Customize MINI Settings with Bimmercode App

I've been doing this too and listening to my favourite AM station to and from work.

 

I found this BMW i3 forum entry for activating AM radio with Bimmercode, not sure if it'll work for the MINI.

• Select the Headunit module.
• Select "AM Radio" in the "Other" section.
• Click "Active".

If "AM Radio" is not a choice in the Headunit module:
• Click "Expert mode".
• Select the "3002" section.
• Select "RADIO_BAND_KW".
• Click "aktiv".​

 

Amazing, that I built a Radio Shack AM radio for $3.00 in parts in 1978, with the biggest technological barrier being where to connect the alligator clip ground,, and yet we're sweating an AM radio in 2021.

 

As an avid reader of the "for Dummies" series of books, could you also add what the steps are before these to access the Bimmercode in the first place and then to "save" these changes to the car? I have no idea where to start (which may disqualify me for even trying this to see if it will work for my SE) ...

 

Unfortunately I have not yet worked up the courage to try Bimmercode. I flirted with the idea when I thought I could restore rear fog light functionality, but once the laws of the land put the kibosh on that idea I gave up on Bimmercode.

What I do know is from the bimmercode.app site and from snippets of advice from users, which is:

1. Get an OBD (on-board diagnostics) Adapter, bluetooth seems most convenient
2. Get Bimmercode app
3. I guess it makes a backup every time you change a setting
4. Make one change at a time and test before moving on
5. Your settings are likely to be reset by dealer if serviced

Changing the AM radio seems like a benign setting (very unlikely to brick the car), but it's an investment in time and effort to get there.

 

Does anyone know if Bimmercode “adjustments” can be detected by the dealer service Dept? If so, what is the likelihood of warranty waiver if ECU “adjustments” are detected. I really like the idea of setting the Sport Mode as the default. (The SE should have come this way!)

However, I had a very bad experience with my Volt when I set the Sport Mode as the default and the dealer rejected 2 subsequent warranty claims because they detected my “tuning” of the ECU.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

Whether they can detect them or not, they can't deny a warranty claim unless they can prove the BimmerCode modification caused the failure (per Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act).

Even though this is the law, dealers take advantage of the fact that many consumers are unaware and will deny claims even if it's illegal.

 

This info got posted in another thread that got a bit sidetracked but this seems like a better place for it:

 

You can also enable the ability to roll the windows up with the remote, which is great. I usually crack my windows when I get to work and have to run outside if it starts raining, but now I can roll them up with the remote from my office.

 

The only issue I've heard of with Bimmercode tweaks is if you get serviced by the dealer it's not unexpected to have the settings reset to defaults, depending on what's done in service.

 

As far as I know, that's disabled by default in the US. Though maybe that's changed in the past few years. It definitely wasn't possible for our 2003-2012 Minis from the factory.

 

My Iconic trim with Comfort Access allows the key fob to open/close the windows and moonroof by holding the unlock/lock buttons. I didn't have to change anything with Bimmercode.

Maybe Bimmercode allows cars without Comfort Access to enable this feature?

 

Opening the windows/moonroof with the remote has been standard since Gen 1, but closing used to be disabled. Glad to see they started enabling it by default, as it's a very useful feature. Saved me two trips outside yesterday!

 

I got the Bimmercode app and Veepeak OBD checker a few months ago. Here are the most useful changes I have found without getting into advanced programming:

• Turn off infotainment startup warning (yes, we agree to the usage terms, don't have to ask every time!!)
• Turn off seatbelt warning sound
• Change warning chime sound to "BMW i" (more subtle than the dun-dun-dun-dun, dun-dun-dun-dun)
• Make sideview mirrors auto fold on start/stop
• Add pedestrian noisemaker on/off toggle button (log on to car via Bimmercode app as MINI)
• Remember pedestrian noisemaker decision (log on to car as BMW i3 - probably because the i3 already has a user selectable toggle)
• Start in spot mode (giving sport a try..)

Wishlist

• Kill the startup sound
• Rear foglights turn on with the front fog button
• ASD with different engine sounds? (likely not loaded into the car's memory, but who knows..)
• Change the brake light behavior from regen (realistically I would be too nervous to change this, even though it is truly awful right now)
• GOM improvement (likely impossible)

 

From what I've read, that can't be done with Bimmercode without the correct switch. Some have tied the rear fog lights to the brake lights using Bimmercode, but installing a switch with the rear fog light (from these parts) and using Bimmercode to say the switch is installed will give rear fog light capabilities. Although the code in that parts list is "S5AAA" for rear fog lights, maybe that means something to Bimmercode?

 

I did most of the items @polyphonic listed above. Another useful one is changing the volume and tone of the acoustic lock/unlock confirmation.

I tried the i3 setting to remember the setting for the pedestrian sound, but I don’t recommend that. I found that the checkbox in the interface could be off and the sound could be on, or the opposite. I restored from a backup after that one.

 

What you likely are seeing is that the remember acoustic protection setting only applies to the noise when going forward (in drive).

It will temporarily disable the reverse noise after checking the box but only until the car is restarted. The acoustic protection noise while in reverse can't be permanently disabled.

 

You’re probably right, In which case I’ll just leave it. Mostly I wanted it off as it’s quite loud when I’m backing into a tight garage space, but I guess I’ll have to live with that.

 

The rear noise maker is super easy to access, I bet you could tape a piece of dense foam over it to quiet it down