[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

If you want to start shopping for aftermarket trinkets for your MINI, the first thing to check is the MINI2 sponsors. I know Mikeythemini sells an Ipod adapter kit that gets rave reviews. Cooper Flags has some neat stuff, and a Whalen knob has to be felt at least once.

A big.....DUH! I have gotten so used to completely tuning out ads on websites that I didn't even notice that there were ads here!

I will now check them!

But I did check out the "outmotoring" aux jack. My daughter has an iPOD, but my wife made a great case against the iPOD adapter. IPODs could completely change or something else could come out in a short time. Why limit yourself to only being able to plug in an iPOD.

Could you imagine if you had put a car kit in your car that only accepted the very first cell phone you got? I've had 6 different cell phones over the years and every one has different connectors, so why get an adapter that only fits an iPOD?

You know I knew my wife was smart, because she married me! But now she's picked a Mini and the insightful argument against an iPOD adapter just shows she's getting even smarter.

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

A big.....DUH! I have gotten so used to completely tuning out ads on websites that I didn't even notice that there were ads here!

I will now check them!

But I did check out the "outmotoring" aux jack. My daughter has an iPOD, but my wife made a great case against the iPOD adapter. IPODs could completely change or something else could come out in a short time. Why limit yourself to only being able to plug in an iPOD.

Could you imagine if you had put a car kit in your car that only accepted the very first cell phone you got? I've had 6 different cell phones over the years and every one has different connectors, so why get an adapter that only fits an iPOD?

You know I knew my wife was smart, because she married me! But now she's picked a Mini and the insightful argument against an iPOD adapter just shows she's getting even smarter.

Good argument, but I bought the Ipod adapter because I expect later Ipods to be downwardly compatible. With the support from BMW, it is in Apple's best interest to make sure these continue to work. Of course, neither people nor businesses always do what is in their best interest...

[acande1]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Good argument, but I bought the Ipod adapter because I expect later Ipods to be downwardly compatible. With the support from BMW, it is in Apple's best interest to make sure these continue to work. Of course, neither people nor businesses always do what is in their best interest...

You are absolutely correct. Only companies with their heads firmly implanted up their *you know what* would redesign their hardware and not make that new variant backwards-compatible with the current generation hardware. UNLESS, they knew that the hardware design they had was crap and needed to make a clean break from it with a new model.

Regarding the comment about something better coming out....hmm, well yes its true, something better can and probably will come along but hey we are just talking about MP3 players...as far as performance is concerned, different models of the IPOD or another brand of MP3 player altogether are going to have just about the same audio performance. Its the industrial design, usability and tech support that usually make one player stand out over another one. In Apple's case, its their monstrous marketing machine that makes them stand out over the rest.

SO my point is, if you like the idea of a nice tight integration with your car's audio controls, I say go ahead and get the IPOD adapter.

However! I am also all about trying to "future-proof" the things I buy as well, so if you see yourself using a portable DVD player (or the like) in your car and don't mind having to navigate your IPOD via its controls rather than thru the car stereo, well then by all means, get the EXT Input Jack.

[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Good argument, but I bought the Ipod adapter because I expect later Ipods to be downwardly compatible. With the support from BMW, it is in Apple's best interest to make sure these continue to work. Of course, neither people nor businesses always do what is in their best interest...

You both make excellent points. And another point would be if there was a change in connection, I'll bet someone will come up with an adapter. So hopefully a future generation could use current accessories.

Then again, many companies will change connectors like this just so you have to buy all new accessories from them (Those greedy pigs).

My daughter has an ipod and i know several people here at work that have ipod minis and ipod shuffles. The ipod mini seems to be a format for the future as the hard drives get smaller, or to pack more flash memory than they could fit in the shuffle.

Is the ipod mini and the ipod compatible with each other using the same dock connector? In other words will an ipod mini work in this ipod adapter? I'm pretty sure the ipod shuffle will not.

I read a review on this adapter for the Cooper and it does allow control and no volume balancing over the aux port.

[nmlacoopers]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

Is the ipod mini and the ipod compatible with each other using the same dock connector? In other words will an ipod mini work in this ipod adapter? I'm pretty sure the ipod shuffle will not.

