2007 Mini Cooper S: Mind the Pipes

"Here's your sign"...
 
kidding. I can't tell you how many times I've burned my legs when wearing shorts when I go to get something out of the bed of my truck.

They should paint those lower control arms black, they stick out in traffic and in photos. Almost makes it look like the car's on its toes.

The burns aren't so much fun. Even the black soot from the pipes on your pants isn't so bueno.

Thi shouldn't be a problem in the Clubman, though it adds a bit of character to your...umm...leg.

The Mini: Instant Tattoo Machine
 
Just another reason to love a Mini.

"The Mini: Instant Tattoo Machine
  
Just another reason to love a Mini."
 
I can't believe Mini missed the chance to make the exhaust tips shapped like the Mini emblem. Then it would be perfect :)

tmanz -
LOL that would have been awesome.

tmanz, you should make some and get the word out on the Mini forums.
 
Or you could always go with this...(see attached)
 
Hope you're alright, Caroline, especially since you're going to be running 26.2 miles on Sunday! I hope that goes well, too!

Thanks, SubyTrojan. It'll take more than a singed leg to stop me from running. ;)

I've always disliked the appearance of center-mounted exhausts. They look weird on the baby Porsche and weird here too, kind of like a car's an<>s. I didn't think of the leg-burning potential though.
  
I'm really surprised the developers didn't notice this in testing. Maybe they did and were too smitten with the overall Mini-ness of the center mount to change it.

Women wear skirts today?

elbee,
 
In socal they do. I wear shorts probably about 50% of the days of the year and I've learned the hard way that you stay away from the middle of the Cooper's bumper when going into the trunk.

Johnmarco,
 
Maybe they did and decided the center pipes were a better way to route the pipes for maximum performance. The base Cooper, (performance is not as important) has a single exhaust off to the side.