R56 Please post pictures of your R56 here...
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Canonsburg, PA
This is correct, The front and rear tilt up for venting but if you open the glass all the way the rear glass closes again and the front glass slides all the way back.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
SXEMINI-2
Here are some images of our new R56.
It was delivered with S-winders which I swapped for anthracite R-90's With Hankooks, but got a great deal on some silver R-98's with run flats. The photos look like it's an off-road special, but I had just taken it down from the jack and it had not settled 
I think the silver R-98's look great with the Pure Silver/Black combo. 
Here are SXEMINI-2's R-90's
Here is a couple of shots of 1SXE-MINI our 02 MC
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood, IN
Ah, didn't notice the rear glass closing. Thanks for the info.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
My new Lightning Blue/ black R56 MCS
Well after 4 months of waiting, two orders and many trips/visits/calls to the dealer an hour and a half away in Baton Rouge, she's finally here. Meet Stormy:
http://i16.tinypic.com/2e1vo82.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2vv2ued.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/49krvk0.jpg
Wildone3c i think this one is your car if I'm not mistaken. You really need to go pick it up. Looks like a winner (aka a lot like mine)
http://i13.tinypic.com/2emil4y.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2e1vo82.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2vv2ued.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/49krvk0.jpg
Wildone3c i think this one is your car if I'm not mistaken. You really need to go pick it up. Looks like a winner (aka a lot like mine)
http://i13.tinypic.com/2emil4y.jpg
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Well after 4 months of waiting, two orders and many trips/visits/calls to the dealer an hour and a half away in Baton Rouge, she's finally here. Meet Stormy:
http://i16.tinypic.com/2e1vo82.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2vv2ued.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/49krvk0.jpg
Wildone3c i think this one is your car if I'm not mistaken. You really need to go pick it up. Looks like a winner (aka a lot like mine)
http://i13.tinypic.com/2emil4y.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2e1vo82.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/2vv2ued.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/49krvk0.jpg
Wildone3c i think this one is your car if I'm not mistaken. You really need to go pick it up. Looks like a winner (aka a lot like mine)
http://i13.tinypic.com/2emil4y.jpg
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Very sexxxxxy!!! could you comment on the roof rack.
1. did you have it dealer install or you did it yourself?
2. if dealer install, how much did they charge?
a. how much per hour?
b. how many total labor hours?
3. if you did it yourself, was the "prep" process difficult with cutting out the "prestamped piece of the roof strip."
a. do you have any advice on how not to make a mistake.
4. when you remove the roof rack, how does the "cover cap" look on the car?
5. how is the wind noise?
thank you in advance!!!
1. did you have it dealer install or you did it yourself?
2. if dealer install, how much did they charge?
a. how much per hour?
b. how many total labor hours?
3. if you did it yourself, was the "prep" process difficult with cutting out the "prestamped piece of the roof strip."
a. do you have any advice on how not to make a mistake.
4. when you remove the roof rack, how does the "cover cap" look on the car?
5. how is the wind noise?
thank you in advance!!!
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Actually the rack was anoying to set up
First I gave up (it was cold outside and I got really annoyed with the stupid setup system. Ultimately I set it up on Sunday with minimal to no damage. But let me get into details:
I bought the rack online. Came 25% cheaper than from the dealer. The dealer charges you 245+tax - I paid MSRP - 20% off + 10$ shipping (Classic MINI or Morristown MINI give you 20% NAM discount - see the Vendor section). So it came at 190$ shipped If I recall correctly.
There are design issues with the rack. First - because of the shape of the roof - slifgtly curved - you have to be very careful which one goes front/back and on each one left-right. There is a stupid icon that I was always misplacing. But that is me. Just find some space to be precise how the things stay - you will switch them at least once. And you will get upset.
