also, the fuel door locks only when you have locked the doors with the key button.....the fuel door does not lock when the doors have locked automatically at 8mph.....for quite a while, when I would pull into a gas station I would unlock the doors because I wanted to unlock the fuel door but then noticed that the doors could stay locked and the fuel door could still be opened

 

This must be a feature of later models; it doesn't work in '03s.

 

How do you access them? I've read through the entire 14 pages of this thread and couldn't find that answer. At least one other person, maybe two, also asked about this.

 

Did you realize that while you can't put the top down while moving forward, you can raise the top while backing slowly.

Now, I don't want to hear about a bunch of you testing this carlessly and running over family and pets...

 

I'm pretty sure the fuel door locks whenever the locks are engaged - with the fob, the consol switch or (if enabled) at 10mph. The fuel door is unlocked whenever you unlock the driver's door (either by double pulling it from inside or using the fob or consol switch).

T

 

you can get to it throught the hidden OBC (hold trip button while turning key see MINI2 FAQ DIY) and the test function just to get the light, can also run a search for OBC DIT adventure.

 

been my experiance

 

Ok, here's something else I didn't know. How do you get the doors to lock automatically?

 

just tried it again to be sure: ....I drive off and doors lock...I stop and fuel door can be opened; I lock the car with the FOB and the fuel door is locked......anyone else?

 

My '04 is the same.

 

i forgot to think outside the box
when you open the driver door the fuel door will be unlocked

 

That's a dealer enabled option.

 

Important to note for those who will be rolling their eyes at the thought of dealers using this power to make money, they are not to charge for this service per BMW service bulletin M090102 http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11334...02/901021.html

 

That's a pretty good idea, but here's some advice for you if that happens.

Make sure to put the 15" wheel on the rear. If your blowout is on the front, put the unaffected rear tire up there, then install the 15 on the rear.

Mismatched wheels on the front would put SEVERE wear on a Limited Slip Differential. Even a non-LSD car would experience abnormal wear on the spider gears with mismatched wheels.

Rawhyde

 

Thanks motor on! I'll give it a try.

 

Great post, thank you! That's something I didn't know!

 

It is merely a recommendation if you interpret the words carefully ("should"). My dealer gave me one free opportunity to specify my settings, and said that subsequent changes would be charged.

 

I think if you pushed the issue, they wouldn't charge. Providing of course you're not overly demanding. i.e. calling ahead would be a good idea since they may be jammed with appointments. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked for any changes while in for an oil change, they wouldn't charge.

 

Is there a way to turn off the overhead orange lights that guide the way to the map lights? It puts a shadow across the speedo that's a bit annoying. I could always do something like plug 'em but I'd rather disable them.

 

mine didn't mention user-pref setting change options at delivery... thought it's free to change them... if I drive back tot he dealership, which is far. So I'm just going to bide my time until service... I was surprised to hear that no-fee scheduled maintenance had to be done at the dealer who sold you the car. Is that true?

 

It may just be my car, but I've experimented with this extensively and it is never consistent.

 

You are taking this out of context. The note describes the options to be set at delivery.
Yes, the new owner is not charged for that. But the note also says, "Selection
changes during the ownership period are not reimbursable under warranty". This means
you get one free set-up at delivery time and after that you will be charged. No, I don't
like it either but that's the way it is.

 

The phrase "not reimbursable" under warranty is intended for the dealers so that they know not to bill BMW. Remember, these bulletins aren't intended for the consumer. BMW's directive states that they will not reimburse the dealer and the the dealer should not be charging for the service, because it is just that: a service. My dealer has told me that programming changes are free, and I didn't even buy my car there, it's just closer to home for me. If your dealer insists on charging you to change the features on your own car, I would suggest changing dealers. I'm sure that somebody will appreciate your business and treat you accordingly.

 

Your scheduled maintance shoud be able to be done at ANY dealer.
I purchased mine and have had all maint done at the more local dealer.
I was told that they are "reimbursed" from MINI for ACTUALL WORK DONE.

 

No, those lights aren't actually intended as a guide to find the maplights. They are called "ambient lighting" depending on your model year you will also find them in the door handle cups (interior) The intent is to provide some interior lighting at night to provide depth perception when operating the radio/climate control/etc. This is becoming standard issue on many euro cars although most that I've seen use red instead of orange. If it really bothers you you can plug the holes, otherwise try dimming your instrument panel a bit (this will dim the ambient lighting as well).