I'm sure it has to be common knowledge but I could not find a mention of it here. I looked in the owners manual (albiet forum and OM searches were cursory) and did not see mention of the function.

When I open my door (with the window up) the window goes down approx .2" and when I close the door the window raises fully. It seems to be so that one can close the door without having to slam it. The .2" drop allows air to escape as the door closes.

Alright, I'm prepared to hear how everyone knows this already

 

I'm pretty sure I learned this from the Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI thread. It is a cool feature, not just because it keeps the windows from blowing out but because the sound and action is so noticable it almost always gets a comments from those unfamiliar with it.

It is definitely a fun feature.

 

It is normal and prevents the top of the glass from contacting the bottom edge of the door jam when the door is closed

 

This is common for all the cars without window frames, especially coupes.

This feature is for the window to sit to the rubber sealent perfectly when fully closed.

On my other car, when it rarely malfunctions, the window doesn`t sit to the rubber sealent. So it has to lower and then rise for a proper sit.

 

I swore I read this in official MINI literature. It may not be in the main owner's manual, but there is another brochure with a name like "Things you didn't know about your MINI" (maybe it's just on website?)

 

Not that uncommon on contemporary coupes. Works well. Occasionally gets "out of sync" If memory serves me, the owner's manual on our 04 Cooper had a paragraph on resetting the function but I never had to use it.

Sometimes it would stick w/ winter snow. You will know by a whistling/suqeaky noise from window. Just hit the window lift button and it will raise the window and get back on cycle.

 

But did you know…

If you close the door and the window does not rise, put the key in the ignition and turn to the first position then lift up on the window switch and hold for 10 seconds. It will reset the circuit and work properly again.