My son and I picked up an "owner abandoned" '09 Cooper S from my local BMW indy. It was left there after finding the expense to fix when the timing let go and bent the valves. We're done with the valves/etc and buttoning stuff up which is more entertaining since we did not disassemble it.
We found this weird wiring on what I think is the starter harness that is spliced in and runs into the battery access hole and into the air duct work from there. Guessing its for some kind of immobilizer, but definitely does not look stock. We have not dropped the glove box to track it down any further yet, but curious if anyone has seen anything like it or if it's a "known mod"?



Wiring running back into cab

 

Yep thats some hack kit or starter piggyback unit. Pull the unit it connect to out and post up a picture.

 

We haven't found the other end yet, but did find papers in the glove box about the PO having a court ordered breathalyzer installed so we are assuming it is leftover from that. Will definitely be cutting it out.