Comments on: How Safe is the MINI? http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ashley Wilson http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-223269 Ashley Wilson Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:37:45 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-223269 <p>C4- I totally agree with you on the safety of the rear seat.</p> <p>My old R53 was hit in the rear by a girl going 45 mph while I was stopped at a light. Upon opening the trunk, the only thing out of place was the battery box was pushed forward and up a little bit. But with the carpet down in the back, you'd never know there was a wreck!</p> <p>I know I feel a hell of a lot safer in the back seat of a Mini than in my wife Taurus. Who knows how that things gonna crumple. :D</p> C4- I totally agree with you on the safety of the rear seat.

My old R53 was hit in the rear by a girl going 45 mph while I was stopped at a light. Upon opening the trunk, the only thing out of place was the battery box was pushed forward and up a little bit. But with the carpet down in the back, you’d never know there was a wreck!

I know I feel a hell of a lot safer in the back seat of a Mini than in my wife Taurus. Who knows how that things gonna crumple. :D

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-222765 C4 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:43:13 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-222765 <p>Minimom, no worries about the back. My 18 month old son has ridden in the back of our MINIs since he was brought home from the hospital. Now we have a Clubman and it is more spacious in the back. But I have never felt any concerns about putting him in the back seat of my other MINI, a '05 MCS.</p> <p>These cars are very well engineered. If you son't believe me, go to www.iihs.org and check the rear end crash test ratings of most "safe" "family" sedans with separate trunks. Scary.</p> Minimom, no worries about the back. My 18 month old son has ridden in the back of our MINIs since he was brought home from the hospital. Now we have a Clubman and it is more spacious in the back. But I have never felt any concerns about putting him in the back seat of my other MINI, a ’05 MCS.

These cars are very well engineered. If you son’t believe me, go to http://www.iihs.org and check the rear end crash test ratings of most “safe” “family” sedans with separate trunks. Scary.

]]> By: MiniMon http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-222514 MiniMon Mon, 26 May 2008 15:19:50 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-222514 <p>Does anyone have experience or know of details where a Mini was rear-ended? I absolutely love my CooperS, but because there is very little room between the boot and the back seat - it does worry me about the kids or anyone riding in the back.</p> Does anyone have experience or know of details where a Mini was rear-ended? I absolutely love my CooperS, but because there is very little room between the boot and the back seat – it does worry me about the kids or anyone riding in the back.

]]> By: Mr. Bean http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-222510 Mr. Bean Mon, 26 May 2008 14:45:24 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-222510 <p>The R53 wouldn'da done that.</p> The R53 wouldn’da done that.

]]> By: Mk1 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-222026 Mk1 Fri, 23 May 2008 12:40:15 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-222026 <blockquote>MK1: you have to be kidding me, right ? a nice wild assumption there ! a large car has more mass, therefore will hit things with more momentum and force.</blockquote> <p>Huh! Not saying the MINI isn't safe, and being very manuverable makes it even safer. But no wild assumptions at all. Based on the Insurance Institute and the Dept. of Transport tests and years of their actual accident statistics, which they based their findings on. That and the imutable laws of physics. 5500 pound SUV runs red light going 40 mph, hits 2500 pound MINI Cooper, who wins? Hint, it ain't the MINI, which was CRUSHED. Actual accident (and it killed both the MINI's occupants).</p> MK1: you have to be kidding me, right ? a nice wild assumption there ! a large car has more mass, therefore will hit things with more momentum and force.

Huh! Not saying the MINI isn’t safe, and being very manuverable makes it even safer. But no wild assumptions at all. Based on the Insurance Institute and the Dept. of Transport tests and years of their actual accident statistics, which they based their findings on. That and the imutable laws of physics. 5500 pound SUV runs red light going 40 mph, hits 2500 pound MINI Cooper, who wins? Hint, it ain’t the MINI, which was CRUSHED. Actual accident (and it killed both the MINI’s occupants).

