Sections: Sales Dec 11th, 2008 42 Comments In a sign of the times MINI USA will be eliminating the ash tray and lighter from all MINIs sold in the US. Is it cost cutting? Is it simply due to the dropping smoking rate in the US? Sound off in the comment section below.
glangford Dec 11th, 2008 Link
I quit smoking so don’t care, but I do like to have the ashtray as a change holder. The cigarette lighter is in the glove box, the ashtray in the rear center cup holder (R56) full of change including an emergency stash of $20 in one dollar coins.
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FH Dec 11th, 2008 Link
I’m a bit saddened by this. The ash tray is rather useful for coin collection. It’s relatively easy to take out and pour some change into the hand, versus trying to pick a quarter out from the “cup holder”.
I’ve never used the lighter, but I thought it was a nice touch that MINI had one instead of the plastic insert you see nowadays.
It seems a little like dual-purpose cost-cutting and facing reality.
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Tex Dec 11th, 2008 Link
I do hope MINI puts the 12 volt ‘not a lighter’ filler plug on a tether or strap so it will not be rolling about when not plugged into the 12 volt recepticle.
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JP Dec 11th, 2008 Link
hahaha personal view… if you’re driving a MINI you won’t REMEMBER to smoke HAHAH
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Eliot R. Dec 11th, 2008 Link
As FH said, the ash tray makes for a brilliant coin tray. I would be remiss without it.
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Shamus Dec 11th, 2008 Link
Maybe it’s the boyscout in me, but I kinda like having the lighter around. Just in case I have to light a fire to signal MINI Roadside Assistance that I need help…. oh wait, NHTSA says I can use the exhaust tip for that, nevermind ;)
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irieman Dec 11th, 2008 Link
As a non-smoker (and one who would rather tackle a cactus that let anyone smoke in my MINI), I still call shenanigans. I sometimes have four devices plugged into the front cigarette lighter and two in the back; the “ashtray” holds my iPod Nano and spare change perfectly. They could at least rename them to “DC Power Supply” and “Utility Box with Lid” (and you need the lid for those extra spirited twisties!) and still get the warm fuzzies for coddling the health of MINI owners.
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George Dec 11th, 2008 Link
I’m sad that the ashtray is going away… it’s very convenient for holding my cell phone, or coins. Not really going to miss the lighter, though.
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mike c. Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I took both of them out as soon as I got home from the dealership. They’re still in my garage somewhere though, just in case.
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Glenn Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I’m sure they’ll still have a power point available even if it isn’t marked as a cigarette lighter.
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rkw Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Are these items completely eliminated, or do they simply become an option that costs extra, as it is in the UK (called the “Smokers Pack” in the UK configurator). In the US, we’ve been fortunate to have some items as standard that cost extra in other markets. This could be just the beginning of extra charges in the US. In the UK, they also have to pay extra for “Interior Light Pack” and height adjustable passenger seat, among other things.
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Hunter Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Who actually uses that cigarette lighter and ashtray to smoke? Don’t people just use a regular lighter and flick the ashes out of the window, or am I just crazy?
I also use mine for a coin tray, and I’ll be sad when it’s not there if I get a new MINI one day….which is probable.
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Jason Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Being in Boston and having a Fast Lane transponder that also works with E-ZPass tolls in ME, NH, NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD WV, VA, IL, IN negates any need for a change tray. So yes, I suppose the news is a sign of the times. And if any of my passenger’s ever thought of lighting up whilst in my car, I’d press the emergency-eject toggle-switch.
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Michael Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I use one cupholder for change (for tolls and parking meters) and the other one to hold my chinese laundry ticket and carwash coupon, etc. I don’t think my ‘08 MINI S Convertible has a lighter, but it does now have a power point for my phone recharger and/or GPS. I could use another powerpoint – I have searched high and low for one in my minimalist machine.
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Larry T. Dec 12th, 2008 Link
There will still be a plug in for power. And an ash tray will be made available to purchase as an accessory. Or if you trade in for the new MINI, keep your old ashtray and cigarette lighter!
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Cory Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Don’t people just use a regular lighter and flick the ashes out of the window, or am I just crazy?
You’re correct, but I’m sure this is because most new cars don’t have ashtrays. Most people are too stupid, inconsiderate and/or lazy to purchase an ashtray for their car, and instead consider the world to be their ashtray.
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Bilbo Baggins Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I won’t miss the ashtray as long as they leave the drink holders. Handy for holding my cell phone.
The lighter is different. As long as they leave the outlet to plug in my GPS I’ll be happy.
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miniman Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I quit smoking myself, but what happens to smokers rights. Unless they replace those with something else useful, it would look like a cheap move from BMW to reduce costs.
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Owen Dec 12th, 2008 Link
It’s been non standard in Europe for about 2 years now, you have to order something called a Smoker pack, which used to be FOC, but is now 20 Euro I believe.
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Sideways Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Does this mean that there will be a rash of people selling their Ash Cups and Cig lighters on ebay? Just like the Aux Cup holder that came on the North American Cars?
