North American Motoring

R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+) MINI Cooper and Cooper S (R56) hatchback discussion.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

R56 Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #101  
Old 03-13-2007, 04:10 PM
Pogue's Avatar
Pogue
Pogue is offline
Neutral
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by lava
The storage wells in the doors have a groove, or channel that comes out of them at the rear - can't figure out why that is.
If someone could find that out it would help me sleep at night. I work for a MINI dealer and we haven't been able to get an answer on what the grooves are for, and now it's becoming an obsession for me!!!!!
 
Reply Like
The following users liked this post:
Bryan Grzonka (12-04-2017)
  #102  
Old 03-13-2007, 04:15 PM
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
daffodildeb is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
If it's what I think you're describing, could it be to make it easier to get maps out?
 
Reply Like
  #103  
Old 03-13-2007, 04:42 PM
Robin Casady's Avatar
Robin Casady
Robin Casady is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Paradise
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by PezRadar
Locking my car kills the lights.. Makes them fade out.
The need is for the interior lights to never come on. You are out on a mountaintop with a bunch of amateur astronomers. Everyone's eyes are dark adapted. You go to get something out of the car and white lights come on -- blasting everyone's night vision. No one is happy.

Any way to completely disable the interior lights?
 
Reply Like
  #104  
Old 03-13-2007, 04:49 PM
Robin Casady's Avatar
Robin Casady
Robin Casady is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Paradise
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Pogue
If someone could find that out it would help me sleep at night. I work for a MINI dealer and we haven't been able to get an answer on what the grooves are for, and now it's becoming an obsession for me!!!!!
I don't have my Mini yet, so not sure exactly where this groove is. If it is at the bottom, it could be to drain the mocha latte your girlfriend flung at you... Or, drain the rain when you left a window open...
Just a thought.
 
Reply Like
  #105  
Old 03-13-2007, 04:52 PM
2953's Avatar
2953
2953 is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Montecito, California & Franklin, Statesota
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Absolutely worthless armrest, you say?
Originally Posted by daffodildeb
Yup, they do indeed make armrests without storage! Big brother BMW 530i has an absolutely worthless armrest.
What! You can't rest your arm on it?!?
 
Reply Like
  #106  
Old 03-13-2007, 05:34 PM
thlaxx's Avatar
thlaxx
thlaxx is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dela-where?
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by 2953
What! You can't rest your arm on it?!?
haha, i only use the small area inside the mini's for a pen and a pad of paper. Anything its used for, is my arm. I think well worth it for long drives
 
Reply Like
  #107  
Old 03-13-2007, 06:36 PM
lava's Avatar
lava
lava is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: merchantville, nj
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Robin Casady
I don't have my Mini yet, so not sure exactly where this groove is. If it is at the bottom, it could be to drain the mocha latte your girlfriend flung at you... Or, drain the rain when you left a window open...
Just a thought.
The groove comes up out of the door storage bin towards the back. Drainage? Perhaps its meant to collect drips if you stuff your umbrella in there?

Its very deliberate. There has to be an explanation.
 
Reply Like
  #108  
Old 03-13-2007, 06:54 PM
dbhouston's Avatar
dbhouston
dbhouston is offline
4th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I noticed the funny groove before I left the parking lot of the dealership. Haven't come up with a use for it yet, but I'm sure it has something to do with holding an emergency french fry.
 
Reply Like
  #109  
Old 03-13-2007, 08:40 PM
j0dan's Avatar
j0dan
j0dan is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Robin Casady
Any way to completely disable the interior lights?
Easy, and only 2 tools are needed to remedy this problem: 1. hammer, 2. screwdriver.

Aim, and chisel away at those annoying lights!
 
Reply Like
  #110  
Old 03-14-2007, 12:29 AM
Robin Casady's Avatar
Robin Casady
Robin Casady is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Paradise
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by j0dan
Easy, and only 2 tools are needed to remedy this problem: 1. hammer, 2. screwdriver.

Aim, and chisel away at those annoying lights!
People have been known to do that sort of thing on Chevys with totalitarian lighting systems, but how could you do that to a MINI?
 
Reply Like
  #111  
Old 03-14-2007, 02:42 AM
Krut's Avatar
Krut
Krut is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,859
Received 30 Likes on 18 Posts
Did not realize if you lock the car with the lights on - the lights will shut off to conserve the battery (non-convenience pack cars, non-autoheadlights).
 
