I realize that there are many existing threads regarding this issue, but I have a question that may specifically relate to 2002 - 2004 Mini Cooper non-S models. I've installed an aftermarket stereo in my 2002 Mini Cooper hatchback (bought used this year) and have since taken it to a dealership to see what programmable convenience options might be available. I'm told that they can't program any of the options I might want (auto-lock above 10mph, etc.) unless the factory stereo is in the car. Has anyone else encountered this? I'm not accusing the dealership service department of lying to me; I just can't believe that the car I've come to love so much is configured this way. Any feedback or anecdotes will be greatly appreciated.

 

I've no idea about the stereo thing, that sounds weird. We could get those programmed on our R50, but it did have the stock stereo. Dealer did one programming for free, the rest they'd charge for (something like $50-75).

 

Dear Btwyx,

I appreciate your feedback. I know, this stereo issue strikes me as very weird and I'd never read mention of this caveat in any of the threads concerning the programmable options. I'm hoping that another '02-'04 base model owner who has also installed an after-market stereo finds my query. I'd love to know whether or not another Mini driver has been told the same thing by a dealer.

The bottom line is that if the factory stereo must be in the dash for the programming to begin, then we're stuck with the features we have. The conveniences of an iPod-compatible stereo with bluetooth hands-free phoning, navigation and a back-up camera outweigh a few lock/unlock conveniences.

 

So you have no radio or an aftermarket one?

 

Dear Bigshot,

I've got a Pioneer AVIC-N5 head unit installed where the factory CD player/radio used to be. The Pioneer unit has a motorized touch-screen which deploys when I start the car. The touch screen controls the radio, iPod, navigation and bluetooth phone functions and displays a great panoramic view of what's behind the car when I put it in reverse.

As I've said, all of these conveniences outweigh whatever programmable options might have been possible, had I left the factory system intact. Even if I put the factory unit back in the dash and then took the car to the dealership, I don't know that the options, once programmed in, would stay if I then swapped the BMW head unit for my Pioneer one.

Why these programmable options require the factory stereo is a mystery to me. I'm not an engineer, but I just can't figure the logic behind this arrangement.

 

I think the dealer is wrong. In an R50, the settings are unrelated to the headunit. Many have installed aftermarket headunits in R50/R53 and never mentioned anything about programmable settings being affected. The dealer may be thinking of the R56 where the factory radio does need to be connected for them to do programming. I would say put in the factory radio just to avoid arguing with them, tell them to do the programming and switch it back afterwards.

 

Yep, BCM controls all the "extras". Radio is pretty "dumb" in the R50 and R53s. If you have the HK, it does touch the I, or maybe K bus, but that's only related to the comm to and from the amp/HU (I think). No "features" to speak of.

 

Dear rkw/thatatvguy,

Many thanks for the input. This is frustrating on many levels. We'd brought our Mini to the dealership to investigate the fact that we've had two airbag light "incidences" in the 5 short months we've owned the car. The service desk ran our VIN and said our car got a clean bill of health. Nevertheless, they agreed to look at the car and said we would most likely qualify for the 100,000 mile non-recall recall on the passenger-seat wiring loom. Well, they can't reproduce the fault and the regional manager won't allow the loom swap out. We figured that as we had the car in for the possible recall repair, why not ask them about our programmable options. Our car didn't have the HK sound system, just the basic CD/radio (before my Pioneer installation, that is). Still, the service dept. is standing by the claim that the factory stereo is necessary for any programming. We happen to live in a state with NO Mini dealerships and this one is over 4 hours away. When we pick it up tomorrow, they will have had our car for 4 days and absolutely nothing will have changed. To be fair, the service dept. personnel have been friendly and genuinely seem to want to help us, but I'm not sure it would help my case to tell them that they're misinformed. The next nearest dealership, in yet ANOTHER state, is over 4 1/2 hours away. We've got the sinking feeling that we're stuck with things the way they are. Thanks, thatatvguy, for confirming my suspicions; I simply couldn't believe that the "extra" codes would be stored anywhere other than the BCM.

 

As a final installment in this saga. I've called another dealership and run the scenario by them. To my surprise, they said that they'd have to have Viv, my Mini, physically connected to their computer before they could answer my questions about the programmable options. I had hoped they would say, "No, there's absolutely no reason why the radio should affect our ability to program your car," but that wasn't the case. Before these convenience options become an unhealthy obsession, I'm going to let this go. Thanks again to all for the feedback.

 

I am really sorry, but I have to confirm that dealership won't be able to do any coding without stock radio. This is how dealership software is designed to work. I do know because I did deal with both DIS and SSS. And as far as I remember you will have more luck with DIS of older version, but with what they currently use (there is no longer DIS or SSS) you will have no luck until you put stock radio in place