Today my flat tire warning light went on, not flashing but steady. I pulled over and checked the air pressure--all of them seemed to have about 35 lbs in them. Just to be safe I drove all the way to the MINI of Peabody dealership (at under 50 mph). At first the mechanics/computer guys couldn't figure out why the light should be on; the tires appeared fine. Finally Gary found the problem: a coffee-drenched circuit board from under the emergency brake (where there is a little "flat tire" symbol just like the one on the speedometer. While fixing my coffee in the parking lot of a Dunkin Donuts earlier, the cup had tipped and spilled a quantity of coffee. I had taken great pains to mop it all up (I thought), but had no idea about this little box by the emergency brake. The coffee shorted out the run-flat circuitry. COFFEE DRINKERS BEWARE! Gary said it would be about $70 and would probably not be covered by the warrantee because it was user-caused . But I will call MINI USA tomorrow and see if they will pay for it--they *should* have a gasket sealing that box, considering its location near where drinks are located!

 

 

Don't Panic! All MINI Coopers have the Flat Tire Moniter System. So there is nothing to worry about! Right? Uh, HEY!! If all MINI Coopers have the Flat Tire Monitor System then No one is safe!!

DK Silver/White, 3 packs plus lapis,arrival est 09/05/02

 

Yes, I agree - that is some poor design. I'm a little depressed that we first year owners get to find and pay for all these design faux pas while those who buy a mini in a year or two will no doubt have:

1) Better pedal covers
2) Gaskets around their e-breaks
3) Seats and hatches that don't squeak
4) MCS's that start first try
5) S side grilles that don't fall off
6) Etc... Etc... Etc...

-Greg

 

I don't see why they should seal that switch. It's not anywhere near the cupholders so why would there be liquid there?

MINI shouldn't have to pay for your clumsiness. Don't mean to be rude but that's really what it comes down to.

 

>>I don't see why they should seal that switch. It's not anywhere near the cupholders so why would there be liquid there?
>>
>>MINI shouldn't have to pay for your clumsiness. Don't mean to be rude but that's really what it comes down to.

I agree that there is a certain amount of clumsiness involved, but I also think that this would be a foreseeable occurance. Think about it, if you were holding the drink in your hand and slipped, it would be very likely that liquid could get in to a switch mounted horizontally by the hand brake. After all, that is near where your hand would be...

 

what the heck are you doing drinking coffee in your new mini!!!! have a little respect for her would yah !!!!

 

a

 

NA, don't call MINI.. call the lady who spilled her coffee and took Micky D's to court and got millions... maybe you could too.. look at all the PAIN you went through to find out the problem... Heck you had to drive under 50 MPH .. now that's painful!!!!

 

>>I'm sure we're all guilty of spilling something in our car. Manufacturers should have this in mind when designing their cars. It seems MINI may have put more emphasis on form more than function on certain areas of the car.
>>
>>I think MINI should pay for this. It's almost considered a design flaw more than anything.

So you're saying that if you spill something on your carpets, MINI should pay for cleaning or replacement because they didn't provide stain-repellant carpet? After all, they should know that you might spill something on the carpet.

Or perhaps if you smoke in the car and cause a cigarette burn in the upholstery, MINI should replace it because they could have anticipated that you might smoke in the car?

I suggest the alternative course of sucking it up and taking responsibility for your actions. I just don't believe the manufacturer should be responsible for damage you cause to your car.

 

Amen!

 

Us Americans have this real BAD HABIT of eating and drinking while we drive (Among other bad road behaviors such as Cellular phones, et al). In Europe you very rarely see people munching or using their portable phones when are behind the wheel.

I agree. You spilled the coffee, is your mistake not the manufacturers! The car industry can't make 100% fail safe cars right down to the location of the cupholders, impossible!.

People need to learn to be accountable for their own actions! What's happening to our 'spoiled' generation??? :evil:

 

There are actually two issues here...1) Design and 2) Liability.

re. the first, I'll bet that BMW will add a rubber gasket at some point down the line. So it's good that this type of issue gets brought before dealers and makes it way eventually to the designers. I'll bet US car manufs have legions of testers splashing Big Gulps all over the interiors of most American cars looking specifically for these sorts of design "flaws"

But re. liability, I'm with sjbartnik et al....We've got to take responsibility for our own actions/accidents and the damage that results.

