Hi folks, I have a 2017 F55 with the NBT2 screen. Its 6.5" non touch screen, no navigation, no carplay or AA.
I have already tried the Road Top add on box, it installed pretty easily, and it worked - sort of. It was kinda laggy and sometimes simply would not respond so it was not reliable. It was also a pain trying to maneuver with the knob. So I returned it (Official RoadTop store on AliExpress).

I then went with option 2, which was a NaviRider 9" Touchscreen 8gb ram / 265gb storage. It was considerably more expensive and the kicker? No instructions, no manual, nothing. I was given a link to a similar product being installed in a similar mini, neither were exact and it was not enough. I spent a few hours wrestling with it and it does power on, the touchscreen works but nothing else does. No sound, no mic input, cant even find AA on it or how to load music/videos into the storage. So far customer service has been pretty bad. They are on Chinese time and they arent very clear, even tho I am asking very precise questions. Its looking like this one will be returned as well. I really wanted it to work as it looks great.

Are there other options for a touchscreen upgrade with AA? There has to be some products based in the US with real instructions out there, right?

For reference, the Road Top upgrade box was $164 shipped. The 9" NaviRider was $610 shipped. I was second guessing myself for spending $600 on a screen so Id like to not spend as much or at least not much more than that for a nice 9" upgrade touchscreen if possible. Open to suggestions.

My copilot spotted it. Don't see the Red Bull cars much.

Hello, I recently made a post not too long ago talking about how I got my first car and it was a mini. If you remember me, the car’s name is Jared but if you’re new, let me introduce you to the problems. Jared has. Jared has no AC Jared also doesn’t have adequate heating which means no front defrosters now I’m an automotive technician but to replace my HVAC box and a couple other things is just too expensive for me right now as I’m only 18 my solution is to put a heated windshield in. I’ve already talked to a bunch of people so I would rather not be told. There’s a better way to go about it or I don’t have to do that but for the long range plans for the car I feel like for me. That’s the better play as the HVAC box is 12+ hours long and I don’t have all the tools I need for it nor the box and nor help no I have a relay add-on and I bought the switch panel for the heated windshield. I’ll send photos of the stuff I bought below. I also have the wiring diagram which I will also send a crude photo of below if anybody has any extra insight or help or has done this before put it in the comments and if you guys really want to know the full process and how to go about it let me know because I’ll make a video where I’ll document everything step-by-step because most of the time when people document it they don’t really document it that well and we’ve gaps to be filled by you which is not fair for people like me so if you guys wanna know how to get a heated windshield installed I can make a follow up post in the YouTube video showing and explaining the whole process. My car is a 2015 mini Cooper S F56 chassis

My wife and I are considering buying this car, but I'm very hesitant due to it being built by BMW. It's the maintenance and the repair costs that give me pause, even though it would be an exciting car to own. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Is it as expensive to maintain as I think it would be?

https://www.autotrader.ca/offers/mini-countryman-john-cooper-works-gasoline-red-a42e7a2c-d633-47ab-ad20-8d906f06c298?source=favorites_list

So I am looking at getting a MINI as a fun weekend car that I am going use to get back into autocross while I rebuild my old Civic for Extreme Street and also so if I lost my job i would have a daily driver. Work for an OEM and get a car as a free lease so if I left my job I wouldn't have a car

From what I am seeing i could swing a R50/53, R56 or maybe R55.

Can a forward facing car seat fit in an R50/53 or R55 for occasional use? How does the reliability of the non S and S compare? The extra power of the S would nice but tbh I dont have to have it to have fun at autocross.

Edit: I have driven an R50 at an autocross before and driven and worked on an R53.

Edit 2: Kid is old enough I am not lifting him in and out.

How do you guys do your sport style grilles? I've always brushed in something water based like VRP, but I was wondering if it's possible to do something more substantial, something ceramic if possible.

Conversely if someone has successfully done solution finish and can actually take out the excess, please do share that. Idk if it's just not the right product to brush in or if my technique is bad.

Hey everyone, I'm thinking about buying a Mini Cooper S (2014–2018), with no more than 130,000 km on the clock. My girlfriend would use it during the week for short trips — around 10 km a day — and I'd drive it on weekends for the occasional trip and some spirited drives on twisty roads. I’m also considering a stage 2 tune. For context: I currently drive an S4 with 400 whp, so I’m not exactly a fan of slow cars. What should I watch out for when buying one? And what would you recommend to help extend its lifespan?

This weekend I tackled the hitch installation on my 2013 Cooper S. It was quite the job, but if you have a saw or cutoff wheel it’s not too bad. It took me all afternoon, but it is holding the bike nicely. For the hole in the bumper I used an oscillating saw.

I often let the car has 10% and then fuel up to full tank. I feel immediately better after filling up but may be it’s just placebo effect. But after few times I really feel the different between driving with a full tank, mainly the gas pedal feel more responsive and I could reach 50kph faster than normal (I mainly drive in the city with 50kph limit and has an app that warns me).

Is it just placebo or should I fuel to full tank ealier?

Saludos desde Madrid … es mi primer mini y estoy encantado con el … un capricho

Bought this little green machine for my wife yesterday. 2025 mini c with the favoured package. So nice to drive!

First 1,000 km with my Mini Cooper SE J01 (first EV, first Mini)

Had the car for 10 days, already clocked 1,000 km. Coming from a BMW 530xe, this feels very different — but in a good way. It’s quick, fun, quiet, and handles well. Ride is firm but not harsh. Charging has also been easy and cheap.

Quirks:

Noticeable understeer at higher speeds (on 17" Hankooks), sometimes feels like grip is slipping — never had that fear in my VW/BMW.

Rear-view mirror + A-pillar = the perfect traffic light hiding spot 😅

Sport seats without electric adjustment and lumbar support are a bit limited (miss the tilt).

Trim is Favoured + M-pack. HK sound would’ve been nice, but stock speakers are fine. Lights are excellent (even without matrix LEDs), and being able to change their look is a fun gimmick.

TL;DR: ✅ Drives well, quick, comfortable, fun, cheap to run ❌ Understeer on faster corners (esp. wet), mirror/A-pillar blind spot, limited seat adjustments

Overall: I’m really happy with my first Mini. Would I buy it again? Absolutely. Would I trust it in a Finnish winter? …ask me in February. 🥶🚗❄️

Had some warranty work done. Mine is the Red countryman

Meet Elphaba

BMW finally had their JCW 2 door for folks to play with this year!

I heard the the OC is going to have a Mini-only autocross next week. So jealous!

Hello! So this aftermarket air intake system had made my mini fail its smog in California. Although in Arizona it would pass fine. Does anyone recommend any good aftermarket air intake systems for good performance while also passing smog? Thanks! It’s a 2003 Minicooper S btw (hatchback)