While my Coupe is in the shop for the past 5 days getting the door molding replaced, I've been driving a Cooper loaner.

I immediately noticed 2 things:
1. If I want to, I can stick my head out the window
2. Putting on the seatbelt is a non-event

Why is doing these two simple things so difficult in the Coupe?

 

Because it's a different shape?

Even easier in a cabrio

But they all have their good points and their bad points. Bet lots of people would trade the can't-stick-your-head-out-the-window and seat belt contortions if they could have the Coupe.

Me, I love my little base Hardtop.

 

Neither of those things bother me. I typically don't want to stick my head out the window. It rains too much in the Northwest and I can latch my seat belt just fine. Just takes some practice.

 

I test drove a Coupe S the other day and liked it quite a bit. The high window line did feel weird though. I'm 5'9, maybe if I was tall, it wouldn't feel so strange.

 

Try to drive a JCW. Big difference from the S.

 

Don't get me wrong - I like my Coupe.
I guess my point was, why is it important for the top of my head to be in the roof? And why can't the seat belts be mounted on the pillars?

I know, I know: that's the styling of the car, and seat belt mounting is the same as in the Roasters. But c'mon MINI, why are these things so important to you?

 

I'm 6'2", so I guess I don't notice the ride height issue. As for the seat belts, again it's a non-issue for me. When I get out of the car, I just reach down and pull the belt around the seat so it's easily accessible when I get back in. It's gotten to be a habit now.

JoanieB,

Do you drive around the Liberty Station area? I think I recall seeing your Mini around one day, as I was looking out my office building. Kink of hard not to notice a bright red Mini with a Union Jack on the roof.

 

I love the feeling of being enclosed in a small cabin in the Coupé, instead of the big, airy feel of the cabin in a Hardtop. It makes you feel like you're driving something even more special, and it's completely true.

As for the roof line, it reminds me of the time I took my aunt for a drive around the block. She got in and said, "How are you supposed to look up at the sky and enjoy the sunshine in this car?" I just looked at her and said, "I don't drive this car because I want to look at the sky. I drive this car because I want to DRIVE this car!" And after our trip around the block, she understood exactly how I felt. Now she wants a MINI!

 

I keep seat belt pads on mine because I hate when a belt cuts into my neck, and the pads are just thick enough to keep the belts from slipping back behind the seats. That way, they're always "right there" when I reach for them. On the other hand, the pads are soft enough that if I WANT the belts to slip behind, I just have to do a quick tuck and they are gone.

It would be handy, though, if MINI put seat belt guides on the sides of the seats, like I have in my Supra.

Unlike my dog, I have never tried to stick my head out the window, so I can't offer any words of wisdom on that issue.

 

Yes, that was me!! Last year, for the British car show, and then a couple of times for art events. She does stand out in a crowd!! Hey, join us for breakfast some time, pm me if you're interested!

 

How much would it cost MINI to anchor the seat belts on the pillar in the Coupe? 30 cents extra? I'd gladly pay that... As for sticking my head out the window, it's an issue at every drive-up ATM.

 

Because the Coupe and Roadster share the same platform, they are configured the same. The Roadster doesn't have any B-pillars to attach seatbelts to, so the Coupe doesn't attach them there, either. They are probably not meant for weight-bearing and possibly not strong enough to anchor seatbelts.

 

I guess that's what really bugs me about this: To MINI, the Coupe is just a cheaper Roadster...