I didn't know that there were so many people that would be surprised that driving could be a fun thing. I've driven an '85 Toyota MR2 for most of 10 years now, and anytime I get in any other car it's a real chore to drive it, but getting in the MR2 is still a joy. I expect the mini to be as much fun when I pick her up sometime in the next two weeks, but with cargo space in addition.

 

An 87 mr2 was my first car! I loved it so much. Then I got a 92 n/a, and while it was a blast to drive, it didn't have the same go-kart feeling.. from there i went on to a range rover, 528i, SMART (for 4 months... biggest regret EVER). now I have my mini cooper s and a n/a pontiac solstice. the mini really reminds me of the 87 mr2 as far as driveability, but it's much faster as expected. and the solstice drives almost exactly like my 92 mr2!

My 87 finally died in november, so she's gone into car heaven... sorry, off on a tangent... resume the normal thread!

I actually noticed the dc plug in the trunk about 2 weeks ago... I've had the car for a year and a half! Guess I don't use the hatch very much haha

 

It's another Bimmer trait...

 

Some of the MINI's qualify for the Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Preferred Parking Program. If you car is on this list you can park in the fuel efficient spaces of Leed buildings. It is sweet, well not for the environment I guess, as there are not many green cars in our building so I park in the same spot everyday and on the only one side that someone can park next to me there is usually no one.

2010 MINI CLUBMAN manual
2010 MINI CLUBMAN auto
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2010 MINI CONVERTIBLE auto
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2010 MINI COOPER auto
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2010 MINI COOPER S auto
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2010 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE auto
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2010 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS CLUBMAN manual
2010 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS CONVERTIBLE manual
2009 MINI CLUBMAN auto
2009 MINI CLUBMAN manual
2009 MINI CLUBMAN S auto
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2008 MINI CLUBMAN auto
2008 MINI CLUBMAN manual
2008 MINI CLUBMAN S auto
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2008 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE manual
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2007 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE auto
2006 MINI COOPER manual

 

Wait a minute--my R56 ('07 S manual), ISN'T on the list, but the convertible, with the old engine, is? And the '08 S is on the list, which has no differences other than an additional USB port and auto-up windows? Not that it matters (what is a Leed building?), but I'm confused.

 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the certification for a "green building", so things like the materials used, how the waist was removed from the building of the building, low flush bathrooms, lights, etc. There are different levels and to get points, the cheap way, you add a few signs to reserve parking to promote people to drive cars that are LEED certified. I don't know who comes up with the list but I was confused as to why some cars were not on the list.

 

Good to know the definition, anyway. I have the ultimate in energy savings--a ceiling fan in my home office!

 

If anybody asks... just tell 'em it's an '08!

 

You know you can change the setting to unlock both doors. Not sure how to do it if you don't have Navi--probably use the menu associated with button on the end of the turn signal stock-- but from my Navi screen, it was simple.

 

I didn't know that I would volunteer to go out into the outer garage to retrieve household items for my wife just so I could catch a peek of my new car.

 

I didn't know, thanks for forums like this, that is possible to spend more time looking at, reading about, dissecting, discussing or simply ogling MINI's than actually driving them

 

+1!! Oh well...my MINI is my LIFE!!

 

I can confirm that - it's on that menu, and simple once you can work out how to navigate that menu (which is not simple. ) If in doubt, RTM.

 

I have the BMW/MINI "Y" cable in my car for my 32GB ipod touch. I was told at Bestbuy that my car would not charge my ipod because the ipone and ipod touch use a different charging interface or some such rubbish.

I continued using the "Y" cable and just disregarded the popup message that says "Charging is not supported with this accessory" -- or something to that extent.

Guess what folks? I've hade my MCS for a year now, and have never charged my ipod.

My ipod is either: A) Enchanted or B) Being charged by the "Y" cable when it is not supposed to be.

 

Canadian spec MINI's don't have this problem. Our TPMS works with the ABS sensor and or DSC sensor (MA told me this) and monitors decreases in tyre pressure a similar way but without the cost of those little devices you guys have to add to your valve stems.

So-- when I swap my tyres... ( ie. winter) the light never comes on. I just need to go into the OBC and reset the tyre pressure monitor so it knows that the new tires and pressures are because I have changed tyres, not because one has a leak.

 

I learned today that you can't one-touch-close the windows while the doors are open. Man I was getting mad trying to do it

 

Canadian spec MINI's have one touch up for both the driver and passenger side, as well as one touch down. Love it!

I think they also have a feature called "pinch protection" similar to what my 2003 JETTA TDI had and my 2006 New Beetle TDI had as well-- which is to say that if you stick your head, arm or fingers out the window and put it up-- it will automatically release if it detects something in the way. I tested it out NUMEROUS times to show friends (cool stuff) and it even worked on the sunroof!

Does anyone know if Canadian MINI's do this? Specifically the R56? (I assume they do... I think it is law in order to have one touch up...)

 

Yes the Mini's window will stop if it detects resistance going either up or down. I had ice on my windows this winter and the windows couldn't go down and a symbol will pop up on your Tach display saying the pinch protection has been activated.

 

I have plugged in my completely drained iPod into the Y cable and been able to play tunes from it- but it doesn't seem to charge it. When removed, the iPod still shows as being completely drained of juice.

So I guess our iPods are enchanted.

 

Weirdly, Australian spec R56 MINIs (we get Euro spec with perhaps some local changes) have one touch up and down on the driver's side but one touch down only on the passenger's side.

 

I've had the same experience. I assumed the reason was that, while plugged into the cable, it is much like plugging the ipod into an electrical outlet, however, if you're also playing the ipod at the same time, you're not allowing the battery to recharge - you are effectively draining the battery at the same time as you are attempting to recharge it. Therefore, the ipod works until you unplug it from the cable.

...or....our ipods are enchanted!

 

This could be the dumbest question of all time, but is there a fresh-air vent in the R56 that doesn't require the fan to be running? Don't tell me to use the windows or sunroof either

That's something I don't know about my MINI

 

One would think the iPod would charge faster than any battery drain caused by playing music. Mine is always fully charged when I unplug it.

Enchanted? Maybe.

 

Not a dumb question at all. MINI is unique in that when you turn the fan off, no air comes through the vents (or at least it feels that way). In other cars I've owned (mostly Honda and Toyota makes), the 'off' position allows fresh air through the vents. You really notice it when driving fast. In those car brands it's the recycle button that closes the vents to outside air.

Since owning the MINI, I've developed a habit of leaving the air on at least the lowest setting, never turning it off.

 

Nope--and it's not a dumb question, just a dumb design. I've never had a car that worked this way, and I've owned my share of BMW products! I have been told--but can't verify--that it's only the auto-air version that's like this. If so, it's a good reason not to order it (besides the fact that it doesn't work well).