I will relocate to Switzerland and want to take my 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman with me. Does anyone know or have experience in what modifications are necessary to use the car in Switzerland? I heard about having to change the headlights to Xenon types, replace the radio for receiving even (instead of odd) station frequencies, and change the frequency of the remote key. Is there anything else? Estimated cost? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

wow, that's an exciting adventure right there. You might want to figure how to switch measurements (mph -> kmph). '09 you say, hmm...I know first gen MINI's already had it on the large speedo.

 

You won't need xenon headlights. In Europe, halogen headlights are standard for MINI and xenon is optional (same as here). Europe might have some different requirement for the beam cutoff pattern but it shouldn't require replacing the headlights. Nor should you need to change the radio. The frequencies should be just a setting in your current radio. You'll need a rear fog light if your current car didn't come with it.

 

I just moved here to Germany and the laws through-out Europe are all the same. Switzerland is only about 2 hours from where I live and I have seen many mini's and clubbies that run the zenon and regular headlights in Switzerland. You will not have to reprogram your remote or change out your radio. I brought my US Spec clubbie over here and to tell you the truth, I get more looks from other mini owners since it is a US Spec car. Plus you will not have to worry about adding the optional rear fog light on it as well. I asked that question when I got here and it is not mandatory. I tell you one thing, I have never seen so many Mini's in my life until I got here. Also, it seems that Americans are the only ones who own the clubbies. Mini's are very expensive for the people over here. You see them driving the small baby Mercedes or Opels. To this day, my clubbie runs the same as it was in the states. Hope this helps and good luck, Switzerland is beautiful!!!!!

 

I have a possibility of maybe relocating to Germany for a while. Just curious, how much did it cost to ship your Clubman over?

 

It was free since I was just transferred here (Military). I wish I could help you!!!

 

Thanks for serving our country. But bummer for me!

 

I hate to say this but better safe than sorry. Swiss laws require the use of snow tires in the winter. My dad had an AWD Audi and he had to splurge a whopping $500-600 on tires and wheels because of that. There's no way around it. Since you're close to the end of the year, grab them as soon as your MINI hits Swiss soil or when your bank account can recover from the shock of moving. I find that law silly, the snow tires do nothing but worsen the ride. My dad said he found no difference in traction and thought that the law was a waste of time and money. I've driven on my MINI's original tires in 2-3" of snow and they work fine because front wheel drive tends to produce better all-weather traction.
What city are you moving to? Zurich or Lausanne are gorgeous cities. From my experience, during the winter months, everyone goes to the train station in downtown Zurich because they have an open air market for the X-mas season. It's pretty cool. DON'T forget a VERY good shovel and thick coat as Swiss snowstorms make the ones in Texas look tiny/wimpy!

 

I fully back Beasleyboy on the snow tire situation. Germany as well is cracking down on the snow tire situation as well. I just purchased a brand new set of Goodyear run-flat tires and new Mini wheels (16's), from the local Mini dealer here in Germany for a little over 600 euros. That way I can put up my nice Mini web wheels and summer tires up for the winter. They use salt here and I just don't want to ruin my nice web wheels. It's a pain, to swap out in the spring, but it's worth it. I tell you one thing, these winter tires grab hard in the rain/snow. Luckily I put them on 4 days prior to taking a trip to Garmisch Germany. We hit a huge snow storm prior to us hitting Austria, I was flying around other cars.
Other note, the wife is driving me nuts with all the Christmas markets opening up next weekend!!! God Help Me!!!!

 

I bought my US spec 2009 Clubman in England (for export) and was able to set the radio for even and odd FM stations, but that was almost 2 years ago and can't recall how I pulled that off
You should be able to reprogram the display for Kilometers and liters; don't know if MINI makes a replacement speedo face for kph?
Also, if you don't have one, you might check and see if you need a reflective triangle as part of your safety gear

 

I think that everybody provided you answers, so I can just say "Welcome in Switzerland" !!! Where you will be located ?

 

I'm sorry, but this observation is so ludicrous, I had to register here just to make this post! Snow tires work, plain and simple. Having the proper tire for the weather is a good idea, not a waste of time and money.

I too live in Germany, have been for the past 5 years now. I'm also surrounded by Americans that think these laws are dumb and a waste. Who do you think winds up in the ARMCO and ditches when the first snow fall hits? Definitely not ze Germans. I drove behind some tool the other night in a 2006ish Sebring (obviously American... American car, American license plates, heading towards a village heavily populated by Americans) who was doing 8, EIGHT miles per hour because he smugly thought he was above the laws and didn't need to buy the correct tires. At a completely level stop light, I saw him spin his tires all the way through the intersection that was covered in less that 1/2 inch of snow (dusting)

Like I said in the first paragraph, it is just smart to have to correct tool for the job. Winter tires rubber keeps it's elasticity in cold weather while tires not designed for snow will become rock hard. Winter tires are siped, which are grooves built into the tread blocks to improve traction on ice and snow. Winter tires have deeper tread blocks to better excavate snow and slush away from the tread blocks. Finally winter tires on average stop 30-40% better than all season tires. Many people fall into the trap of thinking AWD/4WD/FWD is better in the snow; this can be true for acceleration, but does virtually nothing to help you stop... Winter tires do.

Next time I have a day like this, I'll thank the money well spent on winter tires.




Roush - Since you are only 2 hours away from the Swiss border I'm going to assume Army? Being deployed with you guys you go through some serious Shi... How can you be saying it's a pain to change out tires? it's a 20 minute job even when breaking for a beer!

 

+ 1 on the snow tires, here from Michigan's snow belt. I once tried all seasons, and there is no comparison. There are a few threads already up on this, but to many of us, it's obvious. The right snow tires make a tremendous difference in the winter handling of your Mini.

 

Winter tires are definately a must in Switzerland. I lived in Lausanne for half a year (winter season) and without the winter tires I would not have been able to even leave my own street, let alone go to work. Many cities, such as Lausanne, are built on a mountain slope (imagine San Francisco covered in a foot of snow). If the snow is fresh and the roads haven't been cleared, you're not going anywhere with your all season tires.

 

Originally posted by E30M3
"I'm sorry, but this observation is so ludicrous, I had to register here just to make this post! Snow tires work, plain and simple. Having the proper tire for the weather is a good idea, not a waste of time and money."

+3, without my winter tires I have issues driving my clubman (go ahead and start challenging my abilities as a driver ) around Chicago.
A good set of winter tires make a big difference driving on snow and bad weather. It is not an expense but an investment for your clubbie!