That's actually a good point - the seat doesn't have one single sensor that spans the entire seating surface - it's actually several fairly small "point sensors". That's why you can often trigger the airbag light with a small/light object like a laptop case if the weight of the object is concentrated right over one of the sensors.

 

Yep - the vast majority of dealers are pretty mod-friendly. But in case you didn't know it already, it's a good idea to remove the strut bar before bringing the car in for any service that's going to involve an oil change, just as a courtesy for the dealer.

(Of course, that might not be true for the second-gen cars - I don't know if a strut bar interferes with access to the oil filter like it does on the first-gen cars.)

 

Call Meg at MINI; call her now. 1-866-ASK-MINI ext 7970 --- please.
I just got off the phone with her...
And, again, although the car had the problems when it was stock, although a dealership tried to remedy those problems when it was stock (and failed), MINI still asserts their claim that they are unable pursue the matter further until the car is returned to stock.
She stated that it has always been MINI's policy and that they are "aware" of dealerships that "bend the rules".

Funny. That used to be a MINI window sticker. "Bend the rules; rule the bends"
Guess we'll have to do that with genuine MINI parts or lose our warranties...


Please call Meg too.
And that style of sitting is India-Indian, not First Nation-Indian...

 

Or as we non-PC types describe it: "Dot, not feather".

 

When dealers perform warranty work, don't they get reimbursed by MINI?
What does a dealer have to gain by being a stickler or worse in this case? It seems like they only hurt themselves when they deny warranty work.

 

Yes but its not a blank check system, the dealers are obviously monitored by Mini USA, and if its a big ticket item (ie blown turbo, tranny) or a new unsolvable problem that may become a wide spread issue with a new model (possible TSB or recall), a MINI USA inspector or tech may be called in. The dealership may be being questioned by Mini USA as to why two simple problems are taking so many labor hours to get fixed, they may also be worried that the Mini USA tech/inspector comes and says why are you even covering this with those mods (even though it retarded as they are unrelated). This is also where the size and age of a dealership comes into play, dealerships with huge sales and revenue get a lot more freedom to bend the rules than little ones.

 

The JCW strut bar for the 2nd generation MINIs is very far away from the oil filter. Also, it comes with one-use screws. If you taken them out, you should replace them with now ones. It is part of their design to hold fast and not vibrate loose.

I assume you go to MINI of Mountain View. Have you dealt with Pete? I recently took my MCS in for an annual service. First thing he did was sniff around for mods. Took me by surprise because that hadn't happened previously.

 

That is correct ... EVERY enthusiast should have a copy saved on their computer and should google this act and book mark it. Also be sure when presenting the act to the service adviser that if you are push to retain legal counsel that you not only will be placing a law suit against Mini USA but also the dealership is self as well as all costs involved (rental car, your time, pain and suffering, legal fees, ect).

 

My passenger airbag warning light came on once also when my 110# daughter was sitting there. I asked her to put her book bag on her lap but the light remained on. Happened just once & none since...

 

Report it to Meg, report it to your dealer, report it to the NHTSA. When the NHTSA gets enough reports, they investigate and make the manufacturer fix the problem. I've dealt with them before with a defect on Honda Goldwing motorcycles that Honda tried to pretend didn't exist; Honda ultimately launched a "product improvement campaign" that took care of overheating problems worldwide.
This passenger airbag problem is widespread; the boot problem as well. MINI is trying to pretend that they are isolated events.

In my experience, the passenger airbag problem has not gone away, MINI can't figure out how to fix it, and they have given up trying and found an excuse to avoid responsibility for it.
It won't go away. Do you want an airbag for your child, wife, or mom if you are in an accident? The car came with an airbag for the passenger; we should be certain it will function.

 

You're not doing yourself any favors by bringing your issues into every aftermarket modification thread on the forum, just so you know.

 

Quite to the contrary, I believe.
I'm trying to get the aftermarket vendors concerned enough to take some action.
If I were Hotchkis, H&R, BFG, Enkei, or any other manufacturer/retailer/installer/end-user of aftermarket items, I'd be extremely interested to know that MINI has declared common aftermarket parts unsafe without any formal testing, protocols, or proof of any kind.
It's scapegoatism at its worst.

 

I found out an hour ago that there is a TSB from MINI regarding the passenger airbag light problem and that they don't have a solution. The boot self-opener might be related since it's a problem in the wiring harness/bus.

Neither MINI nor the dealer was forthcoming with the info; I had to find out about it back-door.
Therefore it is a problem with all or most of the new body MINIs and they are trying to keep it quiet to stave off a recall; they would rather handle it by TSB, quietly at the dealership level.
But they don't have a fix yet.

Thank you, confidential source. You are a friend to the community.

