Since I bought my MCS used and got everything on it I wanted except CRUISE CONTROL (didn't think I would miss it, but I do) I was wondering if I could get it installed now by the dealer and what it would cost. Anyone with experience with this type of thing? Probably cost prohibitive....

 

Not sure how expensive, but it's not cheap. I seem to remember $1200, but I 'm not sure of that.

Every time I see someone ordering a MINI without cruise I try to talk them into getting it. Maybe it's because I don't live in the city and find lot's of opportunities to save gas, avoid a ticket and/or just rest my leg while using cruise. Maybe it's the fact that very few $25,000 cars don't come standard with cruise. It could also be that resale of a car, even a MINI, without cruise can be harder, Kelly Blue Book list cruise as one of the options that increases resale value. Even if you never turn it on, just knowing it's there if somebody wants it during the life of the car makes it worth getting IMO.

Then again, it might be the stereo controls.

Good luck on the retrofit, I'm sure someone has had it done and can give you better information.

 

You might check with the dealer on this... It might not be expensive at all.
You just might need the steering wheel with the controls.. The mini is drive by wire... the controls are all controlled thru the bus.

 

Thanks

 

Here's the how to:

http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/MFSW.PDF

I can't imagine that it'd be cheap, but it's possible. You could DIY the hard parts then take it in to a dealer for the required coding. You better find a tame service department to code it after your installation.

Rawhyde

PS The part number(s) will change if you want to convert a 3 spoke wheel.

 

Thanks Rawhyde......I do have the 3 spoke.....I wouldn't attempt this either way.....I called the local dealer but haven't heard back from them for two weeks now.....not a popular aftermarket upgrade I'm sure. Darn. Oh well I will have to do without probably.

 

OK, this is absolutely not the same, but...

I have a 1994 Ford Probe (which is being replaced by a new MCSC any day now ) that also didn't have a cruise control when I got it. I did the aftermarket route to get a cruise control. After a few years, the system was so bad that I just had it disconnected altogether. I don't know the relative quality of the system I had, but I grew to deal with its abscense and now I don't miss it at all.

Of course, my new MINI has cruise control. You bet.

For what it's worth...
--Doug

 

I investigated this a year or so back. Dealer says they can do it but at $1,500.00 plus parts which put it right around $2,500.00.

..Les

 

Not to highjack this thread, but exactly what does "drive by wire" mean? All along I thought this was just another euphamism like "go kart handling." Does it actually mean something mechanical/electrical?

To get back on track with this thead, you'd need to get the multi-function steering wheel installed, which I'm guessing would run you $350-450. Add on the cost of the cruise unit and installation, and it could very well end up close to the $1k mark.

Good luck.

 

It means that when you press on the gas pedal there is no mechanical linkage/cable connected with the engine. The fuel flow increase is done by an electrical "wire", as in, "drive-by-wire", telling a remote actuator to operate.

 

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense.

 

Even if the cruise control is not world's best one in our MINI, it is still a great feature to get.