I find it interesting that you have to push the button to unlock the car. On my Mercedes ML all you have to do is touch the door handle and the car unlocks. The buttons are only used to lock the doors.

 

Yep, didn't understand your point initially. I meant the button on the door handle.

 

Well, since you asked, there are a few things I'd like. First, they should correct the description so there is absolutely no misunderstanding for future buyers considering this option. That's a nobrainer.

Then I would like any or all of the following (in some semblence of order of importance):

Retrofit the car to make comfort access work as advertised. I'd like to be able to walk up to the car and pull the handle and have the door open. For those who don't have it, opening the door is not really always that simple. Sometimes you have to push the button a few times, or wiggle it a little.

Have the door lock when I walk away from the car. Besides getting soaked trying to push that button in the pouring rain, it's very easy to forget to lock the car often, and there's no way to 'pre-lock' the car before you get out. This option should be user programmable.

Refund some or all of my money. Who knows? What if I spill a cup of hot McDonald's coffee on me while struggling to unlock the door?

I have no intention of suing BMW over this issue, but I did spend a lot of money on something that doesn't work the way it should (or was described to work), so I do think I deserve something for it.

They can start with the jack and a lug wrench that wasn't included with my car.

 

Yea, you might be able to finagle a jack and lug wrench out of it.

 

Yah, it's pretty poorly described in the configurator. It was an option I really wanted when I read it, but when i checked the forums and the car out, it was a total disappointment. They really need to fix the configurator. Hopefully the LSD I got in place will be put to better use.

 

I still like the Comfort Access. It just isn't as good as described.

 

For what is is worth, I was talking to the service manager well having the Ipod interface installed. I asked him about the jack, since my Mini had it. He did say at first there were no jacks, but that changed soon. If your Mini has the recessed area in the boot, your Mini owners manual shows it, you have one. If it is not in the car, contact the dealer and it is a no charge item. According to him all Mini's with runflats are suppose to have the jack kit.

 

Did you ever test drive the car? Did you have a chance to test the function?
I guess I see your point, but it DOES unlock the car. Try walking up to without the key. Will it open?

Is it really a STRUGGLE to unlock the door? An irritation, maybe...:impatient
Bummer you're not happy with it, though.

IIRC, that's how the first 'auto key' Corvette worked. I remember the reviewer talking about how irritating it was when he walked out to get the mail, or put out the trash, or go for a walk...

 

I did try the sytem on a Mini at the dealers so I knew exactly how it functioned. For the price and not needing to remove the key fob from my pocket, I can deal with pushing a button. For me it is still easier than carrying items and dealing with pulling out the key fob. Also the comfort access system does more than just the button for locking/unlocking.

I agree that Mini should re-word the online description, but this is not the only instance where a buyer needs to research something and not just read a description and assume the wording is exact.

 

first I'd just get in touch with my MA and say that you're not happy with how the option works, wouldn't have bought it if it had been described accurately in the configurator, and see if you can get some good will or other dealer option to buy your happieness.

Second, file a complaint with the NHTSA. While they're into traffic safety, they are also the clearing house for complaints about cars. It will be added to the institional memory of the gov, and will never, ever go away.

I looked at every complaint ever filed in the US for MINIs since introduction in 02. And if you take out the couple hundred windshield complaints, the percentage of problems that are biatched about on the net that show up in the database is practically zero. Turns out us car owners don't take advantage of the very mechanisms put in place for comments and complaints that the manufacturer can never, ever remove from public access. I bet if we'd all logged our issues when they happened that lots of the items that get complaints would go away due to pressure.

Matt

 

Well this is very odd. I was at Cincinnati mini not 4 days ago, checking out a few options, and the MA who was helping me at the time ran inside to get a key for the car. Before he got outside, the doors unlocked, so I pulled on the handle and started looking around. I assumed at first that he'd unlocked the doors for me, but he was suprised when I was inside the vehicle, so obviously that's not the case (I realize he may have inadvertently pressed it). Realizing that he was suprised by the open nature of the doors, I said "this must have the comfort access option," to which he said "yes."

If I were you I'd press my Mini dealership to find out if this option is reprogrammable, because it certainly seemed to be functioning as advertised when I saw it.

