MINI2

PastyMuncher · Jan 29th, 2004, 03:05 PM

I have just bought my MCS. I have 3 kids aged 2, 4 & 7. At times I need to be able to have them all in the car at the same time.

I have absolutely no interest in putting a rear-facing child seat in my car. I am not happy puttgin my 7-year old in the passanger seat on two counts- (1) her head is too low (adult chest-height) and the front airbag can break her neck (2) she is too light-weight for the designed momentum for the airbag and would be pushed back too hard.

I contacted my Local Mini dealer (Scotthall Hampshire) and I was told that it took 2 hours labour at £102 per hour plus needed a new seat belt. She said that they have to disable all the airbags, including the side one and this means a new seat belt (another £45).

This is crazy! I agree with the sentiment that small children should be in the back of any car. All I want to do is be able to put an older child in the front from time to time.

Can anyone offer advice?

Rich.

Intrepid · Jan 29th, 2004, 03:25 PM

People carrier????! large cushion?? Sorry you're having trouble - bet the kids love the car though!

luigimascioli · Jan 29th, 2004, 03:37 PM

[quote=PastyMuncher]I have just bought my MCS. I have 3 kids aged 2, 4 & 7. At times I need to be able to have them all in the car at the same time.

I have absolutely no interest in putting a rear-facing child seat in my car. I am not happy puttgin my 7-year old in the passanger seat on two counts- (1) her head is too low (adult chest-height) and the front airbag can break her neck (2) she is too light-weight for the designed momentum for the airbag and would be pushed back too hard.

I contacted my Local Mini dealer (Scotthall Hampshire) and I was told that it took 2 hours labour at £102 per hour plus needed a new seat belt. She said that they have to disable all the airbags, including the side one and this means a new seat belt (another £45).

This is crazy! I agree with the sentiment that small children should be in the back of any car. All I want to do is be able to put an older child in the front from time to time.

Can anyone offer advice?

I have got a little boy aged 18 months did disable the air bag into BMW garage for free! now on my mini i put the BMW rear car seat that my boy can use until is 4 years old in Italy cost 250 euro and it seem really confortable for my boy

punkeyfunky · Jan 29th, 2004, 04:10 PM

I wanted the side airbags disabled, not for children, but because I've removed the seats (replaced them with Sparco's). I paid around the same amount for the tech's time. It's not a simple 'plug in the computer' job - they have to go and get particular codes from BMW, and then upload everything.

They aren't penalising you for airbag work - they are always that expensive (hourly rate).

To be honest, I know it's a tad pricey, but if I had children that want/need to be up front, I'd pay it.

Lee

Paul · Jan 29th, 2004, 04:26 PM

I've been quoted the same by two garages.

I believe the new model out later this year will have a much more simple "switch" method for the airbag on/off situation.

PastyMuncher · Jan 29th, 2004, 09:49 PM

Does anyone know what they actually spend 2 hours doing?

Do they have to remove something from the airbags to disable it?

Changing a seat belt should take about 10 minutes. Plugging in the computer, perhaps another ten minutes. What else are they doing?

Paul · Jan 29th, 2004, 09:50 PM

No idea, they also charge about the same to reactivate it.

EBMCS03 · Jan 30th, 2004, 08:37 AM

For that much they should put in a switch for you to activate and disable it on your own.

punkeyfunky · Jan 30th, 2004, 10:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by PastyMuncher

Does anyone know what they actually spend 2 hours doing?

Do they have to remove something from the airbags to disable it?

Changing a seat belt should take about 10 minutes. Plugging in the computer, perhaps another ten minutes. What else are they doing?

I'd speculate that they spend their time:
- extracting relevant details from car (VIN, chassis, whatever)
- compiling data to be sent to BMW (who then produce unique per vehicle codes)
- apply codes and upload back to car
- perform checkout on systems, circuits, etc

If they charge by the hour or part thereof, its perfectly possible that the work takes just over an hour, hence the two hours being charged.

I guess that if you want it done, you gotta pay. Either that, or leave the children in the back.

