Whats the Logic of dealers refusing to change the programmable features on my car for free as a courtesy??
It makes me mad that they take that attitude after all, how long can it really take?? & I cant do it!!

 

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11334...02/901021.html

Customer should not be charged---Written in bold!!!!
This is an internal BMW service bulltenin

 

Moritz in Arlington, TX has never charged me for changing a feature. They are a customer focused dealer.

 

It just depends on the dealer and how you approach them about it. The ones that are truly customer oriented, will most likely do it for free or at least for a modest amount. If you have the programming done at time of delivery, it is definately part of the delivery service. After that, you really shouldn't expect them to do it for free.

Even the TSB cited above is for pre-delivery programming, not post-delivery.

 

GT6

Why not?? Isnt part of customer service whilst they have the vehicle in anyway for Ecu Reflash/Warranty items etc??

 

Where's the LOVE? Give 'em hell!!!! And bring along a copy of that bulletin while you're at it.

 

It should br FREE OF CHARGE! I cant believe that they want to rip you off.

 

I agree, the policy and attitude regarding programming BMWs/MINIs is ridiculous considering the short time it takes, esp if the car is in for something else.

 

Do we as MINI owners have the power or sway to get BMW/MINI dealers to stop this practice?
Do we have any people power??????

 

There was a case brought against some auto manufacturere requiring the software be released to stop the auto maint. monopoly. I can't remember the outcome though.

 

When I went in for my first service my the dealership told me it normally costs $45 plus tax to have the daytime running lights turned off (or on I assume). However, they said they would do it for free, and they did . It SHOULD BE FREE, and I was under the impression that it was free. I would have just left the DRLs on if it would have cost me $45!

 

Oh plueez. I will go along with getting programming done at time of delivery except for the fact that most dealers do not even fully know all that can be programmed. At delivery I told my dealer things he didn't even know could be programmed. So unless the dealer can present me with a 100% complete & accurate list of all the programming options at delivery then there is no way in hell should they ever charge me for programming something afterwards. That is total BS

For example I have heard that the doors can be programmed to unlock when I turn the car off. Don't know if it is true but if it is I want that programmed. No one told me I had that option & I dare them to try to charge me for programming it now (that is if you can program it that way )

 

When I was getting mine there was a list floating around here with all the options and I saw the window lock and unlock on shutting off the engine. My dealership did not know about the unlock feature I had to call Ask MINI and have them call the dealership and inform them about that option.


Art

 

It can be done and in many cars out there you can even adjust this setting without the inconvienence having havinf to drive all the way to the dealer (which for me the only competent one is 100 miles away, 70 if I want to go to the one that doesn't even know whats in the manual)

 

Check out the official BMW TSB here:

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11334...102/index.html

 

It is true - mine came from the factory that way. I want mine programmed so I can open the windows and top with the remote.

The manual is pretty good about flagging what can be changed. Some of the options can be set to work with certain keys, i.e. using one key, the doors won't unlock when the car is turned off.

Paul

 

Mine unlock when I shut the engine off.

 

I made sure that was programmed on mine. It's there.

 

According to the TSB:

Note: No Seperate Key Memory is availalbe for the MINI.

Steve

 

Well Good News
I told my dealer about the TSB refering to programable options and he agreed to do these for free!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Squeaky wheel??? Maybe but at least I didnt have to pay for something that shouldnt have ever been chargeable in the 1st place

So Advice

If you need the Programble options changed refer your Dealer to BMW,s TSB and I think they will have to do it for free

 

Our dealer (Cincinnati Mini) will do it one time after delivery for free. They also discuss all the options that are available with you. Seems fair...

 

I think the only mention of these options I heard at my delivery was that they existed (in general, not specifically). I was not asked if I would like any of them changed. I'm going to the dealer Monday for some other stuff and will bring this up. I would certainly like the key off- unlock feature, as well as the DRLs.
Oh, and the TSB specifically states, in bold, that this should be done for free "during the ownership period", not just at delivery.

 

Not mentioned at all during my delivery. Three months later when I drove the 225 miles to the dealership I was told by the SA that they would have to charge me for programming. I strongly suggested that was not going to happen. It didn't, and this person is, thank God, no longer a MINI SA.