I'm ordering a new Clubman, and the Technology Pkg for 2013 includes Comfort Access for free as I already want everything else in the package. My current car doesn't have it, and I don't miss it. Just want to hear from those of you who have it if you like or don't, and why or why not? Thanks!

 

love it but did make me a tad lazier lol grabbin the keys for my other cars...

 

I have only had comfort assist so I can really compare to not having it, but I really like it. My key fob never leaves my pocket.
Unlock the door, push the button.
Start the car, just push that button.
Lock the door, you guessed it.
And opening the rear door you just squeeze the handle.
You don't have to mess with digging out your keys all the time. If I could only make my phone my fob. Then I would only have one thing to carry around, but I doubt they will ever have an app for that.

 

The convenience of not having to grab my key to open the door, boot or start the car is very helpful. My Only gripe is the button on the door handles is too small. Otherwise it works very well and is worth it.

I had a loaner recently without it and I was shell-shocked how much I missed it.

 

Had this on my 335i, absolutely loved it. Got the MINI and it didn't have it, absolutely hate digging outta my pockets to insert and start up the car now. Owned the MINI for over 2.5 years now and still hate the fact I don't have comfort access.

Don't pass it up!

 

Have it on my new one and had it on my G37. Not a "must have" but it is very convenient.

 

I reluctantly ordered it on my MINI and must say that I really like it. I would definitely be on my want list now.

 

Order...I ordered Molly with all options I knew would cost me big time later, Comfort Access is not one of those simple fixes if you want to add it later. The Factory Alarm was one of those that in the early 2008 Model Year was pre-wired, later in the 2008 Model Year it wasn't and so those who did not order it, but wanted it later were SOL.

 

Got it, it works but leaves an unsightly hole in the dashboard.

I could live without it but for $250.00 it is one of the cheaper options.

 

I'm assuming you mean the slot where the fob goes in is the unsightly hole? LOL

Does not bother me. I'm thinking that you should still stick the fob in before visiting the dealer so the data can download to the key fob.

I like it though I think the button on the handle is too small and sometimes you have to push it a couple of times to get it to take. At least on my car that's the case.

 

My MA suggested I add it and I'm glad I did. I love it and its one of those things you never think about how much you want it until you don't have it....got into a loaner without it and realized just how convenient it makes the car.

 

@PatM, I would say you have a problem with your CA then, I have never had a problem with having to push the Door Handle Button more than once to get Molly to open up. Now when I go to open the hatch and don't have my Key Fob handy then she starts getting picky!!

 

After three years of living with comfort access, I find it less of a comfort and more of an annoyance. First, the push buttons. I don't know if this is me or the design but some days, it seems to take brute force and several attempts to get that extremely mushy button to "click" and unlock the doors so I find myself using the unlock button on the fob almost all the time. I don't know why they couldn't have just used a metal button. The slot where you slide the key fob in worries me. I think I'm going to have some problems in the future. One night, leaving the local Pep Boys store, my key fob jammed and it took 15 minutes of fussing, cussing and jiggling to get it free because it sits in a flimsy plastic tray that slides into the holder.

Just about the only advantage I can think of is that (well with a Clubman at least) if you lock the doors and somehow left the key fob inside, the rear barn doors unlock and open. At least it saved me from having to make a phone call for MINI's road side assistance as I had a crappy cell phone that kept dropping calls like crazy. But it wasn't easy climbing over the back seats to reach the steering wheel. My recommendation: do not use the key fob holder.

And one last but still annoying quirk, why couldn't they have designed it with a flip-out key like everyone else? My dad's truck uses it and so does my mom's car. Three times, I've almost been late for work because I couldn't find the other half, which was accidentally separated from the metal teeth section. You can't start the car without the round section.
So was it worth the $500? My experiences say no. If I could change anything, I'd delete that and save the $500 for fuel.

 

Earlier versions of CA only unlocked the nearest door, right? Starting the car without the fob in the receiver is new... or so I thought? I assume you still have the safety control of having to have the clutch pedal down in order to start (or be in park for auto)... or so i would hope, given my childrens' propensity for hurtling themselves into the driver's seat *****-nilly...

 

Starting the car without the fob in the dash slot has been around since at least '09, I can't confirm earlier. For the manual cars, you still need to hold down the clutch to turn it on. On the auto it needs to be in park. I don't think you need to hold down the brake.

 

i probably wouldn't buy another car if it didn't have it.

 

Love the comfort access. Get it. Totally worth it.

 

Had it on my previous MINI and this was one of the several options that became a deciding factor when I purchased my current MINI over another one with Recaro seats.

 

I've had it on my 07 MCS and don't have it on my 13 Coupe S. I miss it a little bit, but it's definitely not a deal breaker. The only problem I've had with the CA was that I would leave my keys in a pair of jeans, jacket, backpack, whatever; I would then walk to my car and realize it won't even budge. I then had to go back and search for the key. Now, that was annoying.

 

Our lease return '08 Clubman has it and my wife loves it. She can lower the windows - open the sunroof - and lock and unlock the car with the key in her pocket. I almost always put the fob in the dash when I drive the car, but I have started it with the key in my pocket.

 

Once you have it, you don't want to give it up. I miss it, but I wanted a cheaper Mini.

 

Don't have it, don't miss it. When I'm not driving, the car is in the garage and the fob is in the car. Then only time it comes out is when I make an intermediate stop and then it's in my pocket. The wifey's car has it but I honestly don't find it much of a convenience. Also, one less replaceable battery to worry about.

 

I "stole" my friends car that was parked outside a restaurant when we were eating. Keep that in mind.

 

That was my experience too. The boot is very reluctant. As my new '13 doesn't have it I'm adjusting. I don't think I will miss it. I used it when I had it, Only time I miss it now is when I want to put the car away, jump in push the starter and it starts when you push the clutch. Also, it starts to rain, and the door key will close the roof and wind up the windows.

 

Both of our cars have it, and my prior R56 S did too.

My wife loves it on the Clubman. You get back to the car from the store with armfuls of bags, a quick tap on the barn door handle and they are open. The boot on my Roadster seems to need a good squeeze to get it open, I think the catch may need adjusting next time it goes in. I like it overall, I would definitely order it on future cars.