I have an 03 MCS with a build date of March 03. The car seems to run fine except when I start off with a cold engine, than I get a small stutter than the it runs fine, no yo yo's or anything else to report.

I'm going to have the oil changed at around 6000 miles, and I'm fine with how the car runs. I don't want the dealership to install a different software program to try and deal with the problems that some of the MINI owners have reported.

I'm concerned that any new software programs that the dealer may want to install may make the car run worse.

My question is...Does MINI have to install ANY NEW software to keep the MINI in any kind of factory warranty? If not, I would like to keep the car like it is. :smile:

 

the dealer knows what software version you have because they can check with computer. I dont' think there is anyother way.

 

More then likely you have version 35 ?. Version 36 was not loaded on cars at the factory until 10/03. Mine is a 10/10 build with yo-yo. If the car is running with no stumble or yo-yo I'd leave it alone and tell the dealer not to touch the software. I have high hopes that V38 will fix the yo-yo problem but I think there have been 4 or 5 revisions since the car was introduced and it still isn't right.

_________________
James - SCCA SFR GS # 296

 

Yeah, the MINI is running fine as far as I'm concerned. I just thought that the dealer may UPGRADE the software while in for the oil change.

I want to keep the software I have now thank you very much. I will just tell the service person to just change the oil.

After reading some of the threads about owners taking their MINI in for service and the car comes back worse than when they took it in :evil:

In my case, just change the oil, Don't flash nothin, don't even wash the car either.

 

Make sure they write on the service invoice "DO NOT UPGRADE SOFTWARE !"
I also believe the wiper blade inserts are covered durring service visits.

 

James, hey thanks for the info. :smile:

 

The GT1 BMW dealer computer won't display the actual software version you have installed in the car. The Laptop will only display a sequence number code and this code is used by the technician to determine whether your car has the latest or older version of the ECU software, that's all.


Since your car is a March '03 build, it probably came with version 32 or 33 of the software. Version 35 was installed on September-October 2003 build '04 MINIs and Ver 36 since Nov 2003.

 

>>{snip} Version 35 was installed on September-October 2003 build '04 MINIs and Ver 36 since Nov 2003.
>>

Cooper4us --

Don't forget about the updates done at the VPCs. Even though the factory changeover may have happened later, the VPCs were updating incoming cars to v.36 well before that time.

My '04 MCS was built on 9/22/03, logged into the NJ VPC on 10/7/03 and was delivered on 10/17/03 with v.36 installed.

On a side note...

One of the strategic advantages of the VPC concept is its ability to make distributed country-specific changes/additions and to put "in service" late-breaking modifications to the MINIs without constantly burdening the factory with production "change-overs". Then, periodically, the factory will schedule production changeovers to alleviate the "built-up" burden on the VPCs.

The November date you have mentioned may have been the factory changeover date.

FWIW,

Theo

 

>>Since your car is a March '03 build, it probably came with version 32 or 33 of the software. Version 35 was installed on September-October 2003 build '04 MINIs and Ver 36 since Nov 2003.

I have an MCS built 10/02 and I had version v.32 before I had it updated about 2 months ago to v.36
I hear that they are updating to v.37 now but the dealer will not do it routinely unless there is a complaint of stumble or yo-yo or something. My dealer said if I asked for the update and had no complaints it would cost me $150.

One warning- for those getting the oil change make sure nothing is blocking the access to the oil filter like a tower strut brace. If you add the software they need access to the rear battery in the MCS so those with a subwoofer or amp in the boot will have to allow access.