Thanks! I'm sure the phone will be ringing off the hook at MINI Customer Service on May 1st.

 

Let's keep track of our experiences with the dealer service departments on this issue. That's always an adventure!

 

I forked over a good chunk of change for my independent mechanic to replace the seat bottom because of this problem in my '06 Cooper just a few months ago. Glad to see the Defect Notice Report indicates that, "Customers
who have previously paid to have their vehicle repaired for this defect will
be reimbursed."

I'll let you know how that goes.

 

We'll that's good, this is gonna cost BMW a pretty penny.

 

I wonder what the fix is... I got mine redone literally 10 days ago. I did not foot the bill so I'm cool with the timing... But I wonder that I've got now, the new fix (if any) or the old fix ;-) Oh well, I'll see if they call me...

 

I second that... 09 with no joy here.

 

I just fixed this airbag problem in my '09 MINI Cooper S Clubman using the Guide and NCSExpert software. The hardest part was to find in a storage room an older laptop running WinXP (software won't install on newer OS) and locate the sensor connector under the passenger seat (thanks to user "justawatcher"). The rest was just a few minutes task. Contrary to the older models, the 09 MINI has only one OC-3 the value of which has to be changed to "nicht_active".
Now the warning lights are gone and airbags are activated. This was a very helpful solution since the local Mini dealer (Miami, FL) quoted me about $1400 to replace the faulty seat occupancy sensor.

 

here are the pics of the '09 sensor connector...
Best..

 

A little update from my dealer.

I've been having this exact same problem. I called them today and they asked fro my VIN. Once supplied, they advised me that my 2007 MC was not subject to the recall and they couldn't help me.

Anyone else?

 

A little investigating on the NHTSA website tells me this recall is only applicable for convertibles. This problem doesn't exist for coupes according to them.

Wonderful.

 

WRONG.

See the NHTSA link in my previous post.

That's correct. The R56 model is not covered in this recall. The 2007 convertible is a 1st gen R52 model.

 

Yes, well, the NHTSA site provides tools resulting in much more detailed information than your generic link.

For 2007 at least, the recall is limited to convertibles.

 

My link includes links to these documents that say the affected vehicles are "Cooper and Cooper S models", and "Cooper Convertibles and Cooper S Convertibles".

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...5V205-1925.pdf
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...5V205-4250.PDF

Where do you see that it applies to convertibles only?

 

Curious how you got this to work. Bought this for my R60 and could not get it to work. Did you have to install the part to disable the seat belt chime? Any step by step help would be appreciated.

 

If you use the search by year/make/model tools, you'll see that, for 2007 at least, the recall only applies to convertibles. Others show no recalls pending as confirmed by my dealer (Austin).

 

Yes, and that is true for 2008 as well. The reason is that this recall only applies to 1st generation models (R50, R52, R53). The hardtop was replaced in 2007 with 2nd generation model R56, but the 1st generation convertible remained in production an extra 2 years to 2008.

You should file a safety complaint for your car here. BMW will deny, stall and delay a recall as long as it can, and everybody with a problem should put it on record with the NHTSA. Look at how long it took for this recall to finally happen, affecting cars back to 2005.

 

I did the NCSExpert thing and turned OC3 (I think) "nicht active" and it hasn't skipped a beat in a year. I'd now prefer not to deal with the dealer.

Yes, it took a while to find a laptop with Windows XP.

 

Just received my Important Safety Recall letter from MINI letting me know that I am included in the recall. The letter states they are not ready to conduct this recall, however they will notify us via mail when to call your local MINI dealer to schedule the replacement. I'll keep you posted.

 

For those that are curious, I've attached my copy of the Recall Notice...

After living with the annoying airbag light for too long, I ended up ordering the new seat bottom from an online dealer, installing it myself, but having to still go to the dealer to get the light out. My cheap airbag scan tool off ebay would not erase the code/couldn't enable the new mat sensor. I assume that Mini will reimburse me for the part cost as well as the dealer reset fee. Does anyone know if Mini/BMW or manufacturers in general will reimburse people for their time/labor to replace recalled parts?

I'm just glad that finally someone is making Mini pay for this! So long over due....

 

I called MINI USA just before May 1st. They confirmed via VIN that my 2006 R53 would be included and my repair through MINI of Madison would be reimbursed for the tune of $1400 (thank you English Leather).

I called Mini of Madison just after, and they were clueless, but took note of my call. Called again May 20th, and they had no word from MINI USA yet, but said they would contact me when the time comes. Getting impatient, but I guess these things take a while.

 

I'd guess that MINI/BMW kept holding out until the recall became official and mandated, before they would start manufacturing the replacement part.

 

Still waiting for a fix for a May 1 recall............ waiting, waiting, waiting...

 

To all those who are concerned about operating systems. The software does work on newer operating systems, however does require some more advanced techniques for installing. I have not tested on windows 10 yet however windows 8.1 worked just fine.

This does work just fine folks. The airbag system works just as a European car would.

A brilliant person by the sn of bmwfanatiq on ebay sells a high quality cable and will remotely install the software for you.

Good luck.

 

My 2005 MCS just started displaying the airbag light this morning. I haven't had the opportunity to put the OBD scanner on it yet, but I made a few calls. Turns out my 2005 is not included in any recall because it was manufactured in July 2004. Looks like the recall number is 15V-205.

I called MINI customer care and they said to exhaust all options with the dealer before I continue with them. They were nice, I'll give them that. Here's a link for reference. I can't remember if I found it in this thread or a different one, so I'm pasting it here for good measure:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/...tsa_ids=15V205

 

They didn't start installing the weight sensor mat until January 2005, so this recall isn't applicable for your car. Which airbag light are you referring to (the overhead passenger airbag light)?