Electrical systems: Body

The following systems are described under "Body electrics/electronics":

• Power supply 

  Two software functions are of fundamental importance for the power supply:

  • Energy management

    The energy management system ensures that sufficient starting power is always available. Energy management monitors the vehicle even when the engine is not running. The energy management system comprises all components in the vehicle which generate, store and consume energy.

  • Power management

    The power management system is a subsystem of the energy management system. Power management is controlled by the engine control unit (DME or DDE: digital engine electronics or digital diesel electronics).

    While the vehicle is in motion, power management regulates the output of the alternator and the battery charge.

  The central element of the power supply is the junction box. The junction box consists of a power distributor and a control unit, the junction box electronics (JBE).

  There is a power distributor in the luggage compartment: the rear fuse block. The fuse block is secured to the vehicle battery by a retaining clip.

• Car access system 

  The R56 is equipped with an advanced development of the CAS from the BMW 3-Series. This means the following components are also installed.

  • START-STOP unit, comprising the START-STOP button and the remote control holder
  • Electric steering lock (ELV, not on US version)

  A new generation of electronic immobilizer will be introduced on vehicles with spark-ignition engine (4th generation EWS)

  Here, the Car Access System (CAS) communicates with the digital engine electronics (DME). The CAS is responsible for terminal management and the comfort start. Moreover, the CAS is the master control unit for various system functions such as central locking and power windows.

• Comfort Access 

  Like the various BMW model series, the MINI now has a Comfort Access system.

  Comfort Access can be used to carry out the following functions:

  • Passive Entry

    Opening the vehicle or luggage compartment without actively using the ID transmitter

  • Passive Go

    Engine start without actively using the ID transmitter

  • Passive Exit

    Closing the vehicle without actively using the ID transmitter

  On the MINI, the arrangement of the individual aerials has been adapted to the vehicle concept. There is a button in the exterior door handle for locking and unlocking the vehicle. There are no exterior door handle electronics.

• Central locking system 

  The central locking uses the familiar technology.

  The junction box electronics (JBE) actuates the central locking system. The JBE monitors the tailgate switch when the vehicle is unlocked.

  The car access system (CAS) is the master control unit for the central locking.

  The footwell module (FRM) monitors the door contacts. The evaluation of the microswitch in the driver's door locking cylinder also reports to the footwell module.

• Power windows 

  The power windows use the familiar technology.

  The footwell module (FRM) actuates the power windows.

  The Car Access System (CAS) is the master control unit for the power windows.

  Special feature: On the US version, it is not possible to open/close the windows completely with a single touch of the button. The signal from the power windows switch is evaluated in the air-conditioning control unit.

• Door mirrors 

  The mirror adjustment switch is in the driver's door.

  On the MINI, the mirror adjustment switch has the following functions:

  • Adjusts the mirror surface of the left-hand exterior mirror
  • Adjusts the mirror surface of the right-hand exterior mirror
  • Folds the mirrors in and out

  Folding the mirrors in and out is actuated by control unit for folding mirrors (in the luggage compartment). This control unit is not capable of diagnosis and is not connected to any of the bus systems.

• Anti-theft alarm system 

  The anti-theft alarm system on the MINI is based on the ultrasonic interior movement detector (USIS). The ultrasonic interior movement detector with its ultrasonic sensors is fitted in the new control panel in the roof.

  The junction box electronics (JBE) actuates the emergency power siren with integrated tilt alarm sensor.

  The DWA status display is new. There are 3 DWA LEDs behind the steering wheel in the instrument cluster. The LEDs simulate the pulse ("heartbeat") of the MINI.

• Park Distance Control 

  The MINI is equipped with Park Distance Control (PDC) in the rear.

  With all equipment levels, the loudspeakers emit the PDC signals.

  On vehicles with Car Communication Computer, a PDC picture is displayed on the Central Information Display. The PDC control unit is installed in the rear right of the luggage compartment. The PDC control unit has four channels.

• Sliding/tilting sunroof 

  The sliding/tilting sunroof has its own control unit. The MINI does not have a roof control center like that on the BMW 1-Series.

