My call into ask-mini to check on my wheel has yet to provide any firm info so I contacted my MA yesterday. After a 2nd message he was able to say that it does not look like my car has the MFSW. He said if that's the case they will install it at the dealer and have MINI foot the bill. I know this is counter to what your other MAs have been saying so I've sent for a confirmation email from him on this as I'm not sure if that was his first thought or a researched answer.

Thinking out loud, it doesn't seem like it should be hard to do a retro-fit and the drive-by-wire throttle should make things easier not more difficult. Seems like cruise should just tap into the sensors already in the car and send commands to the throttle all controlled by a couple of extra button inputs. Did anyone get any technical reason it could not be done?


jmelrose, the OL does not show everything so you need to call and speak to a real person to confirm all the details

 

I did not get any technical explanation, but on my call to AskMini the Cust. Rep. told me the wheel can not be swapped - this was after I spent several minutes on hold while she spoke to the "Mini Specialist" - and I'm not sure who or what that is.

 

The OL isn't always complete, and descriptions often don't match. There's no way to drill down further, unfortunately. I have the Prem. package, and that just ends up displayingas "Sports Leather Steering Wheel" as well. Also, my choice of interior upholstery isn't listed.

But it is all listed in the dealer's Vehicle Inquiry Report, which I trust over OL.

 

I spoke with a couple different dealerships and also ASK Mini and everyone told me that the wheel can't be swapped at the dealerships. So, everyone whose order got messed up is probably looking at either taking the car without the multifunction wheel or re-ordering and waiting another8ish weeks. If we need to re-order, what should be a reasonable thing for Mini to do to make up for our pain?

 

I reordered on Wednesday. ASK MINI says my new is scheduled for production and will be completed by 2/8. In my case it will only be a 3 week delay. My first MINI was completed on 1/17. I have to thank my dealer for skipping all the BS and just reordering.

 

Good to hear MiniC!!

 

I told the dealer to order me a new car, but I'll take a look at the original order when it comes in. If I can't resist I may just buy the first car. Heh.

 

My car seems to be affected by this mistake. Why Me. I wanted my car so i could use it on my drivers test. Whhy didnt MINI USA catch this. Why cant the VDC install this. They can install everything else. Why is MINI USA thaking the easy way out. Why did this happen to my first car. Even worse I cant get ahold of my MA!!

 

My dealer is checking into the retrofit still. The person working my problem at ask-mini said my car is effected and they are going down two paths to resolve the general problem. One is to re-order as some have done. The other is that they have people trying to work out a way to do the retrofit. Hopefully they will soon reach the guy that knows it's either a simple fix or impossible.

When I asked him how many cars were effected, he said 90% have the correct wheel as they were ordered with the premium package.

 

I know it will take longer to get your MINI, but don't hold out for the possibility of getting a retrofit. Odds are MINI will not do a re-install at the VDC. Call your MA and reorder as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more aggravited you will get. Be patient, get the MINI you want and "happy motoring".

 

That's the first I've heard of an effort to create a retrofit. That's very encouraging - thanks for coming back with that inomis.

 

I started this thread, so I thought I'd pipe in with what I'm doing. I agonized on reorder. First if I would, then what (initially I was so mad I started to just walk). My original order was a MC with auto as I didn't want to wait for manual and thought since no CVT with 6 speed auto would be fine. Since manual is now available beginning 3/01, I decided to go with my instinct and add another extra month to reorder and get the stick. With the extra dough I added the 10 speaker hi-fi. I did agonize about switching to S which is now available in 6 speed stick and cutting a month off, but deep down that's not really what I want. I'd expect delivery around mid to late April On a positive note, it is exactly what I want, so I'll just live with it. I ordered in Nov and waited this long, a little longer, oh well . My MA Richey Schafer at Mini of Nashville, has been absolutely great through all this. Kudos!!! Mini USA, I wrote Mini USA and told them to purge me from their owners lounge database and called and said some things I'd not repeat here. I don't think I'll track this one, I'll just wait for my MA to call. I think I'll drop out of the forums as well, perhaps not reading about it all the time will quicken the wait.

My final reorder

MC
BRG w/White Roof Bonnet strips
6 Speed Manual
DSC (Hill assist a must!!)
Multi function Steering Wheel (PLEASE THIS TIME!!!)
Cold Weather Package
Center Arm Rest
10 speaker Hi-Fi!!
Maybe a couple of other goodies TBD, before order locks down:
Possible English oak dash, auto wipers/lights. auto dimming mirror, and garage door opener.

Well Goodbye NAM!!! I'll come back in late April!!!

 

I'm not sure if everyone who is facing this issue is realizing that not having the multifunction wheel means not having cruise control at all. That's not a minor thing. I spoke with someone @ Mini today and he admitted that this mixup was a mistake on part of Mini and not the dealers. As this is a new issue, they are trying to work out a solution like retrofitting the wheel. But my previous conversations with MA's in different dealerships led to conclusion that they have never been able to retro fit a multifunction wheel. So, unless Mini makes some major arrangements, retrofitting won't happen.

I'm going to start a new thread to summarize some of these issues as this thread has become too long and also to get a head count of the number of people who have been effected by this debacle.

So, I'll be paraphrasing some of you in the new thread.

 

Yes, I've decided that if I do need to re-order I'll take the time to see and drive the cars. May change visuals, add sport suspension, HiFi option, and wheels. I had some reservations about ordering sight unseen anyway and with just 2 weeks to go I can wait to see and feel my options, should I need to.

 

No need to worry folks. We all know that giant multi-national corporations will be honest and straightforward in their dealings at every level. Trust them--they are your friends; they are here for you.

In extreme annoyance,

Joe Stephenson

 

Got a call late today. Dealer checked with the VDC and it appears that my car does have the MFSW. Records available to the VDC indicated this but I'm told they won't be 100% sure until Monday.
So what's another day or three at this point. If the final word on Monday is negative, I'm not sure what I'll do.