I was perusing the "Ask the MINI Product Manager" section of the Owner's Lounge yesterday when I came across the question in the attached jpg. I have an October 2007 build and I couldn't find the switch referenced in the answer. I know about the cable pull under the rear seat--was this switch added to later builds?

 

The cable pull under rear seat was no longer installed on my March '08 Build and no remote button either.

Perhaps this is an '09 Model addition?

 

Just checked my '09 and nothing there...

 

Could they be talking about the previous generation Mini?

 

Maybe...but I don't think so. I don't recall seeing that switch on my '04 MCS.

 

I just checked my 2009 MCS. Nothing by my left calf but the hood latch and the stereo speaker on the door.

I also checked the central locking switch on the dashboard. It unlocks the trunk (boot)... I have no idea what that MINI-USA thread is referring to.

 

Neither our '06 or '08 has a release button. I don't know what they are talking about on that one. The emergency release on first gen's is under the rear seat. My '08 had the part under there (the pull ring) but it wasn't attached to anything. The dealer said it got deleted from 08's and had no explaination as to why the part was there except that perhaps my car was built during the time period that the deletion was being done and it got left in there.

The main reason it got deleted is that it no longer is critical. If you have a dead battery in a 1st gen, it's the only way to open the boot to get to the battery. Unless you want to break things. Several things.

 

Anyone check a Clubman? perhaps it's got a button.

 

check the right side of car

 

Just checked mine.. all I found was a thin green string which serves as a fuel door opener. It was tucked behind a 'secret' door on the left, in the boot (below the 12v power source)

 

I just read the same thing last night and could not find it either. I checked all the owners manuals from 2006 through 2009. They all talk about a manual release under the rear seat in case of electrical failure until you come to 2009. There is no mention of any type of manual release for the boot for 2009. Did anyone ever find an answer?

Jim

 

they had id it installed on the 2007's and maybe some early 2008's but they removed it for some reason, it was under the rear seat bench in the middle and it was a little pull thingy that was incase the batt died, i went into the mini dealer when i was first looking at them back in 07 and the car was dead in the show room and i wanted to check out the trunk space and the MA went under the seat and popped it, but recently when i was there for a check up last month i tried to do the same thing ( all the cars in the showroom die) and it wasnt there and my MA told me that they got rid of them.

 

...because the battery now is in the engine compartment, not in the rear.

 

Battery is in the engine compartment on my 2007, and it has the manual boot release.

 

I think that's called an anachronism...

 

Ok, we seem to have established the release was under the rear seat, but has now been done away with. My only other question would be, if the PM says it is "behind your left calf", then just where does he put his legs when he drives a Mini????

Jim

 

It does say "lower rear interior panel", not front. Maybe it's behind your calf if you're sitting in the backseat .

 

Actually I thought about that, but "Lower rear interior panel" and "under the rear seat" just don't seem to be the same.

Honestly all the questions and answers in that section look to me as if they were written by the same person. Like the PM was making up a question and then giving an answer.

Jim