What programming options do we have for our Mini?

[usaminicooper]

There seems to be a gray area that owners have in what they understand are able to ask their dealer to program before taking ownership.
And there is many programming options that all have learned after we have driven our car.
Lights/washers/locking systems,windows/radio/alarm and numerous others.
Please if you have some of your features that you like or find interesting , please share with us all. On the other hand if you need a solution for a programming feature, use this as your time to ask.

[BlueCS]

If you order a car, and you're properly entered in the Make Waiting Fun program, you should receive an email asking you for your preferences on several programmable features + radio station choices.

Those include (default in CAPS): -daytime running lights (on/OFF)
-duration of pathway lighting aka follow-me-home lights (40S/90s/150s/240s)
-central selective locking (one touch or two to unlock the whole car) - this is programmable for both the key and the central lock switch - (ON/off)
-auto lock @ 12mph (ON/off)

One the email doesn't mention is auto unlock when you turn off the engine (on/OFF)

They change this periodically depending on build date, so your car may vary from the list given here. This is up to date for the new MY 05 arrivals.

You can also choose the convenient opening feature on the key (only relevant to the 02-04 MY because of lack of boot button) to either unlock just the boot, or to open windows and sunroof. It can also simply be disabled so nothing happens if you hold unlock.

[Paul]

There's an FAQ on this already here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...faq_faq_memory

Although it does depend on age and spec of the MINI in question.

[steebo777]

My MA just asked me what I wanted as she had a sheet right there to fill everything in. It made things easy.

[Lee L]

I recently was in for my first service and asked the service advisor if they could program the locks to unlock automatically when I turn off the car and he told me they could not, it was "a safety feature". Seems really silly since they are perfectly happy to allow you not to have auto lock on so your car woud not be locked at a stop or the entire time you are driving.


I wish they could educate the dealers a little better about what can and can;t be done with these cars. Heck, my SA even thought they had to program the key to change thee options.

[stryder]

Sad to hear your dealer is so incompetant Lee, but at least now you know the truth, so you should get them to program auto-unlocking for free.

And yes, their excuse is stupid. Sometimes I wonder if the excuses people say even make sense to them.

[usaminicooper]

Fuel Warning can be set.

active
not active

[lespurgeon]

Had my car programed last week (had it 2 months) - I learned:
1) If you unlock only the drivers door, get in and drive off, then use the toggle to tru to unlock the rest, it won't un-lock unless you lock with toggle first (i.e. must do down-up).
2) Car made loud chime at me last night - freaked me out - then I realized i was at about 1/8th tank. She took about 10 gal (US) at that point.

[eurekame]

"If you order a car, and you're properly entered in the Make Waiting Fun program, you should receive an email asking you for your preferences on several programmable features + radio station choices."

Make waiting fun program..... did I miss that and if so where. At the dealership or online at MiniUsa.com. I placed my order for an MCS 10-20-4.

[djbohne]

yeah!! I ordered my MINI back in Jan, just picked it up last week.. and I never was given the option to choose those different programming options... only think I'd change would be to unlock the doors when I turn the ignition off.. I don't like having to pull the door handle twice... My MA was great through the entire process, but I didn't get the option on this... hopefully he can accomodate this one simple programming change then it truly will be exactly what I want..

[stryder]

Its easily done at any time, you just have to have the dealer do it, and usually, they charge a minimum labor amount (say .5 hours) to do it if its not at delivery.

Of course I think you deserve getting it done free since you never got the option.

[djbohne]

dealer said no problem on the programming since it's my first time..after this time they will charge me labor ($60!!) BUTTT... the dealer doesn't have the software update for 2005 to program the car! not a big deal.. but 05's have been out for a while now... wonder why they don't have the programs yet..(dealer was actually embarrased to tell me that) haha.. no worries..once it does come in..I'll have them switch it over!

[stryder]

My 2005, which was one of the first couple my dealer delivered got its programming options just fine, before delivery which was in August. No wonder your dealer was embarassed, since its been over 7 months.