The rubber edge of the roof has _sort of_ signs where it was pre-stamped to be torn. Look in bright light - they are rather hard to see. There are some _very discrete_ punchings. Well - they give you in the kit a credit card-like plastic that you slide under the rubber edge to slightly lift the border to see better the punching. And they give you a tweezer to pinch the rubber and peel the stamped edge off. That was annoying because the punchings are so discrete and you have to rip the rubber with those tweezers - a rather tedious task. And the final edge is... imperfect at best - and will give you grief when trying to push the jaws of the mount thru it.
Now - the major weakness of the rack is the jaws and the bronze nut. There are two pivoting jaws that are held by a bronze nut that you have to unscrew to angle, push them hard thru the newly opened holes in the roof and then screw the nut back on to make the jaws bite the metal part of the roof.
This is the time when - if not careful - you will scratch the roof of the car. I used two large towels wrapped around the pillars to prevent scratching when the mount slides on the top of the car. Advice - if you decide on mounting - do it with a helper. I did it by myself and I was cursing all the time.
The bronze nut has a collar that presses the jaws. Don't loosen the nut too much - the jaws will pop out of the collar (it is a nut with two washers and a spacer in fact - and the jaws slide between those two washers and pivot). Harder to explain and I am not the technophile type).
But overall it will take you a good hour to figure out how the things are set up for the first time - and then you will be able to do it by yourself.
There are some (quite discrete) hole covers - so when the rack is removed the roof looks good (if you did not scratch it).
About the install price - if the dealer gives you a 50$ fee - 1/2 hr - go for it. I was quite tense while doing it not to damage the roof. I have a very small scratch of the roof (hidden behind a pillar) - not the paint - just the coating. Now - if you plan to remove the rack a few times - you will have to know how to set it up or take it out - so it will be worth it to try to do it by yourself (with help! - even spousal help).
It is reasonably quiet (at 50-60 miles/hour). But you will add a bike (I assume) and obviously it will be less quiet. I care less about quietness than practicality.
Hope that helps. I can answer more questions later tonight.
MMM
(did I say "annoying" enough? I think that was the overall mood when instaling it. The Yakima I had on my previous car was a piece of cake compared with this one. However - it seems sturdy. I shook the car by grabbing the rack and it seems quite stable, leveled ans solid).
I bought the rack online. Came 25% cheaper than from the dealer. The dealer charges you 245+tax - I paid MSRP - 20% off + 10$ shipping (Classic MINI or Morristown MINI give you 20% NAM discount - see the Vendor section). So it came at 190$ shipped If I recall correctly.
There are design issues with the rack. First - because of the shape of the roof - slifgtly curved - you have to be very careful which one goes front/back and on each one left-right. There is a stupid icon that I was always misplacing. But that is me. Just find some space to be precise how the things stay - you will switch them at least once. And you will get upset.
The rubber edge of the roof has _sort of_ signs where it was pre-stamped to be torn. Look in bright light - they are rather hard to see. There are some _very discrete_ punchings. Well - they give you in the kit a credit card-like plastic that you slide under the rubber edge to slightly lift the border to see better the punching. And they give you a tweezer to pinch the rubber and peel the stamped edge off. That was annoying because the punchings are so discrete and you have to rip the rubber with those tweezers - a rather tedious task. And the final edge is... imperfect at best - and will give you grief when trying to push the jaws of the mount thru it.
Now - the major weakness of the rack is the jaws and the bronze nut. There are two pivoting jaws that are held by a bronze nut that you have to unscrew to angle, push them hard thru the newly opened holes in the roof and then screw the nut back on to make the jaws bite the metal part of the roof.
This is the time when - if not careful - you will scratch the roof of the car. I used two large towels wrapped around the pillars to prevent scratching when the mount slides on the top of the car. Advice - if you decide on mounting - do it with a helper. I did it by myself and I was cursing all the time.
The bronze nut has a collar that presses the jaws. Don't loosen the nut too much - the jaws will pop out of the collar (it is a nut with two washers and a spacer in fact - and the jaws slide between those two washers and pivot). Harder to explain and I am not the technophile type).
But overall it will take you a good hour to figure out how the things are set up for the first time - and then you will be able to do it by yourself.
There are some (quite discrete) hole covers - so when the rack is removed the roof looks good (if you did not scratch it).