The connectors throughout the iPod line (with exception of the shuffle) are identical. Would be a pain for me if they were not seeing as I have both a Photo iPod and a miniPod.

[Tazminia]

Hello to the May 2005 Production Group! Welcome aboard the U.S.S MINI2 from one of the nutcases in the March '05 P.G.
I thought I would add a few comments to this group for grins and giggles:

First off, anyone who has a production number and/or a VIN, the ASKMINI line may or may not be accurate (how's that for clarity?). I called often (usually multiple times each day) only to find it could be two or three days behind what was actually happening. It seems to grow in disparity as you get closer to getting your MINI too. My car was supposedly "enroute" the day I went up to get our MINI! (so much for accuracy)

jetstar1 - don't get depressed yet...wait until your MINI is at sea and you have to worry about Poseidon rearing his ugly head. (just kidding!) Your car will arrive one day soon and all the worrying will be a fond memory!

acande1 - About your last question regarding an obsession with tracking for Hondas? Bite your tongue! MINI obsession is unique.

nmlacoopers - you ARE an addict. It's something you have to come face to face with and accept it. Just enjoy the ride! Even if there was a MINI-ANON, it wouldn't be so much a support group as a Happy Hour on wheels.

BobsWifesMini - (love that name, BTW. I bought ours for my wife too) Another good URL for MINI goodies is www.mossmini.com . I picked up a lot of things for our car and they always seem to have stuff on sale that we just can't live without!

Above all, listen to AprilWhine...there is infinite wisdom speaking there. (if you don't believe me...check out the amount of posts from AW. Over 9,000 of them!!!)

[AprilWhine]

And listen to your Uncle Taz too, he has wisdom far beyond his post count. Only fitting, he is the top poster from the March group.

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

And listen to your Uncle Taz too, he has wisdom far beyond his post count. Only fitting, he is the top poster from the March group.

LMAO!!
I laughed so loud the wife came in asking what the h*ll was I laughing at?! (thanks, I needed a good laugh too)
(BTW...wasn't our resident NutCase-Fixer-Teacher the Top Gun?)
When I grow up, I wanna be just like AprilWhine..

[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazminia

Hello to the May 2005 Production Group!

First off, anyone who has a production number and/or a VIN, the ASKMINI line may or may not be accurate (how's that for clarity?). I called often (usually multiple times each day) only to find it could be two or three days behind what was actually happening. It seems to grow in disparity as you get closer to getting your MINI too. My car was supposedly "enroute" the day I went up to get our MINI! (so much for accuracy)

Ack! We are experiencing the ASKMINI accuracy issues.

We received a VIN 7 days ago and was told that our Mini started production on April 29th with a completion date of May 12th. Then we were told that it may finish before May 12th.

Now we've been told that maybe it didn't go into production April 29th, but maybe May 6th and won't be finished before May 12th for sure.

There is a ship leaving Southampton for Charlotte on May 12th and then there is a 5 day gap until the next group of ships leave. We were hoping for the May 12th ship if our Mini finished up by the 7th, but our hopes were dashed.

Now with Taz's information we feel confident that we will definitely meet our Mini sometime between May 30th 2005 and January 2007!

Well I've got to get back to sitting in the corner and muttering to myself. Now I can also worry about our Mini getting washed off of the ship by a freak wave sent by Poseidon. Gee, I hope they left the top and the windows up for his trip across the pond.

[jetstar1]

Taz, thanks for the advice! I'm not even going to ponder the sea gods using the shipping tanker as a pong ball yet. I can't even make it through the "on order" process!

After calling Mini USA yesterday (and badgering the snot out of the poor customer rep..) I decided that since my car is scheduled for production in week 22, there's no point in calling or checking the Owners Lounge until about a week before May 30th. The rep seemed to think that nothing would happen with my car between now and then. Sigh...

I'm sure when the car arrives, all of this waiting will be a fond memory. My husband has begged me to stop watching the car process video on the Mini USA site!

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

Now with Taz's information we feel confident that we will definitely meet our Mini sometime between May 30th 2005 and January 2007!

I'll go out on a limb here and predict you get your car...(drum roll please..) BEFORE SUMMER!!
Real gutsy call there, huh?