  The sliding/tilting sunroof switch is in the overhead control panel.

  The sliding/tilting sunroof comprises 2 glass panels, similar to the familiar Panorama glass roof. The rear glass panel can only be raised.

  The sliding/tilting sunroof has a simple anti-trap circuit.

• Overhead control panel "High" 

  Depending on the special equipment fitted, there are different versions of the overhead control panel.

  The overhead control panel is the central element for operating functions in the area of the roof. The overhead control panel is not a control unit and thus not connected to any of the bus systems.

• Seat heating 

  The switches for the seat heating are read by the air-conditioning control unit. The junction box electronics (JBE) actuates the seat heating modules. Neither seat heating module is a control unit.

• Trailer module 

  On the R56, the trailer module (AHM) as available as an item of special equipment. This means that a bicycle rack can be retrofitted on the MINI.

  The AHM is not installed at the factory. The basic fittings in the wiring harness are not provided.

  If it is retrofitted, the AHM is connected to the body CAN (K-CAN).

  On the R55, the trailer module is available as an optional extra.

• Exterior lighting 

  With the option "Bi-xenon lights", the MINI is market leader in this segment.

  The rain/light sensor is connected to the junction box electronics (JBE) via a LIN bus.

  Special functions of the exterior lighting are:

  • Daytime driving lights

    The instrument cluster is then illuminated.

  • Delayed switch-off

    Here, the headlights are switched off with a delay after the vehicle is locked. Improved visibility when the vehicle is parked.

  • Welcome light

    Here, the side lights are switched on for a maximum of 20 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked.

  The FRM (footwell module) actuates the exterior lighting.

  On the R55, the tail lights have been modified to the shape of the body. The additional brake light is fitted to the end of the roof.

• Interior lighting 

  The interior lighting is switched on at the overhead control panel. There are various versions of the overhead control panel. There are various buttons in the overhead control panel: reading lights, rear interior lights, sliding/tilting sunroof and color of the ambient light.

  New: The color selector switch can be used to change the color of the ambient light from orange to blue. There are openings for the ambient light in the overhead control panel, the insides of the doors and on the B-pillars.

  The FRM (footwell module) actuates the interior lighting.

• Auxiliary instrument and instrument cluster 

  The auxiliary instrument on the steering column is connected to the K-CAN. The auxiliary instrument communicates with the instrument cluster, located in the middle of the dashboard, via a sub-bus.

  There are various versions of the instrument cluster.

  • 1-line LCD display on vehicles with Radio Wave (level 1)
  • 2-line LCD display on vehicles with Radio Boost (level 2)
  • 6.5 inch color display (Central Information Display: CID) on vehicles with Car Communication Computer (CCC), integrated in the instrument cluster

  With integrated CID, the speed display is realized by means of a moving-disc instrument.

• Steering Column Switch 

  The MINI always has a Steering Column Switch (SZL).

  On vehicles with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) there is a steering angle sensor in the SZL. The Steering Column Switch is then connected to the F-CAN (chassis CAN) and to the PT-CAN (powertrain CAN).

• Climate control 

  The following 3 climate control versions are available on the MINI:

  • Integrated heating control (IHS)
  • Integrated heating and air-conditioning control (IHKS)
  • Integrated automatic heating and air-conditioning system (IHKA)

  Each of these control units is connected to the body CAN.

  The air-recirculation flap is driven by a DC electric motor. The flap motors are conventionally connected (no LIN). On diesel vehicles, there is an integrated electric auxiliary heater.

• Multiple restraint system 

  An advanced development of the multiple restraint system (MRS) ensures passive safety.

  The multiple restraint system strongly depends on the equipment fitted. On the US version, there is a seat position sensor on the driver's side and a seat occupancy mat on the front-passenger side.

  The contacts in all the belt buckles are monitored for the visual belt warning. The R55 has no seat belt warning for the rear seats.

  Side airbags are only needed in the rear compartment.

  As an option, it is possible to deactivate the front-passenger airbag. The indicator light for the front-passenger airbag deactivation is in the overhead control panel. The switch for deactivating the front-passenger airbag is in the center console.

