I'm starting this thread in an attempt to get a head count of people effected by this Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction order mixup as this is a major issue.

For those who aren't aware of the issue, here is the summary:

Some folks who ordered a Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction for $550 on their 2007 Mini's might actually be getting the Sports Leather Steering Wheel (without multifunction) due to a mixup in the order. Not only does this mean that these cars won't have the radio controls and cruise controls on your wheel, they won't have ANY cruise control at all. I'm guessing that it won't be a problem to cancel orders and reject delivery but that means that folks will have to place a fresh order and wait another 8ish weeks for the Mini with the right options to be built and delivered. Obviously this is very unfair for the customers who have been eagerly waiting to enjoy their 2007 Minis. I believe that Mini is trying to figure out if retrofitting the Multifunction wheels here in the US is a possibility but I don't think anyone knows yet.

I'm attempting to get a head count of the number of orders that are effected by this, so let's start a head count. Following are the folks who I'm aware of effected by this - if you are also effected, please copy/paste the list to your post and add your name to it and update the count:

TOTAL SO FAR: 13
glangford
rsb
inomis
MiniC
th3118
RandyBMC
lava
sixblade
Cooper2u
surfblue
fjork_duf
mini-number1
jmelrose

Read this thread if you need more details on this issue: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=90688

I'd be curious to know what Mini is doing to make up for this error.

- - - - - - - - - - -
EDITED by Dave

Anyone reading the rest of this thread should be aware that the thread starter (rsb) also posted to this thread under multiple accounts, including

• NewMiniFan
• Waiting4MyR56
• venus
• SuziLovesMini

 

Please remove my name from the list. At this time I have no way of knowing if I actually have an issue with more order, and in fact what I'm hearing leads me to believe that since I got the premium package, I do not.

TOTAL SO FAR: 12
glangford
rsb
inomis
MiniC
th3118
RandyBMC
lava
sixblade
Cooper2u
surfblue
fjork_duf
mini-number1

 

jmelrose: I hope are right. What specs do you see in Owners Lounge? You can also call 1-866-ASK-MINI and they will tell you.

 

Adding "Ryephile" to the list.

TOTAL SO FAR: 12
glangford
rsb
inomis
MiniC
th3118
RandyBMC
lava
sixblade
Cooper2u
surfblue
fjork_duf
mini-number1
Ryephile

Ryephile: What are you planning to do? Take it without the multifunction wheel or re-order?

 

I'm taking mine either way - and I will either get it retrofitted or have the $300 refunded.

As info, if you ordered with the Premium Package as did jmelrose, you will not have the issue.

Hope that helps!
Randy

 

Do you know someone who can retrofit a MFSW? If I can find someone reliable, I'd be happy to get it retrofitted too but I'm not sure if a retrofit will be possible.

 

I have mad skillz .

 

I'm taking mine without the MFSW. They had their chance to soak me for "basic features that should've been standard" and they blew it! I'll consider the retrofit if they offer it, but at that point I may be more interested in a LSD, or after-market upgrades to spend the money on.

 

In my case, in Canada, I bought a Competition Edition 2006 (#50/64) which is very similar to your GP in the states, except we have back seats & something extra to do w/the bumpers (~95 extra lbs).
It came w/an alcaterra steering wheel w/o the MFSW. I was able to order & pay for a regular MFSW & swapped out the necessary hardware to my bare alcaterra steering wheel. If your steering wheel is of the same format as an MFSW, then you can buy an MFSW & have the dealer swap out the parts that you need. It was a huge job though & ended up taking much more time to do since no original wiring was included in my car (unknown at time of ordering, so I got away with an estimated install time of 8 hours or so when in reality it actually took more than 20 hrs.
Mine may have been the first in Canada w/this mod.
Does the GP have a MFSW?
Not only bears hibernate!

 

20 hours - they could have built you a new car in that time!

And yes, the GP has MFSW (and heated seats!)

 

What does being fair have to do with it????

 

TOTAL SO FAR: 14
glangford
rsb
inomis
MiniC
th3118
RandyBMC
lava
sixblade
Cooper2u
surfblue
fjork_duf
mini-number1
jmelrose
jlevy

-JL

 

jlevy: Are you taking your Mini without the multifunction wheel or re-ordering. Has your dealer or Mini offered you any solution?

 

I'll likely accept it without the multi-function, assuming I can get the $300 back or at least credit toward window tint or something of similar value. The dealer has not contacted me. Unfortunately it's always been me that initiates contact with the dealer for every step of the ordering process.

