New SE Observations

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drdunkyn

drdunkyn

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After driving this little beastie for the last 4 months, I've noticed a couple cool things:

First, if you come to a stop on an incline, and you start to slip backwards, the backup camera comes on automatically, even though you are still in Drive. Nice touch.

I've been using the "Limit" button while on my non-highway commute. The SE does a great job of "feathering" the endpoint, whether it be the approach to your limit speed, or coming to a stop using the aggressive regen-braking. It's not abrupt, and very pleasant.

Lastly, I have seen almost NO brake dust on the Roulettes, which I did not expect. I almost NEVER use the actual brakes, just the regenerative braking, but based on other owners' reports they're different than my experience.

And for a little critique: the wireless armrest charger is useless, even when your phone fits. It doesn't even maintain let alone gain charge. You're definitely better off using the USB ports. I'm looking into how to just remove the thing. I removed the one in our 2021 HiHy, too, as it was equally useless.

Couldn't be happier with this super-car!!!
 
drdunkyn said:
First, if you come to a stop on an incline, and you start to slip backwards, the backup camera comes on automatically, even though you are still in Drive. Nice touch.
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How does that happen? The SE doesn't allow rolling backwards in drive. Are you shifting into neutral?
 
Oh, it most definitely does! BEFORE you break, so if you come off the gas completely, feathers to a stop then starts rolling back. Cam turns on and stays on until you move forward again.
 
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.
 
drdunkyn said:
And for a little critique: the wireless armrest charger is useless, even when your phone fits. It doesn't even maintain let alone gain charge. You're definitely better off using the USB ports. I'm looking into how to just remove the thing.
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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.
 
drdunkyn said:
And for a little critique: the wireless armrest charger is useless, even when your phone fits. It doesn't even maintain let alone gain charge. You're definitely better off using the USB ports. I'm looking into how to just remove the thing. I removed the one in our 2021 HiHy, too, as it was equally useless.
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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.
 
insightman said:
the word is out about how crummy the OEM charger is
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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
 
Puppethead said:
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.
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(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.
 
GvilleGuy said:
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
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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.
 
methorian said:
I use a Magsafe charger connected to a 20W 12V adapter and it works very well while using Carplay in my other car...Wireless (Qi) charging can be great
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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.

upload_2022-6-21_13-27-17.webp


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

View attachment 16940

So what would be really nice is if someone did a MagSafe mod to the MINI arm rest.
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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.
 
carrrl said:
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.
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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...
 
CoachCookie said:
... when you are at a stop but it allows you to ever so slowly creep forward. Definitely a shortcoming of this system...
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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.
 
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