Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2010 JCW hatch, and I can't get my comfort access to work.

I took it back to the dealer (Carmax 30 day warranty). He called BMW which ran the VIN and said it doesn't have comfort access. So they won't fix it, which I can't really blame them if BMW says it doesn't have that option.

Now while I would normally believe BMW, in this case I have my doubts.

The car has comfort access listed when I run the VIN number on online databases (not sure if I can post a link).

I have the button on the door handle and the remote takes CR2032 batteries (which I've read indicates it is a comfort access remote).

So I guess I have two questions. First, is there anyway to tell if my car for sure has comfort access?

Secondly, if I do have comfort access is there anything I should try to get the remotes to work? They function fine as a regular remotes.

I've tried replacing the remote batteries and checking the comfort access fuse in the passenger side footwell.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading!

 

What is it that you consider "Comfort Access"

 

My understanding of Comfort Access is where one can approach the vehicle with key in pocket and press the black button on the door handle to unlock the vehicle.

When in the vehicle one can also press the start button and start the vehicle without the key in the dash.

Let me know if I'm wrong. Thanks

 

That is the same way mine is configured and I have comfort access.

I would call a seperate dealer yourself with the vin and ask.

 

I had the same problem at first, I also bought my jcw from Carmax. Look in the owners Manual it will show u how to turn it on. if u have the button on the door handle u should have the comfort access

 

This happened to me after I had my car for a little while. Turns out the rear view mirror contains the antenna for the comfort access system. I had it replaced and it's been fine ever since!

 

Youre not wrong, the button on the door handles says you have that option.

Did you run your serial number here:

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Its very accurate, unlike the dealer!!! Print it out, and take it with you.
I did that when I was told I didnt have sat prep.

 

The option code is "s322a"

 

If your door handle has the black button and your remote has the replaceable CR2032 battery then your car has comfort access. If the battery was out of the remote for more than 4 hours the remote will need to be reprogrammed to the car by the dealer. Since you bought your car at carmax they could have bought and new or second remote and not had it programmed to the car my the mini dealer, it would still work as a remote but not have the comfort access feature programmed.

 

Do you have both FOBs?

Then have CarMax pay to reprogram them at the dealer.

 

I wanted to update this thread in case someone comes here in the future looking for answers.

I contacted my local Mini dealership again, and got a quick response with the original order for the car which showed I do have Comfort Access. I took the car back to Carmax which took the car to Mini.

Mini reported that I had two additional keys programmed as CA, but the keys I had (3 and 4) were only programmed as regular keys. They reprogrammed my keys as CA and unregistered keys 1 and 2 (as I don't have them). This service was covered by Carmax but would've been $100.

Also I learned that I have extended maintenance contract. They did an oil change and changed out my windshield wipers front and rear, yay.

Thanks again for everyone's responses.

 

outstanding.

 

I didn't get a manual. Can't find anything in the PDF manual. Can you tell me how to turn it on? Or a page number? Thx

 

The original poster had to have the dealer do it. From what i read on CA, only key 1 and key 2 are allowed for that function. If a 3rd or 4th key were added, then key 1 and maybe 2 need to be disabled.
I'm still trying to figure out what the next step is. I know the dealer has to reprogram, but that's a vague word for what they actually would do.