[GadgetGav]

I emailed MINI USA from the owner's lounge web site asking for time frames for the aux adapter and the rear fog retro-fit. I pointed out to them they'd already told me back in September the aux adapter would be released "in a couple of months", so I didn't want that stock answer and that I'd seen contradictory statements about the rear fogs, but Jack Pitney says it's going to happen, so I believe him (to forestall any canned responses about that too)....
Here's what they sent in return;

Quote:

Those are excellent questions. MINI USA understands our customers have been very patient regarding the released of the aux input adapter. Please understand that we are still in the process of designing and testing the necessary adaptor, and cannot provide you with a time frame when it will become available.

Also, rear fog lights on the MINI are coming, however, MINI has not released a date of when they will be phased in for production. Unfortunately, at this time, we have no information yet if this option will have a retro fit for MINI vehicles that have already been produced.

I apologize I am not able to answer your questions directly. Please stay in contact with us for future updates regarding both items.

What a joke. How long can it really take them to put the aux adapter out. I know what's involved in making it. Even if I had to submit it to all the regulatory bodies around the world, I think I might have managed that by now... 9 months since the 2003 production started, so who knows how long since it was planned, It looks like they've taken a step backwards - no timeframe now. Does this mean they're giving up on it...? What does the fair advertising law say about listing something as 'aux input ready' when there's actually *NO* way to make it aux input enabled from the dealer...???

As for the fogs, I still believe Jack Pitney over a customer "service" emailer, but I am beginning to lose the good feeling I had about that too...

[BartMack]

I asked my MINI Broker about the rear fogs and he said it will be a no-cost retrofit for all 03s that want them, but there was still no word on when. It seems likely to me they will debut with the 04s.

[GMINI]

Very discouraging behavior on the part of MINIUSA. How strange this dance they do. Thanks for poking around, Gav.

[sprocket]

Why wait for the MINI Aux input, which will be probably more expensive than 3rd party adapters (see CD changer, MINI charges about $300 more than a 3rd party), when the Blitzsafe works just fine?

However, I don't understand the reasoning for the rear fog light delay.

[GBMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by sprocket
However, I don't understand the reasoning for the rear fog light delay.

My testing leads me to think that the BC1 requires more than just a bit toggle in the SA code to activate rear fogs. I am guessing that the software uses some sort of "country code" (probably the GM code) which might mean that current software would enable more than just the rear fogs (eg: auto up windows!)

Also, the dealership software in USA appears to refuse GM codes from other countries.

[GadgetGav]

sprocket - I'm not waiting..! I've been making cables and getting snowed under by the demand..! I was hoping MINIs part would be out soon so that I can stop making them..!!!
I've also got a Blitzsafe for my '02 Cooper that isn't aux "ready".
My point is just that they say one thing and do another. Not that that should be a surprise in itself - as much as we like the cars, they're made by a faceless corporation just like anything else. It's just odd that they try to gain customer confidence by introducing things like aux input and finally caving to pressure for the rear fogs, and then the next moment they are almost denying any knowledge. Liek GMINI says, a strange dance indeed.
Maybe we should get Ian back on the case with the fogs...!

[sprocket]

Ha, GagdetGav, sounds like a good business for you!! Put it all up on a website and charge less than a Blitzsafe and you'll make a fortune

I suspect it is all about $$$. Go take a look at the MINI sites. It's all overcharged and you can get almost everything for less than half the price from 3rd party vendors. The radio is not MINI, it is Alpine, so prolly Alpine (or even Blitzsafe), not MINI, will start producing them if they see a market for it. Add all the political blah and more $$$ and there you have your delay. I think they're just waiting to get enough MINIs on the market to lower their production cost, cos more units = mass production = lower fix costs = cheaper.

I could be wrong, but it could make sense.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by BartMack
I asked my MINI Broker about the rear fogs and he said it will be a no-cost retrofit for all 03s that want them, but there was still no word on when. It seems likely to me they will debut with the 04s.

Hey, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but rear fog lights better be a no-cost retrofit for 02s as well as the 03s. The AutoWeek article clearly quoted Jack Pitney saying for they would be fitted to used MINIs as well as new ones. He read it like the rest of us. His staff read it, too. If it was inaccurate and he didn't mean to include the 2002 models, he had an opportunity to contact AutoWeek and have them issue a correction or clarification. That never happened.

[wmd]

I thought than when Jack said that all MINIs in the US would be retrofitted with rear fogs if the owner wanted, that it was too good to be true. I don't think that Jack thought the offer thru throughly and the millions it would cost, and MINI dealers inundated with more service appts than they could handle. Now it appears that Jack is reneging on the original offer. Not only will owners who want fogs jump at the offer, but also other owners who just want the complete toggle switch.

Since the aux cable has been promised by MINIUSA since Sept 2002 and still is not available, I would not hold out hope to see rear fogs before Jan 2004, and then only for new build MINIs. In fact I will buy a beer for everyone on this forum if rear fogs are available before 2004 for owners of 2002 & 2003 models and without cost.
disclaimer: offer available only to primary MINI owners who are over the age of 21 and who are avowed non-drinkers. Offer subject to change without notice.

[jmusicman]

I haven't been reading closely on the actions of our beloved Jack, but what exactly has he done for us lately??? Why should I consider anything he says to be more than a rumor? If I were to call a MINIUSA rep today, my conversation would not mention anything regarding their Pitney rumor mill.... I would just tell them... hey guys, you said you'd have this done and if JD Powers calls my house (before I call them), I'm not going to mention cupholders or a bumpy ride.... I'm going to state that the company has not provided ANYTHING (not even a free Blitzsafe adapter) to meet customer satisfaction....

We'll see how many coffee mugs you'll get out of that rap...

J

[MINIPOWER]

I'd be willing to bet that programming the BC1 for rear fogs may not be a problem. I have a set of UK auxillary driving lamps (that wire directly to the BC1 and have no switch) on my MCS and my MINI dealer was able to program the BC1 for these lights even though the tech wasn't sure that he'd be able to since they are not the same as the US spec lamps.

[GBMINI]

MINIPOWER,
Thanks for the optimism.
However, I do speak from practical experience with BC1 recoding attempts.

[GadgetGav]

So, ian..??
I know you'd got close. If Jack Pitney says it's OK and you and your friendly MINI dealer have managed to crack it, why not go ahead and do it..? They can't fear the wrath of MINI USA anymore when the head honcho says he's going to put it on every car....
How close did you get to cracking it..??

[GBMINI]

"How close did you get to cracking it"
We got close enough to know for certain that it is *not* possible with the BC1 and dealership equipment available today.
"SA" codes from non-USA vehicles allowed us to identify probable codes for rear fogs - but none of them worked.
Even coding a MINI to be "foreign" did not enable the rear fogs.
So I concluded that the "GM" code has an influence too, but the dealer computer refused the foreign coding.

[godzappa]

When he said any MINI owner could get the rear fogs, was that regarding those who have the front fog lights or ANY MINIs?

I cant believe the AUX adapter still isnt ready.. end of June was what we were being told for the past few months. Guess not now.

How many monkeys does it take to make an AUX adapter?

None, they gave the project to BMW.