I really do love the car for the most part, however, there are some "idiosynchrasies", i.e.-WTF were they thinking when they designed this rig?, that truly baffle me.  Below, I'm making a list of things I don't like and plan to change that are sort of an addendum to the requisite " aftermarket upgrades" I'm going to document the processes rather in depth, but if you see an issue you would like more info on, let me know, I'll share.

I want feedback from the community, agreements/disagreements, suggestions, hints, comments regarding the process of what I'm about to do.

The "Shit" list :) of design flaws-
**No Armrest?? really!? C'mon. Not only is the storage in the mini pretty much nil or worthless in what does exist, but there is no where to rest your arm (even worse if you have the auto-trans!) Mini, actually does offer and OEM armrest that can be retrofitted to all models now, although it runs about $260 not including installation or shipping.  There are various aftermarket designs also available on websites like www.minimania.com, www.altaperformance.com, www.coopersport.com, and others.
**Back Seat....Duh, WTH? Haha. Rrreally? Nice, um, try?  Unless you're a hobbit, these are pointless.  The good news is, if you do want to remove the backseats, there is a company that makes a "Rear Seat Delete" conversion kit. There are a couple manufacturers actually, but the main one is a company called Shrader Performance. Google "mini cooper rear seat delete" and you'll find various websites that offer the product.  If that's not good enough, read my list of Performance/Upgrades later in the post. I'm going to explain my solution.  I'm not doing the delete kit, simply because it doesn't offer enough of what I want, although it IS a rather good deal.  It's ABS with heat rolled edges and it's rather strong, plus it uses the stock seat mounting holes instead of a drop in. There are two versions ranging from 160-220 depending on the website.

 **Rearview Mirror Design(interior and exterior)-This is something that irks the hell out of me, and has only gotten on my nerves even more with every mile I drive. The interior mirror doesn't even reflect the entire visible area of the back window, not to mention the housing obstructs a considerable of windshield/siteline area, that's even MORE pronounced if you're driving on a twisty road. The exterior mirrors are pretty much worthless, you get more viewing area from a polished quarter.  I understand the small design of these more so than the interior mirror, but still....  In fact I don't even use mine any more, There's no point, ESPECIALLY in heavy traffic. These are being addressed in the upgrades list also.

**Front Door Panels-Pretty interesting from a style perspective, but pathetic as far as function is concerned....i.e. the worthless storage compartment, or half ass armrest.  But, the more I drive the less sense the design makes all around.  Even the door handle placement is bizarre.  Another item being addressed in upgrades.

**Storage Compartments..... That's a good joke. Except the customers seemed to have missed the punchline.  Visit some of the afformentioned webpages and you'll see there are companies who make little rubber trays (I Got Em'. They're Good)to fit in places that BMW should've installed in the first place, like the gap between the E-Brake handle and shifter console, and the black hole behind the "cupholders/WTF?/worthless waste of space".

 **The dash pillars. A nifty design feature that tips it's hat to the aero world, but kinda kills any ability to make usable storage space.  Such as the cupholders/ashtray thing.  There is actually a "MINIFINI" cupholder attachment you can buy that wraps around the passenger piller....I have it, and it's a love hate relationship.  This cupholder is nice because it allows you drink from a large cup, say like from a fast food place. Which is great considering there is no other place, aside from the rear seat cupholder.  That's where the goodness ends. Being that it mounts on the pillar, it can slide up and down the pillar and stays in place based on the concept of friction over gravity. But if you bump it (potholes will do too) the thing slams all the way down.  It also pivots, so to move out of the way if the glovebox is open or the passenger seat is slid all the way forward, handy....until you take an on/off ramp too fast and the thing swivels away too fast then....voila!! full soda goes flying into the carpet.  I've already lost 3 that way.  I'm only giving this many details because it's really the best universal solution out there, but it does have major drawbacks. You've been warned.

**Windshield wiper blades. Apparently they call for 18'' on the driver's side, and 19''s on the passenger side. When I replaced mine with the recommended size, neither one fit right.  There wasn't complete contact for either one.
**HarmonKardon Stereo-To me it's a pretty worthless stereo. Mine sounds pretty terrible.
**Dash Design....Ugh. Novel with the big center guage. But its about as worthless as tits on a boar when you get down to it. I'll be completely redesigning mine...

**Cooper S Exhaust system-the resonance in the car is terrible, especially at idle or cruising speeds. And it actually rattles stuff inside the cabin. I don't think the sound dampening was a strong point here.  On a long road trip it's a pain in the ass. This is going to be one of the first upgrades.

That's pretty much all the major issues (I know, I know just my opinion) that I've come across so far.  As I said though, most of those will be addressed once the upgrades start taking effect.  I'll be posting ideas as I think of things to do.