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by jetstar1

I'm sure when the car arrives, all of this waiting will be a fond memory. My husband has begged me to stop watching the car process video on the Mini USA site!

Oh, it's ok to watch that video a few hundred times. (tell him it beats soap operas anyday).
He may go over the edge though, the next time he calls home and you answer with a "Greetings Fellow Motorer.."

[acande1]

So I call the automated ASKMINI today and it says that Dingleberry is in production with a completion date of May 17th. Considering the fact that the automated ASKMINI is behind a few days, any ideas on how long it'll actually take to finish?

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by acande1

So I call the automated ASKMINI today and it says that Dingleberry is in production with a completion date of May 17th. Considering the fact that the automated ASKMINI is behind a few days, any ideas on how long it'll actually take to finish?

Don't quote me on this, but I believe it took about 7 or 8 days for ours to get done. I think that's pretty close to the norm as I recall. (Add a day or two for the fudge-factor and there is the 10 days they gave ya)
If you also do the Owners Lounge thing..figure whichever has been updated the most recent from your last check-is probably the most accurate..for that day.

(waits for AW to confirm or change the above statements...)

[Hobbit]

Okay, so I have called the ASK MINI line and they told me that the car went into production on April 29, but when I ordered the car my MA told me that it would be a "week 20" car. Not that I don't want the car early, but does that mean it will be here before when my MA projected? The Owner's Lounge still has it listed as "scheduled for production". Any ideas guys?

[jetstar1]

Quote from Taz: "Oh, it's ok to watch that video a few hundred times. (tell him it beats soap operas anyday).He may go over the edge though, the next time he calls home and you answer with a "Greetings Fellow Motorer.."

Taz, that is hysterical!!

(I snuck in a quick video view this afternoon while he was out!)

Seriously, my husband is getting a kick out out of my Mini obsession. He collects classic cars and motorcycles, and he said he always felt guilty that perhaps his toys were preventing me from having something really special to drive.

Although the hubby is not a new car enthusiast, (he drives a 1990 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight to work every day) he was impressed that the Mini incorporated a lot of retro pieces in its design. Plus, the Mini seems to be better constructed than the Cadillac CTS we traded for it!

The best thing about this process so far was when we signed the papers to order the Mini, and the hubby told me he was thrilled that I will finally have a car that means as much to me as his Oldsmobiles do!

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazminia

Don't quote me on this, but I believe it took about 7 or 8 days for ours to get done. I think that's pretty close to the norm as I recall. (Add a day or two for the fudge-factor and there is the 10 days they gave ya)
If you also do the Owners Lounge thing..figure whichever has been updated the most recent from your last check-is probably the most accurate..for that day.

(waits for AW to confirm or change the above statements...)

No corrections needed, you are spot on with your info.

May people, one reason your dates may change more than most is because of the HK shortage. Something happened, I think a fire, in the HK factory, so the cars being built with the HK specced slipped about two weeks. But good news comes with bad, those who ordered the regular head unit were moved forward. But I believe this is all over now.

[nmlacoopers]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hobbit

Okay, so I have called the ASK MINI line and they told me that the car went into production on April 29, but when I ordered the car my MA told me that it would be a "week 20" car. Not that I don't want the car early, but does that mean it will be here before when my MA projected? The Owner's Lounge still has it listed as "scheduled for production". Any ideas guys?

I think most MINI dealers like to overestimate how long it will take for you vehicle to get built. My MA was quoting me Aug. 30th and my MINI is probably somewhere between the factory and Southampton (though, ASK MINI still says it is in the paint shop.) I wouldn't be surprised if you saw your MINI before July rolls around (given there are no delays )

As for the OL, check the FAQs on this forum. It shows how useless the OL is compared to calling ASK MINI.

[BobsWifesMini]

I saw these rubber floor mats in the personal galleries and was wondering if anyone knows where I could find these floor mats?

Thanks,

[wingman]

Those mats are accessory items from MINI CA. They are available through Canadian dealers and unavailable in the US. Go to the MINI CA web site and pick a dealer to order from. The mats are awesome and hold up better than our wimpy slickers.