Is it possible to retrofit an OBC to a stock 05 Cooper? If so, any advice on how to start would be appreciated.

 

well, I don't know if the '05 has the right stalk. To tell, it will have a little button on it, on the top with a little picture that some what resembles a computer. Also if you have the little screen in the Tach. these are the two things you can tell from in the car.

If you have both things, head over to you local (or not so local) mini dealership, and tell them to retrofit the OBC. They may look at you funny so be sure to bring the "OBC Retrofit Manual" . It should take no longer then 10 min.

Then have fun. It cost me $50~ but there are some people around here that got it fro free.

 

The 05 definitely has the same stalk, all MINI's do but without the OBC it just gives you either speed or outside temp.
You said it cost 50 bucks, was that just for the part cos the labour appears to be a couple of hours.

 

that was just labor. no parts were needed for my car. Not all Minis have the correct stalk. It you have the button, with the display (only speed and outside temp). then just go to your dealer and have them program it in.

 

Sweet !!! If it wasn't 4 AM I'd be at the dealership now.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

I just had my dealership enable the OBC on my MINI yesterday. I love it and they didn't charge me anything because i had them do it whilst they were doing some warranty work anywhere. I already had the correct stalk.

 

Wow, news to me....never saw a car with an OBC button that didn't have the proper coding for it.??? If you need the correct switch that has the OBC button, PM me for one cheap.

Chad

 

Ok I'm having a brain fart here.
What's OBC?

 

OBC = On Board Computer.
I have to talk to my dealer and see if this is actually the case or not.

 

Curious. I wasn't aware the 05's and 06's came with out.

 

Yes... it was still an option. a $200 option.

 

I think the answer is no, but does anyone know for sure if you can have speed and instantaneous mpg programmed into the OBC on an '03 MINI.

 

It's not setup so that you can pick what is displayed. It's all or nothing. You can have it programmed, you just need to be sure that you have a button and the display. Some one did a write up on how to do the hardware part on your own, then just have the dealership program the computer.

 

I have the 03 OBC so I have the hardware. I was told when the change was made to the OBC to include speed and instantaneous mpg that this couldn't be done to my OBC. Are you saying that is wrong and all I need to do is ask the dealer to program it in?

Thanks

 

I think that that is a hardware function for the KOMBI, so I don't believe that it is possible to add a function or individual out put from KOMBI to KOMBI2


Chad

 

Just got back from Keeler MINI (Albany, NY) where they programmed the OBC in my '06 for free - YAY!

On my '03 they could not have done this.

 

I just got back from MAG MINI in Dublin Ohio. My car was in for it's service #1 appointment. I asked if they could do the software part of the OBC retrofit. I'd printed out the instructions & gave them to Doug. To tell the truth I thought it wouldn't be done for some reason or another. When I picked the car, up yes it was done (N/C)!!! Man am I happy.

Doug Cochran & MAG earned all 5's today.

 

I just got back from a similar experience at the dealer today. I got my used 06 MCS a week ago, and took it in to have my preferences encoded (key, speed-sensitive washers, etc.) I brought in the instructions for the retrofit kit, told them I had all of the hardware, and asked if they could switch it on for me. This was my first experience at this dealer.

A few minutes later, they said they could do it, and they didn't charge me! I think it might have been their first time doing one, but the key was to have the section of the instructions entitled "coding" handy for them to use. And to throw yourself on their mercy.

bonmot

 

I'm glad it worked for you too. My feeling was if I didn't have the instructions for them it would not have beed done.

 

Is there a "cutoff" on the ability to upgrade? Sounds like '05's and 06's can be done if you have the hardware.... I have an '04 MCS with temp and speed. Anyone know if this is "upgradable"?

 

If you have the button on the turn signal stalk I'd say yep go get it.

 

I have the button on the stalk ..

but when I called Mini of San Antonio.. they flat out told me that unless my car came from the factory with the premium package that it could NOT be done ..

Anyone know of a Mini dealership in TX that will do the OBC programming ?

 

Ralph .... Tell MINI of San Antonio to hook up the MINI OBD scan tool, toggle down to OBC and choose Enable. It's that simple!!!!

 

I suspect it was more of an unwillingness to do it than an impossibility. If you can find the pdf instructions for the installation of the OBC hardware, there is a section which talks about activating it once installed. I'm pretty sure I found this document on Mini2 or here on NAM. It helped my dealer figure it out.

I don't know whether it will help the dealer who already refused you see the light, though.

 

+ 1

Print this off & take it with you. Point out step 8. to them.

What you need is here>>>> http://motoringfile.com/howto/OBC.PDF