F55/F56/F57 Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for F55/F56 MINI Cooper AND Cooper S models.

secret compartment

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  #51  
Old 03-08-2017, 10:46 AM
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You need to pop the radio and the vent. It is not that hard.
 
  #52  
Old 03-08-2017, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by GregoryK
Finally picked up my ECS tuning order. When first looking at it I thought it was broken as the lid would not lock. After looking at it carefully I a small spring and a cam that was at the end of the plastic slider. I pushed in the spring and moved the slider back ...it then would not close.... I then pushed it up and it lock the door and it could not open!!!
At that point it dawned on me that this cam or pendulum can sit in a neutral position and the door will open and close normally but it the door is closed and the pendulum moves it locks the door and you have to pull the whole thing apart to open it (take it out of the dash). Logic?
If the car receives a heavy impact in the front or back this would lock the door (hopefully) stopping the screwdriver you keep in there from flying out and then getting pushed into the passenger's chest with the air bag deployment.....or something like that!!


Thaks for the orders.

From what you have there I would suspect the same thing as a safety catch.
 
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  #53  
Old 04-17-2017, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by rmcintos
Come to think of it thought... in the year I've had my car, I've never once used it. It's too small to even store a iPhone 6 in. Guess it's just made to hide your drug stash.
In the R-series it was used as the location for the factory CD changer option.

CD's… remember those?
 
  #54  
Old 07-25-2017, 12:42 PM
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So, ECSTuning!!
If I order the hidden glove box for my 2017 F56, will I need a new trim pice?
Mine is Piano Black.
If this is you Matt, thanks for the help with the Mud Flaps.
 
  #55  
Old 07-31-2017, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by hammerhands
If you have it, you push on it.

Part numbers, BTW, ECS Tuning seems to have it in stock:
51459290340 Hidden Compartment.
Then you need a different trim piece on it:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_9609
51459297774 Piano Black
For those who want to do this, the above number shown by hammerheads is incorrect.
The Piano Black Passenger cover trim for the hidden compartment is 51459297776
 
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  #56  
Old 07-31-2017, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by bratling
In the R-series it was used as the location for the factory CD changer option.

CD's… remember those?
Hey, I just notice my F56 HK does NOT have a CD player.
Maybe I can install an 8 Track Player under mount like I had in 1973!!
Remember those!!!


 
  #57  
Old 07-31-2017, 11:49 AM
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I was thrilled to get the secret compartment in my 14 HT, until I tried to actually fit things inside. Holding sunglasses seems to be maxing it out. Probably could squeeze a granola bar in if I had to.

8 track player would be great, I loved mine. Had a center console sheet metal holder for mine, looked almost built in if you squinted. Wore the heck out of Santana Caravanserai tape.
 
  #58  
Old 07-31-2017, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Minnie.the.Moocher
I was thrilled to get the secret compartment in my 14 HT, until I tried to actually fit things inside. Holding sunglasses seems to be maxing it out. Probably could squeeze a granola bar in if I had to.

8 track player would be great, I loved mine. Had a center console sheet metal holder for mine, looked almost built in if you squinted. Wore the heck out of Santana Caravanserai tape.
Then you would remember the bootleg 8-tracks from swap meets. They were pink cases!! My first one was ZZ Top Tres Hombres!!
 
  #59  
Old 07-31-2017, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by TVPostSound
Then you would remember the bootleg 8-tracks from swap meets. They were pink cases!! My first one was ZZ Top Tres Hombres!!
Oh you young people of today. Now, I remember 4-tracks. When The Doors' first album was released on 4-track, it lit all of our fires. Especially when we would take a girl out to the coastal bluffs, park, and watch the submarine races, listening to that 4-track magic. TMI????
 
  #60  
Old 07-31-2017, 05:24 PM
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[/QUOTE]

I want to do the dash in my MINI is this AWESOME wood grain. Do you have a part #/vendor??
 
  #61  
Old 07-31-2017, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Rich Rodichok
I want to do the dash in my MINI is this AWESOME wood grain. Do you have a part #/vendor?? [/QUOTE]

Hey, thats the same stuff they used on Ford station wagons in the 70s

Heres a place to buy it:

Amazon Amazon





 

Last edited by TVPostSound; 08-01-2017 at 09:32 AM.
  #62  
Old 08-01-2017, 10:44 AM
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You could buy 2 kits and do the outside too!

http://www.ptwoody.com/bmw_mini_mi003.htm
 
Attached Thumbnails secret compartment-mi003-1-400w.jpg   secret compartment-mi003-2-400w.jpg  
  #63  
Old 08-01-2017, 11:18 AM
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Best of ALL possible worlds:

A 4 track Muntz tape player in a WOOD factory case.


 
  #64  
Old 08-02-2017, 09:10 AM
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Just a note- in several U.S. states including Ohio, it is illegal to add a secret compartment to a vehicle if it "is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance." The "intended to be used" being the sticking point here- in one case, a motorist was busted for an empty hidden compartment simply because the car smelled of marijuana.

Unlikely to be a concern for most people under most circumstances, but just be aware that it's one more thing that can potentially put you at risk of getting "protected and served."
 
