I recently purchased an R56 S hatchback and wish I would have slowed down a bit to understand that just because the stock equipment appears to be there, that doesn't mean it is complete or works. The thing that sold me was the great power and handling of the coupe, it was great.

Just to try to read the owners manual and program the door locks have been un-successful. Then now I am reading some of the posts regarding having to take it in to the dealer after installing rear fog lights to get them to program it to work??? Say it isn't true..... My screen on the tach only gives me the option of setting my clock and date, otherwise it will only go back to the home screen and thats only one of several programming failures I am having.

With prior vehicles, I have always bought the service manual to explain the different programming and repairs in detail to avoid the dealer.
Is that not a viable option for the MINI?

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advise.

Richard

 

The newer the car, the more electronic integration is used. This is ESPECIALLY true on the MINI. There are many things that a dealer can only do. I have the Bentley manual, and it is very handy for hardware related service information. However, you won't get much electronic help. The dealers don't even use a hardcopy manual anymore, it's all in an electronic database. Even the wiring diagrams! It's a brilliant plan for BMW service revenue, but a losing plan for enthusiasts who work on their own cars.

 

Bentley has a manual that explicitly covers the 2007-2011 models. The 2012-13 are just about the same as the 2011, so it is useable.

It won't tell you how to code the car for new bits you put on. And yes, you do have to program the car for your fog lights. They are run by the on-board computer, like most other parts of the car are.

Or you can go to the "Electronics" section of the board and check the sticky posts about NCSExpert. That can allow you to program your own car--at your own risk, of course.

 

Re-read the owners manual... Door locks have nothing to do with the computer in the speedo. The button on the trun signal, and the tach display are how you program the user programmable functions. If you wanted rear fog light, you probably should have ordered them. ( yes, you can install them, and the switch, but it must pe programmed by the dealer or someone with NCS EXPERT programming tool)