]]> By: recrudesce http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221999 recrudesce Fri, 23 May 2008 09:15:21 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221999 <p>MK1: you have to be kidding me, right ? a nice wild assumption there ! a large car has more mass, therefore will hit things with more momentum and force.</p> <p>additionally, a large majority of small hatchback cars on the UK roads are safer than their larger bretheren, purely due to the additional safety aspects being taken into consideration.</p> <p>go stack a MINI into something like a Ford Mondeo - which one comes out worse do you think ? i feel much much safer in my R56 MINI Cooper, i can tell you.</p> <p>i had to take quite drastic evasive maneuvers yesterday morning due to someone deciding they'd do a U turn in front of me at 50mph. the MINI took it in it's stride - i've seen people in larger cars have to do the same, only to smack into other vehicles, completely lose control and spin or hit kerb stones.</p> MK1: you have to be kidding me, right ? a nice wild assumption there ! a large car has more mass, therefore will hit things with more momentum and force.

additionally, a large majority of small hatchback cars on the UK roads are safer than their larger bretheren, purely due to the additional safety aspects being taken into consideration.

go stack a MINI into something like a Ford Mondeo – which one comes out worse do you think ? i feel much much safer in my R56 MINI Cooper, i can tell you.

i had to take quite drastic evasive maneuvers yesterday morning due to someone deciding they’d do a U turn in front of me at 50mph. the MINI took it in it’s stride – i’ve seen people in larger cars have to do the same, only to smack into other vehicles, completely lose control and spin or hit kerb stones.

]]> By: Aussom http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221975 Aussom Fri, 23 May 2008 03:08:10 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221975 <p>YouTube has an interesting video of a MINI R52 multiple rollover crash test in slow motion. It makes for interesting (yet somewhat disturbing) viewing. The MINI held up very well, with the crash test dummies arms swinging out and heads dangerously close to the ground.</p> <p>I noticed in the YouTube MINI coupe offset crash test videos that the dummy's head swings slightly out the window on the recoil, so it may be a good idea to keep your driver's window down as much as possible (the side curtain airbags didn't deploy)?</p> <p>This story makes me appreciate the MINI brand more - especially the protection provided by the coupe.</p> YouTube has an interesting video of a MINI R52 multiple rollover crash test in slow motion. It makes for interesting (yet somewhat disturbing) viewing. The MINI held up very well, with the crash test dummies arms swinging out and heads dangerously close to the ground.

I noticed in the YouTube MINI coupe offset crash test videos that the dummy’s head swings slightly out the window on the recoil, so it may be a good idea to keep your driver’s window down as much as possible (the side curtain airbags didn’t deploy)?

This story makes me appreciate the MINI brand more – especially the protection provided by the coupe.

]]> By: Mk1 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221904 Mk1 Thu, 22 May 2008 17:19:11 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221904 <p>As has been posted, the MINI is a very safe small car, well rated by most safety testing groups. That being said - just remember it is still a small car, safe, but not a super-car. Involved in accidents with larger vehicles, small cars just don't do well, no matter what. Our MINI group, has walked away from a lot of "totaled" MINIs, some with no injuries, more with weeks or months of recover to look forward to. We have also lost three MINI drivers here in the last six-eight months, two to side-impact accidents, and one head-on, all at surface-street speeds. Everyone likes to post the "walked away from that" pics and stories, but you'll find many more limp away with major injuries, and for some it ends right there. Not good to develop a false sense of security out there, on roads prowled by big SUVs piloted by drivers with cell-phones stuck in their ear's. A safe car, not an invincible car. Drive pucker'd!!!</p> As has been posted, the MINI is a very safe small car, well rated by most safety testing groups. That being said – just remember it is still a small car, safe, but not a super-car. Involved in accidents with larger vehicles, small cars just don’t do well, no matter what. Our MINI group, has walked away from a lot of “totaled” MINIs, some with no injuries, more with weeks or months of recover to look forward to. We have also lost three MINI drivers here in the last six-eight months, two to side-impact accidents, and one head-on, all at surface-street speeds. Everyone likes to post the “walked away from that” pics and stories, but you’ll find many more limp away with major injuries, and for some it ends right there. Not good to develop a false sense of security out there, on roads prowled by big SUVs piloted by drivers with cell-phones stuck in their ear’s. A safe car, not an invincible car. Drive pucker’d!!!

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221890 C4 Thu, 22 May 2008 15:22:18 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221890 <p>Damn, I got turned around.</p> Damn, I got turned around.

]]> By: timc http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221884 timc Thu, 22 May 2008 14:56:09 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221884 <p>I think you mean the passenger side. It's right hand drive ;)</p> I think you mean the passenger side. It’s right hand drive ;)

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221880 C4 Thu, 22 May 2008 14:11:32 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221880 <p>That roof is pretty caved in on the driver's side.</p> That roof is pretty caved in on the driver’s side.

