R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI

Old Sep 15, 2006 | 09:43 AM
  #501  
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Originally Posted by Little bit
How do you deactivate the self locks?
that has to be done at a MINI dealer
 
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Old Sep 15, 2006 | 09:51 AM
  #502  
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Originally Posted by myzamboni
This is another BMW trait that is shared with MINI.
Not any BMW I ever owned (an M3, an 88 325is, a 95 325is, a 2000 328is and a 2002 330i). All single pull to get out. Of course, the lock features could be "user" set.

And I had to order a spare key for my new/used Mini, and it'd have been nice if someone (either the SA I originally talked to or the Mini Parts Specialist) would have TOLD me it needed to be programmed for the lock/unlock features on the fob to work at all. Now I have to make a separate trip in, instead of having it done with the service the day I picked the keys up....
 
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Old Sep 15, 2006 | 09:58 AM
  #503  
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Originally Posted by MMS1
Not any BMW I ever owned (an M3, an 88 325is, a 95 325is, a 2000 328is and a 2002 330i). All single pull to get out. Of course, the lock features could be "user" set.

And I had to order a spare key for my new/used Mini, and it'd have been nice if someone (either the SA I originally talked to or the Mini Parts Specialist) would have TOLD me it needed to be programmed for the lock/unlock features on the fob to work at all. Now I have to make a separate trip in, instead of having it done with the service the day I picked the keys up....
E46 and onward (at least). And my '84 Grey Market 323i was a double-pull.
 
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Old Sep 15, 2006 | 10:28 AM
  #504  
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ImagoX: Picked up my new BRG Cabrio last week. I had not received any mailing from MINIUSA but did print off the list of programmable options. (Not certain it is absolutely the current list though.) MA treated it almost as an interruption to his demo routine--didn't offer anything more specific to my build. The manual on page 24 says KEYS are specifically programmable, as in one set of options for me and one for the wife. AskMINI said, yes that's right. Called the dealer and they said "no way". Longish chat with AsKMINI later confirmed that the dealer was correct. Then later still I received an e-mail to my query and Meg at MINIUSA said keys are individually programmable--check with your dealer. I think the manual and folks at AskMINI are wrong and the dealer is right.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 04:11 AM
  #505  
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if you push the lock button while the boot is open, all doors will lock including the boot when you shut it... comes in handy when you don't have a hand to lock the doors and carry all your stuff : )
 
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 05:32 PM
  #506  
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Originally Posted by jerry@suscom.net
ImagoX: Picked up my new BRG Cabrio last week. I had not received any mailing from MINIUSA but did print off the list of programmable options. (Not certain it is absolutely the current list though.) MA treated it almost as an interruption to his demo routine--didn't offer anything more specific to my build. The manual on page 24 says KEYS are specifically programmable, as in one set of options for me and one for the wife. AskMINI said, yes that's right. Called the dealer and they said "no way". Longish chat with AsKMINI later confirmed that the dealer was correct. Then later still I received an e-mail to my query and Meg at MINIUSA said keys are individually programmable--check with your dealer. I think the manual and folks at AskMINI are wrong and the dealer is right.
I haven't checked with my dealer, but I've seen this report of keys being individually programmed successfully (see posts #51-54): https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...178#post937178
 
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 08:20 PM
  #507  
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From: Golden, Colo.
Notice That, Like Waiting For The Red Lite To Go Off On The Gas Gauge Before Starting, That The Lights On The Mfsw Flash Before Starting The Mini, But Only The First Start Of The Day. (dont Know How Much Time Has To Elapse Between Flashes)
 
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 10:50 PM
  #508  
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Individual key programming... If true, that's so totally cool.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2006 | 05:33 PM
  #509  
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Originally Posted by ImagoX
Individual key programming... If true, that's so totally cool.
Is this true of all Mini's all years?
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 10:57 AM
  #510  
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Originally Posted by Little bit
Is this true of all Mini's all years?
No it is not true of any year MINI.

The keys absolutely 100% do not have any individual memory function. If DRL, for example is activated on your car, it doesn't matter which key you use, the car will have DRL active. (plastic wallet key included)

If your car is set to unlock when the key is turned off/removed, the doors will unlock with every key.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 04:54 PM
  #511  
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Originally Posted by 1nf3rn0
The dealership knows how fast your car has been. They know all. They scare me.

chya they know all about you i got my mini taken away after servicing!!
they told my parents what they know and they said the car has been
136 mph. and the miles. how many times i've turned it on and off. and how long it's been used. it is scary
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 05:02 PM
  #512  
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Originally Posted by 2004MCSBritishRacingGreen
chya they know all about you i got my mini taken away after servicing!!
they told my parents what they know and they said the car has been
136 mph. and the miles. how many times i've turned it on and off. and how long it's been used. it is scary
i want to know all the stats on my MINI...
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 05:29 PM
  #513  
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Originally Posted by 2004MCSBritishRacingGreen
chya they know all about you i got my mini taken away after servicing!!
they told my parents what they know and they said the car has been
136 mph. and the miles. how many times i've turned it on and off. and how long it's been used. it is scary
136 mph, wow. I agree with what your folks did. They only did it to protect you & others from yourself. One day you may even understand.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 06:01 PM
  #514  
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Originally Posted by mielnicki
No it is not true of any year MINI.

