Manual Boot Release (2002 Models)

[Ken2002S]

I have an 2002S with NO cable for a manual release for the boot.

Has anyone installed one of these cables themselves? The dealer indicates there is a specific parts package for the retrofit but whats a ton of $$$ per hour to do the job and I am not willing to pay the price.

Any idea what is involved in changing out the old system for one with the manual release cable under the back seat?

thanks

[MINIAC]

A couple of Roadfly posts that might help:

http://forums1.roadfly.org/mini/foru...postid=3104047

http://forums1.roadfly.org/mini/foru...3106514&page=1

Who's your dealer and how many hours labor did they quote you?

[Ken2002S]

Wow... what a quick reply and GREAT INFO from the other site.

My dealer, East Bay Mini in the SF bay area, said they had never done one and didn't know how long it would take. They did say that their labor rate was $135/hr and I should figure to pay at least one hr. of labor. The dealer was very clear that MINI would NOT pick up the tab and the bill would be mine.

The Roadfly comments indicate this is clearly in the do-it-yourself range and I will go that route. I have an order about finished up for Brian... figure I'll add the part numbers and go from there.

Thanks Again

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ken2002S

Wow... what a quick reply and GREAT INFO from the other site.

This was one of those RARE cases that I found something at Roadfly that wasn't already posted here or MCO

Quote:

My dealer, East Bay Mini in the SF bay area, said they had never done one and didn't know how long it would take. They did say that their labor rate was $135/hr and I should figure to pay at least one hr. of labor.

Labor rates at Bay Area dealers run $125-155 per hour ... one hour labor sounds about right.

Quote:

The dealer was very clear that MINI would NOT pick up the tab and the bill would be mine.

I emailed MINIUSA about retrofitting the trunk release and also fitting the power steering fan with a protectvie shroud ... suggesting that these "design flaws" should be rectified at their expense. I received their normal BS response

Quote:

The Roadfly comments indicate this is clearly in the do-it-yourself range and I will go that route. I have an order about finished up for Brian... figure I'll add the part numbers and go from there.

I'm contemplating doing this eventually also. If you have a digital camera, take some pictures so we can put together a pictorialized DIY

[Ken2002S]

Consider it done. I do have a digital camera and will shoot a few pictures as I go.
I'll let you know how it goes.

[wmd]

I also want to install this hatch release cable and also do the rear power point at the same time. So I would greatly appreciate pictures before starting this. The writeup that MINIAC posted by that SKYdude was good but I got lost at the B-filler, C-filler, D-filler thing. I don't know if my MINI has those fillers or not.

Thanks Ken for any pics you could post in a FAQ, and thanks to MINIAC also, for the corpulation work in gathering helpful tips from the other MINI websites.

[tylast]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the manual refer to a manual trunk release cable? I couldn't find mine & now I see that it was never installed. Shouldn't Mini install it for free?

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by tylast

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the manual refer to a manual trunk release cable? I couldn't find mine & now I see that it was never installed.

This feature wasn't installed until model year 2003 builds.

Quote:

Shouldn't Mini install it for free?

Here was MINIUSA's response to retrofitting the trunk release:

Quote:

I checked out the website posting and while they do list parts and part numbers there, MINI has no retrofit kit available at this time. I can't speak to the viability of what's on the internet as to whether or not it would work or if it would cause any damage either. If there is a change in the future, we will advise the dealer network of the availability. Stay in touch with your dealer and us for the latest updates.

If you wish to contact MINIUSA yourself, you can mention #455595, the reference number assigned to my original email.

[Ken2002S]

I posted that I was going to do an install on this manual release and would take some photos. I intend to do that, but it will probably be AT LEAST two weeks (probably three) as I have yet to order the parts. I intend to order on Thursday of this week, so please don't expect an immediate set of photos.

I'll keep folks posted

[GMINI]

I have an Aug 02 car with some 03 plusses on it. Tell me please exactly where this 03 cable would be found/what it looks like.

TIA

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI

Tell me please exactly where this 03 cable would be found/what it looks like.

The pull ring for the cable is located underneath the rear seat bench.

[jcsinnh]

Happy Birthday, MINIAC, from your pals back East and MAMA

[Ken2002S]

Folks,

My install went just fine... and I took a half-dozen digital pictures that I would be happy to send anyone who wants them (or knows how to upload them to the appropriate page. I don’t have a clue). e-mail me direct at ken95524@cox.net

Following the instructions from SkyMcGriff posted on roadfly (linked in the previous postings), I made the following changes and or additions.

1. First, my release cable did not have a ‘small metal arm’ but a ‘small plastic arm’ but it seems to have worked just fine. The mechanism came apart in shipping but there are only two parts to the whole thing and it took all of about 10 seconds to figure out how to put it back together and snap the parts in place.

2. Placing the small end of the arm into the current mechanism was the only part that confused me for a few minutes. You PUSH a small plastic lever all the way to one side and the point needed to hook the plastic arm into becomes exposed. Really simple once I figured it out... I took several photos of the whole affair.

3. Never did find any clamps along the right side while snaking the cable along from the back to inside the car. No problem, I used a couple of nylon cable ties and it worked just great. A second person helps a lot when snaking the cable to know when you have it where you want.

Outside of that, I followed the six steps of SkyMcGriff fairly much to the tee and all went well. I got all the parts from Brian at Classic.

Side point, I also installed a Mini Cup Link system and it looks like it will work like a charm.

[wmd]

Ken, could you e-mail those to MINIAC so they could be posted in the FAQ. That way they would be readily available for any future DIY'er, any save you a bunch of individual e-mails.
Thanks for doing pictures on this. I am going to order my parts this week.

[StevePSB]

Ummmm... My last MINI (September 2002 build, 2003 spec) had no cable.

My current MINI has the cable, but I'm yet to work out what the hell it's worth is? What is the supposed point of having one?