 

I actually was relieved that it wasn't quite as advertised and that you had to push a button. Think of it as a necessary security. After all, you've heard of people opening other peoples doors from the outside to swipe a purse or laptop or something just as the owner exits or enters a vehicle right? If the thief doesn't know about the button, that extra little precaution just might give you time to realize someone else just snuck up on the other side of your car.

 

I say it functions as advertised. I have to grab the handle and squeeze on the R50 after I have unlocked the car using the key.
The door is unlocked, the button is like turning the **** on the front door.

As for the no jack issue, the jack supplied isnt something I would fee safe using to change multiple tires or support the car for long periods while I did a summer-winter conversion. By jack stands and deccent floor jack and, as LordoftheFlies always tells me, be safe.

 

I am glad it doesn't work as the OP feels it should, too. Although, I do see his point. I don't know if he has a case, but I do know that the fob DOES have rechargeable batteries. You just have to stick the "key" in the recepticle on the dash, just as you do without comfort access.

 

Since its a BMW system I am assuming that the base functionality is the same for all BMW / MINI. In my 5 Series the cost is 1K for the option and it works by touch and proximity, as you place your hand on the door handle it unkocks, if you do this to the drivers door all othe doors will remain looked, if you open any passenger door all the doors open. The system senses if the key is inside the car if so comfort access is disabled unless the key in the car was not the one to open the door. You can walk away and leave the engine running with the key in your pocket ( I have been up to 20 feetaway) and the engine will continue to run. If you are outside with the key and someone tries to drive the car it will just show the key outside symbol and not go. To lock the doors just a thumb touch on the door handle where the locks would normally be will does the trick

 

Seems the only difference, then, is that on the MINI, you have to push a button, not just touch the handle. That would be okay, if the door actually instantly unlocked/locked each time. But, it doesn't. The have been times I have had to wait several seconds for a reaction (maybe 2-4 seconds, which may not sound like much, but seems that way in a dark, unfamiliar place, or in the rain).

 

Lynn, the OP is correct, key fobs with comfort access do indeed have non-rechargeable batteries, that will in time, need to be replaced. It's in the manual.

 

That's not true. Key fobs without comfort access are a sealed unit. Those with comfort access have a removable cover and the batteries inside are not rechargeable.

 

I have rechargeable batteries. I've checked.

 

The first one it detects.

I too am very glad the system works the way it does and not the way the OP would like it to. Here is what would happen. One day your car would unlock itself because you walked too close to it. And before it would lock itself, someone would vandalize it and you would be wanting to legal up because of that.

It would be nice if the door handle had a sensor pad which did not require a button to be pushed, but the system does work logically.

 

I never lock my Mustang (don't want someone to cut the top) and if there's nothing in the car of value, I rarely lock the Mini. Could be because it's summer so the windows are always down a few inches when it's parked. Sometimes its' because I've got the key without the remote, and just can'
t be bothered to go back to the car when I realize I don't have a lock button.

But really, are "quick hit" vandalisms a statistically frequent event? I know rain is......

Matt

 

The keyfob for the comfort access system seems to be not chargeable or chargeable depending on whom you ask. My MA says not, a MT says yes.

Last night I removed the battery and mine is a Panasonice CR2032 3v, which is a lithium battery and is not re-chargeable. Also looking at the case of the keyfob and using my Fluke multimeter there is no way that it is chargeable by docking it in the car slot. Now this is just my opinion, if others care to belive it is chargeable that is okay.

 

it seems like the comfort access key preference could be made as easy as a programming change. Nothing hardware-wise would have to be changed; maybe if enough people complained, they could issue some sort of update or something.

 

Oooops. I was thinking of a different fob. It isn't rechargeable. Sorry. Well, at least I didn't sell you a lead-laced Elmo.

 

I had posted a problem I had where, apparently, the 2nd key, hanging on our key holder, in the kitchen, right next to the carport, confused my car when I was starting it with the 1st key in my pocket. I lost all my pre-sets. The 2nd key had never been used to program anything, so I could accept that the car "connected" with the 2nd key. What got me, though, was that when I next used the 1st key, I was miles away and my pre-sets still did not appear. I had to redo them all.