MFSW Causing Ordering Problems

Sections: R56 (Hatch) | Recalls/Campaigns Feb 5th, 2007 26 Comments

There has been some problems with the early R56 orders that were supposed to have Multi-Function Steering Wheel in December and January.

When ordering the MFSW on an R50/R53, the Motoring Advisor only had to select 1 item from the order sheet. For the R56, 2 items needed to be selected. The first for the steering wheel, the 2nd for the multi-function.

The confusion has caused quite a few MINIs so far to be ordered without multi-function. For those cars that are affected, they will only have the leather sports wheel installed. There is not an option at this time to retrofit those cars without MFSW due to changes in the wiring harness for the stereo, Bluetooth and cruise control.

Last week MINI issued a bulletin to all dealers to make them aware of the problem. If you think you might be affected, you should contact your Sales Advisor right away. The only option to correct the lack of MFSW at this time is to completely rebuild your MINI.

Update: According to Gabe (who spoke to MINI executives about the issue this past weekend) MINI USA is working on a fix for the MFSW ordering snafu that affected around 40 orders. However, at this time they can’t confirm what that will be as they’re still working out some logistics in the process.

However MINI USA employees let it be known that they are very aware of the issue and they will do everything they can to create a solution to the issue. Look for more information over the next week or so.

Written By: DB

Adam

Only affected 40 or so orders..? seems like more when reading NAM.
Craig

According to MINI there are 2 accessory multi-function steering wheels for the R56. PN 32 30 2 751 500 (Sport M/F leather) and PN 32 30 2 751 728 (Sport M/F Wood). Unless these accessory wheels are delayed availability why can’t they be installed on the problem MINIs?
Brendan

Yep… I reordered my car as a result of this mistake. I will now however be getting 17″ wheels (thanks gabe) and the audio package. So I guess it worked out for the best. But I hope miniusa gives us some freebies for having to wait longer. Maybe free floor mats?
robble

On NAM the official count is 17 as of right now. only those who ordered the MFSW as an ala cart order are affected. not those who ordered the premium package.

Unless these accessory wheels are delayed availability why canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t they be installed on the problem MINIs?

answer

There is not an option at this time to retrofit those cars without MFSW due to changes in the wiring harness for the stereo, Bluetooth and cruise control.
Craig

There is not an option at this time to retrofit those cars without MFSW due to changes in the wiring harness for the stereo, Bluetooth and cruise control.

I took this to mean that the sport multifunction steering wheel from the R50, R52, R53 could not be retrofitted to the R56. The MINI accessory guide lists this wheel as PN 32 30 6 762 457. This is NOT the same part number I listed in my previous post.

So if this new part is for the R56 as it’s billed, the wiring harness will not be an issue. As I said before there must be some other issue.

For example, if the accessory wheel is available but the wiring harness for MFSW isn’t present unless specced, then retrofit is not an option or prohibitively expensive.
http://www.webbmotorsports.com RandyBMC

Thanks for your help Gabe, as one of the owners affected.

Randy
Venus

Thanks Gabe for this much awaited info. I agree with the folks on NAM that some compensation/discount is in order for folks who will have to wait even longer now to get their Minis due to re-ordering.
Suzie

Thus happened to my Mini too :(

After talking to my MA & ASK MINI rep, – it doesn’t sound like retrofitting is going to be possible or practical. So, looks like everyone effected will either have the option of taking the car without the MFSW (and no cruise control) or re-order. Re-ordering will probably add 6 week to our wait.

I totally agree with Venus – compensation or discount is deserved. And how do you really put a dollar value on making someone wait 6 extra weeks for their Mini.

I guess we will find out if Mini will do the right thing in this situation by compensation those affected or not. I believe in the past they have compensated folks whose convertible orders were delayed due to a VIN # mixup. I found the following compensation on NAM which seems quite reasonable:

1) 4th year of schedule maintenance free 2) Free wind deflector 3) $250 in mini bucks???

