2007 Mini Cooper S: More Quirks

You know, I bet I could own a Mini for a year or 2 before I noticed it didn't have cruise control.
 
It's definitely the least valued option on my car.
 
I love the quirks of the Mini.... in a sea of bland cars , it stands out as a beacon of character.

While I'm out here in Oxford I've been trying to get on a MINI factory tour, but they had to stop tours while they ramped up production on the Clubman. Hopefully I can get one before I have to leave.

You can also change the color of the accent/mood lighting with a rocker switch. My wife keeps changing mine to purple. Argh!
 
As for cruise...I don't have it on my 07 S and don't really miss it. I miss the RWD of my BMWs more than anything else.

I can't live without cruise control. Nothing drives me crazy more on a road trip than other drivers who aimlessly flutter their speed up and down while I steadfastly maintain mine with cruise. I'll pass by them one minute, then three minutes later, they'll decide they'd like to drive faster, then hang next to me or another driver like a pilot fish hovering near a shark. It seems their speed is determined by how close attention they're paying to driving. Drives me nuts.
 
Although it doesn't make a huge difference, cruise also improves gas mileage by maintaining a consistant throttle input.

Haha James, I couldn't agree more. Drives me nuts how I'll be maintaining a constant speed for miles and yet I'll have to pass some dumbass 3 times because he keeps speeding up and slowing down.
  
Or those people who have nothing better to do than just sit there in your blind spot. Blind spot alert systems should also include rocket launchers with an externally visible countdown clock.
  
But yeah, cruise and the multi-function tiller really should be standard on the Mini.

jr, why would your speed flutter without cruise control? It's a pretty simple thing to maintain a constant speed with just your foot. Shrug...

Yes it is. However, unless you're extremely diligent it's unlikely most drivers will maintain the same consistancy that the computer can. Especially when driver's attention is diverted to the cell phone, the iPod, the iPhone, that pretty mountain over there, or a passenger blathering on about something. Even dedicated drivers like most of us will find ourselves zoning out amidst a stretch of arrow-straight road going through an endless desert landscape.

jr, can't relate. I wonder about what's happening in cars when I zip past them on hills, maintaining my even keel 75 or 80 (depending on my preternatural cop sensing).

I almost never use cruise unless I'm on a very long trip (700+ miles). I also disagree about fuel economy benefits. If you're on rather hilly terrain, cruise is going to force your engine to keep shifting gears (in auto, of course) and that's terrible for your economy.