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Ask MF: Can I Retrofit the Refreshed Interior?
We’ve had a number of emails asking about the possibility of retrofitting various parts of the 2011 MINI refresh. Specifically the interior.MF reader Houshmand Moarefi from Denver, CO wrote in earlier this week wanting to know what many of you have asked over the last few days. Is it possible to retrofit some if not all of the refreshed MINI interior?
>Would I be able to retrofit my 2009 Clubman S with the new speedo/radio andblack finish packages? Has MINI ever offered such upgrades for earlier models?
The answer is yes and no. Yes you swap parts but each component comes with a set of different issues. On the steering wheel for instance the updated part is tied to the airbag which is extremely expensive and likely not worth replacing to get the new chrome trim. The radio face can be swapped out but the lower portion (where the buttons are) may be difficult considering that the volume knob has now moved into this module.
Yes it is possible to replace various parts of the HVAC interface but again it involves taking apart the entire center stack and the components underneath.
With the previous generation car, MINI did not offer upgrades that brought your car up to the same look as the refresh.
All that said, where there’s a will, there’s a way. We’d guess that (through trial and error) we’ll soon find out what parts of more easily swappable than others and we’ll post an update once 2011 parts are available.
<p>Rather than messing with the 2011’s parts, it might just be better to take the 2010’s parts off, paint or powder coat them, and reinstall. Otherwise, you’ll just have to trade in for a 2011. Many times parts look like they would just transfer over easily, but with the changes that Mini has done to the radio and heat/ac controls, well that means trouble. Just my opinion of course.</p>
<p>i’ll keep my silver trim – thank you. I find it far more playful… just like what mini is about.</p>
<p>I work at a GM dealer, and if it’s anything like GM vehicles, when you mess with an electronic component (especially with the speedometer and radio), you have to reprogram the PCM and BCM to accept the new modules. However, if it’s like any GM vehicle, the radio and speedometer have the VIN preprogrammed into them from the factory, and will only work properly in one vehicle. If the VIN in the radio or speedo and the VIN in the PCM or BCM don’t match, the component will be locked out. This helps deter theft, but it also prevents any easy upgrading.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if BMW adopts such security measures, so I can’t say whether this is all true or not, but it may honestly be easier to buy a 2011 model. It’s just food for thought.</p>
<p>In South Africa, where I live, these kind of
things can’t be done. We have a new system
where you have to supply you’re VIN no to
receive relevant parts and ONLY relevant
parts. Mostly I’d agree this works, but you
can’t “refresh” or change a thing :(</p>
<p>Does anyone find it wierd that the picture on the left has no steering wheel and the the picture on the right that they didn’t straigten out the vents? It just bothers me for some reason. Hmmm oh well.</p>
<p>Right, Ryan… you get the impression that the interior refresh adds a steering wheel where there wasn’t one before. Hmmm…</p>
<p>Spridget</p>
<p>That’s strange. The picture on the left isn’t the setup we currently get in the USA. It must be for some other market. In the USA the LCD is the full width of the row of multi-function buttons. Also, instead of the “other knob” it has a button that says MODE. Besides the speedo being in KPH of course.</p>
<p>This makes me wonder if the picture on the right is also different from what we will see in the USA. The picture on the right is also in KPH.</p>
<p>BMW and MINI offer a limited range of retrofit items on their parts catalogue. But the danger is that if you purchased a standard MINI One and tried to upgrade it to a Cooper, then the cost of parts and labour to get to the same level would in most cases cost more.
But people like customising their cars. Thats why a lot of after-market companies offer options not stocked or offered by OEM. As it is MINI offer far more options on new cars from factory than other manufacturers.</p>
<p>Any news on this?</p>