I believe it can be set up so that it's opened manually using the switch. Has anyone done this? Is it possible just to disable it somehow using a tool?

 

The simplest way I know of would be to remove the fuse with the spoiler in the down position. I'm not aware of any tool of way to disable the switch.

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Judging by mine, if you take out the fuse, you will still trigger the warning system if you go over 50mph and it will 'bong' at you for evermore - the rack may fit but your brain will be fried by the bonging.

 

Ditch the bike. It makes no sense not to be able to disable the spoiler. Some guys cover froze and the spoiler was trying to get out. They should add it to the menu like if your doors lock automatically.

 

May not help but I had the Mini Fini hitch installed and I can easily accommodate a bike rack now. When not hauling the bike I leave the Super Bumper in place for those pesky tailgaters. I love that Mini Fini looks great on and off the Mini. Nice addition if you have a Mini Service area that can do the modification for you.

 

And it also depends on what you ride? I have two bikes. A Madone Six Series Project One and a Brompton. Look into a Brompton as a folding bike you will not need a bike rack and they come in six speeds. See www.brompton.com

 

The cars ecu doesn't like it when the auto spoiler can't go up and down. Will make the car perform badly cause it thinks something is wrong.

This was found out when owners started changing out the spoiler for a a fixed one. Just disconnecting the old motorized one messed up the car.

MINI had to reprogram the car for a fixed wing.

So, different bike carrier is the cheapest fix

 

Thanks for that comment. I did not realize there was so much to the rear spoiler but I do love it. Glad I got the Mini Fini hitch for the rear. But that was really for other reasons than a bike and no I don't tow.

There are many folding bikes out there today and I love to take mine to the bike trails at the park so no need to worry about someone stealing it off the back of the car. They even have a folding bike at the Mini Dealership. Showing that new Mini Rack on the Countryman.

I have always preferred a Hitch Bike Rack. No damage to the car that way. Lots of Non Dealership Mini Shops install them as there are others too.

 

It's a safety and stability issue that MINI won't by-pass unless the fixed JCW spoiler is added to the Coupe.

 

I'm betting that might be true for the Coupé with its downward-facing spoiler over the hatch, where the bootlid spoiler is required for high speed stability - Audi got caught with the early TTs having this problem in Germany.

But I think on the Roadster that anything happening behind the raised or lowered soft top is pretty irrelevant aerodynamically. For the Roadster I suspect the movable spoiler is just a tacky decoration.

 

Excellent point on the Roadster and it may be overreaction on the Coupe as well. (BMW Attorneys). Either way I had my Coupe retrofit programmed when I installed the fixed spoiler.