I just got my mini. never saw one close up or researched them at all until the day before I bought. I really REALLY love it but I took one off the lot since they offered me a few grand extra in trade-in and I found a few things I need help with:

1. apparently security system is an option and I don't have one. any recommendations on what to do?
2. I don't really like the manual temp controls. do you recommend going back to the dealer to put in auto controls? is that an option? cost?
3. I don't have the fancy steering wheel and apparently no cruise either. can I add cruise somehow?
4. this thing has been getting 35-38mpg regular driving. is that normal? wow.
5. I just tried my spare key this am first time. It would not start and showed me a symbol of a key with a line through it on the status area. like no smoking but instead no key. do I have to program this or something?

thank you for the pointers
Geoff

 

1. apparently security system is an option and I don't have one. any recommendations on what to do? A. Go to a local stereo shop and have them install anything made by DEI. Viper, Hornet, etc... anything will suffice. Another option is the factory system, but only economically viable if you do the install yourself. Otherwise it is cheaper to get an aftermarket system. Heck even a flashing LED on the dash is plenty to thwart off the local joy rider and you can do that for under $5.
2. I don't really like the manual temp controls. do you recommend going back to the dealer to put in auto controls? is that an option? cost? - A. Not worth it. Nice to have if you have it, but to add it is going to be far too much $$.
3. I don't have the fancy steering wheel and apparently no cruise either. can I add cruise somehow? A. Same thing with the alarm. There are aftermarket ones that you can add. They are better than what was offered even 5 years ago. Probably going to be $2-300 installed and be a fairly ugly switch you'll need to hide.
4. this thing has been getting 35-38mpg regular driving. is that normal? wow. - A. You must have a regular Cooper and not an S? Most Coopers get decent mileage. A few MCSs do also. Yeah Mini!
5. I just tried my spare key this am first time. It would not start and showed me a symbol of a key with a line through it on the status area. like no smoking but instead no key. do I have to program this or something?- A. Sounds like a key that needs to be learned. I haven't done that so not sure if it can be done at home, or dealer only. Did you buy at a Mini dealer? If so I'd ask them to fix it since they gave it to you.

 

Keys can only be programmed at the Mini dealer. Since you just got it, they should do it for free.

 

Welcome to NAM. Here's my two cents:

1. The car can't be started without the key (because of the chip in the key) so it is unlikely it will be stolen. Personally, since no one listens to a car alarms anyway to me it is an option that is not worth it.

2. It will be cost prohibitive to go back for the automatic temp controls, so it really depends on how much you want them. I think they look good since the depict the MINI symbol, but everything I've read on NAM indicates the H/AC fan on the MINI isn't one of it's strong points and so you are probably in better shape with the manual control functionally.

3. I'm no expert on this, but I'm sure you could add it in....again it's whether it's worth it to pay the steep price after the fact.

4. That's great, congrats.

5. Bring it back to the dealer and they'll reprogram it.

Good luck with it.