Reply Like
  #112  
Old 03-14-2007, 11:53 AM
Loony2N's Avatar
Loony2N
Loony2N is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by hellokelli
Not here in the US. I have mine set to lock at 10mph, then when i turn off the engine I have to do the double door handle pull to unlock then open the door.
Do you suppose this is some sort of sarcastic swipe at the "dangerous" States, to prevent immenent carjackings?????
 
Reply Like
  #113  
Old 03-14-2007, 07:00 PM
dwdyer's Avatar
dwdyer
dwdyer is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by lava
The groove comes up out of the door storage bin towards the back. Drainage? Perhaps its meant to collect drips if you stuff your umbrella in there?
You have an umbrella that fits in there? One that'd fit would barely cover my head. I think it might be for water dripping in, but it's puzzling.

Its very deliberate. There has to be an explanation.
I'm also trying to figure out the utility of the side cubbies in the back seat. I've had the car 3 weeks and I just noticed those.
 
Reply Like
  #114  
Old 03-15-2007, 07:11 AM
Pogue's Avatar
Pogue
Pogue is offline
Neutral
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My guess is the back seat cubbies is a little bit of nostalga from the classic mini, because they had them.
 
Reply Like
  #115  
Old 03-15-2007, 07:13 AM
dbhouston's Avatar
dbhouston
dbhouston is offline
4th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dwdyer
I'm also trying to figure out the utility of the side cubbies in the back seat. I've had the car 3 weeks and I just noticed those.
There's a back seat? Wow, add that to the list of things I didn't know.
 
Reply Like
  #116  
Old 03-15-2007, 07:40 AM
designerMINI's Avatar
designerMINI
designerMINI is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lol db
 
Reply Like
  #117  
Old 03-15-2007, 09:01 AM
xof711's Avatar
xof711
xof711 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


Can someone tell me how do you open the damn storage box??? :(
 
Reply Like
  #118  
Old 03-15-2007, 09:25 AM
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
daffodildeb is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
That's the $64,000 question. MINI had problems with rattles in the earlier models, so our cars have the cubby hole locked/bolted/glued shut. There is "supposed" to be a fix in the works. Don't hold your breath. There's a thread about this elsewhere.
 
Reply Like
  #119  
Old 03-15-2007, 10:08 AM
xof711's Avatar
xof711
xof711 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by daffodildeb
That's the $64,000 question. MINI had problems with rattles in the earlier models, so our cars have the cubby hole locked/bolted/glued shut. There is "supposed" to be a fix in the works. Don't hold your breath. There's a thread about this elsewhere.
I see... Thanks for the tip. I need to stop by the dealer anyways, I'll let them know to see what they can do.
 
Reply Like
  #120  
Old 03-15-2007, 11:35 AM
peppergirl's Avatar
peppergirl
peppergirl is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The box is sealed. There was an issue with it rattling so they seal it. supposedly it is to be fixed at a later date
 
Reply Like
  #121  
Old 03-16-2007, 06:24 AM
z3bum's Avatar
z3bum
z3bum is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - Old Town
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You also don't need to put the key in the dock at all. Just leave it in your pocket. When you sit down, the MINI dash lights up with a little key. Depress the clutch, hit the start button and you are ready to go!


Originally Posted by inomis
I first read this on MINI2 and it works for me.

Put your key in.
Start the car with the start/stop button.
Stop the car with the start/stop button.
Remove your key.
Start the car with the start/stop button.

I'm not sure how long you have after you remove the key to start the car but it's at least 5 seconds or until you open the door.
 
Reply Like
  #122  
Old 03-16-2007, 09:08 AM
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
daffodildeb is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
That's only if you have the "Comfort Access" option. The rest of us DO need to use the key.
 
Reply Like
  #123  
Old 03-16-2007, 08:27 PM
RoyalJCW's Avatar
RoyalJCW
RoyalJCW is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by xof711


Can someone tell me how do you open the damn storage box??? :(
That's funny... I managed to open this on the one at my dealer (Rasmussen). I pushed directly straight down on the entire door and it popped open.
 
Reply Like
  #124  
Old 03-16-2007, 08:30 PM
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
daffodildeb is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Some have it, some don't. Depends on the build date, and whether it "slipped through" on the VDC end.
 
Reply Like
  #125  
Old 03-16-2007, 08:52 PM
lava's Avatar
lava
lava is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: merchantville, nj
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
yup - that is how they open. Who knows what they did to cinch them down on our cars. I'm ready for mine to work. How about you?
 
Reply Like



Advanced Search
Quick Reply: R56 Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI


Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:26 PM.