• MOST network 

  MOST means media oriented system transport MOST is a communication technology for multimedia applications developed for use in motor vehicles. The MOST bus is made of plastic fibre optics. Light pulses are used to transfer data. The MOST is constructed as a ring. Data transfer only runs in one direction. The physical direction of the light is from the master control unit to the connected control units. From the last control unit, the light goes back to the port of the master control unit. A 2nd MOST interface allows the network to be extended by further MOST control units.

  • Modified MOST network from 08/2007 

  The MOST port is located above the junction box and no longer above the footwell module. For this reason, the MOST network has a different appearance.

• Entertainment 

  The following 3 entertainment versions are available on the MINI:

  • Radio level 1 (Wave)
  • Radio level 2 (Boost)
  • Car Communication Computer (CCC)

  From Radio Boost, the MINI has a MOST.

  The HiFi amplifier is not a MOST control unit, but rather connected to the body CAN (K-CAN). The number and version of the loudspeakers depends on the equipment fitted to the vehicle.

  In US version, a satellite tuner (SDARS) or a digital tuner US (IBOC) are available as special equipment. SDARS: Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service. IBOC: In Band On Channel. SDARS and IBOC are available as special equipment. Only the basic MOST fittings are provided from the factory.

  On the Europe version, a DAB tuner is available as special equipment. DAB: Digital Audio Broadcasting.

  With the Communication Computer (CCC), the MINI is the technological leader in its segment. The Central Information Display (CID) is connected to the CCC via an LVDS data wire. LVDS: Low Voltage Differential Signalling.

  Here, the CID is installed in the middle of the instrument cluster.

  iDrive has the following functions in the MINI:

  • Navigation
  • Communication
  • Entertainment
  • Setup

  With option 672, the CD changer (CDC) is fitted in the glove compartment.

• Television 

  Analogue and digital television are also available as special equipment in conjunction with the CCC. The video module allows the reception of terrestrially transmitted analogue and digital television signals. Different video modules are used, depending on the national version concerned.

  DVB-T digital television gives the best quality TV reception in the vehicle. The two TV aerials are fitted in the rear window.

• Telephone 

  2 special equipment versions are available for the telephone:

  • Option 644: basic fittings for mobile phone with bluetooth interface
  • Option 640: basic fittings for carphone (not for US)

  The interface box (ULF-SBX) is an advanced development from the BMW models. Up to 4 bluetooth-compatible mobile phones can be signed on in turn to the vehicle. The ULF-SBX is not a transceiver unit. The control unit merely serves to connect individual mobile phones with bluetooth interface to the vehicle. The ULF-SBX is located under the driver's seat.

  The GPS aerial for mobile phones is located in the roof-mounted aerial. The bluetooth aerial is located behind the steering column trim. The hands-free microphone for making telephone calls and for issuing voice commands to the telephone is located in the overhead control panel.

  Depending on the bluetooth mobile phone used, a specific snap-in adapter will be needed. Depending on the telephone concerned, the snap-in adapter is available from the MINI accessories department.

  The MOST interfaces needed for the basic fittings for carphone are fitted at the factory. The components are retrofitted as special equipment.

  Two new items of optional equipment are available on the MINI for combination with a USB audio interface:

  • Option 6ND: Bluetooth hands-free system with USB audio interface (without basic fittings for snap-in adapter with recharging facility)
  • Option 6NE: basic fittings for bluetooth mobile phone with USB audio interface

  In this case, the vehicle has an interface box High (ULF-SBX-H).

• Voice input 

  There are two voice input systems on the MINI:

  • Basic voice input with ULF-SBX
  • High voice input with CCC

  Basic voice input only enables operation of the telephone.

  High voice input enables operation of the following functions: Communication, navigation, entertainment and settings.

  Commands are picked up by a microphone in the overhead control panel. Depending on the equipment fitted, the commands are then processed by the interface box (ULF-SBX) or the Car Communication Computer (CCC). The push-to-talk button in the multi-function steering wheel activates voice input. Feedback is given acoustically through the audio system and visually via the menu display on the Central Information Display (only with High voice input).