R56 Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
It always makes me jump when I'm dinged, in either my MINI or my BMW. The instinct is to jump and ask "what's wrong?!" I had an engine seize on the Bimmer, and it's not a pleasant experience; hence the instant concern. At least the MINI has a far more visible warning.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
Yup, the snowflake is about outside temp getting cold enough where you should watch for ice on the road in the shade, on bridges, etc. Here in coastal California I've only seen the snowflake once.
My MCS can take five miles of 55 mph country road to reach the 222 operating temp (ScanGugeII. readout). My 1990 Integra reaches operating temp in two miles or less.
I've heard the argument against warming at idle from many sources, including (IIRC) Click & Klack. CSome of the arguments are that only the engine gets warmed up, so drivetrain and suspension are operating cold. Another is that idling can build up sludge in the engine. Another is waste of gas. The recommendation is to drive gently until the car reaches operating temp.
My MCS can take five miles of 55 mph country road to reach the 222 operating temp (ScanGugeII. readout). My 1990 Integra reaches operating temp in two miles or less.
I've heard the argument against warming at idle from many sources, including (IIRC) Click & Klack. CSome of the arguments are that only the engine gets warmed up, so drivetrain and suspension are operating cold. Another is that idling can build up sludge in the engine. Another is waste of gas. The recommendation is to drive gently until the car reaches operating temp.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 5
From: Hauppauge, NY
One of my biggest complaints with my mini is the Key/fob. First of all i think it's stupid that they don't have remote start. Second it really bugs me that the car doesn't auto lock when the key isn't in side the car/around the car. I got the comfort access so i didn't have to take my key out to lock and unlock my car. but now i have to hit a button on the door to lock/unlock it that kind of defeats the purpose. I know some one with an Avalon and all they have to do is be near their car and it will auto unlock. Also when they get far enough away it auto locks. no stupid buttons on the car that you have to hit. Also, why doesn't the car turn off when the key isn't in my car. I mean that's really stupid. If someone were to car jack me i would like for the car to turn off when the guy drives away. What good is it for your car to let you continue driving with out the key?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
Second it really bugs me that the car doesn't auto lock when the key isn't in side the car/around the car. I got the comfort access so i didn't have to take my key out to lock and unlock my car. but now i have to hit a button on the door to lock/unlock it that kind of defeats the purpose. I know some one with an Avalon and all they have to do is be near their car and it will auto unlock. Also when they get far enough away it auto locks. no stupid buttons on the car that you have to hit.
Also, why doesn't the car turn off when the key isn't in my car. I mean that's really stupid.
As far as really stupid features, I rented a GM car a few years ago while mine was in the shop. With the key in the ignition, and the engine running, I got out to get the mail. Because my drive is very steep, the door wouldn't stay open. The door automatically locked. There I was standing outside a locked car with the engine running and the key in the ignition.
If someone were to car jack me i would like for the car to turn off when the guy drives away. What good is it for your car to let you continue driving with out the key?
Trying to be the voice of reason and rational thought again... WHAT are you THINKING!?!? 
(Just kidding, RobinC...)
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
"As far as really stupid features, I rented a GM car a few years ago while mine was in the shop. With the key in the ignition, and the engine running, I got out to get the mail. Because my drive is very steep, the door wouldn't stay open. The door automatically locked. There I was standing outside a locked car with the engine running and the key in the ignition."
I agree totally. I rented a GM in while on vacation in Colorado 7 or 8 years ago. I got out to take a photo from the side of the road and closed the door with the engine running to keep the A/C on and the car cool. The door locked automatically. I had to hoof it to a telephone and pay a locksmith to drive out and get me into the car. Sheesh!
