So I am at the dealer today to get some window trim replaced and my sunroof checked out for sticking. I mentioned to them to see if I could get the latest software flashed to my car. They checked my version and I am 3 years behind versus the current version. (2008 R55S). I asked if they could update me, but they said they can't (won't) update the software unless there is a need to do so based on an issue or problem that has been reported by Mini USA as it could cause other issues with the car. Basically, if it ain't broke we won't fix it. They did mention that the sunroof "fix" if they need to do it, might require and update, but it's uncertain. I mentioned the torque steer fix it apparently helps correct, but they said that isn't a "problem" persay and isn't an issue to justify the flash.

Is there any "issue" that I can bring up that would require a software flash that could get me on the latest version?

-zcast

 

windows not going up properly is a good one but that is hard to cause to happen.

As for what they said about causeing other problems. I have seen that where they did update to the latest on a car and then had to back it off because of problems it created with the headlights. Why i dont know but that was the case.

SO if you car in in good working order i would not play with it as it may and can cause other problems that you are not experiencing.

 

My experience w/ Audi's and more limited w/ the Mini is they will update if needed to fix a problem under warranty or per a technical bulletin, but not otherwise. Thus, if you want that result, you have to find a problem that leads to the upgrade path. What they will not typically do is upgrade it without a cause for free. If that's what you want, I don't think it will happen. They don't get paid by BMW/Mini w/out a cause either.

I went the other direction on this. I showed them the posts about the 2011 torque steer improvement and that it involved bringing the software up to current rev, plus I had some key programming to be done. I paid for one hour--and offered to pay right up front rather than try to get it some other way. I got the upgrade (on a more recent R56 than yours). They were fine about doing the work w/ no further questions or pushback, and I was happy in the end I did. I can read and talk about NM bushings, suspension tweaks and whatever else to try to get at torque steer and decrease it some here or there, but the software revision was indeed huge as described in other posts and the MY 2011 intro. In the end, one of the best "mods" I spent money on. It was not a lot of $ compared to many other frequent mods, let alone of course it is factory approved and supported if you can get them to do it.

 

So I had a sunroof motor replaced and they reprogrammed the car. Now I lost my Bluetooth connectivity, Handsfree Control ("Say a Command") on the steering wheel, and no access to music over the USB port below the radio.

Could something have gone wrong with the reprogram? Maybe wrong version for my car?

-z

 

Be careful what you ask for. The dealer may be right.

edit:

Doh! At least you got your updated programming.