When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'll probably spring for the upgrade on my next oil change. Still not sure why they would charge so much for a software upgrade. It's not like there are any parts involved and the techinician time spent is probably about 5 minutes. I may be wrong.
Absolutely will be getting it. The cost is related to the software update process. I am told it takes an hour of real time to update the software. Might only take the tech a few mins to hook it all up but the updating itself is a slow process if I remember right.
Seems like its not worth that kind of money unless you hit the track religiously. While I am new to Minis, and only have 2K miles on my car I really havent noticed it as a major problem in my driving. Id rather put $150+ towards a new exhaust or tint, etc.
They are not charging you for the software. They are charging you for the labor that it takes. Which the only labor is that they plug your MINI in and let it go to town.
Mini USA has not set the price...it depends on the dealer...I don't know how long it actually takes to update the software but I am thinking 1 hour max?...they will charge whatever the labor is...
the update labor cost is about 1 to 1.5 hours, this covers geting car. programing car, finsj programing, clear fault memory with a different piece of equim. (normal back in techs bay) test drive car make sure no light come on
and problem you programed for is fixed, just a fyi.
tech dont get payed hourly its all comission.
Seems like its not worth that kind of money unless you hit the track religiously. .......etc.
If this "fix" is using the brakes to control torque steer then it is definitely not NOT for the track. The electronic differential has been proven itself to not be for the track as it causes the brakes to overheat fairly quickly.
Adding more load on the brakes would be foolhardy.
Let me play devil's advocate for a moment. If the torque steer in an MCS is serious enough to affect vehicle stability, shouldn't Mini be doing this upgrade as a safety recall? Anyone recall the flaming Pintos that Ford ignored when a $5 fix was available? (I've got no dog in this hunt; the torque steer on my justa is negligible.)
Let me play devil's advocate for a moment. If the torque steer in an MCS is serious enough to affect vehicle stability, shouldn't Mini be doing this upgrade as a safety recall? Anyone recall the flaming Pintos that Ford ignored when a $5 fix was available? (I've got no dog in this hunt; the torque steer on my justa is negligible.)
the new minis are actually rather well-regarded as having very little torque steer for the torque they put down at low revs.
There are only 2 ways I can think of that they could implement a torque steer "fix" in ECU software:
1) Retard engine power output
2) Apply the brakes in a way to counter the torque steer effect
Both of these are undesirable from a performance perspective. IMHO, you'd be better off controlling torque steer and $165 richer if you would just be a little more measured when applying the throttle with your foot...