I can hear it now .. Those instructions are from 2001 they don't apply to your Mini...

 

I have an 04 with the computer decal on the stock, and the chumps at Motorwerks MINI (our only MINI dealership in MN at present) said it could not be done, offering the simple explanation of the hardware not being installed . Whether or not they actually tried...dunno. Seems like a simple answer to get me outta there. I don't really trust them. Anyway, I'll probably be trying a different tuner in town and see what we come up with.

I'll post what I find.

J

 

If you have the computer button on the stalk, and you can cycle the tach display for speed and temp, you have the hardware!!

If they do not have an official BMW/MINI OBD scan tool ..... They do not have the proper hardware to do the job.

 

Yeah, that was my understanding as well. Another tuner I found has little experience with MINIs, but they work almost exclusively on BMWs and apparently has an OBD scan tool. Anyone know if the tool works with BMWs and MINIs alike?

 

My business partner who stands in the parts dept of MINI/BMW Dealership all day just happened to mention the other day he wished had all the functions on his 05. He has the correct stalk in the MINI already. I told him all he needs to do is go have a tech hook the car up to computer and activate it. 1/2 Hour later he calls me and says it works and they now offer the service for 1/2 hour labor cost.

I believe, but don't quote me, that all 05/06 MINI's have the correct stalk in place already From that point it's a simple matter of flipping a switch in the computer to turn on the OBC functions. Why MINI made this a $200 or so option is beyond me.

 

Yes I found it hard to fathom that too. I wouldn't pay $200 for it so I didn't. My dealer did it for free & that was great.

For anyone wanting to get this done. Print off the instructions & take them with you. Tell them to look at the last page. The programming is all they need to do.

I would have been willing to pay a half hour labor for the OBC programming. They told me since they already had it hooked up for something else it was NC to me.

 

When you paid $200 from the factory, someone got royalties on the program that does all this. When the dealer does it for you ..... well .... let's just say that you get a bargain!!!

 

i dont know but when i picked up my mini from the dealer in 07/14/06 it already had all the functions programed in...didnt pay for the extra option for the obc retro..but i have all the settings an flip through all them in the stalk..my obc also tells me when it gets below to freezing levels outside..so you can say all mini's in 05/06 didnt have them programmed in...but i see that it is pretty dumb to charge 2bills for this option...when it takes ten mins to do or less..

 

If your 05 - 06 has the premium packeage it came with OBC. If not it could be ordered as a $200 stand alone option.

 

Well, the tech at the BMW shop (who does work on Minis too) told me a similar thing, that what's on the current OBC was preset from the factory that year and cannot be changed. I even offered to pay for the minumum one hour labor charge (which ain't cheap here) but they're not going for it. If anyone finds someone that can do this near Omaha, please let me know.

FWIW, my current OBC displays speed, temp and also flashes (and dings) when the temp gets around freezing. The car was built dec 04 (05 model) and it has the stalk button.

Btw, anyone know if the code scanner/reader you can borrow at Autozone/Advance Auto can do this? That would be an interesting feature. :-)

Daniel

 

Well,
If you have the stalk with the button and you already display temperature and speed, then you CAN have it programed into your MINI. If you look at my first post (second one down) you can see a link to the manual the service guys use. It can be done. If you read through that and show them that it can be done and that you already have those parts they should go through with it.

 

^ + 1

 

Yup, that's what I told the service lady too, but nope, they wouldn't budge. When I get the throwout bearing and top done I may leave a copy of those instructions with her to take to the tech guys. Maybe they'll be kind and do it after all.

Daniel

 

Have your MINI dealer call Otto's MINI in PA 610-399-4187 and ask for Nicole Osborne (my SA) and she will confirm that it can easily be retrofitted.

 

i am no mechanic and i ve done it... a lot of work... i had to take off almost all my dash...

If you asked me if i do it again i will say no!!!

its not easy ... not at all..

But it was worth it!!

All for my pricelless machine!!

 

Yes the retrofit of all the parts sure does look like a lot of work.

If however you already have those parts installed on your MINI, it's a very simple thing for the dealer to do. If your dealer is accommodating. Mine was.

 

I have a 06 MC, mine can display both outside temp & speedometer, what exactly other functions will come to live after this OBC retrofit?
Thanks.

 

in your case i think you may only need a software update!!..

 

Average speed, average fuel consumption, current fuel consumption & range to empty. Plus the speed & temp you already have.

 

Oh Crashton, so I just need to bring the print out & ask them to update the point 8 coding, they will be able to do that right? Cause I need to get my driver side wheel bearing replace on this Friday, may be do this at the same time.

 

Yes that is correct. My dealer was nice enough to do it for no cost. Some other folks have had their dealers do it for them also & some others have had the dealer say it can not be done. I'd ask them nicely & hope for the best.

Print this off & take it with you.... http://motoringfile.com/howto/OBC.PDF

 

I just did this with my local dealer (NWMINI in Fife, WA). I have an '06 MCS without the premium package. I have the OBC computer button on my stalk - cycles between temp & speed. I emailed the PDF to my SA and he looked at it with the mechanic. I told them "just do page 8 - the computer recode"

He called back today - says I need the "whole hardware kit" (which is really expensive)?! I thought in my case it's just a computer recode??

It's in the shop until tomorrow.. is there more info i can give to help them?

 

I'm guessing your dealer doesn't know what they are taking about. Your car does already has what it needs to have the OBC switched on. Sorry about your dealer.

 

Okay, so i'm going on a limb here. I have an '03 that did not come w/the optional OBC and have been looking on ebay and have found the stalk that has the 'computer' pic on it. If installed and flashed, would this work?

 

I don't think so. According to this http://motoringfile.com/howto/OBC.PDF you will need a wiring harness & temp sensor too. Read page 5.