The central dash display that shows to radio functions and other menu options has become erratic. It starts out fine when cold, but with time various areas become dim, but never disappear. My dealer service says the display is not available separately-the radio must be replaced. The radio cost is $378, but the installation is $455! They say the whole dash has to be taken apart to reach the radio, and the car must be reprogrammed. They say the reprogramming is one hour of the work, and frequently blows the radio. Even though I've replaced radios in many vehicles, they warn against doing it in a Mini. Every dealer I've called has the radio in-stock. Is that telling me something? Advice and experience please!!

 

Fundamentally, they are correct. The electronics/ECU in these little guys is very sensitive to change. Read past threads and posts where guys try installing extra/different electronics and encounter all sorts of evil repercussions. Before submitting to the dealer's wishes try finding a good independent BMW/MINI shop. One huge difference between dealers and indies is that the repair formula for dealers is to throw new parts at a problem. Indies are more likely to seek out the problem and find a repair solution. Also, their service rates of often less. For an anecdotal example, last January mine suddenly went into limp mode with a flurry of warning lights. My indie guru spent several hours trying to find the problem and eventually discovered a broken wire in a wiring harness leading to the throttle body and simply soldered and re-insulated the break. What he charged me was an insult to what he could have charged me. I'm sure being a faithful customer had something to do with that but nevertheless I am sure a dealer's solution would have been to replace the whole danged assembly for a pile of wampum. Good luck finding a happy outcome.

 

Is there a list somewhere of independent MINI repair shops?

 

Yes there is but right now it is in the shop. The guy took down his website but has the list in a data file. He is in the process of adding some newly found shops and as soon as that is done he'll be sending me the list. There's another thread waiting for it as well.