The keys absolutely 100% do not have any individual memory function.
Then I guess there is conflicting information. In the thread I referenced above, someone posted that his car has been programmed to recognize individual keys.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 07:36 PM
  #515  
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Originally Posted by rkw
Then I guess there is conflicting information. In the thread I referenced above, someone posted that his car has been programmed to recognize individual keys.
I know what it said in the other thread. However that information is wrong. Here is the information from MINI regarding the keys. The line above Procedure says it all.

Steve

 
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 11:14 PM
  #516  
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Originally Posted by mielnicki
I know what it said in the other thread. However that information is wrong. Here is the information from MINI regarding the keys. The line above Procedure says it all.

Steve
In the other thread, I also referenced an additional source (the BMW TIS service CD-ROM) that said the same thing -- MINI does not have programming options for individual keys. However the person who posted in the thread is pretty clear in his description that it works for him. I have no reason to doubt that his description is accurate.

I suspect that the feature is actually in our cars (at least for some years) but it is what the computer industry would call an "unsupported feature". If the dealer actually tries to set options for individual keys, it will probably work. But if it doesn't work or the dealer doesn't know how, you are out of luck because it is not officially supported.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2006 | 05:57 PM
  #517  
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If you hold the "lock door" toggle in an upward position for 2 or 3 seconds, the windows will go down and the sunroof will open all at the same time.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 03:45 AM
  #518  
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This has already been discussed (yes, I know it's a long thread). And it works only if your car has been programmed that way, (which mine isn't, but I'm gonna have that 'fixed').
 
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 08:11 AM
  #519  
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Has it already been posted that the digital speedometer works in reverse? I always wanted to know how fast I was going backwards.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 09:46 AM
  #520  
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flashing lights when locked, unlocked...

We all know by now that when using the buttons on the keyfob...
unlock: lights flash twice (as if to say "o-pen")
lock: lights flash once (as if to say "closed")

however i recently discovered that (with the 3-button keyfob):

if you use the "open the boot" button, only the rear lights flash twice (as if to say "only the rear is open")

if you try to lock the car but one of the doors or boot isn't closed all the way, you get NO LIGHTS (as if to say "error")

(was that helpful, or repeated information?)
 
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 12:15 PM
  #521  
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I discovered this while cleaning my interior today:

If you have a CD in the CD player and you press "Eject" the CD comes out. If you don't remove the CD from the slot in about 10 seconds, the CD player pulls it back in, thus not leaving it "hanging out" to get damaged.

This works if the ignition is on or off.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 03:47 PM
  #522  
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Originally Posted by iriemanhq
if you use the "open the boot" button, only the rear lights flash twice (as if to say "only the rear is open")
Not on mine. The rears and the side repeaters flash, but the fronts don't.

Originally Posted by iriemanhq
if you try to lock the car but one of the doors or boot isn't closed all the way, you get NO LIGHTS (as if to say "error")
I didn't know that. I just tried it and yes, that's what happened.

Originally Posted by iriemanhq
(was that helpful, or repeated information?)
Yes, that was helpful. Thanks!
 
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 05:42 PM
  #523  
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It probably was discussed before but I don't feel like thumbing through 19 some-odd pages.

In the automatic climate control, it will still stay on "auto" mode if you switch off the a/c. Comes in handy during the winter months since you don't need the a/c compressor running. Plus you'll be saving a little gas in the process. I keep mine set at 72 degrees in auto mode with the a/c off and it does a good job in keeping the interior warm.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2006 | 12:44 PM
  #524  
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Originally Posted by Funk_Flex
It probably was discussed before but I don't feel like thumbing through 19 some-odd pages.

In the automatic climate control, it will still stay on "auto" mode if you switch off the a/c. Comes in handy during the winter months since you don't need the a/c compressor running. Plus you'll be saving a little gas in the process. I keep mine set at 72 degrees in auto mode with the a/c off and it does a good job in keeping the interior warm.
I've been wondering about this for a while now, since i got the premium pkg, but i get sick of A/C and get nauseus, so my question is if you could completely override that feature and just have the A/C off and the Auto A/C off? Because if i can't do that then i better call the dealer to change that stuff.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2006 | 01:33 PM
  #525  
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Originally Posted by chickencoop
Originally Posted by Funk_Flex
It probably was discussed before but I don't feel like thumbing through 19 some-odd pages.

In the automatic climate control, it will still stay on "auto" mode if you switch off the a/c. Comes in handy during the winter months since you don't need the a/c compressor running. Plus you'll be saving a little gas in the process. I keep mine set at 72 degrees in auto mode with the a/c off and it does a good job in keeping the interior warm.
I've been wondering about this for a while now, since i got the premium pkg, but i get sick of A/C and get nauseus, so my question is if you could completely override that feature and just have the A/C off and the Auto A/C off? Because if i can't do that then i better call the dealer to change that stuff.
Chicken,

I'm not quite sure what you're asking here but I'll try to answer. With the Auto Climate Control, you do have the ability to operate in manual. You can choose to recirculate the air or not to avoid fumes from outside. If this doesn't answer your question, let me know. I am always happy to help out a fellow Tustinite.

Phil
 
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