We borrowed a Cooper for a parade a few days before mine was delivered--would have been right about the day of release, and it had it. So they DO exist--they're just locked. It didn't rattle, either. At the time I picked up mine on 2/21 I was told the other one had "slipped through" and wasn't supposed to have it open.

 

Mine's fitted and working at last. Here are the part numbers from the invoice.

51-45-2-754-671 Carrier MI
51-45-2-754-707 Covering LEF MI
51-45-2-754-709 Covering RIG MI
51-45-2-752-209 Trim MI
65-15-0-428-922 Stowage Box MI

 

And they didn't charge you? Or was there a fuss about it?

 

They tried to charge me $550 But a call to ASK Mini saw the charge become a one off goodwill gesture, so I didn't have to pay

 

Hmmm--hope that isn't truly a "one-off." I'm not gonna pay $550 for what should be a freebie. Trouble is, the MA who showed me the first R56 delivered, which had the compartment, is no longer with MINI. He said--almost promised--that I would get the installation. He also copied me on a memo from MINI that said the box would be installed/opened "when parts are available." I'm keeping that email in my archives, just in case.

 

Not sure of the week but the door jam says 03/07 and mine works and doesn't rattle.

 

There is no reason MINI should charge you for something you were supposed to get to begin with but didn't because they screwed it up. Having apparently unscrewed it up, you should get it. However, we are dealing with MINI here........

 

[QUOTE=dneal;1550912]A compartment above the glovebox. If you get the CD changer, it goes there. It will hold about 4 CD's in their jewel cases, but I have a 24-CD case that fits in there.

I had tried the compartment-opening instructions in the Mini manual, not knowing what to expect. Nothing opened, so I figured mine was sealed -- no big loss. Tried it again today with helpful comments from all of you, and it opens! Not a big gain, but every cubbyhole helps. Thanks for the tips and thanks to deneal for the photo.

 

mine came working very smoooooooooooooooooth

 

[quote=oldsbear;1568780]Yeah for some reason they tell you to push on the bottom but you actually need to press the top.

 

I push in the middle...

 

or middle.

 

for those who had compartments that were sealed, howd you guys get em open?

 

Most of us have not yet. We are waiting for Mini to issue a service bulletin by which the dealers will get the parts and install them and be reimbursed.

 

Received ordered MCSa last June 13, 2007 and dash is fully sealed. :(

 

MCSa delivered to me 06/16. Week 18 build. Secret compartment opens fine!

 

Yippeee! Zippeee!'s going to get her secret compartment opened next week! I went into the dealer today with the part numbers, and my SA said that she had received a service bulletin "today." Don't know if it really was "today," but at any rate I've got an appointment next Wednesday!

Hooray for persistence!

 

Excellent! Let us know how it goes. I'm sure I'll be right behind you.

 

Deb - thanks for reporting back. We have to confirm that Bulletin - I'll call my dealer too.

 

It is confirmed!

I got a call back from Meg at Mini USA and she informed me that the Bulletin is indeed out, and she said the required parts are available (as opposed to back ordered).

SO that is good news to all us dash-storageless motorers. Time to call your dealer and get your due!

 

I wonder how many they're having to do. I know that the factory made them standard after January, but my SA said they were instructed to lock them upon delivery to the dealer!

 

June 12 delivery... opens fine.

 

You wouldn't happen to have the Service Bulletin number would you? I stopped by my Mini dealer this morning and when I mentioned the service bulletin for this, he looked at me like I just farted in church.

 

Mine (Baron) ordered the parts yesterday to fix it. Hopefully will get Ruska back today to confirm that the MINI is finally whole

 

I do not. I asked Meg from Ask Mini for a reference number when she called me back, but she said that I would not need it. My dealer called back - he has it on his system, and he gave me an appointment.

Tell your dealer to look a little harder. If he thinks you've farted, tell him to take a deep breath.