[taktahara]

This is not a big topic but let me share.

Over here in Japan, spaces are quite limited and many parking slots have limited heights (usually 1550mm).

In fact, I use 'mechanical parking facility' in my apartment: cars are parked in 3 stories (underground, ground and upper story).
Hence, I am supposed to park cars under 1550mm.

As you know, Cooper and MCS have lower 1430mm height but
default antenna is longer and you need to take it off whenever you park.

To cope with this height constraint, I purchased a 'short antenna' at BOND MINI tune shop. This has only 50mm height and I believe I can park anywhere going forward

The below is BOND MINI URL but unfortunately we don't have English pages.

http://www.bond-mini.jp/?c=search&category=3&series=339&price=-1&words=

 

[patch]

Your story made me smile so much. I like those kind of international differences.

I'm curious, is it possible to take a picture of those limited height parking slots?

 

[taktahara]

Your story made me smile so much. I like those kind of international differences.

I'm curious, is it possible to take a picture of those limited height parking slots?

patch, am happy to share a picture of my MCS and my cozy parking slot when my MCS is delivered next weekend!!

 

[MJCW]

now that is crazy, looked at your location to see it's Japan, which makes sense, i've seen some crazy parking area's in japan. looking forward to seeing pictures of where you park at

 

[Julian]

I just ordered a short antenna from outmotoring.com, but I can't seem to get it to fit with any of the included hardware. Has anyone gotten any other short antennas? If so could you share your experience and pics?

Here's the one I ordered, it seems I just need the right screw (one that is much shorter) than what was included:

http://www.outmotoring.com/carbon-fiber-stubby-antenna-with-accent-pattern-on-top.html

 

[RickyB]

I would love to visit Japan for just these kinds of things. I'd love to spend a night in a capsule hotel too.

 

[taktahara]

I would love to visit Japan for just these kinds of things. I'd love to spend a night in a capsule hotel too.

RickyB, I am happy to show you around in Tokyo for shops but you don't want to stay at a capsule hotel. This is an emergency overnight stay for those who miss the last train to home.
I have never used capsule hotel:crying:

 

[taktahara]

Here is my apartment's 'mechanical parking facility'.
My current E65 is the maximum size for this slot. You cannot park big Jaguar due to too long body. And, any SUVs higher than 1550mm need to find an open parking space somewhere else. In fact wagon type Prius Alfa is designed to comply with this 1550mm height constraint.

First picture is cars in cage: you have a upper slot and underground slot as well.

Second picture is my E65 and my slot. With the too wide body, I have only less than 50mm on right and left of the car in my limited tray ^ ^;
You need to train yourself park within this limited spade...

I enjoyed 5yr with E65 with powerful torque but it is a time to go small and cozy like MCS in limited space in Tokyo!!

 

[patch]

Many thanks for the pictures, it is really cool to see that!

If you want to access the lower or upper slot, you'd need to remove the middle car first, right? I assume the middle spot is more expensive than the two other ones?

 

[taktahara]

Many thanks for the pictures, it is really cool to see that!

If you want to access the lower or upper slot, you'd need to remove the middle car first, right? I assume the middle spot is more expensive than the two other ones?

patch, as the slots move right and left and up and down(elevated) , you don't have to remove your car in your slot.

In my 'mechanical' slots, we have 9 (3x3) but one is vacant for moving slot. In other words, my slot originally underneath will go up to ground floor after some of underneath slots sinks under.

I know it's complicated but this system works.

 

[MintMark]

It doesn't look like there is much room in between for you to get out of the car after parking.

 

[taktahara]

It doesn't look like there is much room in between for you to get out of the car after parking.

No. you need be careful when you park and when you get out of the car: you have less than 300mm between my car and next.....
but this is the way in Tokyo..

I pay USD325 for my apartment and USD270 for the place close to work:crying:

 

[patch]

Nice system! Very logical and practical. I like

patch, as the slots move right and left and up and down(elevated) , you don't have to remove your car in your slot.

In my 'mechanical' slots, we have 9 (3x3) but one is vacant for moving slot. In other words, my slot originally underneath will go up to ground floor after some of underneath slots sinks under.

I know it's complicated but this system works.

 

[Washy]

We have the official MINI sport antenna on our F56

 

[sillyman]

Would anyone who has the sorry antenna please let me know if it's performance for radio / DAB / GPS is as good as our better than the stock antenna?

Thanks
SM

 

[taktahara]

Would anyone who has the sorry antenna please let me know if it's performance for radio / DAB / GPS is as good as our better than the stock antenna?

Thanks
SM

silllyman, my parts shop BOND MINI told me the short antenna would have slightly weak reception of AM radio wave.
Let me confirm between this short one and the stock one when my car is delivered this afternoon.

 

[pjsjr13]

We have the official MINI sport antenna on our F56

Hey washy did you get that dealer direct, I wonder if it's availible in the US?

 

[donnaj1dlh]

I'm having palpitations just looking at that! I don't like multistorey carparks at the best of times ...never been in one with my RCZ - purely because it's too long and has massive wheels that I don't want to kerb!
NO WAY would you get me in one of those carparks! What happens with 6ft drivers? They must bang their heads a lot!

 

[taktahara]

I'm having palpitations just looking at that! I don't like multistorey carparks at the best of times ...never been in one with my RCZ - purely because it's too long and has massive wheels that I don't want to kerb!
NO WAY would you get me in one of those carparks! What happens with 6ft drivers? They must bang their heads a lot!

donnaj1dlh, when you park your car, you use the taller middle story (higher than 1550mm) and the upper story is elevated by 100mm so that a tall driver like you will not hit the ceiling.

I believe we have at least 6ft head clearance while you are parking your car!!

 

[Washy]

Would anyone who has the sorry antenna please let me know if it's performance for radio / DAB / GPS is as good as our better than the stock antenna?

Thanks
SM

Ours is just as good as the one we took off no issues with DAB or GPS