OK, I've searched but cannot find a clear answer:

Will my 2006 MCS have the two "dead" buttons on the steering wheel (for Bluetooth phones)? Some pics of the new MFSW have them, and others don't. I would rather not have them (I hate non-functioning anything on a car), and I am now obsessing over this, so please help. Please see my signature for specs, in case packages have anything to do with it. Thank you and sorry if this has been asked a million times.

 

My car has the "dead buttons". Its a 2006 but was built in Dec 2005, so if they did change the MFSW it could be different. But try not to obsess on that, the car will still be lots of fun.

 

What buttons do you mean? I have 2 non-functioning phone buttons on my multifunction wheel (bottom left in pic below) because I didn't add the optional phone accessory. I imagine you'll get this steering wheel if you added the multifunction wheel.

 

Thanks. I know, the car will be great, but blanks and non-functioning parts just make me . I mean, I spent $100 on the rear fog, even though I:

1) Won't use it and even more
2) Think they are a horrible idea in America, since most people don't have them don't know what they are, and think that someone is riding their brakes, and a lot of people who don't have them leave them on all the time!

 

Yes, those buttons, for Bluetooth phones.

This is a picture I found on NAM without them, making me wonder what the deal is:

 

Unless you took out the Bluetooth option, you will have two dead buttons. If you feel that strongly about it, activate them! And if don't want to pay the ridiculous price MINI is asking (most people don't) go the Parrot route. This will definitely be one of my first modifications. It's convenient and makes it safer for myself and everyone around me.

 

Are you referring to the Mikeythemini parrot enabler? I would absolutely do this if I didn't have to wire a mic through the entire car. I just think it's easier to use my Bluetooth headset.

And, correct me if I am wrong, but don't you have to use that stick on remote control with the factory bluetooth option anyway?

 

Interesting pic. Since my car is a week old, I'd imagine you'll get the same steering wheel as me. Perhaps that is an older model before the bluetooth option was added

 

Hmmm...OK. Thank you!

 

There are two factory options. The one with the stick on remote is $450. The one without the stick on remote is.. ready? $1250!

 

Ha! Is that including the price of the armrest you have to buy with it?

I am one of the 5 or so people who actually bought a Siemens S66 (which I no longer use, but can if I swap my SIM card), and I was excited about this "theory" of a mod, until I saw the price.

I am actually very tech savvy and this whole thing is really p!ss!ing me off, since I cannot find (anywhere!) a clear-cut way to get these to work with out spending a load of $$$ or having a stupid add-on remote.

 

Apparently not.

 

The early versions of the newer MFSW steering wheels didn't have these buttons - they will definitely be there on your '06.

 

I have a Feb biuld 05 with the B/T phone buttons on my MFSW
Or you could do this with the dead bottons
https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=262

https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=261

 

The MFSW relay allows you to use the phone button as an on-off switch for a wide variety of applications. I am using it for the OEM rear view camera.

 

The rear fogs serve one outstanding function. You can use them to get tailgaters to back off real quick! Here in DC, they're a neccessity.

 

I know, right?

 

Thanks for the info. I already have Homelink (included with the convenience package) but the stereo mute is definitely an option.

I e-mailed mikeythemini to get some more information; hopefully I'll have all this figured out before May 3...

 

Very, very off base. Rear fog lights are a potential life saver, if used correctly. Their exclusive purpose is to warn those traveling behind you in severe weather where the asphalt ends and where your MINI begins.

Do not use them for other purposes that you allude to such as leaving them on at all times.

Rear fogs have saved my butt on several occasions in Belgium, where the fog rolls in off the North Sea without warning. Likewise here in the USA, I've encountered heavy fog along river banks and lake shores, in the mountains and by the sea. These are wonderful safety devises, and it took a write in campaign by us, early MINI owners, to even get MINIUSA to offer them as a retrofit.

 

Maybe I wasn't clear before, but I agree with you. It's just here in the good ol' USA, we get about three minutes of driving instruction, and are never told about safety features like rear fogs.

 

I like dead buttons and blanks! When I have morons in my car that ask stupid questions like "what was that for?" I can say it was for the optional knuter valve relay and the hyper-drive posi torque inhibitor.

Being that we are beer credit challenged we only buy what we need.

 

Maybe there is a retrofit kit so you could change to one of the wheels w/o the buttons..... the problems would be $$ and finding one tho.....

 

I'm neurotic, but not that neurotic. Hopefully mikeythemini can hook me up with the best solution. I will make these buttons do something...

Thanks for the idea, though.

 

I must have misunderstood your point. Agreed, the drivers' training that we receive in the USA is woefully inadequate. Rarely are inclement weather, night driving, additional safety features that may be purchased for your vehicle even mentioned, let alone subject to required training and education. In northern Europe, it literally takes several months to get a driver's license as the student has to drive in snow, fog, at night, in the rain, etc. ('course it also costs something like a few thousand dollars to get licensed.)

 

Strange...

The MFSW I've seen at my dealer all just have the stereo and cruise controls. No B/T control.

Does anybody know what combination of options produces these two? It seems that you'd only get the BT controls if you ordered it.. ?