Well I showed up bright and early as soon as the dealer opened to pick my baby up. All was going well, the car was clean and smelled oh so good. Then my salesman hands me the key and tells me to sit down in the drivers seat so he could show me around the controls. It was all good, up till I sat down and realized that my steering wheel didn't have any buttons on it . So I ask the salesman why I didn't have the Multifunction steering wheel that I paid an extra $250 for. His first answer: MINI doesn't offer that option.
So I pulled out the original purchase order and showed him that it had in fact been ordered, so after about 15 minutes of running around he came back and said they would order it and when it comes in they would give me a loaner for my trouble while they swapped it. So now my question is: does adding the Multifunction steering wheel give me Cruise Control? Or is there more to it?

Anyway the drive home, although kinda slow due to snow, rain and just generally wanting to break her in right was the best drive I have ever had in any vehicle I have owned. It freakin handles better than anything I have ever owned. So just WOW is all I have to say, I got back 2 hours ago and the smile hasn't quite worn off yet.

 

Congratulations! and yes, the MFSW gives you cruise control.

 

MINI doesn't off that option????? Yikes!!!

 

Damn, I better return mine since it isn't offered. On second thought just think how much I will get on resale for having the only Mini with cruise control.

 

Cruise, radio controls and buttons for bluetooth are on the MFSW and yes its an option...we have it on both our MINI's

 

But the real question is....why do you need cruise control? It's a MINI!

 

I have only used cruise control once or twice before. It just isnt fun when you do. I pride myself on being able to maintain a speed more accurately without it.

 

Ah, try driving north to south in Nevada. Cruise control gooood!

To the OP, make damned sure that all of the functions are hooked up and functioning. I'd be very, very leery of that dealership. They sound like functioning idiots that don't mind lying to cover a goof.

 

Welcome to NAM and enjoy your MINI.

+1 on the caution to make sure all the functions work after the install of your new wheel.

I hope the service department is better than the sales department staff at your dealership.

 

Definitely +1! Got it but never use it.

 

Congratulations!!! I have never used the cruise control on my steering wheel.. or the blue tooth.. and now that I think of it, half the time I forget that my stereo controls are there!! OMG! I have had my car a year.. grins, guess its time to start pushing buttons!!! Is there an ejector seat button on there that I need to know about?!?!

 

Good Lord I'd never use that salesman again.

 

Congrats on your MINI and definitely check that the cruise and radio functions all work properly after the install.

I love cruise control - when you are on cruise and start to pass someone, it is very obvious that the other driver is NOT using cruise control (almost everyone tends to speed up until you actually get past them).

 

Under some driving conditions, some of us need cruise control. My dealer is in Phoenix and I live in Yuma, AZ. I kept it under the 4500 rpm break-in limit while driving home, but in 6th gear thats 100 mph and the speed limit is 75. If you don't use cruise control on Interstate 8 east of Yuma speeds will creep up on you. Under these conditions if you don't use cruise control its ticket time.

 

HE HE!! I spent the entire day driving everywhere, already have almost 500 miles on the MINI. My only regret right now is that I didn't buy one back in 2002 when I was in Germany the first time. This car is amazing, my previous car, a heavily modded Chevy Cobalt SS/SC never on it's best day handled as well as this does direct from the factory. I could not be happier right now, I think my smile is permanent and there just aren't enough excuses to go out and go for a drive.

As for the cruise control, I won't likely use it much if at all here in Germany but I will when I get back to the states on long trips. My foot tends to get pretty heavy when on long trips especially traveling across states like Nebraska so the cruise helps keep me out of trouble.

I am still shocked that the salesman told me that, I have never had a salesman that unknowledgeable on the cars that they sell. His manager called me to apologize and to let me know he was taking over my sale. He told me there was a note with my file and told me to remind them that when I bring it in for the swap that they owe me a tank of gas for my trouble, which is better than nothing I guess.

 

Congrats on your MINI !! Sounds like you're a very happy MINIac !!

Ohhhh... to take delivery in Germany and drive the autobahns around K-Town (and beyond, of course). I'm sure you'll hit the A-6 as soon as break in is over.

I lived in K-Town twice, 1983-1986 and 1996-2000. Loved it.

Enjoy the MINI !!

 

I use the MFSW mostly to change the volume on the radio. The cruise control helps when you're on the highway coming home late at night and you're tired.
Sounds like they are treating you right on the steering wheel swap.

 

CONGRATS on the new MINI!

By the way, the smile doesn't wear off...we've had ours since 1JUL07 and, like many of our mothers have said, "my face has stuck that way"...

Good luck motoring and enjoying your MINI.