Here is a link to lots of good info on this issue:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91071
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I’m curious as to why the last commenter has been been posting multiple times (including the previous two comments here) under different names in regard to this issue? We all understand you’re concerned but please don’t spam the site.
Neil

Ouch.
Freud

I had to re-order today due to this issue. Let’s see what Mini does to make it up to me as I’ll have to wait till end of March now before I get my R56.
O(=^=)O Capn

rotflmao
http://www.michiganmini.org Ryephile

Thank you Gabe for your help! I’m a bit taken aback that I’m one-of-forty affected. I certainly thought the problem was much bigger scale than it seems to have been. Are there that few people ordering R56 right now? It doesn’t seem there are any waiting lists per se at the dealerships yet.
lavardera

40 cars does not sound like that many, which makes me wonder if they will really make the effort for a fix for such a number of cars. But if they were not trying to make a fix work, well then they would have encouraged everybody to re-order already, with whatever compensation they decided they were willing to offer. So its not over everybody, not till the fat lady sings.
seb

If I were waiting on my new custom ordered 07 MINI, and somebody offered me $1000.00 to pass on my car and reorder another one … I’d laugh. Floor mats? …. well, that would just make me mad. Which is to say, I think MINI should consider 1K MINI bucks as a MINIMUM peace offering. Companies seldom realize their greatest opportunity to thoroughly impress a customer … is right after they have accidentally disserviced them.
Freud

I TOTALLY agree with SEB. Floor Mats for a 4-6 week additional wait? Shameful if customers will accept that. My dealer was throwing in free mats anyway. 1K sounds more reasonable. Suzie has posted up what Mini offered to customers in the past whose orders were delayed and that seems to be a reasonable thing to doo too.
Motoring Advisor

Did the customers here not verify their specs once the order was made? How did the dealer handle this with you? I’m curious…
YuccaPatrol

I’d stick MINI with their mistake and re-order. No cruise control would really bug me.
Freud

It appears that Mini is refusing to take responsibility for this. Mini has started telling customers that neither are they going to be able to retrofit the MFSW, not give any compensation for making them wait longer for the next order. How rude and irresponsible of Mini to do so.
Zac

I got an email from Mini a few minutes back saying they are still looking into the possibility of retrofitting of compensation for delay. It appears that different folks are being given different answers. It will be nice if Mini just comes out and says that “Sorry for your pain. We won’t charge you for the Multifunction Steering Wheel to make it up to you.” and everyone will be happy I think.
robble

IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m curious as to why the last commenter has been been posting multiple times (including the previous two comments here) under different names in regard to this issue? We all understand youÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re concerned but please donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t spam the site.

incredible.. the same person created FIVE screen names on NAM to complain and two names on MINI2 also.

There is a problem that needs to be solved but intentionally “flanning the flames” doesn’t help anything.
robble

Freud Feb 5th, 2007 Link I had to re-order today due to this issue. LetÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s see what Mini does to make it up to me as IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll have to wait till end of March now before I get my R56.

same day and time frame as The guy who made five screen names on nam.

Freud Feb 6th, 2007 Link I TOTALLY agree with SEB

Suzie Feb 5th, 2007 Link I totally agree with Venus

Freud Feb 6th, 2007 Link Suzie has posted up what…

note venus and suzie were the the two gabe pointed out as a spammer.

Seems someone is still up to the same games. I noticed a couple other posts that seemed suspicious but I’ll give a benefit of the doubt till Gabe checks IP addys etc. The writing style is quite similar and this person is found of quoting themselves and agreeing with themselves on things MINI should do to make up for it..
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spclark

Sorry I missed seeing this thread earlier; I’m the guy from MINI2 who’s R56 arrived late last week in Illinois, only to be found lacking the MF wheel I’d ordered for it back in early January.

Crivens!!

Now it’s another 6+ weeks ’till my reordered S arrives. Small comfort the dealer gave me the MF wheel option for free on the reorder, but at least I’ll have what I ordered when it finally arrives.
CHRIS

ON 2007 MINI COOPER WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT ALL THE SUDDEN SLAMS ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWS DOWN. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS YET?
http://dbmini.us DB

You should definitely get your MINI into the dealer and have it looked at if that is the problem. Until then, I would also recommend not using the cruise control.

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