 

>>Why would you leave valuable electronics unprotected like that? MINI should've put some sort of cover over it.
>>
>>>>
>>I'm sure we're all guilty of spilling something in our car. Manufacturers should have this in mind when designing their cars. It seems MINI may have put more emphasis on form more than function on certain areas of the car.
>>
>>I think MINI should pay for this. It's almost considered a design flaw more than anything.
------------------------------
I'm with you!
To sjbartnik and jsun, I'm much better equipped now to take responsibility for where I spill my coffee, now that I know I can't spill it over the emergency brake :smile:
Bottom line: I'm out $70, MINI will not pay, but I bet MINI will seal the tire monitor electronics or move them in a future model.
I don't *expect* MINI to pay, but it would have been really nice customer relations.

 

Please. Is this whole topic a joke and I'm not getting the punch line?

 

Is it me, or is everyone missing the simple reason that this switch/contact should be waterproof. THE SUNROOF?!??! Hello? Has NOBODY here who has a sunroof ever leave it open and had it rain before they could run outside before they could close it? Is this that hard of a scenario to think up?

Rocketboy_X

 

I'm with you, waxmuseum! I still can't get over the fact that this guy was drinking coffee in his MINI! I've already told my 10 yr old son and wife there will be NO food or beverage in the MINI. Not on MY leather seats or blue carpet...NO WAY! Geez!

 

ochichernie,
I want you to know that I do see your point and I want to commend you for remaining calm and sticking to reason even in the face of my abruptness :smile:

Often these types of discussions will turn into a flamefest so I commend you for being able to present your point and well-thought-out argument even in the face of my abrupt criticism.

I still don't think MINI should be responsible and I don't see the issue as a design flaw but I can certainly see where you're coming from with your argument and that means you've argued it well and logically.

 

a

 

>>sjbartnik, I don't want to get in a long, draw-out debate (it kinda already is) but,
>>

Too late!

>>You honestly can't see a design flaw? I'm not being sarcastic. I'm just asking a question.
>>

No, I just don't see it as a design flaw. I can certainly see it as a "would be nice" kind of thing, but the switch is in an area where liquid should not be present and so I feel like the design is fine based on that. Again, I can certainly see it being something nice to have, but they've gotta keep costs down somewhere so I suspect that's one of the places.

 

>>No, I just don't see it as a design flaw. I can certainly see it as a "would be nice" kind of thing, but the switch is in an area where liquid should not be present

Yes, liquid shoud not be present on the e-break... but if you have a sunroof, look up, there's a big honkin window above you. Now, can't you reasonable imagine a situation where someone left their sunroof open in the morning on a sunny day, and while at their desk dilligentally working in the bowels of Something Co., it starts to rain outside. Should this be a $70 rainstorm? I would argue that it shouldn't.

Rocketboy_X

 

Hey, I bought the "leather seats & interior protection warranty" with my MINI, and they told me that any stains, tears, etc would be repaired/replaced at no charge...
maybe they only offer this option to messy Americans?

 

Had to throw my two cents in on this rather long winded slightly silly subject. I have seen many convertables that got left in the rain for a bit with the top down and things got messed up because of that, now this begs the question: Is it the car makers fault for not protecting the stuff or the owners fault for not putting the top up/ closing the sunroof/ spilling drinks???? I think as car owners you have to take some of the responsibility for treating your car well and within limits. I really can't see the Mini engineers walking around a car and throwing cups of water at things to see if it will break'em.

 

A tad too tense,

how 'bout a "group hug" ?



The answers are :
1) "Yes", it's a dumb *** design.
2) "No", MINI shouldn't have to pay for it.
3) "Yes", MINI owners have legitimate reasons to complain, and this would be a good forum to do it.
4) "Yes", MINI USA would be well advised, upon reading of the experiences and aggravation of enthusiastic MINI owners, so predisposed to loving the car, that they bought the first ones into the country, make the inexpensive design change to waterproof the item, and eliminate a source of complaint hence forth.

 

Is there an aftermarket "interior water-proofing" kit yet??