[chilliaddict]

Hi there,

I've just put my initial deposit down on a new R56 Cooper (chilli red with white roof/bonnet stripes, chilli pack and a few other gadgets thrown in). ETA, some time in September. I don't think there's a smiley wide enough for the grin I have on my face right now

I'm debating whether to get the iPod interface but the cost seems a bit steep. Dealer quoted £195 for the interface itself and £300 for installation. Ouch! Don't mind stumping up the £195 for the interface but 300 quid for installation seems a bit steep. Does this sound like a reasonable quote or is it worth shopping around dealers for some more quotes?

Andy.

[FergusM]

I paid £250 for the kit supplied and fitted.... I negotiated this as part of the deal when getting the mini (as in before I put down a deposit). I think they wanted £350 (supplied and fitted) normally...what you are getting quoted sounds expensive.

They do have to take out the dash to do it so they charge you the usual silly hourly rates for fitting which in part makes it very expensive.

[Purple Dave]

My advice is to shop around. If you can negotiate with your dealer based on your current order then go for it. Try for around £300 mark if you can.

I had mine fitted for £325 IIRC - However, when I collected the car, they were complaining that they were well out of pocket on the installation cost . Now, I know my dealer well and asked him how he could possibly be out of pocket. Basically, the "coding" of the iPod adaptor to the car takes a couple of hours, but the technician doesn't have to be present all the time. He just has to press a few buttons during the process. But the BMW software has a tendency to crash, which means the process has to be restarted. This causes all sorts of problems in the workshop because other cars may also need coding .... you get the picture.

My dealer has had this problem with my car on two occasions now - 1) iPod and 2) sat nav update (Luckily FOC)

I asked him how much they were going to charge for future iPod installations and he reckoned (at that time) around £450.

When I was shopping around, I was quoted anything from £325 to £500 . I used the quote of £325 to beat my dealer up and he matched it ..... you could try this too.
Sadly though, I think most dealers will have got wise to the computer crashing problem and have hiked their prices up accordingly. The only way the price will come down, is if BMW iron out the bugs in their system.

Good luck.

[Pantherfoot]

I just got a mail back from the dealer here and amsterdam and they are quoting 460 Euros to install the Ipod kit in my 2007 mini.

Personally i am just looking to get the USB connector
NewMINIStuff.com
and see if i can get Mini dealer to install it for me.

[stuvoi]

When I got mine agreed it was for just under £200, they were basing in on the R53 cost, they did say the cost should have been more, but as we'd agreed I did not have to pay anything more than this.

there were some posts earlier in the year where people were paying over £600

Stu

Have you considered the Bluetooth and USB option for £500?

In this pack you get : -

Arm Rest
MFSW
USB Connector - to plug you ipod into
Bluetootj phone connection

If you bought the iPOD kit, MFSW and Arm Rest seperatley, it would only be £20 short of the Above kit and no blueooth.

I'll have this option if i go R56 over R53 JCW

[DerekH]

Wellcome Chilliaddict to mini2 , glad you have a new R56 on the way and CR white roof a good selection well i would say that. Ipod kit i think very over priced considering fitting to 3 series BMW far cheaper Mini is having a laugh and the hourly rate differences accross the uK is a disgrace some people are paying Aston Martin labour charges playing on the loyal Mini lovers, i would spend money for a stereo up grade, or get them to reduce the cost,
I have a Logic 3 cable into Aux input and using the bottom connector on ipod video it pulls out and i put it in my cup holder works fine for me and i must admit multi function wheeel with ipod interface would be good but i could not justifie and i love my music. Look at a few other threads re this for full info of members with this fitted.

[angharad]

I got my car booked in for Saturday £199 apparently...im so sure he's mistaken but i daren't say anything!!

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by angharad (original)

I got my car booked in for Saturday £199 apparently...im so sure he's mistaken but i daren't say anything!!

I would ... I bet it's £199 plus labour !!!!!! (2 hours+ @ circa £100 per hour)

Did they say £199 all in ???

[angharad]

Well i asked how much for the iPod kit for the new mini and got that price..no mention at all about fitting price told me a couple of hours and booked it in...hmm i might ring!!

[angharad]

oh my gosh...phoned up to check and yes its £199 fitted....scary....watch me get something completely different now!!

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by angharad (original)

Well i asked how much for the iPod kit for the new mini and got that price..no mention at all about fitting price told me a couple of hours and booked it in...hmm i might ring!!

The actual kit price is £195 on it's own.

My dealer quoted me £195 for the ipod adaptor but when I asked them if that was fitted, I then got the full story. Be careful, give 'em a call.

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by angharad (original)

oh my gosh...phoned up to check and yes its £199 fitted....scary....watch me get something completely different now!!

I'm sure you did, but did you tell them it's for an R56 ??? Cos' if you did then get them to fax or email you a confirmation of the fitted price.

It sounds like an R53 price to me.

[angharad]

yeah huh they have my reg and all that.....im happy but very scared they'll install it then shaft me with £400 bill knowing Trainers. Anyone want to phone up and test them?

[stuvoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by angharad (original)

yeah huh they have my reg and all that.....im happy but very scared they'll install it then shaft me with £400 bill knowing Trainers. Anyone want to phone up and test them?

Get them to sign something before they do the work

[chilliaddict]

Thanks for all the posts! It looks like I need to do some shopping around and get some more quotes. Was talking with my Dad recently who had the interface fitted to his BMW 1-series. He was charged nowhere near that much for installation. Not sure whether this is a 'MINI' thing or just my local dealer trying it on (not surprising, his first quote on the Finance had an outrageous APR until I presented him with some 'competitive' quotes from some internet sites).

[angharad]

Yay got it fitted for £199!! Took a whole day to do shame the air con button is now flashing!!

[e46jb]

I am getting mine fitted as well. Prices here in Canada are a little different with the total installed cost of $600 CDN. The unit is approx half the cost at $350.

[RG250871]

I just ordered a new '57 MCS and the iPod cost (including installation) is def. £199 - seemed to be official BMW price - not some dealer price.

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by RG250871 (original)

I just ordered a new '57 MCS and the iPod cost (including installation) is def. £199 - seemed to be official BMW price - not some dealer price.

I take it you double checked the £199 price ?

AFAIK it is still dealer fit only and the ipod connector itself is £195 without any fitting.

So IMO they are either:

a) Doing you a deal because they love you (especially now you've just spent lots of ££££'s)

b) Cocked it up and haven't thought about the necessary labour

or

c) They'll hit you with a labour charge at some stage before you collect your car.

Hopefully it's a)