 

A TSB without a fix, I've never heard of that before.

 

FYI I've been able to replicate the passenger airbag warning light issue, and strangely enough it involved a bag. My wife started up the car, and set my briefcase on the seat while I ran back into the house to get something. When I got into the car I picked up the briefcase and set it in my lap. The airbag light wouldn't go off, despite my being in the seat at the time. I've been able to duplicate this issue-- if there's something in the seat besides a person when the car starts, the airbag warning light won't go off when a person does get into the seat.

 

Sorry if I missed this in the long thread, but did you/they try replacing either the latch or the part of the hood at fits into the latch?

On the airbag issue, I replied to separate post, but I have been able to replicate having the airbag warning light come on permanently, but of course that is probably a separate issue from what you're seeing.

 

5 visits to dealer; they've tried everything they know.
The boot secures perfectly. It is popping open, just like when you use the keyfob to do it.
There are other people with the same problem.

 

Hmm thats weird about the passenger air bag. I had had it happen many times when my gf was sitting there and was kind of upset that it was not active incase we got in a wreck. When I was in for my many other prolonged issues I had forgotten to mention it, but when they went over the list they had done they told me the car had an airbag code and they pulled the seat and everything. It never showed a visible CEL code, but I guess it stored it for them. All has been well since (at least the airbag issue lol)

 

On a post 06 the fob can "pop" open the hatch? Sorry, but I don't have experience with the 07+ models.

 

Is this issue across the board for 2nd Gen Minis?
Some folks posting have included their year model in their sigs but not all.
I'm not having either problem and I'm curious.

'07 R56S Pure Silver Coupe mit Black roof & mirrors. Installed a JCW black grill, grill trim and side markers.
(BTW how does one add pics and other goodies to a sig?? TIA)

 

Starting with the 07+ the trunk lid--oops the hatch will pop open, you still must lift it for access but it is unlatched
BTW, as a heads up, if the car is locked, you can pop the hatch to access the boot without unlocking the car, so be VERY careful not to drop your keys inside when you place your bag(s) of whatever inside since the car is still locked. When you close the hatch it will lock and then it'll be "Oh Sh1te ", luckily it was a nice day, it was a weekend and my wife was at home and answered my cell call .

 

Have to disagree, aftermarket vendors know that Mini and every other manufacturer thinks that (from the legal perspective that is). They also know that it means nothing to their bottom line. Ultimately the people will still buy, and the majority of their sales will come post warranty anyway. This has been going on for years with every car manufacturer to varying degree (some far worse than this and some far better). I think your very much being wronged here, but the vendors aren't going to care really, and spamming the other threads isn't going to make a difference aside from taking them off course, and pissing off some members in the process. I think Vics right in that your not really helping your cause by doing that. Your best corse of action at this point is to try another dealership, if that doesn't work try to work with MINI USA, and if that doesn't work get a lawyer.

 

Hitherto MINI had only denied warranty claims on items they say failed because of an aftermarket item, i.e. the aftermarket item had a traceable net affect on the claim.
This case spells a divergent course; MINI refuses to diagnose the warranty issue because they claim that aftermarket parts render the vehicle too unsafe for the technician to drive.
I'm hoping that you understand the difference in sentiment and in practice --- what it means to everybody. It sets a precedent for any repair that they are unable or unwilling to deal with.
Hazarding an educated guess, I'd say that they anticipate a solution and are in a major stall tactic. Perhaps they will launch a "product improvement campaign" after that and quietly repair cars as they come in for routine service. In the whole ball of nuts, it is much less costly than a recall --- both in actual dollars and in publicity.
But, until then, those of us that have already had failures are stuck with unsafe cars that MINI will try to avoid responsibility for if we have "unsafe aftermarket suspension components."

 

Arn, I completely understand the difference, this is complete crap from Mini, and you are 100% right in your dispute. But that doesn't change the fact that the vendors of said aftermarket parts are going to give a rats a$$, they won't care because it changes nothing for them, they won't care because even if they support you, there would be nothing they could do. It also doesn't change the fact that I don't think (as Vic said) its helping your cause bringing it up in every other mod thread on the board.

 

Sorry to continue but its really the poor argument they are giving you thats crap, here for you, but not for the vendors. I mean they could have easily said that the harsher/stiffer ride that is a result of your modifications to the suspension is adding stress to the sensors/hatch latch and causing the malfunction. Would that be complete BS, of course (as most warranty denials are), but there is also a good chance they could win with that in court, or cost you way to much to prove them wrong. Aftermarket vendors have been dealing with BS like this from day one, so the semantics in this argument (although very different for us) doesn't mean anything to them. Their thoughts (if they even give it that much) is its your risk.