We purchased our 07 mini cooper s and it was delivered about a month ago and we ordered it with the leather multifunction steering wheel. On the trip home the wife called and told me as we were driving back that we didn't get the cruise on the car. I was sure we got the correct steering wheel so when we got home we realized that the multifunction steering wheel didn't have functions. Anyone else experience this?
I looked at all the materials online and from the dealership and the mini usa factory codes and there isn't any designated 3 spoke wheel without the multifuntions available. Another odd thing is that the wheel was supposed to cost $550 and they charged us $300. Still no word from the dealer how to fix problem from corporate.

 

This was an issue in the early days of the 2007 in USA. The 3-spoke is $300 without the multi-funtion but was not really offered in the USA. MINI mistakely let some orders go through with just the 3-spoke. MINIusa is supposed to fix it for you when they sort out all the details of a swap. Apparently there's quite a bit of difference in the wiring.

 

thanks for the info, i guess we aren't the only ones.

 

No - if you search you will find threads all about this. It happened to a number of people - 40 was the number offered by Mini, but others have thought that number is too low.

The problem was that the software used by the dealer to order the cars did not automatically select the 3 spoke wheel and the multi-function, so many orders went in with only the 3 spoke wheel, which otherwise would cost 300. Nobody on the factory end was reviewing the orders, and nobody in quality control caught that you could not get a car in this config in the US. So lo and behold a slew of such configured cars arrived in the US.

At first it was uncertain that the wheel could be swapped and most affected people re-ordered. Some waited it out, and finally (and quietly) it was revealed that eventually the parts to allow the wheel to be swapped would be available.

This happened to me. I sat it out and took my car without re-ordering. The dealer charged me the 300 for the 3 spoke wheel and gave me a voucher for the upgrade to the MFSW when available for no additional cost.

You have two issues:

1. You dealer/salesman knows about this, and they should have made you aware of what happened, given you a chance to re-order or take the chance they would offer a retrofit. What's with them - its lousy that they slipped you the car without saying anything.

2. They should make the wheel swap available to you - and I would argue for no extra cost to make the swap if I was you. And they should kiss your a-- in some other ways as well - remind them you may have to give them bad marks on the satisfaction survey if they do not.

 

And they still have not fixed it. The dealer has to order the "Leather Sport" steering wheel, and the multifunction code separately. I went through this when I ordered mine a couple of weeks ago and on my order list it shows up as two line items.

 

One of the first things I checked on my order when the news hit the fan.

 

Whoo-hoo! $300 is an awful lot to charge for an extra spoke on a steering wheel.

 

coneracer, aren't you the same person that also had a problem with the variable valve timing system? If so, then that's a shame! In realizing that I'm seeing the larger picture of what R56 ownership seems to be like (unfortunately).

 

Yes I'm the same guy but fortunately the car hauls butt for the venue inwhich I purchased it for. Finally got enough miles that the wife would allow us to go to the local autocross and see what she would do. DOMINATED!

 

Anyone hear of a resolve for the issue on the steering wheel yet? I've contacted the dealer for the fourth time and still haven't heard a word yet. nor a response yet. I'ts like pulling teeth to get the dealer to let you know what is going on.

 

Apparently the three spoke steering wheel is standard now. So if whatever reason they don't reslove your MFSW mix up, you may want to ask for a refund on your $300. Hope you get everything straighten out.

 

"A" car has a problem and you attribute it to all of them? Well, that is just silly.

I am not going to look, but I just bet there were issues with new 2006 models as well, which did not effect every single car.

Stuff happens. And it is never good when it happens to anyone. Everyone always hopes their car will be perfect, but the law of averages will not let that happen.
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Coneracer, it sounds like your dealer is avoiding the issue, from what you are saying. I would escalate and ask to speak to a district manager, or equivalent uppity-up not associated directly with a dealer. It would have been easier to deal with had you not accepted the car at delivery. But hindsight is always something that slaps you on the forehead when you least expect it.

 

I'm not basing that comment on a single car. And, I'm only saying unfortunate as opposed to "totally sucks". I've seen several threads here about R56 issues, I only attribute it to the fact that the R56 is a redesign (first-year) and so minor issues such as these can be expected. I probably should have ended that statement with "for some".

 

On my 03 MFSW I could change between radio,CD, and AUX with the buttons on the steering wheel. With my 07 I can only adjust the volume and advance the radio forward or backward. I can no longer switch from radio to CD or AUX from the steering wheel. Plus the old style horn buttons were much easier to use than the current wheel. Seems like less multi functions.

 

eliot:
MINI must have decided that switching between radio and CD from the steering wheel was TOO convenient. Neither my wife's '05 or '06 has this ability.