[pimpernel]

My wife and I were parked in Bushey Park in our Mini One 7 when a new blue Mini One pulled up along side. The driver was a motoring journalist looking for a drivers comparison. My impressions were not good. The new One has a drinkers nose and no longer has the continuous glass perimeter.

Inside, the centre console is dreadful with some of the switches having the appearance of stuck on chewing gum. My current centre console look workmanlike with the automatic air conditioning controls and a fully populated row of switches. I have been trying to think of the advantage of the key/starter button with no real success. In all if offered a straight swap I would have to decline; keeping the quality car.

Look out for me in the August issue.

[*Vikki*]

August issue of MM mag? and i agree with your points you have made

[bainy1]

Quote: Originally Posted by pimpernel (original)

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I have been trying to think of the advantage of the key/starter button with no real success..

I think the only advantage of the new key is for the dealer when servicing the car as it stores the cars info, so they plug it in to some kind of reader when you arrive and it gives them a print out of what's required.

[stone26]

Not that it's a big thing that would sway anyone to the new key system, but you now have the control to program some of the features that on the old key you had to got to the dealer for e.g the way the doors unlock (first press driver opens, second press all open or first press all are open).

The new key also stores more information about your favorite radio station, preferred hi-fi volume etc. So if you have two people using the same car the cars environment will change depending on which person key is inserted.