New SE Observations

How does that happen? The SE doesn't allow rolling backwards in drive. Are you shifting into neutral?

 

That must be a setting somewhere. My 22 SE does not roll backward at an inclined stop, but it will roll forward at an inclined stop, even a very slight incline.

 

The regenerative braking should be kicking in. Are you in low regen? Maybe it behaves a bit differently on that setting.

 

Here's a YouTube video showing how to replace the phone charger in the center armrest with a different one. You can save time and stop watching after the OEM charger is removed.

I hoped underneath the phone charger would be the same finished compartment as a center armrest that never had a phone charger, but it's not. I'd trade my center armrest for a chargeless center armrest but now that the word is out about how crummy the OEM charger is, I can't imagine anyone would take me up on my offer. I think a new chargeless center armrest costs something like $600.

 

It's not functional as a charger, an arm rest, or a storage space. However, when my dog is in the back seat he'll rest his head on it. So that's something.

 

Qi charging is crummy (slow, hot), it's not just a MINI issue. The slow charge rate might be sufficient for overnight charging, but it's really not meaningful in a situation when you're also using the phone, like with CarPlay.

 

Minime is a ‘22 model as well, and does not roll back at a stop, nor does the backup camera come on.

Are you north or south of the equator? Maybe that makes a difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

(For iPhone only) I use a Magsafe charger connected to a 20W 12V adapter and it works very well while using Carplay in my other car. I had one in my i3 and still use one in my Mach-E. Wireless (Qi) charging can be great, but heat is the biggest issue and is the biggest reason why the Mini Qi charger is crap. It's just a hotbox for the phone and will slow Qi charging to a crawl in minutes since the tiny ventilation holes (which are only present on one side) don't allow enough ventilation.

I've been trying to find a way to utilize a magsafe charger in the Mini nicely, but I don't want to mount it to the dash/etc. I've just given up and started making sure I charge at night (I have an hour commute, so typically I charge on the commute and don't need to worry about charging at home/etc.)

 

That rolling backward at a stop is news to me, as well. My Mini always stops rolling backward on an incline. The behavior seen up until now is:

• In DRIVE, SE prevents rolling backward, but will coast forward
• In REVERSE, SE prevents rolling forward, but will coast backward

 

I think it will roll on severe inclines, but quite slowly. They did a fantastic job making the SE drive smoothly and predictably in almost every situation. My only critique would be the power cut when the wheel is turned close to the lock.

Speaking of inclines, my former Audi e-tron would roll backwards at full speed, which was downright dangerous given its size and 3 ton weight. The MINI was simply the better vehicle in almost every regard.

 

I wonder why the SE uses the motor and not the brakes to prevent rolling the opposite direction from the intended direction of travel? Or at least keep the brake lights lit when the motor is holding the SE stationary?

 

If you come to a complete stop it will allow movement in the direction of travel if you aren’t on perfectly flat ground. It is not supposed to move against direction of travel. Basically we are missing “auto hold” that many EVs with one pedal driving have.

There is a caveat to this - if you shift direction of travel before coming to a complete stop. Example I hit every day: Reverse down a hill, then switch to drive to go up it. It will allow you to continue rolling for some time even with foot on go pedal. You must come to a complete stop or account for the several feet of roll when switching direction on a hill.

 

While MagSafe is essentially Qi, because of the magnetic alignment of the charging coils and higher power it turns out it's much better charging than a standard Qi charger. MagSafe is 15 watts and Qi chargers are typically 7.5 watts.



So what would be really nice is if someone did a MagSafe mod to the MINI arm rest.

 

I'm probably going to try. I'll probably just stick one in there to see how hot the phone gets. I'm not sure magsafe will be much better so far as the heat goes.

Would be really neat to stick a fan on the vent holes and have it come on when a phone is placed on the charger.

 

Yup, and this makes it quite dangerous when you are at a stop but it allows you to ever so slowly creep forward. Definitely a shortcoming of this system...

 

My experience is that it holds as long as the grade is absolutely level or uphill. It only creeps if it is downhill. I don't see that as dangerous.

 

Wait until you hear about ICE cars...

 

Excellent