[mason storm]

I've had my mini for 3 months now and I've noticed it seems to attract alot of dirt especially on the rear. It has no mudguards and both my last cars (MR2 Roadster & Puma) had mudguards, could this be the reason?

I only washed it a couple of days ago and the first drive since then was today, admitedly in the rain, but the back window is already filthy. I'm wondering if the roof spoler is also to blame with water dripping off onto the rear of the car.

When driving in the rain or on a wet surface I can see a great deal of spray from the back wheels kicking up onto the rear of the car. I don't think it's my imagination as a friend at work has also purchases a Cooper S and he mentioned it to me with no prompting from myself.

[Ant FR]

nope, its the shape of the rear and the fact that the rear wheels are right at the rear of the car, it chucks the water straight up te back. Over the christmas period when the salt was worst i was washing mine on a daily basis to clear the muck, Just a 50 mile drive was making the number plate un readable. You best get used to it, summer is a lot better though.

Just think how the poor GP drivers feel without a rear wiper!!!!

[mason storm]

Thanks for the reply, I did wonder if it was anything to do having the wheels right at the back, I think I didn't notice on my MR2 as the rear winscreen had a big distance from the back of the car even though the wheels were again right at the back with very little overhang.

[Lolance]

So mudflaps won't even help this problem??

[118]

the back of the MINI does get filthy, although I've noticed that my R56 S doesn't get anywhere near as dirty as my R53 S used to!

this was my old S last Christmas



and this is my R56 this year - not quite as many miles covered, but still no where near as dirty!

[Ant FR]

thats how mine looked a coupe of times over crimbo, also note the rear wheels pick up a fair amount too, yet the fronts don't.

[valk009]

It the law of physics and the design of the Mini. Mud flaps will not cure the problem but will help.

This type of issue happens mainly on hatchbacks as they do not have a rear space beyond the rear wheels to take up all the muck, so all flies happily onto the rear of the Mini.

[dalboyne]

Question is - is this phenomenon any worse in the MINI than in any other similar cars with such an "upright" rear screen?

Ian

[Ant FR]

worst car i have ever had for it, and i have had 10 different hatchbacks

[Maz]

I have mudflaps on my 2001 Cooper and can confirm that although they look the part, they do not actually help in reducing the amount of muck chucked up onto the back of the car.

[wincakes]

Same prob here too....just something you get used to in winter!

[85NIXMIN]

ahhh gotta love owning a MINI

[R99]

Yep it's horrendous at the moment with all the salt on the roads. I almost cant be bothered to clean mine because I know in about 50 miles time it will be filthy AGAIN!!

James.

[mini33]

Hi
Just thought i would add a thread in agreeing to this, i am a complete pefectionist on keeping my car clean & even i have given up. I can happly spend my weekends fully valeting my car but know at this time of year even i cant keep up with it.

I just cheat know & pay to use the jet wash to keep it clean untill i go to work on the country lanes & then as everyone else has said it black within 2mins.

Its even worse with the lighter mini colours i have a red mini & i jokingly say that i own a black mini instead!!!!

I love my mini to bits but i think unless you dont go anywhere or cleaning it everyday then i think we will have to resound & start a dirty mini club!!!!

Anyway thats my opnion anyway

Perfectionist Cooper S

[ratherbewindsurfing]

I find reversing helps.

Top speed is a bit limited though

[wincakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini33 (original)

Hi
Just thought i would add a thread in agreeing to this, i am a complete pefectionist on keeping my car clean & even i have given up. I can happly spend my weekends fully valeting my car but know at this time of year even i cant keep up with it.

I just cheat know & pay to use the jet wash to keep it clean untill i go to work on the country lanes & then as everyone else has said it black within 2mins.

Perfectionist CooperS

Did you just say the (*shudders*) jetwash word???!!

How could you??!!

*goes to find phone book to ring RSPCM*

[wiz]

Is it just mine or do cabrios get dirtier bums than tin tops?

[2005WORKS]

Quote: Originally Posted by wincakes (original)

Did you just say the (*shudders*) jetwash word???!!

How could you??!!

*goes to find phone book to ring RSPCM*

I think in emergencies u can be excused for getting the old jet wash out! as long as you don't burn it out, like I did stripping my decking back to make it safe to walk on in the winter!

I think the ultimate no no is the drive through!

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by wizgleeson (original)

Is it just mine or do cabrios get dirtier bums than tin tops?

Definitely dirtier...and no rear wiper either!

[PmP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

nope, its the shape of the rear and the fact that the rear wheels are right at the rear of the car, it chucks the water straight up te back. Over the christmas period when the salt was worst i was washing mine on a daily basis to clear the muck, Just a 50 mile drive was making the number plate un readable. You best get used to it, summer is a lot better though.

Just think how the poor GP drivers feel without a rear wiper!!!!

Ah, but the GP doesnt suffer just as badly, due to the altered aerodynamics.

My Cooper S is sitting with the rear end filthy and the front looks like its clean. Its a common to all, and lowering seems to make it worse.