-JL

 

jlevy: You do know that not having multifunction wheel means no cruise in the car at all. For me cruise is a must have.

 

I understand and it's the only reason I ordered the multi-function wheel. It's very difficult for me to maintain [somewhat legal] speed on long trips without cruise. Fortunately we usually take my wife's car on long trips. I've only got 30k miles on the WRX after 5 years and will likely drive the Mini about the same amount. The lack of cruise is an annoyance, but not a deal breaker for me.

-JL

 

So are all of the folks on the list a 255 only - no Premium Package?

If you ordered the wheel through the Premium Package, you should get the MFSW even if it only shows 255...

Hope that helps!
Randy

PS - I ordered the MFSW by itself - no Premium Package, and that is who it is going to effect.

 

It cannot be retrofitted. Ask your dealer. Way too complex of a teardown. That's why I cancelled and reordered. Darn if I'm driving a modern car w/o cruise control OR the radio/ipod functions on the wheel. I'd rather wait a few extra weeks/couple months even than spend years driving a car without these functions/tools at my fingertips. I'm amazed at how many people are just accepting this because they are simply IMPATIENT. But hey, it's your car!

 

Its not impatience - for me its that 550 is a lot to spend for something that should I felt should have been included. Maybe thats a lesson for Mini. They would have avoided all of this if all US market cars included these features. I reluctantly ordered the MFSW because I like the steering mounted radio controls in our Mazda. We take the Mazda for long trips, so cruise would be nice in the Mini, but not needed. I've been driving my Acura without cruise for 14 years - it just doesn't matter. When I told my wife what had happened her reaction was "Who cares - I never use those anyway"!

So to me loosing the steering wheel means little. The waiting, well, its institutionalized as a part of the Mini buying experience - its part of the cost. A price you pay to personalize the car rather than buy from the lot. Being forced to wait again, without any consideration - that's just not right. How would you feel if they asked you to pay the 550 for the steering wheel again? "Hey you all - you can have your cars right now with the MFSW as you ordered it, its just gonna cost you another 550." That sounds outrageous, doesn't it? Then how about "its going to cost you another 8 weeks."

So, I am taking my car on schedule incorrectly configured. I will get my money back. Others are reordering and will take their car late correctly configured. They apparently will not get the time back. Mini may offer some other compensation - we don't know - but they are already very late to step up to the plate and help us out. There has been no official word yet. Just the dealers left to try and keep us happy.

SO I'll be very happy with my car, thank you. But never the less I intend to give Mini very bad marks in the customer survey because they were not able to deliver what I ordered, and they did not offer any compensation to off-set this. I intend to give the dealer top marks, as they have done everything they could to assist. Thats not set in stone - till I pay for the car and leave the lot the outcome may change. But that's how it looks for now unless Mini steps up and does something (anything really!)

 

Oh, it can be done. It is just a lot of labor! Anything can be done .

Randy

 

My MA is still in denial, but ASK-MINI confirmed that my car has no MF/cruise. Not sure if I'll take it or reorder.May reorder and wait for Audio package.

 

TOTAL SO FAR: 15
glangford
rsb
inomis
MiniC
th3118
RandyBMC
lava
sixblade
Cooper2u
surfblue
fjork_duf
mini-number1
jmelrose
jlevy
M3someday

 

I agree with surfblue - I can't believe how few people are trying to fight for what they ordered. For me "cruise" is a must have and I'm not accepting the car without it. And even if Mini can figure out a way to retrofit the multifunction wheels here, is that going to be as reliable as factory installation? I have serious doubts that it will be as reliable, if at all possible. So, if I'm going to have to re-order, I expect Mini to at least expedite the new order and give me a discount on the MSRP. I think that is reasonable. I mean how do you put a value on making someone wait an addition 6 weeks for their Mini???

 

I ordered my car on 1/2/07, don't have a VIN or a production date and the wait is making me nuts. To have waited as long as you folks did and then to have issues ...well, I feel your pain.

dean.

 

I have a question about the R56... How does one cycle through the menu items for the on board computer? Is there a control on the turn stalk or on the wiper control?? I'm still not sure if I'll take the car or if I'll wait. I had my MA order me a new car with the MFSW and audio package. So it may be worth it to wait. It just seems silly not to have cruise control, and a possible negative when trying to resell the car.

It seems like the wiring is just not there for cars ordered without it.