I noticed in this article posted on the MINI2 website (http://www.mini2.com/news/news.php?id=83) that the on board diagnostics port was used to 'chip' the car. I was wondering if the 'vehicle memory' options were also available via this port.

Anybody given any thought on hacking a MINI?

 

I believe you are referring to the DME or the car's electronic fuel injection chip. Because the US spec MINI is new to the States and the EU MINI has a slightly different DME (from what I understand) several aftermarket tuners are 'beta' testing chips.

I offered my MINI to a tuner to download the data off of my car's stock chip in hopes of creating a new and improved chip with all the added benefits that go along with it.

Unfortunately, in the process my MINI's stock DME was destroyed along with the cooling fan. Fortunately it was covered under warranty by the dealer.

My advice, have patience and wait for a worthwhile, time-proven product before you turn your car into a sacrifcial lamb.

 

Sorry to hear that your DME got toasted. I trust you are back on the road...

My thought was not just upgrading the performance aspects but also having control over the configurable options (follow-me home lamps, convenience methods for opening/closing windows, etc). Also the ability to access ODB-II data would be nice, but I know that there are programs out there for that.

 

there is a similar VW/Audi Product made by http://www.ross-tech.com.

it plugs into the OBD2 serial port. you can do lots of things with the software like disable the horn beep when arming the alarm, etc. you can also recode new keys, take performance logs (boost, hp, torque) and graph them in excel.

i know there are OBD2 programs out there to help to general diagnostics (the ross-tech product can clear CEL's too), but someone might want to try to see if there is a BMW specific one and see how well it works. i may just be a matter of tweeking if its close enough.

 

There are diagnostic performance tuneups available from reputable manufacturers.
The options for the car can also be programmed through the same socket. Legal issues restrict certain possibilitys in certain countries.