I know there is at least one old thread on this from years ago but it's an interesting topic to me and still a hot issue as it looks like it will soon be mandatory according to this story:

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...light-vehicles

I still can't find anywhere conclusively online whether or not new MINIs have one and if so, where it's located.

I know the advantages of such a device for determining failure of a component after an accident (and for insurance companies to raise premiums by judging driver's habits based on a snapshot in time) but I don't really like the idea of my car potentially being used as a hostile witness against me in a court someday, especially when there are no laws requiring calibration to regularly inspect, check and confirm the accuracy of these devices. I doubt these devices would automatically take into account modifications to wheel diameter, tire size or other factors that could impact accurate readings.

I'll give you an example. Many years ago, I bumped the rear bumper of someone's car once by accident. From a stop, I accelerated faster than she did when the light turned green. No visible damage to either car, but she got an ambulance-chaser attorney and went after my insurance co. for neck, back and leg injuries. Her attorney claimed I hit her so hard I left an imprint of my license plate in her bumper. Trouble is, I never had a front plate on the car so she was lying like a rug. She dropped the case the day before the scheduled court date because my insurance company called her bluff. Had this been more serious, my fate may have been determined by the readings of a device over which I have no control and which had never been serviced in any way for the life of the car.

I'm also not sure if, like smoke detectors in airplane lavatories, the mandate will come with restrictions on modification or removal of said device.

Discuss...

 

I'd be very surprised if there wasn't, at least on the 2nd Gens,