Does anyone know how to disassemble the center console on the R60 Countryman? I need to replace the switch unit below electric window control switches (the cluster containing the sport button, foglight control, etc.)

Thanks

 

Your post begs the question why? What you up to?

 

HA!

Funny you ask. I ordered a replacement switch cluster. One that contains the rear fog light switch which is omitted on US cars. My parts guy believes it likely doesn't even need reprogramming, just the proper switch to activate the single rear fog light embedded in the drivers side read tail lamp. It's the back up bulb normally.
If you shine a bright light on the "blank" space above the navigation screen, you can see the silhouette of the various indicator lights that light up when a specific warning or accessory is triggered. You'll see that there are two different fog lamp indicators. The one with the left facing icon is for the front fogs. The right facing icon is for the rear. I figure that if the car dash is wired for the indicator then all I need is the right switch to activate it.
Any parts expert will tell you that the bulb holder in the drivers side tail lamp is identical for both versions of the car with and without a rear fog lamp.

 

It's doubtful that the wiring is there. MINI started building wire harnesses specifically for each car to save money on copper after the first few model years.

 

My previous car was a 2011 BMW 535i and it came with everything installed but the dash switch. The dash light indicator, the wiring, the lamps, bulbs - everything was already in the car. The switch is a one piece unit for all headlamp & front fog light functions and the dash light intensity adjuster. ECTS sold the switch but were out of stock at the time I bought my 535, so mine came from a dealer in the UK brought over in a family member's bag. Cost $120. I had the full lighting function just as it would have if it was a car built for the German market. Funny thing is, I sold the 535 to get into the ALL4s I currently have and the switch I had is just about to sell on Ebay!

So good luck to the OP - I might be following your trailblazing route!

 

Chrunk
I doubt strongly that there needs to be wiring in place for the rear fog light to work. I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of having the right switch talking to the CAN BUS properly. The light cluster behind the drivers side tail lamp lens is identical in both versions. The switch merely activates the fourth bulb on the drivers side independent of the one on the passenger side such as when the car is placed in reverse. I believe the worst case scenario is that it'll require dealer programming. Once the part arrives, we shall see. Now all I have to do is figure out how to remove the switch cluster from the center stack aka the "I Panel".

 

I'd like to hear how this turns out... I'd really like the Euro switch board because of the lack of missing buttons... I hate having blanks.

Kyle

 

Kyle:

That's me to a "T". The only warning is that this solution only eliminates one of three blanks in the switch. The far left, triangular button is never used on any version of CM. The right side one that's blank on all US cars is to defeat the "Auto Start/Stop" feature optional on European versions of the CM with manual tranny. It's a gas-saving feature that kills the engine in crawling traffic when you push in the clutch and automatically turns it back on when you engage the clutch again. We don't have that available here in the US. Besides it's only possible on manual transmissions.
So, under the best case scenario, the lower switch board will still have two blanks. Oh well. Better than three.

 

This came from a UK version of the Countryman brochure... Looks like there are buttons to fill up the spaces...

From left: Tire Pressure Control, front and rear fog lamps, child locking for rear windows, the sport button, auto start stop, and the DSC switch

I don't need all the buttons to work, I just think this looks better... I know the stop start definitely wont, even though I have a manual if I recall it's only available on diesels...

Kyle

 

Please let us know how this turns out. I did a similar mod to my former 2006 330i sedan (e90) and swapping the light switch cluster was all I had to do. I would do it again for the CM.

 

Meanwhile, all of you are counting on me to get this done, yet no one has offered me up directions for replacing the switch cluster.

 

 

Went on the R56 forum and it looks like the finish panel may just pull off. The R56 fog light switch is different, but the procedure to remove the panel may be similar. If not there may be some hidden screws underneath the panel or behind the column trim.

Here is the link to the thread for what it's worth...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...h-install.html

 

Thank you FredoinSF:

You are right about the finish panel. When pulling off the Piano black side trims, 4 screws per side are revealed; however, it's still attached further below. I suspect that I have to remove the forward section of the center floor console where the cup holders are as I suspect that panel obscures a few more screws. I further suspect that the cupholder/lighter assembly fits OVER the lower part of the finish panel. I will play around with it and keep you all posted. It appears that I have a lot of interest in this project from other members. How cool would it be if I just needed to install the switch console and watch the fog light turn on without any needed programming?
My bet is that it will. To be continued...

 

Way Motor Works web site indicates that the R56 - 59 cars have to go to the dealer to get reprogrammed prior to the switch becoming functional:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/rear-fo...7-r58-r59.html

Would be great if it were not the case on the CM but I doubt it. There are threads in the mod section giving instructions for reprogramming certain features. I was tempted to try but then decided I could live with my current settings.

 

i assume you will also need the euro driver's side tail light lense?

 

I don't plan on replacing the lens. I don't plan on using the rear fog light except when I'm on dark, secluded roads. In those instances, I would prefer enjoying the light generated by the lamp in its natural appearance as opposed to it being through a red-tinted lens as I imagine the Euro version is.

 

So that's what the far left button is for. WTF??? I can understand omitting the Auto Start/Stop and rear fog buttons on American cars, but why delete the Tire pressure one?
That sucks. What's worse is that I know of no North American dealers/parts retailers that can order one with the TPMS switch in place.

 

do not blame mini, it is a federal regulation

call your elected reprentatives and let them know how you feel about the intrusive and costly regulations, for those of you new to having the tpms system,wait till it comes time to change tires and you get to pay for a "TPMS KIT"

what kind of moron can't feel a tire going down anyway? oh ... thats right us morons, just ask congress and the ntsb

i don't know about the rest of you, but i can feel a couple pound difference in air pressure, it affects the handling in a way that can be felt just pulling away from parking

scott

 

What I don't get is that my car is already equipped with electronic TPMS. the only thing is that the indicator pops up in that little red-tinted display at the bottom of the tach. I calibrate it using one of the settings menus in the Mini Connected system. What is the button used for?

 

What we need is a set of button blank stickers. These are made for VWs, I'm ordering a set for my wife's TDI:

http://www.aesthetic-creations.com/p...?id_product=73

 

I can definitively confirm that you need to have the feature programmed once all the hardware is sorted. However, MINI have issued a directive to their dealers to NOT reprogram for the rear fogs in the US...for whatever reason!

You need to find:

(1) an independent (i.e.; non-MINIUSA) shop who will do the work, or (2) a fellow MINI enthusiast who has a great deal of experience using the NCS Expert tool.

There are several changes that need to be made in the Vehicle Order codes and a change or two in the settings of the control modules themselves. This work is not for the faint of heart!

Beginning of the VO codes:


Perhaps you will find a MINIUSA dealer who will "forget" about the directive. Otherwise, you may want to search for the thread "NCS Directory" in the Gen2 Electrical forum for folks in your area who are experienced with NCS Expert. Just make sure that they have had (successful) experiences making this change in the past. If they are inexperienced or don't use care, the NCS Expert software commands can brick your R60. Then it's a flatbed ride to the dealer...

HTH,

 

I wonder if the Canadian dealers would do it :-p

 

Ring one up and check. I'd be interested in what you are told as I understand this to be related to US considerations but, perhaps, not all of N. America.

 

It's all academic if I don't figure out how to get the finish panel off. I'm starting to think the glove box and lower panels by the drivers knees need to come out in order to expose further screws. Meanwhile, I popped the top grill out partially( small round one on top of dash) and can't get it back in. Help!