In response to an earlier post regarding the missing emergency boot lock release pull ring, I wrote to MINIUSA to ask about it. This is the response I got.

>Hi John, thanks for writing in.

>The manual is actually incorrect. The MINI does not have an emergency boot lock >release at this time. It's something we're looking into. Please let me know if >you have any other questions.

>LET'S MOTOR.

>Emily Hatley
>MINI Division

I this true? Does anyone actually have the pull ring in their car?

John

 

It doesn't exist.

It sure is reassuring that they are "looking into it" considering they published it in the FREAKING manual!

 

Perhaps you might take a look at this thread for further discussion.

Click me.

 

Well that is mighty strange because MEMINI has one! After I read that afore mentioned thread I went out to the garage and found mine in the CENTER under the rear seat, pulled it, low and behold it popped the boot! :smile:

 

No pull ring in mine. That's BS!! Hope the elect locks work forever.

 

2003 MCS build date October. We've got the emergency boot release.

 

Johnna,
From what I can tell after having read many posts about this:

This is an inconvenience issue for 2002 Cooper owners and a dangerous issue for 2002 Cooper S owners.

We should all write a nice note to MINI USA and see what can be done.

_________________
Indi Blue Cooper w/ Black top & mirrors, sport seats and Prem. Pkg. Christened "Ringo".

 

I'd be willing to installit myself,if a retrofit is available. I've got a 9/02 build '03 S. I hate not being up to date.

 

KensMINI, fogive me if I missed this in the thread somewhere, but why just an "inconvenience" for 2002 Cooper owners, and "dangerous" for 2002 Cooper S owners?

 

Verruckt,
So, you think that the Oct build rumor is true? You've got a 2003 but one of the very first ones and don't have a pull ring?
Kens

 

Indy,
The Cooper S model has its battery in the boot.

_________________
Indi Blue Cooper w/ Black top & mirrors, sport seats and Prem. Pkg. Christened "Ringo".

 

I was not even thinking that route. Thanks. I'm hitting myself in the head with my mouse right now......

 

Indy,
Don't be hitting. I guess it might be true that one person's inconvenience is another person's danger. Or vice versa. I just thought it seemed more of an issue for S owners.

However, I'd like to get this fixed on my Cooper.
Kens

 

Mandyin MD has a silk green 2003 MC with a pull ring.

 

>>KensMINI, fogive me if I missed this in the thread somewhere, but why just an "inconvenience" for 2002 Cooper owners, and "dangerous" for 2002 Cooper S owners?

Indy, read my post entitled "Major factory screw-up!!(this could happen to you)"
It explains why this is more than just an inconvenience to "S" owners.

I really think that we "S" owners without emergency release cables are taking things way too calmly with MINI USA, considering the danger we are putting ourselves into every time we drive our cars.
In my opinion, a free emergency cable retrofit should be an absolute obligation and BMW should take responsibility for their carelessness and putting our safety at risk.
They should offer to fix their mistake now, before someone really gets hurt and sues the hell out of them for leaving out a crucial safety device and printing misleading and false information in their manual.
I WILL have this necessary safety device installed on my car, and will do whatever it takes to have it done THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I know that we all love our MINIs and wouldn't trade them for any other car in the world.
This doesn't mean that we have to put up with a manufacturers blatant disregard for our safety and "don't give a crap" attitude.

I'm all for writing a mass letter to MINI USA, if anyone cares to join me..


_________________
2003 Dark Silver MCS, White top, Lapis Blue leather, Premium and Sport.

 

I think the cable/ring is installed in late Oct-build U.S. MINIs. Mine was built on 15 Oct and does not have it.

I've written several notes to MINI USA, never been told it didn't exist. They told me it was a "Europe only" option and that the MINI has a battery back-up that will allow the boot to be opened in case the battery goes dead or the battery cable becomes disconnected.

I disconnected my battery and tried the back-up feature..... It doesn't work. Which prompted another message to MINI USA..... Haven't heard back from them yet.

 

>>I think the cable/ring is installed in late Oct-build U.S. MINIs. Mine was built on 15 Oct and does not have it.
>>
>>I've written several notes to MINI USA, never been told it didn't exist. They told me it was a "Europe only" option and that the MINI has a battery back-up that will allow the boot to be opened in case the battery goes dead or the battery cable becomes disconnected.

Satchmo, as you and I have proven by testing (although my "test" wasn't quite on purpose) the "battery back-up" is a load of crap and either does not work or does not exist.
I'm getting really tired of recieving false, incorrect or conflicting answers from MINI USA. Seems like they're only trying to hide their mistake and avoid trouble.

_________________
2003 Dark Silver MCS, White top, Lapis Blue leather, Premium and Sport.

 

Why they couldn't have just put a damn actual <gasp> mechanical lock with a keyhole on the boot (like every other car made in the last 50+ years) is a complete mystery to me. They obviously still have some kind of mechanical linkage, since some cars have the pull ring, and you can't convince me that it is cheaper/lighter/less expensive to have a cable lead all the way from the boot to under the rear seats than to just have a keyhole right there at the source...hope my MC has the pullring. I'll find out in a few weeks =)

PigLick

 

>>Why they couldn't have just put a damn actual <gasp> mechanical lock with a keyhole on the boot (like every other car made in the last 50+ years) is a complete mystery to me.

Amen, brother!! I myself have wondered that exact same thing...such a simple little thing really..