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R56 Comfort Access retrofit?

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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 11:34 AM
  #1  
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Comfort Access retrofit?

I recently bought a 2009 MCS and have got it into my head that I *really* want to add the Comfort Access feature. (I've even thought about trading the car in to get a new one with CA. Sometimes it scares me how lazy I am.)

Specifically, I want to be able to start the car without having to dig around in my pocket for the key or fob or whatever.

Has anyone successfully retrofitted Comfort Access, either as a DIY project or paid someone else to?
 
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 12:31 PM
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Not sure if anyone has done it or not but it would be rather hard. there are at least 5 sensors that MUST be installed and changing of the start switch/fob holder and the door handles replaced. this really means taking most of the interior of the car apart to do the install. Then you also may run into the problem that the wiring harness probably does not have the correct connections in it to hook all this stuff up.

I am sure it could be done but when you think of the part cost and the time you could put the current car up for sale at 50% off original cost and buy a new one at full retail with CA and still spend less money.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 12:42 PM
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tgs91
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While I don't know categorically I'm with shatzy62 that it would be very expensive.

It is mighty nice gotta admit. Had a loaner for 5 weeks without and was most happy to get mine back!
 
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 01:25 PM
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quick look thru the parts diagrams and I come up with about $1800.00 parts alone with out wiring harness. Probably about 40 hours of labor (@125.00 min. = $5000.00) to install all the parts as well. So what about $6800.00

Sell the car you have and get one with it factory installed.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 01:32 PM
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tgs91
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And what is it like $1200 as a option package?

NEXT.......
 
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 01:58 PM
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Comfort access here in Canada is a stand alone option...$490.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2009 | 12:12 PM
  #7  
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Wow, thanks for the detailed breakdown on the expected cost! I might be able to talk myself into doing the work myself if I knew it would work when I finished but it sounds like no one's tried this.

Well, thanks for helping me understand my options.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 03:20 PM
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Darn. Want!
 
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 04:55 PM
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Absolutely wouldn't be without it.One of the nicest features on the option list you can get.Love it
 
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 05:15 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by schatzy62
quick look thru the parts diagrams and I come up with about $1800.00 parts alone with out wiring harness. Probably about 40 hours of labor (@125.00 min. = $5000.00) to install all the parts as well. So what about $6800.00

Sell the car you have and get one with it factory installed.
Does that include the cost of the 2 new CA keyfob's which must be special ordered and then programed at the dealer?
Then there is the original fobs already paid for that will be useless.
I ordered the CA as a stand alone option for $500 US.
The manufactures cost of all those parts is probably less than $100.00 factory installed.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by klricks
Does that include the cost of the 2 new CA keyfob's which must be special ordered and then programed at the dealer?
Then there is the original fobs already paid for that will be useless.
I ordered the CA as a stand alone option for $500 US.
The manufactures cost of all those parts is probably less than $100.00 factory installed.
No i had not added the cost of the two CA Keys which run about $285 each from my dealer. Had to replace on that I lost and that is what it cost me.

So you could add another almost $600 to the overall cost.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2010 | 10:35 AM
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PM me I will explain everything to you on what needs to be done.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2019 | 10:11 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Porthos
PM me I will explain everything to you on what needs to be done.
Hi, I’m planning to do the keyless start retrofitting as well. May I know your experience as well?
 
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Old Jan 16, 2019 | 02:44 PM
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It can be done, a lot of work and coding, is it worth it? Cost wise if you cannot do majority of the coding yourself and sourcing parts yourself it is not really worth doing in my opinion.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2024 | 05:57 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Porthos
PM me I will explain everything to you on what needs to be done.
I realize this is an old thread, but I'm currently trying to retrofit Comfort Access as well.

I've followed the diagram on RealOEM and managed to gather all the necessary parts, including the door handles with the Comfort Access button. However, I haven't found a wiring diagram or a part number for the wiring loom.

I also know that I'll need the Comfort Access key fobs. Is there anything else I might be overlooking, aside from the wiring loom? I understand that programming and coding will be required, so any advice or guidance on those would be greatly appreciated.

MINI R56 LCI Coop.S JCW Control unit/antennas passive access
 
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Old Aug 19, 2024 | 08:18 AM
  #16  
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I'd compare chassis harness PNs on realoem and see if it's actually different.

I read through another comfort access thread years ago for maybe an E60 or E90 and the chassis harness was the same between CA/non-CA variants. Basically if there's no Mini forum resource to follow, I'd start looking at E82/E9x stuff and try to fill in the gaps as you go.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2025 | 02:31 AM
  #17  
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I did the retrofit

Originally Posted by Donald M. Boyd II
I realize this is an old thread, but I'm currently trying to retrofit Comfort Access as well.

I've followed the diagram on RealOEM and managed to gather all the necessary parts, including the door handles with the Comfort Access button. However, I haven't found a wiring diagram or a part number for the wiring loom.

I also know that I'll need the Comfort Access key fobs. Is there anything else I might be overlooking, aside from the wiring loom? I understand that programming and coding will be required, so any advice or guidance on those would be greatly appreciated.

MINI R56 LCI Coop.S JCW Control unit/antennas passive access
It can be done and ist Not so Hard to do.
i did it and the only thing i habe Problems is that the easy entry dont work at the Moment but Keyless ignition works Fine.
im searching for help with the keyless entry
 
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 09:32 PM
  #18  
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How did you go about retro fitting comfort access I’m very interested, I want to add it to my car ‘14 cooper clubman S
 
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 09:35 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by DE_Clubman
It can be done and ist Not so Hard to do.
i did it and the only thing i habe Problems is that the easy entry dont work at the Moment but Keyless ignition works Fine.
im searching for help with the keyless entry
how did you go about doing so I’m very interested in retrofitting my car also
 
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