:/

-L

Jan 29th, 2004, 03:05 PM	#1
PastyMuncher My MCS Works!... it does! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South of England Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 47 Offline	£250 to disable the passenger Airbag I have just bought my MCS. I have 3 kids aged 2, 4 & 7. At times I need to be able to have them all in the car at the same time. I have absolutely no interest in putting a rear-facing child seat in my car. I am not happy puttgin my 7-year old in the passanger seat on two counts- (1) her head is too low (adult chest-height) and the front airbag can break her neck (2) she is too light-weight for the designed momentum for the airbag and would be pushed back too hard. I contacted my Local Mini dealer (Scotthall Hampshire) and I was told that it took 2 hours labour at £102 per hour plus needed a new seat belt. She said that they have to disable all the airbags, including the side one and this means a new seat belt (another £45). This is crazy! I agree with the sentiment that small children should be in the back of any car. All I want to do is be able to put an older child in the front from time to time. Can anyone offer advice? Rich.

Jan 29th, 2004, 03:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Intrepid Gutter Princess Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Planet Hoff Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 3,464 Offline	People carrier????! large cushion?? Sorry you're having trouble - bet the kids love the car though! http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/11588/54205.jpg

Jan 29th, 2004, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	I've been quoted the same by two garages. I believe the new model out later this year will have a much more simple "switch" method for the airbag on/off situation. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

Jan 29th, 2004, 09:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	No idea, they also charge about the same to reactivate it. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

Jan 30th, 2004, 08:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 05:56 PM Posts: 6,768 Offline	For that much they should put in a switch for you to activate and disable it on your own. EB/W MCS Arrived (3/26/03) SOLD 4/25/06

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Jan 29th, 2004, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
luigimascioli Lo Scoglio Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: tuscany M.Argentario Local Time: 02:56 AM Posts: 58 Offline	[quote=PastyMuncher]I have just bought my MCS. I have 3 kids aged 2, 4 & 7. At times I need to be able to have them all in the car at the same time. I have absolutely no interest in putting a rear-facing child seat in my car. I am not happy puttgin my 7-year old in the passanger seat on two counts- (1) her head is too low (adult chest-height) and the front airbag can break her neck (2) she is too light-weight for the designed momentum for the airbag and would be pushed back too hard. I contacted my Local Mini dealer (Scotthall Hampshire) and I was told that it took 2 hours labour at £102 per hour plus needed a new seat belt. She said that they have to disable all the airbags, including the side one and this means a new seat belt (another £45). This is crazy! I agree with the sentiment that small children should be in the back of any car. All I want to do is be able to put an older child in the front from time to time. Can anyone offer advice? I have got a little boy aged 18 months did disable the air bag into BMW garage for free! now on my mini i put the BMW rear car seat that my boy can use until is 4 years old in Italy cost 250 euro and it seem really confortable for my boy

Jan 29th, 2004, 04:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
punkeyfunky UberGeek Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Milton Keynes Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 852 Offline	I wanted the side airbags disabled, not for children, but because I've removed the seats (replaced them with Sparco's). I paid around the same amount for the tech's time. It's not a simple 'plug in the computer' job - they have to go and get particular codes from BMW, and then upload everything. They aren't penalising you for airbag work - they are always that expensive (hourly rate). To be honest, I know it's a tad pricey, but if I had children that want/need to be up front, I'd pay it. Lee

Jan 29th, 2004, 09:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
PastyMuncher My MCS Works!... it does! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South of England Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 47 Offline	Does anyone know what they actually spend 2 hours doing? Do they have to remove something from the airbags to disable it? Changing a seat belt should take about 10 minutes. Plugging in the computer, perhaps another ten minutes. What else are they doing?

Jan 30th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
punkeyfunky UberGeek Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Milton Keynes Local Time: 12:56 AM Posts: 852 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by PastyMuncher Does anyone know what they actually spend 2 hours doing? Do they have to remove something from the airbags to disable it? Changing a seat belt should take about 10 minutes. Plugging in the computer, perhaps another ten minutes. What else are they doing? I'd speculate that they spend their time: - extracting relevant details from car (VIN, chassis, whatever) - compiling data to be sent to BMW (who then produce unique per vehicle codes) - apply codes and upload back to car - perform checkout on systems, circuits, etc If they charge by the hour or part thereof, its perfectly possible that the work takes just over an hour, hence the two hours being charged. I guess that if you want it done, you gotta pay. Either that, or leave the children in the back. :/ -L

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