[bebop]

i'm in vancouver, canada and i just paid a 500 dollar deposit just to get onto the waiting list for a cooper s. i'm told it should arrive by september or october.

please help me with some questions. there are a total of 6 toggle switches in the centre console. however, i've decided not to get the dsc and fog lamps. does that mean i'll have at least two missing switches? that would look really stupid. i'm trying to decide if i should get those options just to get the full row of switches. i will get the sunroof option so will it be opened and closed via a toggle switch?

also, has anyone seen a cooper without fog lamps? does the front bumper look like something is missing?

[monsta]

In the UK we have the following from left to right.

Electric Window
ASC+T (or DSC if fitted)
Central locking
Rear Fogs
Front Fogs
Electric Window

I think is its possible that you have have two missing, namely the front and rear fog lights. If you chose Traction control (ASC+T) rather than Stability control (DSC) then you will have a switch for that still.

I reckon you could just order a couple of switches from MINI parts and add them in just to complete the look.

[Kinster]

Quote:

Originally posted by monsta
In the UK we have the following from left to right.

Electric Window
ASC+T (or DSC if fitted)
Central locking
Rear Fogs
Front Fogs
Electric Window

I think is its possible that you have have two missing, namely the front and rear fog lights. If you chose Traction control (ASC+T) rather than Stability control (DSC) then you will have a switch for that still.

I reckon you could just order a couple of switches from MINI parts and add them in just to complete the look.

Dunno if this has been brought up before, but do MINIParts have a Website? How much are the switches (fitted)?

thanks in advance

[monsta]

No there is no parts website. You will have to go to the dealer and visit the parts dept.

As for fitting, I shouldn't think there is much involved in doing this, I would attempt it myself. Ask your parts dept for the diagram of the switch panel so you can see how to dismantle it correctly.

Not sure how much the switch would be, no more than a few pounds hopefully.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by monsta
No there is no parts website. You will have to go to the dealer and visit the parts dept.

As for fitting, I shouldn't think there is much involved in doing this, I would attempt it myself. Ask your parts dept for the diagram of the switch panel so you can see how to dismantle it correctly.

Not sure how much the switch would be, no more than a few pounds hopefully.

You're not talking about a genuine MINI switch, are you? My guess is a new bank of 6 toggle switches (apparently they only come as a single unit, with 4, 5, or 6 toggles) would be at least £75 - and probably more.

[SomeBlondeGuy]

All of us North American Mini owners will have 1 blank space in our row of toggle switches, due to the lack of a rear fog light.

If you don't opt for DSC, you'll still have ASC, and where the label "DSC" would be, it will say "ASC" instead.

[mini-dazza]

So does DSC replace ASC+T then, or are they both just switched off/on with the one switch if you get the DSC option....

Dazza

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by mini-dazza
So does DSC replace ASC+T then, or are they both just switched off/on with the one switch if you get the DSC option....

DSC incorporates all the functions of ASC+T (and then some!). So, when you switch off DSC you are also turning off ASC+T functions (except you'll still have ABS, EBD, and CBC!!!!).

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK

You're not talking about a genuine MINI switch, are you? My guess is a new bank of 6 toggle switches (apparently they only come as a single unit, with 4, 5, or 6 toggles) would be at least £75 - and probably more.

I assumed they would be individual switches...

[KarmanS]

slightly off topic here, but can anyone enlighten me if the toggle switches for the windows have an express up/down feature? I test drove a Cooper last week and I was not aware of an express mode, but the advisor insisted that there is one, so I am not sure if it's the model that I tested or not that's 'defective'?

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by KarmanS
slightly off topic here, but can anyone enlighten me if the toggle switches for the windows have an express up/down feature? I test drove a Cooper last week and I was not aware of an express mode, but the advisor insisted that there is one, so I am not sure if it's the model that I tested or not that's 'defective'?

My understanding is that for US models, both driver and passenger have the express down feature, but neither one has the express up feature. (Regulations or potential legal liability issues have been suggested as why)

[bebop]

thanks for your feedback everyone. i remember seeing a picture online somewhere with about 2 blank spaces instead of toggle switches. looked incredibly stupid. i'll talk to my dealer about putting in extra switches instead of leaving them blank.

as for fog lamps, we really don't need them here in vancouver. still, many cars have them here, i think mainly for aesthetics. i'm concerned that if i choose not to get the fog lamps, the front bumper would look awkward, like something is missing. what do you guys think?

[apache]

It is my understanding that the US models have all the toggle switches in place, it is just that two of them are dummies. That way the facade looks complete. The thing that is missing is the illuminated icons above the switches. I would assume that the switches then are real and could be hooked up to accessories. And if that is the case then, assuming that all the wiring harnesses in the Cooper are probably identical, provisions for wiring in aftermarket fog lamps would already have the switch, the necessary wiring to the core support and presto...just find the correct wire. I could be completely wrong here so please correct me if I am wrong in any of these assumptions...

[SomeBlondeGuy]

Quote:

Originally posted by bebop
thanks for your feedback everyone. i remember seeing a picture online somewhere with about 2 blank spaces instead of toggle switches. looked incredibly stupid. i'll talk to my dealer about putting in extra switches instead of leaving them blank.

as for fog lamps, we really don't need them here in vancouver. still, many cars have them here, i think mainly for aesthetics. i'm concerned that if i choose not to get the fog lamps, the front bumper would look awkward, like something is missing. what do you guys think?

It looks just fine without foglights. The small holes where the foglights would be are filled in, as far as I remember. (I have seen, in person, a Mini without foglights).

[rei00]

Quote:

Originally posted by apache
It is my understanding that the US models have all the toggle switches in place, it is just that two of them are dummies. ... I could be completely wrong here so please correct me if I am wrong in any of these assumptions...

Well, all the U.S. models I've looked at has a blank spot in the middle. My suspicion that U.S. will NOT have full row of toggles was confirmed by both salesman and MINIUSA.

Unless MINI changes their U.S. Specs, we are not going to get full row of toggles.

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by rei00


Well, all the U.S. models I've looked at has a blank spot in the middle. My suspicion that U.S. will NOT have full row of toggles was confirmed by both salesman and MINIUSA.

Unless MINI changes their U.S. Specs, we are not going to get full row of toggles.

Right, all the models I've seen have had an empty spot in the middle of the row for the rear fog light toggle.

[Kinster]

someone has been telling porkie pies!

[apache]

I guess you have to take MINIUSA with a huge grain of salt. Of course, I have been, but...

I checked out the features and specs under either the Cooper or Cooper S on MINIUSA and it clearly says, "extra switch for accessory item"...I guess that means..."extra location for aftermarket switch for accessory item."

ugh

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by apache
I guess you have to take MINIUSA with a huge grain of salt. Of course, I have been, but...

I checked out the features and specs under either the Cooper or Cooper S on MINIUSA and it clearly says, "extra switch for accessory item"...I guess that means..."extra location for aftermarket switch for accessory item."

ugh

After going back and checking MINIUSA.COM I'm somewhat confused now myself. It does indeed show an "extra switch for accessory item" such as oil slicks, smoke screens or ejector seats. (We wish ) However, if you flick the toggles for both the DSC and the front fog lights it says they will be left blank (no toggle) if you don't choose those options. Since I already want those two options I think I'll take the ejector seat so I don't have a blank slot. (Now, nobody tell the wife)

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK

My understanding is that for US models, both driver and passenger have the express down feature, but neither one has the express up feature. (Regulations or potential legal liability issues have been suggested as why)

In the UK we have 'express' up on the driver's side only... Quite a poor idea really. It was mentioned that it is possible to re-program the other side to do the same.. Not sure how..