It's bug mating season. The bugs like your MINI!

 

Had not heard that one...interesting. I just bought some Prima Clarity, may be time to break that out.

 

LOL! A car with a hobby. Who knew the car had such a well-rounded personality!

 

Definitely NO to the windex. You don't want to use something with Ammonia on auto glass. As Conrad posted above, it dries everything out and if you have an aftermarket tint, it will really ruin things. The over-spray is the biggest issue. If you use it on the exterior, you'll dry out the seals/ rubber around the window and if you use it inside, well anything that is plastic/rubber/vinyl may be affected. Here is a quick artivle on it at Autogeek: http://www.autogeek.net/waterspots.html.

 

good article. The guy who tinted my windows told me windex was a no no on the tinting. Man.... glass cleaning just became my new worse nightmare. I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to detailing my car. Looks like i gotta do my homework on window cleaners

 

bugs love MINIs. My chrome grill becomes almost black after a field trip, and a wash is a must

 

After owning my '07 for a year and half, I just now figured out that you can open the rear hatch without the key fob when both front doors are unlocked.

 

haha! took me a while to figure that one out as well!

 

Rear parking lights look different depending on whether the key is in the ignition or not

Key in:



Key out:



I wish I could program it to only light the lower half with the key in.

 

Ooooooooo! Good find!

 

how in the world did you figure that one out?

 

Complete accident - took the keys out to park my other vehicle in the garage and left the parking lights on. When I walked back to the MINI, I noticed them *half on*. I actually thought something was wrong until I figured out the key in our out thing.

They look kind of sly that way - wish I knew about programming - I'm sure it can be changed.

 

LOL but some people just have toooooo much time on their hands.
Although, it is pretty cool.

 

Why is that, Deb?

 

Albiecrazy - I think the second picture makes your car look.. erm.. inebriated.

 

Yeah, dopey at the very least.

 

just picked up mine on friday and omg i have never seen so many bug guts on a front windshield before.

 

I'm wondering why this thread hasn't converted to a sticky. It's a gold mine for all of the new owners who don't want -or don't have the time- to read the manual front to end. Thanks to all of those who have posted!

 

Uh-mm on the taillights with Key in or out....Glad I found this thread....I hardly ever put my keys in the ignition. So much easier keeping them in my pocket. Surprised I have not gotten pulled over yet for Tail lights being out.

 

With an auto, you can push the stick to the left, but not shift manually. This puts the transmission in the sport mode, but keeps the throttle response and steering in the non-sport mode. The readout in the speedo says 'DS'.

I used this in snow quite a bit, because there was significant engine braking available.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Because it's easier to read 2300+ posts than it is to read the manual!

 

But this thread is so much more entertaining.

I have to thank whoever started this thread. My wife just got her Mini and I was able to show her all sorts of tricks!

 

Yep - tons of good information here! I've had mine a few weeks now, and though I have read the manual, this is a great read. Thanks everybody!

I have the Navi with all the wiz-bang gadgetry. I initially thought that the iPhone interface was, well, someone's idea of a bad joke. I could find playlists once and then never again. My MA has been great, and he let me come back for more lessons. He showed me that there are two ways to play music with an iPhone, through the Mini Connected app and as an External Device. The latter is what works for me. The Mini Connected app factors in the button to the right of the joystick ("pages?"), which is how to get back to the playlists. Playing as an external device doesn't require running the Mini Connected app at all, and you can queue up a song on the iPod first, then plug it in.

I know this is purely subjective, but the HK system sounds pretty good!

Until I find something better, the store-bought water bottles fit in those cup holders.

I have yet to learn how to get the NAV to send me "home". I don't think the car comes with a manual for the NAV.

Of course the best thing is driving this zippy little car. I have been driving an '06 Prius, where the goal is to get the gas engine to turn OFF. Big difference. My Mini is an automatic, and I'm not used to all of the shifting gyrations winding down to a stop. Maybe it's my Prius mentality, but I expect to be able to roll to a stop smoothly. I think it's the final shift into 1st gear that does it, but so far that's still puzzling and I sort of jerk and sputter coming to a stop. So driving around town is still taking some getting used to.

Oh- what's the popping sound when the engine decelerates? I assume this is normal, I think I read something here about it. What is that?

Amy

 

"Hissing Noise - Only on MCS, but the car hisses sometimes after a drive. The Auxillary Water pump kicks in and it is cooling off the turbo in your engine."

I am glad I saw your info .... I was beginning to wonder about my 1st MCS, a 2009, purchased just last Thursday. I feel much better now

 

just got my Mini on wednesday and didn't want to read the manual! thanks for this thread