[Martin L]

Like a majority of us I'm sure, I'm still deciding on the spec on my Cooper S. Promised test drive May, delivery September
I would like to know if the rain sensor is any good. The standard intermittent wipe has only one speed and to be honest, in wet old London, it's a bit annoying as we have so many types of rain here!
Can anyone enlighten me to if the autowipe has more intermittent speeds?

Cheers,

Martin
(Totally jealous of our friends across the pond, but grateful for the fantastic reviews)

[lightbody]

The standard intermittent wipe varies according to vehicle speed - by the way... sorry for not answering your question though!

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin L

Can anyone enlighten me to if the autowipe has more intermittent speeds?

Yes, it does. Although actual experience on MINI's may be limited as I don't think its out yet. Or, if it is, it hasn't been out long.

Dom

[MICKEY]

i think i asked this question the other week see under rain sensor in search. and i'm pretty sure there are others out there. i did'nt know the speed changed the faster you go. read nothing about this in any brochures.if it does it could be very handy.

[AidenL]

I think the rain sensor does infinitely vary the wiper speeds - on BMWs, the wipers go back to intermittant, even if on full speed, as soon as you stop in traffic, I havent noticed this on the MINI, then I havent driven it in the rain yet !! Must check that out, along with the speed variance too.......

[Silver Surfer]

even with out the rain sensor the wipers slow down from full speed to a slow wipe when you slow down in traffic

it pritty neat the frist time you see it

[NutTheBus]

My Dad has a 328ci with the rain sensor. It is very cool

You basically leave it switched on then when it rains the wipers will wipe rain away at the correct speed. If the rain/speed of the car changes the sensor will detect this and the wipers wil vary speed accordingly. It is really handy actually, more than you'd think especially in the UK weather Also on his previous 3 series he did not have the rain sensor yet the wipers would automatically go onto intermittent when he stopped at traffic lights or whatever. Not sure how this is done, whether it's triggered by speed or when you go into 1st, maybe somebody else here knows.

PS how much is the rain sensor option on the Cooper?

[supercooper]

I have the rain sensing wippers on my current GTI-6 Pug.

They are great, get in the car in the morning, set the wippers and they just sit there not doing anything until it detects rain.

As the rain increases in speed, the intermitantcy decrease (ie gets faster) until such time as they are on at normal speed.

They will then also kick up to monsoon speed which I find soooo fast it is actually distracting.

I missed them so much when Autoglass knackered the sensor in. Have them back now and will definately be a fitted option on my S.