2006 MCS, 6spd with three spoke steering wheel.

Can I add a multifunction steering wheel with cruise and audio controls? Are the wires/plugs already in the column?

I did a search but was unable to find a definite answer.

Thanks,

 

I'd like to do this too for my 05 MCc.

 

I'd love to know this answer as well. Don't have cruise on my car, but would love to have it, and the MFSW.

Talked to a guy at the local dealership and he thought i was crazy, and said for the cost it wouldn't be worth it. Any actual verification on how difficult this might be, cause i didn't really like his attitude.

 

Before I started the thread I did asked Ralph Schomp Mini here in Denver but the Service Writer did not know the answers and I didn't have time to wait for him to find the answer. He did say that while looking that he thought it could be done. Cruise can be added but only to manual transmissions. Not sure why that's the case.

He was unsure about the audio controls and if they would work.

From the thread reading I have done about CD changers, and radio wiring. It appears that the wiring for 2006 models are standard, whether the Build Sheet included the options or not. I would love to be able to just order the wheel, w/o the air bag and just swap my bag over and plug in some wires.

 

That's great news for me then; i'll have a more serious talk with one of the guys i know at the dealership then.

(Enough stealing this thread from the OP for me then)

 

I'm still in 1st Gear, and the Service Writer I talked to seemed like he was in 1st Gear also...so proceed reserved not anxious.

 

Hmm, well okay then.

 

MFSW Retrofit Kit

MINI part # 65-71-0-395-006 MSRP $382.00

Includes both switch units and blank plate. Harness Cable

 

Is this the older or newer style controls? Cables just plug into the main harness above the pedals? Computer re-program?

 

WOW Where are you getting this price???? I have priced the 2 spoke retrofit kit P/N: 65-71-0-029-494, and the cheapest I found was $600 and change. Then about another $600 for the install and Re-program.

BTW there are not many dealers that even know this is possible. I spoke with 3 before I found one that even knew it was possible.

Check out this link if you are a DIY'r. http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/MFSW.PDF

This is for the 2 spoke... not sure what year that goes up to.

 

The price is what Pelican Parts has published. The $600 and change price might be for the kit that includes a steering wheel too. This kit comes with the two switch panels, newer style, a black panel for the bottom spoke and a short harness that connects the switches to the main harness in the steering column. MINI ETK, the parts bible, does not state any from/to production dates when searching using a US model R53 and Steptronic = NO in the filters. Given the protocol for ETK this would mean it will work on all R53's.

The only notes state that instructions are not included in the kit and to print them for the customer from the aftersales assistance portal. As far as I know the MINI will need to be programed after the install for the functions to work.

 

My 05 MCS did not come with the multi function wheel. I was thinking of adding the JCW multifunction wheel, hoping that there would be some sort of plug n' play that would allow the radio controls on the new steering wheel to operate the radio without any retro fitting.

It would be great to have cruse-control, however I think the car would need some retro fitting for the cruse control. My search for answers with the 3 local service department dose not leave me with any confidence so if you or anyone have info, I welcome it.

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...20&hg=32&fg=95

this site has the kit mentioned as well as others.

Peter

 

I actually have the kit. It's a serious installation job, and no MINI is pre-wired for it. The steering column boss is changed to allow data to flow back and forth, there's wiring to the ECU, and the clutch master cylinder has a switch mounted onto it too, along with the various wiring going to the head-unit. The kit would be about 500 dollars (I bought mine here in Ireland), and the OEM instructions claim 3.5 hours labour to install.

 

What chassis and model year do you have?

 

I have a 2005 facelifted MINI Cooper S Works, model year 05 too.

 

I am not sure this is accurate. I have read other posts where people only had to install the switches in the steering wheel and have the computer flashed. Maybe it is different here in the states?!?!?

I have not checked out my '02 yet to see if the wiring is there yet.

I will try and find some of the posts I am talking about and let you know!

There are a lot of posts on this subject, it would be nice if we could put them all together! Any suggestions???

 

I should say, no European MINI is prewired. I couldn't see why they would pre-wire for the US market though, it wouldn't be cost effective to have two separate procedures and wiring looms simply due to potential aftersales of a MFSW set of buttons, which would arguably be cheap.

I do stand to be corrected though

 

Did anybody ever figure this mess out? lol

 

Yep, sure did. One of the best things i ever did to my car. I should mention that mine was an '03 MCS and what was added was the multi-function steering wheel with cruise control and the audio buttons on the back.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...available.html