There was an interesting post on Roadfly recently, which is worth reading for anyone considering aftermarket parts on their MINI:
The MINI warranty on a component is void due to a modification where the modification, alteration or installation of a non-approved aftermarket part was responsible for the failure … In the case of electrical accessories, such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors and telephones, extensive damage to the vehicle’s wiring harness may occur when these accessories are installed …
The MINI Division of BMW NA has been supplied with the Vehicle Identification Numbers of some vehicles that have reportedly been modified. These VINs have been entered into our computer system and will provide you with the message to call the Warranty Department or a detailed text of the modifications performed …
The poster kept his identity secret, and my local dealership does not recognize the memo, but does recognize the sentiment, and tells of frustrating diagnosis sessions eventually traced to badly installed or faulty aftermarket parts.
This issue is relevant to all cars, not just MINIs, and is worth remembering when choosing to add aftermarket parts to your car – at a minimum, be very confident in both the product and the installer!
Continue reading Warranties and aftermarket parts
Finally – GBMINIs diode brake light mod!
After (again) watching other MINIs in front of me with two sets of brake lights (the factory ones and the rear fog lights used as brake lights) at this past weekends mini MOT, I decided it really was time to do the mod on my car.
I need the “diode mod” because my rear fogs can be used as rear fogs. I did not want to do the “quick and dirty” push-wires-in-holes mod, but a proper solder mod. I started by reading Greatbears post on NAM which details the mod – but I could not easily get my tail light fixture out of the car (big hands? HK amp and Kenwood Keg in the way?)
However, it was easy to get the connector out, then I found this write-up on OctaneGuys site which details pushing the diode into the connector.
I decided to do a combination, soldering the diode into the connector … I removed the connector from the tail light, then removed the plastic clip and released connector pins 1 and 4; next I soldered the diode to the pins – cathode to pin 1 & anode to pin 4. After that I pushed the pins back into the connector and refitted the clip:
Once I had done this on both sides the job was complete. Finally I have five rear brake lights, like all the other fanatic-owned MINIs! And I still have rear fogs when I need them.
“mini MOT”
Today I joined some other MINIs for a “mini MOT” trip around Worcester, including Wachusett mountain. The day began at Bancroft Tower in Worcester, with MINIs gathering:
For a while we had 11 MINIs but Jeff dropped out and headed home, leaving us with 10 when we arrived at our first stop – “Major Willard Moore State Park”:
Minolta DSC
After a pleasant walk around the park, we returned to the MINIs and headed up Wachusett mountain, for some great views and light breezes to help cool us off:
Next stop was Wachusetts Brewery, including free samples (and no, I did not try any!); then, after some interesting back road driving, we arrived at Mikes house where a BBQ was on offer – Mikes home is a very nice place, with great landscaping for a very peaceful afternoon. And loads of food!
Eventually I had to leave, along with Jared, Harvey and Jason, heading up 290 and 495 in speedy convoy:
Special thanks to Mike and family for organizing the day, and for providing a spectacular quantity of great food and hospitality! Thanks also to Jeff for the Friday night personal tour of Worcester, for modifying my EZpass, and for the “eyes”:
M&I / GBMINI 
