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MINI Cooper - READ ONLY

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Messages Page 122 of 268

#1210 of 2671 MINI sweats the details by arkytect

Jan 26, 2003 (12:11 pm)

Have you noticed these cool details about the MINI Cooper (mine's a 2002 S):
1. You can play the radio/CD for 20 minutes or so even if the car is off and the key is out of the ignition. Then the computer turns it off. You can re-press the power button for more time if you want.
2. Rear glass wiper synchronizes to the windshield wipers. I noticed that the computer wipes the rear glass once for every three windshield wipes in intermittent mode.
3. Manually turning on the overhead dome light also activates the front footwell lights.
4. If you need to fold the rear seats down and use the back area to haul larger objects, the rear cargo cover perfectly fits behind the front seats. Fold the rear seats down. Place the top of the cover upright so that the carpeted(?) top faces the front, resting the arch of the cover over the center hump in the rear floor. Make sure the cover is stowed after the rear seats are folded, and the cover rests ever so nicely on the back of the folded rear headrests. Very nice.
5. Glove box is illuminated, air conditioned (you have to turn the valve, though) and has pencil, coin and glasses storage.
 
Got any more observations? Post 'em.
 
Mike

#1211 of 2671 Lots of things by stryder

Jan 26, 2003 (9:54 pm)

There's a bunch of cool features that I've come to find out are standard BMW stuff.
 
37 degree chime to remind you of freezing roads
 
The Fade of the lights on and off
 
Pressing the trip rest button when the car is off shows the odometer + the clock for a few seconds
 
The climate control is in the shape of the classic Mini logo
 
The Arrow in the middle of the gas tank icon to show which side
 
Pressing the defrost (on climate at least) automatically zaps the fan to high and turns on rear defrost.
 
I know there's lists elsewhere, but I can't remember any other neat things. I'm sure other people can.
 
Personally, the coin holders are nice, but annoying as they don't seem to fit much and always make the coins fly into the back of the glovebox is you close it too quickly. (One of those minor flaws)

#1212 of 2671 one more ... by crcoxe

Jan 27, 2003 (6:45 am)

The reminder for regular scheduled maintenance is catered to your particular driving style. The harder you drive the car, the sooner it calls for oil changes, etc. Its great to get the reminder of how many miles are left until the next scheduled service every time you turn on the ignition. I just turned 9100 miles and will be taking it in this week for the 10,000 mile oil change/service.
 
On the same issue, if you have opted for the trip computer, you can get current info on how many miles you have left on the current tank of gas, as well as your MPG and average speed -- also catered to your driving style.

#1213 of 2671 mudflaps? by segesta

Jan 27, 2003 (1:39 pm)

Maybe this is better for the Problems & Solutions board, but with the Mini's rear wheels being pushed so far back, I find that my rear window is continually filthy from the tire spray (especially in these wonderful Midwestern winters--my Cooper looks like a margarita glass).
 
Does Mini or any aftermarket dealer sell small rear "mudflaps" to minimize the problem? A Google search yielded very little.
 
Thanks--

#1214 of 2671 segesta by crcoxe

Jan 27, 2003 (1:50 pm)

Try www.newminisport.com - follow the links to bodykits and accessories and you should find both front and rear mudflaps. Only problem is pricing is in British pounds. !?!?!?! Not sure if they will take US $$ or not, I didn't inquire any further.
 
And you are not alone with the frosted rear window. It took until winter, but now I understand why the rear wiper is there.

#1215 of 2671 MINI mudflaps are available by hpulley4

Jan 27, 2003 (2:05 pm)

Both front and rear mudflaps are available from your dealer through the accessories catalog. They are quite cheap but require drilling so you might want to have your dealer install them. I got the front ones to protect my paint from rocks but thought the rear ones looked a bit funny even though they might reduce the dirt. It is not a good aerodynamic shape, I'm afraid, so the eddy of air behind the car tends to pick stuff up quite easily.
 
I competed in the Snowy Safari Rally this Saturday night and at every rest stop I must have swept 20 lbs of snow off the rear, plus the 5 pounds at the front of each door even with the front flaps -- what a mess! Fun though, driving fast down crazy winter roads from 11pm to 7am. Lots of cars went off the road but not me and my MINI Cooper

#1216 of 2671 Rear muds by stryder

Jan 27, 2003 (7:02 pm)

I picked up a set of front muds a few weeks back, they said rear's weren't available, perhaps they got cancelled because of their oddball shape?
 
I think they were under $20 for the fronts, but I haven't gotten around to installing them.

#1217 of 2671 15" or 16" by kelisa

Feb 04, 2003 (8:21 pm)

I am about to order my MINI. Is it worth the $500 for the 16" tires? Or should I save myself the money and stick with the standard 15" all-season? Please help!

#1218 of 2671 I've heard ... by markjenn

Feb 04, 2003 (8:43 pm)

that the 16-inchers are the optimal setup for most drivers on the MINI. You get the slot-car handling without the abruptness of the 17's.
 
Having driven neither, take this for what you paid for it.
 
- Mark

#1219 of 2671 15 vs 16 by hpulley4

Feb 05, 2003 (4:50 am)

I drive 16" most of the time. I have the 5-star wheels with Goodyear Eagles for summer use and the X-lite (V-spoke) wheels with Dunlop WinterSports right now for winter use. Both are runflats of 195/55R16 size.
 
I've also driven the 15" 8-spoke wheels with the stock 175/65R15 size all-season tires (not runflat).
 
The 15's are lighter and they soak up the bumps a little bit better. The 16's have better grip and better cornering feel and stability. IMO, the MINI is all about grip and cornering so I suggest you get the 16's. That said, if you are on a budget the car still handles extremely well with the 15's. The difference is there but it isn't night and day.
 
As for looks, only you can decide. The 16's are my favorites but some love the 7-hole 15" wheels or think the 15" 8-spokes are an inexpensive, light alternative to the 17" S-spokes.

Messages Page 122 of 268

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