Initally I ordered the 3-spoke MFSW, then changed my mind and my MA assured me that the order was the 2-spoke MFSW. Owner's Lounge specs showed MFSW but not specifying which. But I trusted my MA.

Stopped by my dealer tonight and saw that my 04 MCS arrived. Car was not prepped yet, still in plastic. And it had the 3-spoke MFSW.

I don't think the OL shows which MFSW you ordered so if you had changed MFSW order, make sure your MA checks it thoroughly! I still have the feeling that the specs don't show 3 vs. 2-spoke.

Probably could live with it. Some observations:
- 3-9 o'clock position is a little higher than the 2-spoke.
- Horn needs more pressure to sound but I only did a quick test. I'll check it out later.
- Buttons are not individual; one large button that rocks in 4 directions like the direction button (left side) of a Nintendo 64. But they do have a nice solid feel.
- Initial impression is positive, just a little disappointed that it wasn't what I thought I ordered.

 

Have you made sure you didn't have to pay extra for the 3 spoke?

 

The 3 spoke is a no-cost option on the MINIUSA "build your car" area.

 

Both the 2-spoke and 3-spoke MFSW cost the same - $350, so there was no extra cost for me. After seeing and thinking about the 3-spoke I think it's kind of cool. The 2-spoke reminds me of the one on my old Nissan NX2000. Some say the 3-spoke looks like the New Beetle's. My wife just got a NB Convert (red - just like my new MCS!) and even though they both have 3 silver spokes, the MINI version seems to be a bit more classic/classier. Maybe that's why they put it on the limited edition MINI. I'm picking the car (not yet named) today and will let you know what I think of the SW.

_________________
Planning 2b a MCS owner!

 

I have the 3-spoke MFSW on order and, as you said, you can't tell that from the description in the owners lounge. I've asked the MA about it & she insists the 3-spoke is the one on the order. We'll see....

 

I brought that up because when we ordered our car in Dec, our MA said that the 3 spoke was available, but at an extra cost. Everything I had read at the time indicated that the 3 spoke was a no cost option, so that sounded a little strange. We decided to take the 2 spoke, so it ended up not being an issue.

 

I also ordered the 3-spoke multifunction and noticed that my detail on the owners lounge showed a S-style steering wheel. So, I called MINI. My MA assured me everything was alright. After a few days, I then called ASK-MINI and was one again assured that I would get the 3 spoke with my order. He said that there was a problem with the website not being able to show the new 3-spoke, but everthing is correct on the oder detail.

 

Follow up -

Yesterday I received a call from my dealer asking me to go through the upcoming customer satisfaction survey with her. I let her know about the steering wheel mixup. She said the the 2 and 3 spoke MFSW have exactly the same functions. I told her no, you can't change modes with the 2 spoke. She said you can, I again told her no, there aren't buttons on the back to do this on the 2 spoke. She said yes there are.. etc. I finally convinced her the they aren't the same.

She was apologetic and asked if there is anything they could do to help. I asked if they could switch the SW but she said no, they're made so you can't switch them. Hmmm, not sure if she really knew that or not. Since she wondered if I had any idea how they could help, maybe I'll call the parts/service and see if it's possible to swap the SW. Or, maybe they could give me a break on installing a JCW kit! I think the 3 spoke SW looks pretty nice (looks better in person) but it's a mystery to me why MINI didn't add the mode switch buttons to it.

 

>>
>>She said the the 2 and 3 spoke MFSW have exactly the same functions. I told her no, you can't change modes with the 2 spoke...

>>...but it's a mystery to me why MINI didn't add the mode switch buttons to it.

What do you mean by switch modes?

 

Switch between CD, radio, cassette

>>What do you mean by switch modes?
>>