I just got my first MCS, not brand new but still in warranty. There are a couple of things that don't seem quite right and I was wondering if they are common or just specific to mine. If anyone has had similar or the same things fixed I would be courious to hear about it.
1. The glove box falls open under hard acceleration and over speed bumps
2. The fresh air from the vents is slightly warm even when the dial is right over to the left (cold)
3. The CD player skips a lot on copied CDs
4. The steering wheel is slightly left of centre when the car is tracking straight
1. Never happened to me (touch wood). Sounds like the latch is not working properly - dealer fix?
2. Can't say Ive noticed but it does make sense
3. Yes. And for a 45K car, Im quite appalled at the quality (or lack thereof) of the standard headunit. I even went out and spent a whole bunch of dollars on special Audio discs and supposed 'anti-skip' media. Still does it. I will be replacing mine when the funds are available.
4. Not in mine, but a common complaint. Can be fixed at the dealer.
Some say he loves gaming and that he also loves house work..... All we know is, he's called The ScottyB!
I have tried about 5 different brands of blank CDs and burnt them using 2 different burners and at all different speeds (a few late nights!) and all for nothing! some work and some don't, but there is no consistancy.
Do you know of a good head unit that can play MP3s and will work with the steering wheel controls?
I had my glovebox replaced as it would just open even without hitting a bump, just badly fitted. There is a thread in the Faults and Fixes forum with a DIY solution, I'd suggest getting the dealer to replace it.
No fresh air problems
CD has only skipped twice in 18,000kms and that was when hitting potholes at speed
Haven't noticed the steering wheel being off centre but have read other threads on the same topic.
1.i dont have a glove box so it doesnt open when its goes at 180km/h
2.Do u have the climate control or the dials? mine is climate control u can turn it off by taking the wind all the was to no air. Apparently Euro cars heats up faster then the Jap cars
3. Mine dont play Copied CD very well either but if u put a genuine cd then the copied one might help it read.
4. My MC is kinda like that as well .... draggin on the left a little but its only slight but not a major concern for me.
BMW is still revising the car constantly because the new r50 mini is only out for a couple of yrs i'm sure there will be fixes for you're problems in the not so distant future.
Me also. 3 burners and most speeds tested - same as you - no results. I find it incredible that such a well built car has such a pathetic headunit in it...
Cant say Ive done too much searching yet for replacement decks, but getting one to work with the MFSW doesnt sound too likely to me (possibly a search over in 'Interior & Ice' or start a new thread?) but I for one am going to wait to see what the MP3 deck is like in the '05 MINIs - or alternatively, see how the iPod integration goes.
The iPod seems the best bet to me, as its larger storage, wont rely on the cr@ppy deck to read any discs and it will work with the MFSW.
Scotty
Some say he loves gaming and that he also loves house work..... All we know is, he's called The ScottyB!
3 - may be the quality of your burned cd's. Mine is fine.
4 - Get a wheel alignment by a suspension specialist - very early cars had a pull to the left problem, but only if it is built before June 02, and it should have been fixed long ago.
4. Mine's a May 04 built car and it the steering wheel is also pointed to the left. Spoke to dealer about it and this should be covered under warranty.
Im now on my second headunit and its not really any better than the first one.
Ive tried pretty much all those media types Todd, so thats not the issue - I would however, be interested to know what you (and anyone else who doesnt have any trouble with playing burnt discs) are using to burn the CDs?
I use Lite-on drives at home and have a Creative drive here at work. No success with either. Regardless of burn speeds.
Some say he loves gaming and that he also loves house work..... All we know is, he's called The ScottyB!
Hi Tom, I'm the king of mini MINI niggles. My car has been into Brisbane BMW around 10 times in the near on 2 years I've had it.
The Glove Box, they'll fix at the dealer with new latch.
The AirCon should definately be addressed as soon as you can with your dealer, there are a number of faults that come and go with the MINI A/C.
Pull To The Left problem, it's a characteristic of the MINI they say, the fact that the suspension is so firm and the handling so direct only enhances this characteristic too. Road cambers and even the smallest of road surface imperfections and trackings from things like trucks will also dramatically affect the pull of the MINI's steering, particularly if you have 17" wheels or a wider aftermarket 16" tyre such as mine. There's not much you can do about it but go fast and hang on. I have found the MINI to be an almost exhausting car to drive at times, but also the most dynamic car I have ever driven.
As for the skipping your dealer should address the issue and have the unit serviced or even replaced, but burnt CD's are much more prone to skipping than original discs. I have been told that this is simply due to the depth of the burn as opposed to the stamping process that occurs on an original disc. I too play 99% burnt cd's in my car, but have a very very low percentage that skip. It could be something as simple as a laser re-alignment on the head unit. I am pretty impressed with the head unit in the MINI all in all. I think for a stock system the calrity and sound quality are quite good and the power of the unit is also pretty good for a stock system. But I'm certainly no Audiophile.
Further to the build quality issues with the MINI, well what can I say. It's the first generation of a new model and it's an English built sports car, so there's bound to be minor issues, they do however get annoying and I'm always questioning my purchase, especially given the cost of the MINI Cooper S, at $40K + it's unacceptable to have the level of minor problems the have with the MINI, but I think for many of us it's a love hate relationship at times.
Good Luck and if you or your dealer needs any advice call Antony Doyle in service at Brisbane BMW on 07 3853 0000, I've absolutely hammerd him on just about anything that can go wrong with a car and he's been great, so based on my car alone he should be able to alert you or your dealer on how to fix just about everything to do with the MINI.
02 MCS gone after 2 years of fun and new friends, and 10 visits to the service dept at Brisbane BMW.
You don't know the meaning of practical until you've owned a Camry! (seriously it's not a bad car though )
Thanks to all for the advise, I will let you all know what happens after I take it in. I am waiting for a part as a result of the first service - so I'll get the above things addressed when they finally call me to say it has arrived.
I've only found one cure for the factory HU skip problems.
Carefully extract the HU (http://punkey.net/mini/howto.html), and move away from your MINI. Next, balance the factory HU on the edge of the trash can, and then gently nudge it until it falls in. Finally, fit a decent aftermarket HU.
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I find it incredible that such a well built car has such a pathetic headunit in it...
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