Wish you had ordered the Armrest but didn't?
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Joined
·
360 Posts
Yes the armrest isn't all that. The phone cradle seems pointless to me in the world of Bluetooth and I keep having to put the silly thing up in order to switch between using it as a rest and being able to operate the handbrake......
Joined
·
281 Posts
I've had my car for about 7 wks now and to be honest I would seriously miss the arm rest if I didn't have it. As said previously, not a necessity for your phone but perfectly placed for driving comfort - in my opinion - (I am also aware that this option isn't shared by everyone).
I was loaned a courtesy car yesterday,whist mine was in for an update, and the loan car didn't have the armrest. I just felt like a fish out of water without it so please don't discount it until you've tried it !!
I was loaned a courtesy car yesterday,whist mine was in for an update, and the loan car didn't have the armrest. I just felt like a fish out of water without it so please don't discount it until you've tried it !!
Joined
·
890 Posts
Do you not find it a bit difficult to operate the handbrake without sort of bending your arm around to reach over the armrest to get to it?
I admit I have not given it much chance, it got in the way so I folded it up and it has been like that ever since...maybe I should put it down and pretend it is fixed in that position and see how I get on. I do like the look of it.
Joined
·
281 Posts
I said, in a previous thread, that on the test drive I thought the position of the arm rest had been badly designed, for exactly the same reason you have just mentioned. In fact I actually put the arm rest in the up position for the first couple of days after delivery - but I disliked that even more so put it down again. Since then I have got totally used to it and find it extremely comfortable. You actually feel like you are in a cockpit as opposed to an open space with no support - but as I've already said this is purely my opinion - but give it a go, you may be surprised and actually like it !!
Joined
·
890 Posts
I will give it a try properly and resist the temptation to fold it up.
In my manual I notice it says that the use of the handbrake is not needed for hill starts, for example, because the foot brake has a 2 second delay before it releases if you keep it pressed when stopped.
This is not normally regarded as good practice for some reason, but do all Minis have this feature or just those for certain markets with certain options?
I have not tried it yet but it would be interesting to see how it works in practice, if in fact it is fitted to my car.
In my manual I notice it says that the use of the handbrake is not needed for hill starts, for example, because the foot brake has a 2 second delay before it releases if you keep it pressed when stopped.
This is not normally regarded as good practice for some reason, but do all Minis have this feature or just those for certain markets with certain options?
I have not tried it yet but it would be interesting to see how it works in practice, if in fact it is fitted to my car.
Not sure if Hill Start in mini's is the same thing as hill start in Smart cars but in the smart car if you are on an incline and you have your foot on the brake when you take your foot off it stays in that position for a couple of seconds without rolling back. Didn't realise Mini's did this! (if it's the same thing!).
With regards the arm rest I've only tried the test drive but I did find it in the best place for comfort and my left arm was very relaxed. Can't wait for the car to arrive so I can play more with it and decide if I want it down or up!
With regards the arm rest I've only tried the test drive but I did find it in the best place for comfort and my left arm was very relaxed. Can't wait for the car to arrive so I can play more with it and decide if I want it down or up!
I like my armrest, but it may be a different story with a left-hand drive compared to a right hand drive for reaching the hand brake. But nobody has mentioned the fact that the armrest has more than one position (besides the fully up not used position)? Did you try it in the lower position?
Joined
·
890 Posts
I tried the armrest in its correct position today and it is fine.
It is possible to adjust the height of the front of it if necessary.
Also, I can confirm the hill start assist system does seem to work!
If you pull up at a junction hold the car on the footbrake then press the clutch, the brakes are applied for 2 seconds after you take your foot off the brake pedal. So in theory the handbrake is not required, except for parking, and the armrest getting in the way is not really an issue.
Clever car!
It is possible to adjust the height of the front of it if necessary.
Also, I can confirm the hill start assist system does seem to work!
If you pull up at a junction hold the car on the footbrake then press the clutch, the brakes are applied for 2 seconds after you take your foot off the brake pedal. So in theory the handbrake is not required, except for parking, and the armrest getting in the way is not really an issue.
Clever car!
Joined
·
17 Posts
I like the armrest and am totally happy with it. I have not noticed anyone saying that the armrest is actually adjustable once the handbrake is lowered. This means that when you are driving then you can have it lower if preferred and that it automatically gets lifted to the high position as part of the action of applying the handbrake. Thus, once you release the handbrake you just need to use the release catch on the armrest to reinstate it at the comfort level you prefer.
Joined
·
17 Posts
I do not accept that it is not good practice. I live and travel a lot on hilly roads and as a routine just sit with the footbrake on, moving straight across to the throttle once it is in gear and ready to go. The handbrake then does not have to be applied, nor does the armrest have to be readjusted.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