About the install price - if the dealer gives you a 50$ fee - 1/2 hr - go for it. I was quite tense while doing it not to damage the roof. I have a very small scratch of the roof (hidden behind a pillar) - not the paint - just the coating. Now - if you plan to remove the rack a few times - you will have to know how to set it up or take it out - so it will be worth it to try to do it by yourself (with help! - even spousal help).
It is reasonably quiet (at 50-60 miles/hour). But you will add a bike (I assume) and obviously it will be less quiet. I care less about quietness than practicality.
Hope that helps. I can answer more questions later tonight.
MMM
(did I say "annoying" enough? I think that was the overall mood when instaling it. The Yakima I had on my previous car was a piece of cake compared with this one. However - it seems sturdy. I shook the car by grabbing the rack and it seems quite stable, leveled ans solid).
Very sexxxxxy!!! could you comment on the roof rack.
1. did you have it dealer install or you did it yourself?
2. if dealer install, how much did they charge?
a. how much per hour?
b. how many total labor hours?
3. if you did it yourself, was the "prep" process difficult with cutting out the "prestamped piece of the roof strip."
a. do you have any advice on how not to make a mistake.
4. when you remove the roof rack, how does the "cover cap" look on the car?
5. how is the wind noise?
thank you in advance!!!
1. did you have it dealer install or you did it yourself?
2. if dealer install, how much did they charge?
a. how much per hour?
b. how many total labor hours?
3. if you did it yourself, was the "prep" process difficult with cutting out the "prestamped piece of the roof strip."
a. do you have any advice on how not to make a mistake.
4. when you remove the roof rack, how does the "cover cap" look on the car?
5. how is the wind noise?
thank you in advance!!!
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Few observations about the roof rack
Drove the car this morning, more careful (I installed the roof rack 2 days ago). The rack is silent until you reach 60 mph. At 65-70 mph there is a distinct (high-pitched) whistling sound. It is not loud - but because of the frequency - it is rather obvious. It wasn't there on my Yakima rack (true - I had a deflector).
The profile of the rack is quasi-eliptical. I don't know if installing some wind deflectors (Yakima has some - called WindJammers) would reduce the whistling. They are 17$ apiece...
I'll use for skiing and biking. The PowerHounds from Yakima fit well (and they are 80-90$ a pair). I bought the bike rack from MINI, though (had a King Cobra that is way too bulky).
Now - about the installing. Few other details:
- you will be supplied with four plugs for the fixing holes. When taking the rack off - those plugs will be reasonably flush with the rubber edge of the roof.
- I cannot emphasize more the need for help when fitting them - and the wrapping of the pillars with towels to prevent the scratching of the roof.
- careful with the bronze nuts/washers. I did damage the tthread of one nut - and I was really careful. Luckily - it holds still veryy well.
MMM
The profile of the rack is quasi-eliptical. I don't know if installing some wind deflectors (Yakima has some - called WindJammers) would reduce the whistling. They are 17$ apiece...
I'll use for skiing and biking. The PowerHounds from Yakima fit well (and they are 80-90$ a pair). I bought the bike rack from MINI, though (had a King Cobra that is way too bulky).
Now - about the installing. Few other details:
- you will be supplied with four plugs for the fixing holes. When taking the rack off - those plugs will be reasonably flush with the rubber edge of the roof.
- I cannot emphasize more the need for help when fitting them - and the wrapping of the pillars with towels to prevent the scratching of the roof.
- careful with the bronze nuts/washers. I did damage the tthread of one nut - and I was really careful. Luckily - it holds still veryy well.
MMM
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Drove the car this morning, more careful (I installed the roof rack 2 days ago). The rack is silent until you reach 60 mph. At 65-70 mph there is a distinct (high-pitched) whistling sound. It is not loud - but because of the frequency - it is rather obvious. It wasn't there on my Yakima rack (true - I had a deflector).
The profile of the rack is quasi-eliptical. I don't know if installing some wind deflectors (Yakima has some - called WindJammers) would reduce the whistling. They are 17$ apiece...
