[OctaneGuy]

For the first 3 weeks of ownership, I never realized there were 2 grip handles in the back side of the boot hatch. I closed the hatch by gripping the metal ring latch, and pulling down. It was always painful, and let me say, DON'T DO IT. I think I sprained it or something, because it hurts like you wouldn't believe, just typing this post, and after a week and a half, hasn't gone away.

I watched the CD that came with my MINI on the proper way to close the hatch, and the girl just grabs the grip, and swing the door down.

I've tried this a number of times, only to get in my car, start it, and see the warning that my hatch is still open.

So then I tried slamming it harder, it's an awkward motion--holding it from the inside, and flicking down--kind of like throwing a yo you backhanded.

This time it hit so hard, my rear windshield wiper vibrated against the glass. OUch, that's too scary. I'm afraid I'll blow out the rear windshield doing that.

So now, I've just been using the grips to lower the hatch, then push on the license plate to close it gently. Why not use the chrome? Cause I get finger prints all over it!!!

Just wondering how other people deal with this?

[Paul]

Flip it down from the handles inside, I used them from day one only because Abi's Renault Clio had the same things, and it took me ages to realise. Just give it a firm 'tug and twist' and it's done. Sometimes push on the boot too, just to make sure, but dont like finger prints either.

[OctaneGuy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Flip it down from the handles inside, I used them from day one only because Abi's Renault Clio had the same things, and it took me ages to realise. Just give it a firm 'tug and twist' and it's done. Sometimes push on the boot too, just to make sure, but dont like finger prints either.

Hi Paul!

Are you using both handles? I assume that would be very awkward.
I guess I'm still figuring out how hard I need to slam it to reliably close it everytime. Hate closing it, then getting in the car, only to get out again to close it properly!

Btw, how has fatherhood been for you? We're expecting, and I'm still researching decent travel systems that will fit in my MINI (the kind with quick release triggers from car seat, to stroller). Combi seems to make a seat called the Tyro but at $150US, pretty pricey, and their compatible stroller Ultra Savvy at $270US, ouch! Very compact, but pricey!

I spent 3 hours reading on MINI2 and MCO last night!

[theminiv]

hi there, well i have had many problems with mine, because my boot latch is very tight, and you need to slam it to close it.

Before i acknowledged the problem people used to pull it down a bit, then put thier hand on the mini badge and close it down. Great, i have many dents in that part of my boot.

So then people use the chrome part, great, because this made its way loose, and the dealer say it is a charachteristic of the car?????

so now what i do is push it on the number plate, but still have loads of dents.!!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by RichardLin

Hi Paul!

Are you using both handles? I assume that would be very awkward.
I guess I'm still figuring out how hard I need to slam it to reliably close it everytime. Hate closing it, then getting in the car, only to get out again to close it properly!

Btw, how has fatherhood been for you? We're expecting, and I'm still researching decent travel systems that will fit in my MINI (the kind with quick release triggers from car seat, to stroller). Combi seems to make a seat called the Tyro but at $150US, pretty pricey, and their compatible stroller Ultra Savvy at $270US, ouch! Very compact, but pricey!

I spent 3 hours reading on MINI2 and MCO last night!

Just one handle (either one will do).

Fatherhood is brilliant. Helps that our little chap has a lovely temprament when he is awake, and that he sleeps through the night almost all the time.

I got the MINI Isofix (USA = Latch) baby seat 0+ that you can buy here, and we've got a seperate Peg Perego(?) (Mamas and Papas) buggy that folds and fits into the MINI boot easily.

Most of the time I strap Alfie onto my font using a sling/strap thing. It's nice and comforting for him, gives me a bit of excercise, and means I/we don't have to push a buggy around on walks/through the shops getting in everyone's way including our own!

[OctaneGuy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Just one handle (either one will do).

Fatherhood is brilliant. Helps that our little chap has a lovely temprament when he is awake, and that he sleeps through the night almost all the time.

I got the MINI Isofix (USA = Latch) baby seat 0+ that you can buy here, and we've got a seperate Peg Perego(?) (Mamas and Papas) buggy that folds and fits into the MINI boot easily.

Most of the time I strap Alfie onto my font using a sling/strap thing. It's nice and comforting for him, gives me a bit of excercise, and means I/we don't have to push a buggy around on walks/through the shops getting in everyone's way including our own!

re: fatherhood
Oh that's great! I get to watch my 11 month old nephew grow and he is so adorable--making sounds like he's trying to talk. We had a miscarriage, so we had to start over again! But looks like this time it's a sure thing!

re: Mamas and Papas
They have some beautiful stuff over there. Saw it for my first time last night.

Thanks for that bit of off topic info!

[scooterboy]

You might try adjusting the rubber pieces that control the tightness of the fit. Open the hatch - halfway down each side on the inside of the door you'll find rubber pegs that are screwed in. Twist them clockwise to make them protrude less, and the hatch door should close with less force. Don't turn them too far though - it may leave the fit too loose.

[stryder]

I always pushed on the license plate, but it depends how dextrous you are, you should be able to pull down on a handle from the inside and get your hand out of the way...