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Mark Smith Dec 12th, 2008 Link
YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE THESE ITEMS FROM YOUR MINI PARTS DEPARTMENT!!!!!
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STIGG Dec 12th, 2008 Link
SMOKERS RIGHTS? SMOKERS RIGHTS! That’s funny! Now I’ve heard everything.
OK Back to the subject… Need a power outlet for my radar detector. I think the moderne car needs more outlets as we all have mobile phones, GPS, iPods, radar detectors, as least in the USA, and such. Maybe MINI could be forward thinking here and offer a Motoring Electronics Accessory Pack.
I have an ‘04 MCS and have used the rear outlet for charging my iPhone when I forgot to charge it on a vacation drive and for my mini air compressor that I carry to inflate bike and MINI tyres. My iPhone needs continual charging, crappy battery life, if I go somewhere and use it at lunch or boring inlaw dinners to answer emails, check in on MotoringFile, GBMINI, my online store, USA Today, buy an App or listen to music, play a game and so on.
Never smoked, well not ciggies anyway, and never allowed that mess in any of my cars or homes but as a coin holder the ashtray is great. The cup holders in my ‘04 are a joke but as a phone holder they work great.
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Chris Hauck Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I use mine for change as well and the lighter for my map light.
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Roccorocket Dec 12th, 2008 Link
OUTMOTORING sells the ash tray. My lid broke So I might be ording a replacement sooner or later.
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Darren A. Dec 12th, 2008 Link
The first thing I removed on my car was the ash tray. I needed the cup holders for my ipod and cell phone.
Seems like a cost cutting move to me. Despite not being a smoker, I actually like having a cigarette lighter in my car.
I guess as long as they keep the cup holders there, and keep the 12v socket, I’m ok with it.
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STIGG Dec 12th, 2008 Link
California is like the “MCS”. Once you’ve tried it you never want anything else.
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MINIAC Dec 12th, 2008 Link
I do like to have the ashtray as a change holder.
A plastic film canister holds $7 in quarters.
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Alan Smithee Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Sign of the times indeed. Probably done to keep people from burning themselves. God forbid a half-moon scar, or people taking personal responsibility for raising their children to avoid touching hot things. But I digress…
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nervous Dec 12th, 2008 Link
Is it proposed to be totally unavailable, or simply not included but available at the time of order?
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robble Dec 12th, 2008 Link
lavardera Dec 12th, 2008 Link A plastic film canister holds $7 in quarters. A what?
LoL.. something else you can’t find nowadays.
I took the ashtray and lighter out of my MINI the first day and haven’t missed them a bit. As far as coins in the ashtray – I hate rattles and wouldn’t want loose change inside making a bunch of noise.
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M. Dillon Dec 13th, 2008 Link
Strangely,as a smoker,I don’t use the lighter/ashtray in my ‘03 MC;therefore,it’s a non issue for me(I guess that makes me a,”clean smoker”,lol).
Anyway,I’d always made an attempt to avoid individuals who don’t care for smoking/smokers by hanging out/spending money at places that support my choice.
I guess that’s why I’m gleeful when someone asks me to put out my cigarette at those places: I just simply blow smoke in their face/faces and state,”no”….,lol…
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Mini2Go Dec 13th, 2008 Link
As long as they keep the electrical outlet! I don’t even WANT the lighter plug. A plastic cover (which I don’t need either) will be sufficient. Even when I used to smoke in my car (eons ago) I only rarely used the lighter in the car. The only reason I can imagine that 80% + of us (I think that the national smoking rate has dropped below 20%) might be for some emergency/survival situation.
I also use the ashtray for coins. Even with EZ-Pass, I still need them at the occasional parking meter. Even so, I’d prefer one of those dedicated-design change holders. My inner geek loves the various size spring-loaded cylinders that push the coins up. :-P
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Aaron Dec 13th, 2008 Link
Being in Boston and having a Fast Lane transponder that also works with E-ZPass tolls in ME, NH, NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD WV, VA, IL, IN negates any need for a change tray.
I lived in Boston and had FastLane/EZPass. I used the “ashtray”, as just about everybody else does, to store quarters for use in parking meters. You still gotta park in Boston, and it’s nice to have the convenient tray with the lid for your parking fare.
I use the lighter slot to plug in my cell phone charger. I think it’s just lame of MINI USA to drop these. If they want to do that, many the dealers should take them “out” as an option for the purchaser. Everything else is an option in the cars, why not keep this as an option for future owners?
MINI USA seems to have a habit of nixing useful options. They didn’t support the parcel shelf on the R53’s, didn’t want the auto-fold in mirrors (were put in on the R56, but were not available in the US on the R53’s while they were available in Canada and elsewhere), don’t have auto-engine shut off/on at a traffic stop, don’t have regenerative braking…what gives?
By the way, I used to have the FastLane transponder stuck to the front edge of the rear sunroof. Worked like a charm. I now live in California and FastTrak transponders here work in the same spot, saving me the windshield space. Just an FYI for folks out there.
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