So we just picked up an immaculate 06 Mini S. We were told that it had the Sport Package, convenience package and cold weather package, but how can I visually verify this information? It behaves like it has the limited slip diff, but I'd like to be certain. Here's an image; Thanks, dp
Welcome.... Your best bet would be to call MINI 866-275-6464. Have the last 7 characters of your VIN handy. Tell them you recently purchased the car and would like to know the packages it was built with. You may also be able to get the 1st day in service info and the dealer that sold it information too.
Apparently, they can't say what packages it was built with, but I was told it was originally purchased through the Military Sale Program, so who really knows where it began its life. I was also told the Sport Package came with; DSC (have) 17" Wheels (have) Sport Stripe (dont have) Power Wash Headlights (have) Spoiler (yep) Sport Seats (no idea) Fog Lamps (have) dp
The dealer is another alternative. They can read the vehicle info off the key and then ask them to take a look.
I called the dealer listed by MINI USA, and because it was a Military purchase program car, they have no record that the car ever existing. Just the date that the warranty began. Carfax also is not any help (I have that full record). What surprises me most is that because the car was originally sold somewhere overseas, there's no way to cross check the VIN. Surely there has to be a record of this car being built... dp
Cold Weather includes heated seats. The switches for them are found behind the shifter each side of the mirror control. No switches = no cold weather pkg. I think the Convenience package includes among others things a Multi-function Steering Wheel. Are there switches in the wheel for cruise control and audio system control? To check for LSD your need to pop the car on a lift and spin the front tires by hand. Off the top of my head I forget what the results need to be that would indicate a LSD is installed. Hopefully someone else will pop in with how to check.
Or you can smoke the tires! Also bonnet strips were a free optional item with the sport package and didn't have to be installed (I skipped them). If you have the LSD and you have the front in the air put the car in neutral, spin one tire, if there's LSD the other side should turn the same way. If not, it will turn the opposite way. This was true of friction LSD systems that had some pre-load. I don't know if the Mini factory LSD has enough preload for this to work. With the Quaiffe, it doesn't work. Matt
I snapped some photos of the interior; I do have DSC and chrome bezels, which I believe to be part of the convenience package? Including the crap-tastic cup holder. Lots of buttons on the steering wheel like Cruise control and radio controls, including one that looks like a phone. Do I have blue-tooth? I wish I had a plug in for the ipod. Perhaps I do? I have no idea. Are these the sport seats? I have no idea? heated seats and automagic mirrors. Cold weather and convenience package? Center console. I'm also told this is a convenience package item. I do also have the spraying headlight option. I'll jack the front of the car up later tonight and document what happens. I will tell you, under had acceleration there is virtually zero torque steer, which makes me think it does have LSD. thanks for all your help guys. This has been kinda fun investigating the car.
Center Console is an add on option that ran about $250 + install. Careful the sliding lid, easy to slide it to far back and break tabs, ask me how I know. Those are sport seats and they are heated. So yes to Cold Weather Pkg. Buttons on the wheel indicate Convenience Pkg. Look in glove box for ipod adapter, that's where most people place them it seems. White cable with iPod type plug on end. As to the phone button others are much more versed in that realm.
All the MFSWs have the buttons, if it's connected to anything that's another matter. The cars are fun, that's for sure. I agree with the call on this type of cup holder. you can sell them at the marketplace pretty easily. There's one by Mini Fini (was a factory option before till they came up with the one you have) that works better. They show up used sometimes. One thing I do like on your version is the little wine glass with the circle/slash on it. Matt
Did they make the console standard in 2006 (or at least an option installed on every car). All the '06s I've seen had them and on my invoice it wasn't an option I was charged for.
So i got some time this afternoon, jacked up the front of the car, put it in neutral and spun the tire, only one tire moved. Spun the other tire, and only it moved. dp
Hmmmm Try doing the same with the car in gear so the "drive shaft" can't spin. The wheels will want to go opposite directions and see if you feel resistance. I honestly don't know what your result means other than maybe the pads are dragging a bit. Matt
I did just that. I slipped it into 2nd, and wheel A spun forward, wheel B spun backwards - there was a fair bit of resistance. dp
I"m guessing that it's in there... But the only way to know for sure is to over power a turn exit or a burnout... There was some resistance in the previous test, and that's why the opposite wheel didn't turn when you did it in neutral. Matt