW/Mini line is completely infested with them. Why? The engineers don't consider their performance up to par (which it isn't) for an M car.

 

If she's got the cold weather package. Have her try her heated seats a bit too...

It's a known issue that the temp regulator has been a problem and may need to be replaced. Was like that in my '09 and I think may be the same in my brand new 2010. No lovely burning smells but it gets HOT.

 

My shifter is super notchy, especialy now with the short shifter. Personally I love it, reminds me of a bolt action rifle.

 

Wow, I doubt "that manufacturers tailor their maintenance programs to ensure their cars don't last too long." That sounds like pure nonsense to me. I would sure like to see the proof that you base this claim on??

 

Lifetime tranny fluid is a BMW pipe dream.

 

They tailor the maintenance specs to ensure that the car gets out of warranty b4 it fails. If it fails then, they don't care...

They would go out of business if the cars lasted forever.

 

year to year how the OB MC standard equipment changes:
--

1997 - Traction control;
1998 - Rollover bars;
1999 - Side airbags;
2000 - Revised tail styling;
2001 - Dynamic Brake Control.


all of the engines were replaced when the car was facelifted for 2000. the range consisted of the 2.2 L M54B22 (available outside North America), 2.5 L M54B25, 3.0 L M54B30, and (for the M Roadster) 3.2 L S54B32. all three of these straight-6 engines lasted through the end of the car's run in 2002. also updated was the car's interior appointments, though the plastic window remained.


thanking you for finding the time..

cheers
david

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