such as the where the headlights stay illuminated until I get in my house etc stuff like that. does the dealer charge to do stuff like this?

also I am wondering if there's a way to just leave my headlights on at all times. my old car did this but now when I turn my coop off the thing dings at me until I switch them off

I'm a new owner of an 06 and love it so far. came from a prius so definitely having a lot of fun!!!

 

There should be a list of dealer programable options around....
For the headlights to work automatically, you must have the automatic light/wiper option....
Glad to see you are enjoying your car... I think you may find that the fee to change the options (usually an hours labour, sometimes a half hour) is too much unless you are paying to get updated software, and ask to have the options changed.
Like I said, there should be a few posts of the things you can select to have programmed...things like daytime running lights, etc.

 

Try flashing your brights after you pull your key out of the ignition. It should keep your headlights on for about 45 seconds. I believe that's a standard "feature". I also believe that you can have the length of time your lights stay on changed.

 

I did not realize that. I was wondering why my lights stayed on a few times after I knew I had turned them off. Thanks!

 

your MINI manual has a great discussion on all the features that are programmable, such as keeping the lights on for a moment after you turn off the car. You can program lots of things through the MINI on-board computer. The button for the computer is located at the end of the stick on the left side of your steering wheel. Have fun!

 

The dealer will need to program your 2006.

Only 2007+ and 2009+ convertibles are user programmable. The pathway lighting may have been programmed as a default. Some of the items that can be programmed are auto lock after you pull away, unlocking the car press key fob one time for drivers door, again for passenger or one time for both doors, daytime running lights, turn signal indicator 1 time or 3 times for lane changes.

 

I did not know that only certain years were programmable. Sorry ...