February 29, 2008:

Too cold to close?

It really wasn’t drastically cold this morning - 13f - but GPMINI didn’t like it!
I loaded some stuff in to the trunk and when I closed the hatch, it didn’t feel properly closed; it rattled slightly and when I re-locked the car, the alarm didn’t “beep” - which indicates that not all doors are closed.

When I started the car, the hood/trunk warning light was on. I had to open and close the hatch quite a few times before I got the light to turn off - basically by giving an almighty slam to it, which is scary! It was fine after re-opening it at work, so apparently it was just unhappy with the cold weather.

The engine & gearbox didn’t like the cold either … the engine turned over really slow and sluggish for the first couple of seconds, almost but not quite stalling; and I had to push hard to get in to first gear, both the cables and the box itself seemed stiff. Again, the gear box was back to normal after half a minute or so.

I don’t remember having trunk hatch issues in much colder weather before (although the engine/gear box has been stiff) - but I suppose I don’t often use the trunk so I’m not likely to notice.

Jason - if you’re reading up there in Burlington, VT … how does your R56 MCS in cold weather compare with your original R50?

Posted by GBMINI at 10:11 am | GBMINI#4 (GPMINI)
Comments: 9 (post new comment)

  1. GSKChicago (2008/02/29 @ 10:59 am)

    Isn’t it “the boot”? :)

  2. Richard (2008/02/29 @ 2:49 pm)

    To prevent this you need a garage.

  3. GBMINI (2008/02/29 @ 3:11 pm)

    I have one … in Florida ;)

  4. chapel (2008/02/29 @ 4:23 pm)

    my 92 GTI did that today too.

  5. MeanMrMstrd (2008/03/01 @ 10:57 am)

    My Boot closes fine. ;-)

  6. db (2008/03/01 @ 2:08 pm)

    You know, my boot closes just fine too. ;)

  7. snid (2008/03/01 @ 6:10 pm)

    I’ve been dealing with the flu(?) all week, so I just read this now.

    The new MINI is worlds better in the cold than the old one.

  8. GBMINI (2008/03/01 @ 7:21 pm)

    Thanks, Jason - hope you’re fully recovered soon

  9. snid (2008/03/04 @ 2:54 pm)

    Feeling better today.

    The R56 is like a “real car” in the winter. My 2003 Cooper got by because I was willing to forgive a lot of its quirks.

    The 2003 would not idle when it was below 30° or so - it would stall the first time I came to a stop. The door handles froze. etc, etc.

    The new car hasn’t exhibited any strange tendencies yet. I do miss the heated seats and side mirrors that the old car has. But, the engine will keep running on the new car when I come to a stop, and I haven’t had any door freezing issues.

    The black plastic piece below the windshield wipers does like to collect snow and ice…

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