I never really had a problem using the license plate. Just seemed to work (But I did have problems with passengers getting their grubby fingerprints on the bottom of the hatch)

But do try adjusting the rubber things, its a tricky balance of having them out enough to prevent rattles but not making it impossible to close.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by stryder

I always pushed on the license plate, but it depends how dextrous you are, you should be able to pull down on a handle from the inside and get your hand out of the way...

I never really had a problem using the license plate. Just seemed to work (But I did have problems with passengers getting their grubby fingerprints on the bottom of the hatch)

But do try adjusting the rubber things, its a tricky balance of having them out enough to prevent rattles but not making it impossible to close.

Another vote for the license late. Used it from day one.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by RichardLin

re: fatherhood
Oh that's great! I get to watch my 11 month old nephew grow and he is so adorable--making sounds like he's trying to talk. We had a miscarriage, so we had to start over again! But looks like this time it's a sure thing!

re: Mamas and Papas
They have some beautiful stuff over there. Saw it for my first time last night.

Thanks for that bit of off topic info!

Alfies 10 weeks old now, amazing how time flies! He's a real chatter box too (in a cant speak a word but goos and giggles away to himself and us!). Wish we knew what he was trying to say.

[Dutchy]

I use the metal latch on the Hatchback to initially bring the hatch down, and then I use the number plate to close it firmly. So far I haven't had any strains in my hands from using this method - although it did take me a while to realise that there are handles on the inside, DOH!

Dutchy

[NEMINI]

handles are too awkward for me i just grab the lip then give a push near the release on the way down

[basil the dog]

I use the interior handles to flip the hatch down to near the horizontal - then use the MINI badge to close the hatch fully - this appears to leave no finger marks on the rear hatch and makes sure that the hatch is closed fully - and I dont get any rattles form the back of the car!

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Alfies 10 weeks old now, amazing how time flies! He's a real chatter box too (in a cant speak a word but goos and giggles away to himself and us!). Wish we knew what he was trying to say.

He is trying to tell the spec sheet for his first MINI
Tavis1

[Rakey]

I too use the one grip, then pull down, then final push on the license plate, I guess that might not be so good for our friends overseas, but works for us due to plastic plates.

Off topic - Paul and Richard, I know it is hard to find a buggy thats fits the mini boot, there are a limited number, the Aria from M&P, the Ponee from Chicco, and the Citi Sport from Graco are pretty much it. All of which offer very little support, recline or comfort for baby do they? Well I will soon try and post some info on a new product that I have been working on that may interest you, well as soon as I can.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

Off topic - Paul and Richard, I know it is hard to find a buggy thats fits the mini boot, there are a limited number, the Aria from M&P, the Ponee from Chicco, and the Citi Sport from Graco are pretty much it. All of which offer very little support, recline or comfort for baby do they? Well I will soon try and post some info on a new product that I have been working on that may interest you, well as soon as I can.

We've got Alfie the Aria, which is perfect for what we need, the buggy I had as a kid was no where near as 'plush' as the basic Aria, and he's very happy in it. Then again, he's happy in the back of the Cooper S, so he probably like a bit of a firm ride.

We recline the Aria and usually put something nice and soft under him to add some padding, but like I say it's a part time buggy, he's strapped to me for most trips.

[ButtonIt]

I also use the grab handle, then push license plate method. Although I have had one time when I pulled the grab handle and the trim came away from tho boot!! I just had to pop it back on again and it's never done it since.

IMO the MINI boot isn't heavy enough to use the grab handles properley, in my Laguna, Pug 406, Golf etc. the momentum of the boot door's weight after a brief tug on the grab handles was more than enough.

Besides, the main reason behind the grab handles is for short people to get an easier grip

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

We've got Alfie the Aria, which is perfect for what we need, the buggy I had as a kid was no where near as 'plush' as the basic Aria, and he's very happy in it. Then again, he's happy in the back of the Cooper S, so he probably like a bit of a firm ride.

We recline the Aria and usually put something nice and soft under him to add some padding, but like I say it's a part time buggy, he's strapped to me for most trips.

Thought it might be that, doesn't leave much room for much else in the boot does it? Well when I am able to will e-mail you first with details on our new product, to see if it is ok to post about it, as it should give more boot space as well as be more comfy for Alfie.
Sure think Silver Cross is a brand more fitting to the Mini badge than an italian product

[Paul]

We usually get the pushchair, our coats, his bag of 'baby stuff' and maybe one bag of shopping/other in the boot with the parcel shelf closing properly.

We're had classic Mini living for a long time (including camping trips for four 'adults'!) so we're used to space saving!

[Rakey]

Ahh, Mini Classic boot space, camping, Glastonbury, Reading festivals, oh I have stories about those.

A few days before Reading I decided to fit a lovely Mk1 boot handle on my car, oh it was nice, well I packed the car, all the beer was in my boot for all of us, we got there, then tried to open the boot, nope!! it jammed, all the beer for the weekend was stuck no matter what we tried it wouldn't budge. Had to go buy more and leave all the things in my boot till I got home had to drill it out.

But hey all the fun of owning a mini