R56 The turn signals are DUMB. Who came up with them?
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
Quite a bit of traffic on this thread! Looks like there are some who have similar feelings about some of the ergonomics of the car. Also some who think that the Mini MUST NOT BE BESMIRCHED! THOU SHALT NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THY MINI! Forgive me, it's in my nature. For my work, I take perfectly good cars and modify them. I can't leave well enough alone, and there will never be a product that I won't have some suggestion for improving...
Um, thanks. Your comment is very helpful.
That was sarcasm. But good point about not triggering the high beams.
I...I don't know what to say. This post just stunned me.
Exactly!
I guess my take is that there are certain things (in terms of car ergonomics) that have become standard because they work. This car tinkers with some of those things, and I don't really see the benefit, although I see the downside in my not being able to quickly and easily adjust to their use. Of course I will eventually adjust, and after a while it'll be normal. But I feel a bit put off by having to adjust in the first place. Thank goodness the gear shifter still works like a normal one, and the steering wheel too. If they put a joystick in for steering, I'm bailing out for sure.
One last anecdote about the ergonomics of starting/stopping cars: The other day I dyno tested a Honda S2000. I turned the key all the way over; nothing happened. Ah ha! There's an Engine Start button. I was smug because I figured that out before anyone noticed. Start car, complete dyno test, go to turn engine off. Grrrrkkkkkk! Ooops. It's ONLY a start button! It engages the starter, just as the key did in the old days. By pushing the Engine Start button again, I tried to restart the car while it was running. Very embarrassing.
--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net
Um, thanks. Your comment is very helpful.
That was sarcasm. But good point about not triggering the high beams.
I...I don't know what to say. This post just stunned me.
Exactly!
I guess my take is that there are certain things (in terms of car ergonomics) that have become standard because they work. This car tinkers with some of those things, and I don't really see the benefit, although I see the downside in my not being able to quickly and easily adjust to their use. Of course I will eventually adjust, and after a while it'll be normal. But I feel a bit put off by having to adjust in the first place. Thank goodness the gear shifter still works like a normal one, and the steering wheel too. If they put a joystick in for steering, I'm bailing out for sure.
One last anecdote about the ergonomics of starting/stopping cars: The other day I dyno tested a Honda S2000. I turned the key all the way over; nothing happened. Ah ha! There's an Engine Start button. I was smug because I figured that out before anyone noticed. Start car, complete dyno test, go to turn engine off. Grrrrkkkkkk! Ooops. It's ONLY a start button! It engages the starter, just as the key did in the old days. By pushing the Engine Start button again, I tried to restart the car while it was running. Very embarrassing.
--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,550
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Hehe. I am like the Mach V Dan guy. I cannot wait to get my new Mini home and completely gut the interior of the car (speakers, and some other tid bits). That's for starters. Then the mechanicals, then the paint.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
Interesting thread. I've been waffling about the keyless ignition option but now think that's the way to go. On my drive home this morning from the airport, I realized that I would have to change my driving mentality when I get my Mini. While driving a big, old truck, it's pretty easy to intimidate some jerk trying to cut you off or prevent a lane change while giving a proper signal. Unfortunately, it would seem I will have to become a bit more aggressive with a shiny new Mini. And as for the turn signal thing: yes, it was weird and confusing during the test drive. But people adapt.
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 3
From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
The upside of the new signal system in the R56, as Robin Casady mentioned in a post above somewhere, is that it looks like we won't be seeing any R56s motoring along, oblivious that their turn signals are still signalling and signalling and signalling. 
That is a pet peeve of mine...never sure if the person intends to change lanes down the road a huge piece or has simply forgotten to turn it off after changing lanes. 
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
...it looks like we won't be seeing any R56s motoring along, oblivious that their turn signals are still signalling and signalling and signalling. That is a pet peeve of mine...never sure if the person intends to change lanes down the road a huge piece or has simply forgotten to turn it off after changing lanes.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Interesting thread. I've been waffling about the keyless ignition option but now think that's the way to go. On my drive home this morning from the airport, I realized that I would have to change my driving mentality when I get my Mini. While driving a big, old truck, it's pretty easy to intimidate some jerk trying to cut you off or prevent a lane change while giving a proper signal. Unfortunately, it would seem I will have to become a bit more aggressive with a shiny new Mini. And as for the turn signal thing: yes, it was weird and confusing during the test drive. But people adapt.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, Virginia
The upside of the new signal system in the R56, as Robin Casady mentioned in a post above somewhere, is that it looks like we won't be seeing any R56s motoring along, oblivious that their turn signals are still signalling and signalling and signalling. That is a pet peeve of mine...never sure if the person intends to change lanes down the road a huge piece or has simply forgotten to turn it off after changing lanes. I'll have to try it in my 335 and see....
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 3
From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
Like for blocks.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
That's a hard one. No information, or obviously erroneous information. I think I'll go with A because it is more common.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, Virginia
even typing that it sounds kooky
Thread Starter
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, VA
:(
--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net