]]> By: gokartride http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221878 gokartride Thu, 22 May 2008 13:54:19 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221878 <p>Aside from it's racing heritage, Issigonis and team designed Minis with active safety in mind...the driver had better, more precise control of the car in order to avoid mishaps in the first place. MINI retains so much of this...along with an impressive array of additional safety features for modern motoring. Still....I lament that the hot-hatch attraction emboldens some to drive unsafely. Let's remember to use this basic tenent of Mini motoring (the superb, precise handling of our cars) to be safer, more accurate, more engaged motorers....and if the worst happens still be grateful for all the thoughtful safety design that went into our cars.</p> Aside from it’s racing heritage, Issigonis and team designed Minis with active safety in mind…the driver had better, more precise control of the car in order to avoid mishaps in the first place. MINI retains so much of this…along with an impressive array of additional safety features for modern motoring. Still….I lament that the hot-hatch attraction emboldens some to drive unsafely. Let’s remember to use this basic tenent of Mini motoring (the superb, precise handling of our cars) to be safer, more accurate, more engaged motorers….and if the worst happens still be grateful for all the thoughtful safety design that went into our cars.

]]> By: lavardera http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221874 lavardera Thu, 22 May 2008 13:37:14 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221874 <blockquote>That roof seems deformed much more than any R53 rollover I’ve seen. Makes you wonder where else they cut costs.</blockquote> <p>What?</p> That roof seems deformed much more than any R53 rollover I’ve seen. Makes you wonder where else they cut costs.

What?

]]> By: Aquasar http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221866 Aquasar Thu, 22 May 2008 12:26:02 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221866 <p>This past summer I wrecked my MINI. I hit a truck in the medium when I turned left. Got hit dead center of the hood. Bent his bumper back. My car got totalled. I cut my lip and waklked away. The major damage was to the frame rails. Yes, it is very safe just fool proof.</p> <p>Art</p> This past summer I wrecked my MINI. I hit a truck in the medium when I turned left. Got hit dead center of the hood. Bent his bumper back. My car got totalled. I cut my lip and waklked away. The major damage was to the frame rails. Yes, it is very safe just fool proof.

Art

]]> By: engine58 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221856 engine58 Thu, 22 May 2008 10:07:54 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221856 <p>the mini d its terrible . minis shouldnt be wrecked.</p> the mini d its terrible . minis shouldnt be wrecked.

]]> By: engine58 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221855 engine58 Thu, 22 May 2008 10:05:16 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221855 <p>how in the hell do you flip a mini? but i would like to have that motor.</p> how in the hell do you flip a mini? but i would like to have that motor.

]]> By: Liam http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221825 Liam Thu, 22 May 2008 03:48:58 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221825 <p>Here's a couple of links to the MINI D that crashed at the Nürburgring I mentioned earlier:</p> <p>http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-motorsport/157131-mini-nurburgring.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/21919270@N03/</p> Here’s a couple of links to the MINI D that crashed at the Nürburgring I mentioned earlier:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-motorsport/157131-mini-nurburgring.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/21919270@N03/

]]> By: Michael http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221819 Michael Thu, 22 May 2008 03:06:57 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221819 <p>WOW.... As for the windshields: Does the MINI replacement glass not come prepped from the factory with the adhesive/epoxy already set to go? I know that many German engineered cars do, then it is all about aligning the glass on the tabs. Audi and BMW offer this. I am interested to see if this is the way w/ MINI. My wife is now debating if she wants a MINI now so I am learning the car all over again....</p> WOW…. As for the windshields: Does the MINI replacement glass not come prepped from the factory with the adhesive/epoxy already set to go? I know that many German engineered cars do, then it is all about aligning the glass on the tabs. Audi and BMW offer this. I am interested to see if this is the way w/ MINI. My wife is now debating if she wants a MINI now so I am learning the car all over again….

]]> By: Osmodious http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221812 Osmodious Thu, 22 May 2008 02:29:09 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221812 <p>Apparently, a speeding train into the driver's side will do the job...</p> <p><a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4655900.stm</a></p> <p>Of course, one would ask why she was on railroad tracks, being that a train is the easiest vehicle in the universe to avoid.</p> Apparently, a speeding train into the driver’s side will do the job…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4655900.stm

Of course, one would ask why she was on railroad tracks, being that a train is the easiest vehicle in the universe to avoid.

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/comment-page-1/#comment-221787 C4 Wed, 21 May 2008 23:15:06 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/21/how-safe-is-the-r56/#comment-221787 <p>Hey Husni, are Malaysian drivers that bad? They could not possible any worse than our very own from Miami...</p> Hey Husni, are Malaysian drivers that bad? They could not possible any worse than our very own from Miami…

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