It's the yellow one. I figure it has to be reflashed.
I'm sure its not the end of the world.

My wife's passat had to be reflashed when we bought it
in 2006 and it was a 2000 car.

Normal life.

 

Have any of you used the "UNICHIP UNI-Q ECU UPGRADE - COOPER S COUPE 2007+" from Minimania.com?

When I installed my stereo system, we had to remove the front seats. This threw a airbag code as well as the seatbelt sensor. Can this CAN OBD-II scan tool correct this? Autozone...etc?

 

Are you asking if the "Unichip ECU upgrade" can clear your airbag codes? Nope. My understanding is that it's an engine tuning unit that piggy-backs off of the existing engine computer. It is not a diagnostic tool.

As a general rule, OBD-II scan tools can only read and clear only OBD-II codes. These are the codes related to engine emissions diagnostics (like misfire, o2 sensor, gas vapor leak, etc). Airbag, ABS, Chassis, Body, and other proprietary systems are not covered by OBD-II. There are companies that make tools that reset Airbag and ABS codes, but they are $$$pricey$$$.

 

hey Jeff,

Actually that was 2 different questions, but I think you covered my question about the OBD-II clearing my air bag code. The dealership wants $125 for the privelege.

I was also wondering about the Unichip ECU upgrade, if any here had done this mod. Basically is it worth $600? :(

 

I think Alta Mini Performance has a partnership with Unichip and are the first to offer an ECU tuning package. I have no idea if it's the same unit as the one offered on MiniMania. I would doubt that you will see significant performance gains using it on a stock R56 (based on your sig line I assume your MCS is stock), but with upgrades it will really help bring out the potential, or synergy, of the upgrades.

Do yourself a favor and dig through the R56 powertrain forum and look for 'unichip' and/or ECU. I know I've read threads on the topic there in the past. You might be able to find the answer to your 'is it worth it' question.

You might also try posting to see if anyone has a tool to clear airbag codes. Maybe there's a cheap tool available that does just that. Or maybe someone will know of a parts store that rents a tool that'll clear your airbag code. Remember, airbag codes are _not_ typically cleared OBD-II scanners/readers.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

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They reprogrammed the whole car, about 4 hours.
A little longer than I expected and no donuts but I knew
to bring food with me. There was also a couple things they
did in regards to service bullitins.
I can say they have good cable in the waiting area and I was
first so I got to choose the channel.

I'm reluctant to post 1 day data on what is a long term average,
but it appears that after the flash I am getting about 4, 5, even
6 mpg better.

I had also changed the oil last week but didn't reset the mpg computer.

But it seems more reasonable than the 30-32 I had been getting.

I did mention to them the only thing I don't like about the car, and it
is really only ONE thing but it is important in my mind, is that the

MP3 player in the dashboard resets to the beginning of the track
after the car powers down. Not a big deal on a music CD a big
deal on an MP3 track that is 50, 60, 70 minutes long.

They said they will get back to me on it.

 

Sorry about the doughnuts. I was sick yesterday morning so i didn't get a chance to come in let alone bring doughnuts.

Glad you got first pick of the TV.

Hogtied - I saw your Mini on tuesday but i didn't get a chance to find out what was up with it, and like i said i wasn't here yesterday to check on it. If you want i can see if i can't find out some info on your Mini.

 

Hope you are feeling better.

In general my impression so far with Flow Mini is a '10',
or 5 for survey purposes ha ha.

It was a zero for the last new car I bought at the Honda place.

Well, that was their decision.

BMW 3
Honda 1

Funny I never got a customer satisfaction survey from Hona

 

the funny thing about honda is, if you talk about the survey you fail, because in the honda survey they ask if anyone told you about the survey. and if you say yes, they fail.

kind of a catch 22. most people automatically put 4 as a general rule, aka nobody is perfect(5). So most people don't know it hurts the sales staff by not giving a 5. At Mini we can tell people and they give us 5's, if we deserve it, and i hope we always do. At honda you can't or you fail, so they have bad CSI a lot of times.

Glad to hear that you like us, if you need anything please let us know

 

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I talked to the tech yesterday and he said that he had submitted a case to MINI to see what they suggest.

He said that when he was test driving around at like 60 it would downshift for no reason.

No worries, we'll get it taken care of as quick as we can.

And Scott Mann says hello

 

I wish my MA was on NAM... Talk about great customer service.
Best of luck with your MINI! Were you able to get a MCS loaner at least?

 

Still waiting to get my car back.