I agree totally. I rented a GM in while on vacation in Colorado 7 or 8 years ago. I got out to take a photo from the side of the road and closed the door with the engine running to keep the A/C on and the car cool. The door locked automatically. I had to hoof it to a telephone and pay a locksmith to drive out and get me into the car. Sheesh!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
I agree totally. I rented a GM in while on vacation in Colorado 7 or 8 years ago. I got out to take a photo from the side of the road and closed the door with the engine running to keep the A/C on and the car cool. The door locked automatically. I had to hoof it to a telephone and pay a locksmith to drive out and get me into the car. Sheesh!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
On a recent Top Gear, the hosts drive from SF to the salt flats in a Corvette, Dodge Challenger, and a Cadillac somethingelsewhocaresanyway. When stopped for a meal, Richard Hammond has the Challenger's key fob in his pocket, in the diner, but still in range of the car... so Jeremy Clarkson starts it up and parks it out in the middle of the street, where it stayed until they finished eating.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Wow! Don't let that little tidbit spread or there are sure to be repercussions!
I didn't have to think twice about Comfort Access (why on earth "comfort" anyway??). I thought I might want a few hundred dollars tucked away in my purse, instead. Just checked again a few minutes ago--yup, I do.
I didn't have to think twice about Comfort Access (why on earth "comfort" anyway??). I thought I might want a few hundred dollars tucked away in my purse, instead. Just checked again a few minutes ago--yup, I do.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
Wow! Don't let that little tidbit spread or there are sure to be repercussions!
I didn't have to think twice about Comfort Access (why on earth "comfort" anyway??). I thought I might want a few hundred dollars tucked away in my purse, instead. Just checked again a few minutes ago--yup, I do.
I didn't have to think twice about Comfort Access (why on earth "comfort" anyway??). I thought I might want a few hundred dollars tucked away in my purse, instead. Just checked again a few minutes ago--yup, I do.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, VA
On a recent Top Gear, the hosts drive from SF to the salt flats in a Corvette, Dodge Challenger, and a Cadillac somethingelsewhocaresanyway. When stopped for a meal, Richard Hammond has the Challenger's key fob in his pocket, in the diner, but still in range of the car... so Jeremy Clarkson starts it up and parks it out in the middle of the street, where it stayed until they finished eating.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
I love it because I don't have to dig around and fumble for keys. It will be really handy in winter when I'm wearing gloves.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 2
From: Danville
On a recent Top Gear, the hosts drive from SF to the salt flats in a Corvette, Dodge Challenger, and a Cadillac somethingelsewhocaresanyway. When stopped for a meal, Richard Hammond has the Challenger's key fob in his pocket, in the diner, but still in range of the car... so Jeremy Clarkson starts it up and parks it out in the middle of the street, where it stayed until they finished eating.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
Makes me re-consider my desire of the comfort access option on a MINI.
hahah i saw that episode. on my mini you can't even unlock the door unless you're standing right next to the door, ie, the passenger can't unlock the door if I'm standing next to the drivers side. so i'm not worried about such trickery.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Here's something you may already know about your R56 MINI:
If you have the Bluetooth/USB/iPod Adapter, you can copy MP3s to a USB flash drive and it will play them. You have nearly the same control as when you are using an iPod (i.e. search by artist, album, genre, name, and show ID3 Tag).
Here's something you might not know:
You can also copy your AAC files (not protected AACs purchased from iTunes) and it will play them as well!
If you have the Bluetooth/USB/iPod Adapter, you can copy MP3s to a USB flash drive and it will play them. You have nearly the same control as when you are using an iPod (i.e. search by artist, album, genre, name, and show ID3 Tag).
Here's something you might not know:
You can also copy your AAC files (not protected AACs purchased from iTunes) and it will play them as well!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
Do you mean when the engine is on or when the car is parked with the engine off? I leave my car unlocked in the garage and it had never locked itself.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: On the Oregon 5
When Comfort Access was first promoted, Mini claimed that it would unlock your car immediately when you got in range with the fob and lock it when you left the range.
That never happened and we learned later you had to push the black rubber button on the door handle or use the fob to lock and unlock.
I give my car about 10 seconds of "warm up", unless I'm hearing the god-awful "cold start noise".
