I have a Dec 06 build R56 Cooper S with standard brakes.

I have just had the front rotors and pads replaced, brembo rotors with OEM pads which was done at a local brake "specialist" workshop (I use the term specialist very loosely).

Anyway, when I was getting a quote I told them about 6 times it was an R56 and not a R53, there is a difference. They gave me a quote for the brakes and it was $650 instead of the $900 BMW quoted for the job. I gave them the go ahead to order the parts and book the car in. At the same time I asked them if they can reset the brake wear warning light as they do not reset automatically, they answered they can.

So our Mini gets dropped in and then when they have it pulled apart they call me and tell me they have the wrong rotors and pads, mine are larger than the ones they have (the fools ordered R53). They also tell me it is now going to cost me $850 instead of $650 (should have gone to BMW, they only cost $50 more and they wash and vacuum the car). With the car already in pieces and needing the car back that day, I have no choice but to pay up.

I then go to pick the car up and the brake wear light is still on even though the sensor cable was replaced. They then tell me it will reset automatically, to which I said it won't as I have been through this before when I replaced the pads. They then argue with me and say all the Mini's reset automatically (mine must be special). I ask them to reset it and they then tell me they do not have the right key for their scan tool (I was getting a little angry by this stage).

Well it has now been three weeks, about 1200 km and despite numerous phone calls asking for it to be fixed, they still do not have an answer and I still have a warning light.

Does anyone here know if there is a way that I can reset it manually without the use of a scan tool?

BMW tell me they are not allowed to reset it as they did not do the work (sounds odd, they did it before) and if they do it will cost me $75. I am kind of hoping there is some way I can turn it off.

 

To Reset Service Indicators such as the Oil Service Interval, or the Brake Wear Light, perform the following steps:



To enter the service Menu:

Insert Key

Do not press clutch / brake

Press Start button

Wait until the Car / relevant Service symbol disappears on the Rev counter display

Immediately after the symbol goes out - Press and hold Both buttons on the Rev Counter

Continue to hold - the system will run a dash light check

Continue to hold

Display will then show VIN / Menu, - continue to hold through this until the time Reappears on the display.

Now release Only the Right hand Button (trip reset) for about a second, and then press and hold again (whilst still holding the LH button)

After another second or 2 the display will show the Front Brake Symbol You Are

Now in the Service Menu

Use the BC Button (on indicator stalk) to scroll through to the relevant symbol - eg Oil Reset or Rear Brakes

To Reset the warning indicator light - Press & Hold the BC Button at the relevant symbol until RESET appears - then press and hold again until the process is complete.

Turn Off and On the Ignition again - Warning should now have gone!

 

That helped, the warning light is now gone and I am happy, really big thanks. Annoyed about the crap service we got but I just will not go back there or ever recommend them.

I forgot to mention they also removed the clips from the guard liner to replace the sensor cable, then never replaced the clips. The guard liner ended up folding down and dragging on the ground, still have to replace those clips.

 

VICTORY! Thanks for the RIGHT answer. I can verify that this worked on my 2008 R56 MCS. Been through a couple of forums and a bunch of 'try this...'. Thanks for the detailed right answer.

 

Hi,

Is there anything else you can do through this menu??

For example on my R53 I knew how to do loads of useful stuff through the dash interace, eg fuel tank levels, eg left versus right plus combined totals etc. This was extremely useful for me in rallies etc. The R56 fuel gauge is crap!! Also, with the R53 I knew how to reset various codes, recallibrate the speedo etc, all through the dash interface.

If you know of any more can you post, or PM me

Cheers

Robbo

 

It works you can reset any serivec light like that. Also I drove around for about 6500 miles with the brake light warning because my parts guy at my local auto parts store sold me the wrong brake sensor. New brakes no sensor is kinda annoying.