OOPS! Accidentally posted this with the 2nd generation! Anyway, if you have a 2002 through 2004, and your airbag light comes on for no reason it is covered by warranty up to 150,000 miles. The cause is the wiring harness, and wires rubbing together. Upon the discovery that approximately 40% of this era of vehicles may develop the problem (dealer provided estimate) at some point, BMW extended the warranty.

 

Also, make sure to get the work checked by a second MINI dealer. My sister's '02 MC had its airbaglight "fixed" sevral times at Baron BMW of Kansas City. They light always came back on in a month's time. We always took it back.

This time when the light came on, we took it to Markel BMW in Omaha. They are a new MINI dealer. They said that the wiring harness was a mess of spliced lines, electrical tape and extra wires. They had never seen anything like it. Turns out Baron just did what they could to get the light to turn off and didn't just replace the harness. Who knows if the bags would have gone off if they were needed. At any rate, a BMW rep. was present at Markel and he started a formal investigation.

 

Thanks for the information, seems you gotta stay on top of everything anymore!

 

My light on my 2002 is on just need to make a appointment. Thanks for the update.

 

You are very welcome, hope they remedy it for you!