Originally Posted by jedi327

Hey guys,

I live in NJ & have had this problem with my '04 MCS both this winter & the winter of 2005. Service techs continue refusing to address the issue, dismissing it as a normal reaction to the "inclement weather we're having." (Funny, I don't see any other vehicles in the same weather having this problem)

I found out today that this is a known issue with Minis manufactured before April 2004. The solution is to replace the original door handles with improved ones that prevent this issue from occurring. Part numbers are 51 21 7 147 503 (Left Outer Door Handle) and 51 21 7 147 504 (Right Outer Door Handle).

I called my service center and requested my handles be replaced with the above part numbers. The document can be found here (pdf):

http://motoringfile.com/files/freeze_out_fix.pdf

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by norm03s

Whats your 03's build date?

Originally Posted by orvillespooner

You describe the symptoms exactly. There is SOMETHING in that door handle, a pin or cog and it will stick when wet and frozen. If this happens and you try warming the handle you may heard an audible "click" when that thing releases. Then you can open the door. No amount of pushing the button will fix it. It acts just like the doors are locked with the lock button. In fact it must be part of the lock mechanism for it to behave in that fashon. Also Wal-Mart has a heater that plug into cigar lighter. It will unfreeze the window so you can lower it and then it will unfreeze the door handle. It is great in a pinch when you find yourself trapped. It's $14.99. I was stuck in MINI at a MacDonalds and I could get the window down, but not open doors. I did not want to crawl out window in public. That's when I discovered the answer. I carry that heater with me now.

Originally Posted by orvillespooner

The problem is that the outer door handle is frozen internally. The button will push in and spring back ok but the door will not open right? What you have to do is warm the handle. No amount of heating the inside of the car will help. Take your bare hand and wrap it around the door handle and in about 30 - 60 seconds the door will open. Believe me this WORKS. This happens especially if you wash the car in freezing temps. But if you can open the window and warm the outer handle you can get out of the car this way. Also letting the sun warm the handle will work but may take 15 minutes. Chances are that your handle just warmed up naturally. I have tested my theory at -22 F.