R56 Options installed but not available??
#1
Options installed but not available??
Hey guys I just bought a 2011 Mini S, I have a lot of options that are installed but don't seem to be accessible. Such as I have the xenon headlights but I don't seem to have the option to turn them on to the adaptive headlight. Also I have the xenon headlights but the headlight washers are there but not hooked up. And one more thing, I have the buttons for Bluetooth phone connection but I have no option in the menu to sync my phone to Bluetooth. Anybody have any idea why anyone would pay for these options but not have them active?
#2
Welcome aboard! In each of these cases, the options you're asking about may not actually be installed in the car. For instance, it is possible to have xenons but not have adaptive headlights. Likewise with the headlight washers. As far as I know, the xenons with and without washers look the same from the outside. Also, I'm pretty sure that all the 2011 cars have the steering wheel buttons regardless of whether or not bluetooth is installed.
All of what I've just said is completely moot, however, if you've got evidence (such as the original window sticker) that these options really are installed in the car. If the car didn't come with a copy of the original window sticker, any MINI dealer should be able to look up the car's build using the VIN. If your car does have these options installed but they don't work, then there may be a software issue - nearly everything on these cars is software-enabled somewhere along the line.
Let us know what you find, and good luck!
All of what I've just said is completely moot, however, if you've got evidence (such as the original window sticker) that these options really are installed in the car. If the car didn't come with a copy of the original window sticker, any MINI dealer should be able to look up the car's build using the VIN. If your car does have these options installed but they don't work, then there may be a software issue - nearly everything on these cars is software-enabled somewhere along the line.
Let us know what you find, and good luck!
#3
#4
I believe Xenons are adaptive by law, at least if they are OEM. Watch them when they are turned on - like aimed at the garage door - you should see the light dip down and come back up to point straight ahead. I have an '08 and the buttons don't really work on the steering wheel, but I can pair my iPhone with Bluetooth through the radio controls. It answers hands free for me all the time. In all honesty, I have not really attempted any calls out with the controls, always initiating the call from the phone which then switches to the car for audio.
#5
Anybody have any idea why anyone would pay for these options but not have them active?
I just sold my 7'S
I didn't like the plugs in the rear fascia so I put in the rear fog fittings.
elapsed time ... 3 minutes
I had no intention of paying for computer reprogramming to make them work .....
and my 7 had blu tooth buttons on the wheel but no blu tooth in the car . .
I just sold my 7'S
I didn't like the plugs in the rear fascia so I put in the rear fog fittings.
elapsed time ... 3 minutes
I had no intention of paying for computer reprogramming to make them work .....
and my 7 had blu tooth buttons on the wheel but no blu tooth in the car . .
#6
That's auto leveling, which is required. Adaptive means they turn left and right with the steering wheel.
#7
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#8
#10
This isn't a DOT requirement to have. There are a lot of cars that do not have this feature, but have factort Xenon lights.
#11
I think all newer cars come with auto leveling for HID's due to the blinding effect, when you see a vehicle thats had HID's not factory installed you get blinded on the road. If I'm parked on my driveway and turn the lights on you can see them level out. As for the washers all xenon lights have washers in the UK they are required but not in the USA. So we dont get the plumbing on the mini's
#12
#13
The owners manual is so generic to a series of Mini's and options, so it is very related to this thread. Now I know I have xenon headlamps - the manual only mentions that they rarely burn out and not to try to change myself. Mini talks of adaptive and self leveling headlamps, but neither are mentioned on the sticker, and if all xenon are adaptive, then the manual talks about adaptive, but does not refer to xenon nor self leveling.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
#14
Many of the options on our cars have hardware that is physically installed, but the feature is disabled in the software running in the car's computer systems. You have to re-program the car to enable them, and it isn't cheap. In some cases, part of the hardware is present, so to enable a feature you have to install the rest of the hardware and then modify the software.
They probably do that because it is easier and cheaper for them to only have a couple of versions of a part (e.g., a wiring harness, or a taillight module) rather than have a different part for every available option.
They probably do that because it is easier and cheaper for them to only have a couple of versions of a part (e.g., a wiring harness, or a taillight module) rather than have a different part for every available option.
#15
The owners manual is so generic to a series of Mini's and options, so it is very related to this thread. Now I know I have xenon headlamps - the manual only mentions that they rarely burn out and not to try to change myself. Mini talks of adaptive and self leveling headlamps, but neither are mentioned on the sticker, and if all xenon are adaptive, then the manual talks about adaptive, but does not refer to xenon nor self leveling.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
If I remember correctly MINI didn't offer adaptive headlights until 2012.
#17
The owners manual is so generic to a series of Mini's and options, so it is very related to this thread. Now I know I have xenon headlamps - the manual only mentions that they rarely burn out and not to try to change myself. Mini talks of adaptive and self leveling headlamps, but neither are mentioned on the sticker, and if all xenon are adaptive, then the manual talks about adaptive, but does not refer to xenon nor self leveling.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
So in short - I know my headlights are xenon - I know they move up then down when I start my car. Either they are adaptive or self leveling - but I am not sure.
I also learned that asking question on this site is taboo. With so many know-it-alls; you would think they would want to share their knowledge.
asking a question on this site is not taboo. what people get annoyed with is people asking the same question 3895702385 times. use the search feature, the vast majority of the questions you have will have already been answered. THAT'S why people get annoyed. not because you have a question, but because there's only so many times that a person can read a thread about the same topic before they want to scream. the search feature exists for a reason, everyone should use it.
#18
I appreciate all the insight. With the headlights the do the up down thing when turned on and they are xenon. And the washers are installed just not plumbed. The steering wheel controls make sense, I'm sure they don't want to make a whole bunch of different wheels. I know these options are a huge deal just kind of annoying that they are there and can't be used.
#19
Go here to validate what features your car really does or doesn't have from the factory:
http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
No more guessing.
a
http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
No more guessing.
a
That's a bit freaky, they have a pic. and everything...pretty cool!! Nice to know I could add a 6-Disc CD Changer if I wanted!!
Last edited by RJKimbell; 12-07-2013 at 07:47 PM.
#20
I appreciate all the insight. With the headlights the do the up down thing when turned on and they are xenon. And the washers are installed just not plumbed. The steering wheel controls make sense, I'm sure they don't want to make a whole bunch of different wheels. I know these options are a huge deal just kind of annoying that they are there and can't be used.
#22
I must be short! I can't see the headlights when I'm driving. I'd suspected they'd work with with the washers. I wonder how much good they really do?
#24
I'm also told by the my dealer that you have the option to install an adapter for an iPhone or iPod in place of the 6-Disc CD Changer. I have seen the kit, it's a couple hundred dollars to install. I would like to install it myself though, wonder if the Bently manual would cover this upgrade.
#25
I'm also told by the my dealer that you have the option to install an adapter for an iPhone or iPod in place of the 6-Disc CD Changer. I have seen the kit, it's a couple hundred dollars to install. I would like to install it myself though, wonder if the Bently manual would cover this upgrade.
Coupled with a phone holder and a charger, I get perfect smart phone adapter and Google Nav system integration - all in one, all for free. Works like a charm by piping audio via "Aux" input selection and charging the phone in the process.
YMMV,
a
P.S.: I repeated the same "integration" in my other 3 cars, and now I have consistent, free, and superior (Google Nav is way better than anything MINI, BMW, or Acura have to offer!) "Nav" system in all my cars