So I dont have an MCS yet. But when I do get back to the states and order, I will be doing so through the Dealer in Atlanta. Which is about 5 hrs away. I have read a ton of posts on here about the options that the dealer sets on your car before you pick it up, or if you want to change or add something down the road. Such as onboard computer and auto doorlocks as well as other things. They have come up with a way to change the computer programming to add horses and to change fuel curves. Which can be done with the right software and a halfway decent user of a laptop. How come, or maybe there is and I cant find it, a way to change these dealer only settings? If i would ever have to change a setting or add something to my settings, I would have to drive to the dealer to get them to hook their computer up to change my settings. Has someone not came up with a way to change these settings on their own?

 

Isn't it sad that we have to drive so far to get to a dealer?

 

Then how is MINI going to make any money?

 

This is a good point though, if you can upgrade your ECU, seems like one of those ECU upgrade companies should be able to figure out a program to allow the driver to change the settings themselves on their laptops.

 

I think I read its a different part of the SW. There might be a group on Yahoo Groups that have hacked the BMW comp. look there.

 

It sounds simple enough in theory, if a third party can crack the engine management code and alter it, then why not other vehicle electrical parameters? That said, I've never heard about it for any make, makes me wonder....On another note, I always hear about how stingy the dealer service departments are about making software changes, while at my BMW dealer, the internet sales guy I bought my car from has made changes to my settings with his personal laptop.

 

So the availability is out there. We just need to push someone to release it out to the public. Your guy with his laptop, I wonder where he got the software and the cable? Where does the dealer plugin to change the settings? OBDII?

 

If it's anything like the BMWs (and it probably is) then there's a BMW(mini) specific data port that they plug into. Look for a circular plastic cover over the port, somewhere in the engine compartment. Of course, you don't want to go poking around in there unless you know what you're doing!

Michael

 

I didn't watch that closely when the salesguy made changes in my car, but he did it from the driver's seat, so I assume he was using the OBD port. I am guessing he copied the software from the dealer's system to his laptop, kind of makes me wonder how strict they are about that.

 

I started a thread about the ulitmate mod or something. IT's about $10k, and will do all the magic on BMWs and Minis. No, there's no Mini specific unit for less.

Sorry,

Matt