R56 Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
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!!!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
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?
Any way to completely disable the interior lights?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
Just a thought.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Montecito, California & Franklin, Statesota
Absolutely worthless armrest, you say?
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
From: Dela-where?
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
I think well worth it for long drives
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: merchantville, nj
Its very deliberate. There has to be an explanation.
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.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Easy, and only 2 tools are needed to remedy this problem: 1. hammer, 2. screwdriver.
Aim, and chisel away at those annoying lights!
Aim, and chisel away at those annoying lights!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
Do you suppose this is some sort of sarcastic swipe at the "dangerous" States, to prevent immenent carjackings?????
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
I think it might be for water dripping in, but it's puzzling.
Its very deliberate. There has to be an explanation.
There's a back seat? Wow, add that to the list of things I didn't know.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
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.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA - Old Town
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!
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.
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.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
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.