My 2021 MINI SE .... the project has started....

The warning I turned off is the text one that shows up on the main screen (something something pay attention when driving), I didn't see an option to turn off the startup noise but I'll be looking again because I don't like that either!

Weird about the shutdown noise, that hasn't happened to me. Was your car fully off before you left? Does it happen after leaving it overnight or just during short duration between leaving and getting back in (like a grabbing a couple of items from a store)?

 

I have experienced this a couple times myself, and haven't figured out what special combination of events causes it to do that. I assume there's a software bug that causes it to play the sound, despite the car definitely being off and not consuming any power.

At least twice, I also had the experience where the car acted like I put it into Drive Ready state, but I couldn't engage Drive or Reverse, because it was actually in Radio Ready state. A second flick of the Start/Stop switch would set it right. This one happens rarely enough that I assumed I did something wrong, like not pressing the brake pedal firmly enough. <shrug>

 

Interesting about the shutdown noise. Would love to hear if anyone with a 2022 has had this happen yet.

 

Loving your mods! Did you do the tinting yourself? If not, who did you use and would you recommend them?

 

Brad - it's been several months now with the smoked LED markers. Any trouble with them? I'm thinking about doing this mod if I can figure out how.

 

I just got the same color se a month ago but with a white roof. I'm also wanting to lower it and put 18" rims on it. Do you have any rubbing at all? Did you have to cut the plastic fender liner or anything else? Do you think a 225/35 would fit? Lastly, how has the ride changed since installing the springs and wheels? Thanks for any advice in advance. I just installed the beltline blackout tape today with mixed results. Have lots of carbon fiber goodies on order.

 

Hi @Giosan, I’m curious on your mixed results on the beltline blackout tape, also learnings on installation. My beltline blackout tape is on the way and really appreciate learnings.

 

I watched a short YouTube video on it and still didn't do it right at 1st. You have to push down with your trailing thumb as you line up the top edge. I was paying more attention to the top edge and then going back every so often to smooth down the rest of the tape. I got bubbles that way. Seems you have to smooth it out left to right or right to left as you go to let the air out. Also, even though I cleaned the entire beltline with rubbing alcohol and was working in my garage, I still managed to get something stuck under 1 section. Maybe better clean again just before you do the next section. Start with the shortest sections 1st and then do the straightest ones. Save the curves for last. Also, I started cutting off the ends right where the plastic plug joins the trim but that didn't work well. I could almost always see a tiny sliver of chrome. Better to clean in between sections and cut off just past end plug. Heating with a hairdryer and smoothing out bubbles didn't help much. Don't use anything hard to smooth it out if you heat it. It will rip the tape.

 

The same thing happened to me yesterday for the 1st time. I've had the car 1 month and it was my 2nd problem. 1st yesterday, the check your tire inflation message came on even the screen showed the usual 37lbs that it's been at since I bought it. I checked with my accurate pressure gauge and they were all around 42psi. Then I parked at the front of the driveway for 2 minutes while I moved a trashcan and had turned it off before closing the door. When I restarted it, it wouldn't go into forward or reverse! I was really worried until I pushed the start lever again and I could shift. I sure hope these gremlins don't pop up very often. I'm used to Japanese cars. I let air out of the tires to bring them 3 psi above what the door sticker says and it took about a 10 minute drive for it to reset itself.

 

Thanks heaps for the tips and gotchas @Giosan

 

How's your range/efficiency with the 18s and 215 tire? My average dropped from 4.7 mi/kWh to 3.6 mi/kWh when I changed from the OE 16" summers to 215/45R17 UHP all seasons

 

I ordered the same ones from your link and the fronts were about 1 1/2" longer than what's on my 2022 se. I guess they changed a few things since 2021.

 

i'm so glad I found this forum! I have an SE and have been curious about a lot of modifications and struggling to find good places to buy anything from since the SE market is not a large one. I have done some fun cosmetic stuff and looking to lower it soon...thanks for sharing your project, I'll be taking notes!

 

here's when I first got it vs what it is now. I didn't like the very conspicuous grille on all black. I did some research and decided to replace it with an OEM blacked-out Cooper S grille. Form over function, but to me it's worth it. It's a whole new world.

 

The black grill looks way better! Also really like the hood stripes with energetic yellow pinstripes. Where did you get those? We’re they custom made?

 

ItsH20S - looking great! Really changes the character of the car!