  #65  
Old 08-02-2017, 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by WhatV8
You could buy 2 kits and do the outside too!

http://www.ptwoody.com/bmw_mini_mi003.htm
Who in their right mind would really do that to a car?
 
  #66  
Old 08-02-2017, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by unknownroad
Just a note- in several U.S. states including Ohio, it is illegal to add a secret compartment to a vehicle if it "is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance." The "intended to be used" being the sticking point here- in one case, a motorist was busted for an empty hidden compartment simply because the car smelled of marijuana.

Unlikely to be a concern for most people under most circumstances, but just be aware that it's one more thing that can potentially put you at risk of getting "protected and served."
If they tried to ticket me, I'd just say, "But officer, it's a 4-track!" Probably dates to before they were born...

Love to 'splain to the judge why I was driving around with a 4-track in a secret compartment. I'd just say, "Your Honor, something this rare and valuable needs to be concealed." If the judge was a child of the 60's, he would understand. But if you remember the 60's...you probably weren't there!!
 
  #67  
Old 08-02-2017, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by unknownroad
Just a note- in several U.S. states including Ohio, it is illegal to add a secret compartment to a vehicle if it "is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance." The "intended to be used" being the sticking point here- in one case, a motorist was busted for an empty hidden compartment simply because the car smelled of marijuana.

Unlikely to be a concern for most people under most circumstances, but just be aware that it's one more thing that can potentially put you at risk of getting "protected and served."
The key word there is "add"! If it's factory designed & produced it shouldn't be considered as "added" even if you decide to install one....they were an original factory feature.

Too many rules and regulations that can be interpreted numerous ways! Bah humbug!
 
  #68  
Old 08-02-2017, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by WhatV8
You could buy 2 kits and do the outside too!

http://www.ptwoody.com/bmw_mini_mi003.htm
It'll look better when they take it out of the crate.
 
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  #69  
Old 08-04-2017, 04:43 PM
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OK, let me put this thread back in line.

I understand you need to remove the center cluster to remove the air vent to remove the trim cover.
But you don't need to have those removed to install the hidden compartment, and new trim.

SO?? Can I pull the old trim without removing all that stuff, even if it breaks that trim, which I don't care??

???

HAMMERHANDS' video shows the old trim had been ground down to
 
  #70  
Old 08-10-2017, 04:58 PM
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To answer my previous question, yes, you need to remove the vent, as the new secret compartment has tabs that go under said vent.

Just arrived from ECS Tuning.
Will install Sunday, and report back.

Oh, if anyone looks up the part on realm.com, the cutoff production is 6/2015, so look prior.

I hate you ECS, making me spend all my money on mods!!!
 
  #71  
Old 08-10-2017, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by TVPostSound
To answer my previous question, yes, you need to remove the vent, as the new secret compartment has tabs that go under said vent.
Good info, but will the Muntz 4-track fit in there??? If not, what's the point
 
  #72  
Old 08-10-2017, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 2017All4
Good info, but will the Muntz 4-track fit in there??? If not, what's the point
8-track has to be under-mount WITH slide rack, cause the pinch roller keeps eating the tapes!!


For those of you youngins' laughing, Earl Muntz is the man responsible for the consumer being able to play the music YOU wanted in your car, not dictating what a radio DJ wanted you to hear.
He adapted a broadcast cart to be used in a car. Record companies followed his lead by making commercial 4 track tapes to be used in the Muntz box.
 
  #73  
Old 08-10-2017, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by TVPostSound
8-track has to be under-mount WITH slide rack, cause the pinch roller keeps eating the tapes!!


For those of you youngins' laughing, Earl Muntz is the man responsible for the consumer being able to play the music YOU wanted in your car, not dictating what a radio DJ wanted you to hear.
He adapted a broadcast cart to be used in a car. Record companies followed his lead by making commercial 4 track tapes to be used in the Muntz box.
RIP Madman Muntz. It's priced so low, it's almost free, from M-U-N-T-Zee.

Had to be there.
 
  #74  
Old 08-10-2017, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by TVPostSound
8-track has to be under-mount WITH slide rack, cause the pinch roller keeps eating the tapes!!
You might appreciate this. My first post-college job was working for Bob Craig -- the guy who started out making hand crank film editing equipment mounted on wood boards. Later developed the Magnasync-Moviola editing equipment.

By the time I showed up, it was all about Craig Powerplay 8 tracks and cassette players for cars. And some home units as well.

I started out in Customer Service. Mondays were horrible. Guys had spent their entire weekend tearing apart their dashboards (like you're getting ready to do!!) to install their new Craig Powerplay, only to have their new tape player eat the very first tape they tried to play. I learned to recognize the homicidal look in a customer's eyes as they approached the service desk at Craig HQ in Compton, CA.
 
  #75  
Old 08-11-2017, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by heavyJ
3. Pull the ring most of the way off, I could not figure how to get it all the way off, as stuck at top, but I pulled it far enough off to access the 2 T15 screws at the bottom.
One BIG mistake here:
DO NOT pull the ring out. You're lucky you didn't break the latches on the fiber optic ring.

Pull the bottom part of the ring away 1/4" then twist it counterclockwise until it releases. Mark the ring with a piece of painters tape at the very top once it releases.
To install:
Align the ring with the tape at the top, rotate clockwise until it is straight.
 


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