I'll use for skiing and biking. The PowerHounds from Yakima fit well (and they are 80-90$ a pair). I bought the bike rack from MINI, though (had a King Cobra that is way too bulky).
Now - about the installing. Few other details:
- you will be supplied with four plugs for the fixing holes. When taking the rack off - those plugs will be reasonably flush with the rubber edge of the roof.
- I cannot emphasize more the need for help when fitting them - and the wrapping of the pillars with towels to prevent the scratching of the roof.
- careful with the bronze nuts/washers. I did damage the tthread of one nut - and I was really careful. Luckily - it holds still veryy well.
MMM
The profile of the rack is quasi-eliptical. I don't know if installing some wind deflectors (Yakima has some - called WindJammers) would reduce the whistling. They are 17$ apiece...
I'll use for skiing and biking. The PowerHounds from Yakima fit well (and they are 80-90$ a pair). I bought the bike rack from MINI, though (had a King Cobra that is way too bulky).
Now - about the installing. Few other details:
- you will be supplied with four plugs for the fixing holes. When taking the rack off - those plugs will be reasonably flush with the rubber edge of the roof.
- I cannot emphasize more the need for help when fitting them - and the wrapping of the pillars with towels to prevent the scratching of the roof.
- careful with the bronze nuts/washers. I did damage the tthread of one nut - and I was really careful. Luckily - it holds still veryy well.
MMM
thank you for the very detailed steps. sounds like having two people will be necessary for a first time set up. good to hear that there is very little wind noise until 60mph. not sure when i would drive under 60mph. is that observation with the naked base system? i assume that you have not attached a bike /ski rack to the base system yet.
yes, i will be using this for MTBing. i live in So. Cal, so i get to bike year round. that is why wind noise is important for me because i would go nuts if too loud.
which Mini bike mount did you buy? the fork mount or wheel mount? i would guess that the fork mount would be less bulky/noisy. i was actually thinking of getting a Thule bike mount. do you know if the MINI bike mount is made by Thule?
thanks
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Bonits Springs FL
its the little details that matter.. looks very very nice.... good job.MANY thanks on the insight for the base system. I plan on ordering this week. Still hunting for a bike. Thinking of Kona, Cube, or someting along those lines mtb. Greatly appreciate the pics...
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Details that matter
True that. I can take some pictures of the interior - notable mentions would be:
- stainless steel pedal upgrades (they don't come standard in MC - just in MCS
- by far the striking difference would be the "old fashion" arm rest - the bulky steady one, not the flimsy stock one
- coat hanger - from the BMW catalog :-)
- nuvi 660 and Escort wired in - still an ongoing job.
Thank you for the compliments. I can show you also the new dinged passenger door - but that is another issue :-(
MMM
- stainless steel pedal upgrades (they don't come standard in MC - just in MCS
- by far the striking difference would be the "old fashion" arm rest - the bulky steady one, not the flimsy stock one
- coat hanger - from the BMW catalog :-)
- nuvi 660 and Escort wired in - still an ongoing job.
Thank you for the compliments. I can show you also the new dinged passenger door - but that is another issue :-(
MMM
wow, I just noticed as I reviewed the pic for a zillionth time. You have the magnetic rock 'protector' and mud flaps. Nice its the little details that matter.. looks very very nice.... good job.
MANY thanks on the insight for the base system. I plan on ordering this week. Still hunting for a bike. Thinking of Kona, Cube, or someting along those lines mtb. Greatly appreciate the pics...
its the little details that matter.. looks very very nice.... good job.MANY thanks on the insight for the base system. I plan on ordering this week. Still hunting for a bike. Thinking of Kona, Cube, or someting along those lines mtb. Greatly appreciate the pics...
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood, IN
Thule does not make the MINI rack. I spoke with their US product manager as they were off to the NY auto show to check out the R56. They were operating under the assumption that their current setup for the R53 would work, though he said it would be around June or July for them to set up a new system if necessary. Haven't had a chance to follow-up yet.
