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MINI Genius (aka product specialist) in California

9K views 26 replies 13 participants last post by  bangkoker 
#1 ·
Hello all, I'm here on the forum to help out MINI owners to the best of my ability. I work at a MINI dealership in California and work as a MINI Genius. I do deliveries and assist the sales team on a daily basis. I have professional knowledge of the F55, F56, Countryman/Paceman, Roadster/Coupe.

You can find me here on the forum during my downtime at the dealer. I hope to answer any questions you might have; I take pleasure in helping out enthusiast communities like this one. I've lurked here for a few weeks, and I like what I see so far. Good people and great looking rides!

Also, feel free to send me a private message if you would like to reach me directly. As a reminder, we are not allowed to speak on future products ;)

Thank you for having me and I'll see you all around the boards.

-Genius
 
#5 ·
Hi genius@MINI. Glad you're offering to share your knowledge in this forum.

I have a question about the rev-matching on 2015 F56. I've read in this forum (and on another) that this was removed for the 2015 builds. However, it was also said from these same forums that there's now a firmware update to bring it back. How should I go about to getting the update?

Thanks.
 
#8 ·
I have a question about the rally lights.

Everyone at my dealer said that you can only use the rally lights when the high beams are activated due to the wiring.

Does this mean if you have the active driving assistant with auto high beams, and the auto high beams are active, will that allow you to turn on the rally lights, (and they will turn on and off as the high beams adjust) or is it only if you manually activate the high beams first.

My dealer was stumped.
 
#12 ·
In a professional rally competition, the more light, the better. Rally lights are installed on MINI to imitate the professional rally lights used in racing. Rally lights work in conjunction with the high beams, allowing the driver to see around those dark twisty curves that you speak of. MINI only lets us use the rally lights with the high beams because they've already figured that someone out there is going to try to run them with the low beams, impairing the vision of other drivers on the road. Many states have laws about too much lighting, and that's why fog lights don't work with high beams. The rally lights are also mounted up higher on the vehicle, so they're not necessarily fog lights (which are typically mounted much lower on the bumper to illuminate the road "under" the fog). Its also not safe to run high beams in the fog because they obscure the driver's vision much more, doing more harm than good. But rally lights help in lighting needed for long-range vision and that's another reason why they only work with the high beams.
 
#13 · (Edited)
That all makes sense....just hoping I use the darn things because the cost isn't really worth it just for the "looks". Plus, they obscure the JCW grill badge! Wondering if they are really worth it now.

The one thing I'd somewhat disagree with you on is the placement of the fog lights. Yes, typically, they are lower but they don't have to be. They can be mounted on the bumper. Fogs spray the beam laterally to help with the field of vision close, while rally/driving lights are more focused for down the road vision...use doesn't necessarily dictate placement. What you said is fine though, just that I know I will miss using my fogs with the F56 JCW. That's the main reason I opted for the rally lights, as I drive a lot of twisty country roads.

I've never had LED headlights however, so maybe it's a moot point.
 
#15 ·
Rumor has it that the F55\56 were supposed to have the ZF 9HP before a deal fell through. Is there any truth to the rumor, and does Mini have plans to use a ZF 9spd in the future?

This is just curiosity, and will have little to no effect on when\if I pull the trigger on a new F55. I do not consider the current 6spd auto to be significantly inferior to anything I've driven with a ZF 8HP.
 
#22 ·
iPhone/iPod Connection

I have a few questions about how to connect the iPhone and iPod to my 2015 Mini, which I have recently ordered.

1. How can you connect the iPhone 6+ with Mini Connected? Is it via Bluetooth only or do you have to use a cable?

2. Can you access books on Audible via Mini Connected?

3. Do I need a special adapter to connect a classic iPod to my 2015 Mini?

Thanks
 
#23 ·
I have a few questions about how to connect the iPhone and iPod to my 2015 Mini, which I have recently ordered.

1. How can you connect the iPhone 6+ with Mini Connected? Is it via Bluetooth only or do you have to use a cable?

Connected only works with a USB cable

2. Can you access books on Audible via Mini Connected?

Yes

3. Do I need a special adapter to connect a classic iPod to my 2015 Mini?

No. You should be able to connect your iPod with the USB cable/or with an AUX cable.

Thanks
I answered your questions within the quote.
 
#26 ·
I noticed a $100 Training Fee on my invoice. It is a "Required Option". Is this for the Genius training?

Annette
 
#27 ·
Dear Genius:

1. What are the known 'issues' with mini iOS apps as they interface with the onboard system? Is there a support site operated by mini for communicating with customers?

2. I can connect to car with mini connect via usb, see the list of my 3rd party apps, pandora and spotify return a lengthy 'codie' looking error message after trying to connect. A few times connected has crashed at this point. Spotify and pandora play fine via Bluetooth.

3. I cannot figure out how to permanently save my HOME and WORK in the navigation.

Note: I tried searching the NAV database for 'airport' and nothing returned (same with many other pretty common searches). Using the interactive map function I was able to locate the airport and set it as destination.

(I live in Bangkok, just got F56 two days ago, my apps are from the U.S. iTunes Store)
 
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