I'm trying to get a replacement steering wheel airbag for my '02 Mini, since the one in there now is dinged up and ugly. I ordered one, but what came is the airbag for a three-spoke wheel. I assumed the three-spoke was on later Minis, but now I wonder if Mini used the three-spoke on some models of the 1st gen cars.

Can one of you give me the scoop? Thanks.

 

I believe that started with the 2005 MINI builds. Not sure of the exact date the change was made.

 

02 to mid 04 was 2 spoke

on 04 it was a option for the 3 spoke but if you look closely the stitching pattern is a bit different on the 04 3 spoke

05-06 had 3 spoke

 

My 04 MCS has a build date of 03/2004 and came with a three spoke wheel. When I ordered in 02/2004, I had my choice between the two---

 

The two spokes also had different styles. Cars built in 2002 had a smooth two spoke, later on they had perforated leather, and others had bulges where you'd grip. I'm partial to the early early style I have, smooth leather with no bulges.

 

I assume the airbag stayed the same on all the two-spoke wheels. Is that correct?

 

You should take this little mishap as a sign that you should switch to a 3-spoke wheel! Easy swap, and you can finally honk your horn with the airbag cover!

-Chase

 

Does anyone know if the Mini warranty covers the buttons in the steering wheel? Or that is considered "normal wear"? The used MCS I'm getting has some of the steering wheel buttons shaded with lighter color. Not a big deal, but I guess if it's not covered I'll ask the dealer to lower the price.

 

Yeah, it did.

But then you'd loose the MFSW buttons on the back side of the wheel. This is the best placement.

Having the center for a horn is crazy to me. I need a precise button that I would deliberately press.

 

Thanks, Chase. You got my curiosity aroused. What's involved in swapping the two-spoke to the three?

 

There's a three-spoke wheel on eBay now, but it has shifter paddles. Anyone know if those are easy to remove?

 

To go from a 2-spoke to a 3-spoke, you need to buy a la carte:
1.) the 3-spoke wheel, (which is just the wheel itself; nothing else)
2.) an airbag module for a 3-spoke wheel,
3.) the spoke cover plates, (this can be bare covers or the multi-function controls).
4.) wiring harness for any multi-function buttons, (if your car had them already)