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MINI Cooper
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1. I have limited mobility
2. Number 1 means that the options on baby seats is limited to 1 option and it's not the small, easy kind
3. Cooper's got the ability to fit even the large seat but see 1
4. Must drive the kid - to be born in late November - daily to grandmas starting in January.
Loaded with about 15 lbs the car seat I can use (the buttons on most carseats were designed by odd folks - why would you push a button down into your child?), simply is too unwieldy to comfortably lock in and remove from the back of the Mini. Fitting in the back is not the problem. My physical ability to pull the carseat out and put it into the back of the Cooper without causing the kid major trauma..that's the problem. I don't want my poor kid to feel like every trip is a cause for much cursing and jostling.
I knew going into the Mini I only had a two year window. The baby production was a bit easier than anticipated (we read most couples "try for 6-12 months" but we tried for one weekend!). So it seems the Cooper's realistic shelf-life for me will be about 20-21 months. Shrug. But that means 3-4 years later, I'm in a 1 series (unless something more entertaining arrives).
Now do you see why I'm interested in real-world resale? The gas crunch is probably helping resale on Coopers.
Hey, never underestimate the power of Viagra! :P
Congrats on the baby!
I know the dealership, as I bought from them and visited on many occasions over two years. I've never seen their lot so empty. It was almost creepy. They had a total of 2 convertibles, 2 demo clubmans (2 were sold and waiting to be picked up), a handful of Coopers and S models. Wow.
That said, I drove a Clubman S with sport, convenience and premium. I liked it more than my Cooper S. It's bigger and a tad slower but it felt more buttoned down and really, really smooth. Plus the backseat access is great and the trunk is twice as big. It will easily work as a family car for me.
Now I will obviously look again at the GTI and Jetta TDI - which makes the most sense of all the cars. Actually the TDI may get me for a combo of reasons:
22k price, 36-37 combined mpg is realistic, diesel is 5-6% more than premium. We'll see...
How exactly does the MINI/BMW Comfort Access system work? I know there is a 2-way communication. Does the car send out a wireless signal to the key fob, or vice versa, or both. Since Comfort Access is optional, what exactly do they install or enable when you buy this option? What about cars without this option? Is there still signal being emitted.
I'm curious because I swear our MINI (without Comfort Access) is interfering with my home wi-fi network when it is parked at home. (One of my routers is located very close to where the car is parked).
I have no clue about the Comfort Access system but maybe you can get around the problem by switching to another frequency channel on your router. Most people leave it on the default channel(usually Ch. 6). It might help.
If you find out the answer, please post it. I'd definitely be interested..for curiosity's sake
I did some poking around on the internet about keyless ignition systems in general. It appears those systems run in the 300 - 400 Mhz range, whereas the 802.11g wi-fi is in the 2.4 Ghz range. So, in theory, even if the car is emitting some sort of wireless signal, the different frequency ranges should not interfere with each other. :confuse: But some external force is definitely affecting my wi-fi network! :sick:
There are other sources of interference in the 2.4 Ghz range...Older wireless telephone handsets (not cellphone) are one. Microwave ovens are another. I have experienced this in my den, using my laptop. On one of my computers (I have 2), often I would lose signal when my kids made microwave popcorn. After the oven was finished, I got signal again.
I really doubt that its your car causing the problem, but to find out, park it somewhere else overnight, say maybe at a neighbor's house, and see if the problem persist.
Please let us know what you find out...Good Luck!
Do you have a dog fence?
Do you have a wireless heart rate monitor.
This could be a treadmill.
Is that due to static/poor reception on the phone?
If so, you have identified why you have wireless reception issues. There are devices that can track this type of interference...many computer repair shops have "sniffers" used to track interference sources...It may cost a few dollars to have someone come out, but it might locate the source of your problem for you...
Most internet providers automatically reassing a new IP address each 24 hours, to make sure the DHCP doesn't run out of available addresses to assign. Your modem/switch/router automatically requests a new address once access is denied, under normal circumstances.
So, I would suggest this...try logging on before your wife gets in the car to leave and see what happens. If you can't, and then you can as soon as she leaves, I would agree...its the car.
But, I still have my doubts at the moment....Good Luck!
That did happen on 3 occasions, which was what led me to suspect the Mini (or the evil wife!)...however...apparently that is not the cause, or at least the sole cause. Last evening, the wi-fi cut out 3 times, and by the 3rd time I could not revive it for all the tea in China. So, I waited till my wife left for work this morning, but the wi-fi remained deader than Michael Vick's career! My friend said it's not out of the question that it may just be hardware failure. Often hardware failure would be preceded by sporadic problems leading up to final death. If the problem is hardware, my guess would be the router. My next move is probably to get a new router from Best Buy. If it turns out not to be the router, at least I can return it for a full refund!
I sent a seperate email with my contact # too.
My issue with my mini cooper is the Sunroof they did NOT finish. Now I'm trying to engineer an intuitive attractive sunroof cover....live in Forida. The heat and sun is unbearable.
What were they thinking?
Thanks
I don't like CVTs in any car I've ever driven (Caliber, Prius, Mini, Audi etc). They drive me nuts and they're noisy.
regards,
kyfdx
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The idea of the sport seat is to hold you in place during very rigorous driving. They are not meant to be comfortable as much as comforting in hard turns, etc. You might find them too stiff but maybe not. This is somewhat of a personal and subjective preference.
Leather feels nice, smells nice, but requires maintenance and is vulnerable to spills, tears, etc. It is after all, an organic material. If you look closely at a cow, you'll see plenty of little defects from use. :P
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The new R56s with the auto aren't too bad. I'm not an auto guy but it's decent.
Also, I hope you are getting the S model for a little zip or piazzz.The auto will suffice. Leather is a pain too much maitenance.
Shifty is right.
You might want to look into an extended warranty. There's a class action against Mini for poor clutches and Tranny replacements.
They are no good in snow so buy 4 Rims and your choice of tire. Me I don't don't like run flats. They ride rough.But, if you don't have a cell phone to call for help you might have to get run flats. Have fun and smile alot of eyes will be checkin' you out. :shades: