[pjmedlam]

Further to the on-going thread below and the discussion we had on this subject a month or so ago I have been continuing to ask questions about a MF steering wheel controls adapter that will allow control of Sony headunits.

After several conversations with Sony UK i was referred to a company called Connect2, I understand that they are in the midlands (of the UK) somwhere (they have a web site with full contact details).

Sony said that Connect2 were about to start selling an adapter. However when i spoke to them direct (they ignored several e mails), I was told that they already produce a steering wheel controls adapter which works fine with the new Mini as long as it has the 'BMW old style round headunit connections' as apposed to the new 'BMW square pin type connectors' An adapter for the square pin adapter is in the pipeline but not likely to be appearing this year.

Due to past discussions i've had on here i was extremely sceptical and mentioned that i was pretty certain that someone on here had tried to fit an adpater that worked with their parents BMW's steering wheel controls to a new mini and it didn't work. I specifically asked whether they knew if the old style adapter had been successfully used on a new mini (not just a BMW), i was assured that it had by professional fitters who had referred to them, i remain sceptical.

Next question to them was which models of Mini headunit have the round and square pins in their connector, of course they had no idea, but assured me that some did and some didn't. I suggested to them that most people who are preparing to replace the existing OE headunit when they order the car would buy the 'boost' low spec unit, but this seemed to be met with a blank look (or at least a blank voice...*grin*). They were unable to tell me if the Boost radio had the round or square connectors, i think this has been discussed many times before but could someone please give my a definitive answer to this.

Any other comments on the above?

[pjmedlam]

Also does anyone know of a smillar company to Connect2 in another country that designs and maufactures similar control adapters for Sony headunits, surely there must be someone in the States or Japan?

[snoopy]

Arh the cat is out of the bag

The one that Damo tried was made by Autoleads (I think)
not Connect2 they are right about the old (round pins) and new pins (flat pins). I think they changed the way they talked to the MFSW when they changed from round to flat pins. So if Damo has round pins he should be able to buy one right now and it will work. (Damo you have got a Sony head unit in your MINI?)

I found the company to good with their replies to emails. ***** they answered mine and I am in Oz land. As for their products I think they will be the same. After all Sony Eu, Auto lead and Connect2 are partners in a project being push by Sony called “Sound on top”. So I don't Sony would chose partners that can't deliver the goods.

There are many that do this (or rebade product and sell in under a new name) but you want something that will work. So I am going with them. ***** for 44 pounds I can’t even be bothered to get out the protocol analyser and do it myself.

[Damo]

In answer to the Round Pin and flat pin question, the Boost units all have flat pins, and the standard Wave radio has round pins!

BUT The Radio aeriel part has changed on the wave radio, somewhere between February Build and April build, to the same as the Boost radio.

So if that has changed maybe the internals have changed aswell hence the BMW adapter I bought didn't work???

The only other explanation is that the Adapter was somehow faulty but it worked on my Ma's beemer????

As I got my money back for the Lead (just sent it back and got a full refund and this was from a mail order place) I'd say test the Connect2 one and see if it works, if it does let us know. It doesn;t send it back saying you orderwed wrong part. I think I've done enough testing and someone else should have a go

Let us know how you get on, I doubt the car audio place would be to happy if I ordered the same part and sent it back again.

Other explanation is that as they've changed the Aerial part of the radio, they may of changed the internals aswell for my paticular model (mine being a limbo half way) and intend to have all the MINI radio's on the flat pin connector, just taking a while to get round to it??

Who knows. Can someone who has just got there Mini (last month) with Wave radio tell us if they have flat or round pins. May shed light on this.

[Damo]

Alternativly if there is a MINI2er here who owns an ICE shop which stocks one of these cables, I'd like to know (prefrebly not to far from manchester) then I could see if it works and if it does (buy it) you never know if it does work you may get lots of Mini2 customers

[snoopy]

E mail at home so i will have a look on Mon.

But Damo if you have a round pin car you should be able to buy one right now.

head on over to the following web pages and have a look at places to buy.


connects2

sound on top

[Damo]

Like I said I bought one, and it didn;t work, but it was an Autoleads one

Gutted. Want it doing, can live with it, but as soon as I know a paticular adapter WILL work, I'm buying it!

[pjmedlam]

Thanks for your help guys.

Sorry about my mix up in my post about 'wave' and 'boost' it is of course the low spec 'wave' radio i was refering to.

I wonder if the Connect2 adpater will work with the 'Wave' radio? If no one has tried it by early November when my car comes i'll give it a go when i fit the new head unit. All this because you can't take the front panel off the existing headunit...what a pain...*grin*.

[pjmedlam]

Damo, where did you get the new Radio aeriel part for your new 'wave' radio? was this some part needed to connect the aerial connector in the car to the Sony headunit, some sort of intermediate part? What's the difference between the old (old wave radio) and new (new wave radio and boost radio) part?

[Damo]

Quote:

Originally posted by pjmedlam
Damo, where did you get the new Radio aeriel part for your new 'wave' radio? was this some part needed to connect the aerial connector in the car to the Sony headunit, some sort of intermediate part? What's the difference between the old (old wave radio) and new (new wave radio and boost radio) part?

The original WAVE had one of the 2 standard Aerial Connections, I belive its called an ISO connector or something. Anyway the new on has a completly different MINI only connection. THe adapter ocst me about a tenner. But if you go to halfords (not where I got mine) and look under MINI in their adapter brochure, the part it lists (order only) is the part you'll need for the New Wave radio's and the Boost radio's, the main adapter it lists is for the Boost only (again order only), for Wave you need the same as the 3 series BMW (should be ex stock that one)

[pjmedlam]

Thankyou Damo. Are you at all tempted to try this connect2 adpater? should work with the Wave radio i think.

[Damo]

Quote:

Originally posted by pjmedlam
Thankyou Damo. Are you at all tempted to try this connect2 adpater? should work with the Wave radio i think.

If you knew of somewhere that had them on the shelf so I could try before I buy, then I would, but I don;t fancy buying one again only to have to send it back.

I see your from Preston, got a mini yet? Should meet up sometime You not seen any of the North West Mini Meets that have been arranged (inluding the Pennine's run myself and CMT did)

[Andrewfuzzy]

In the feint hope of an answer from my BMW....er i mean MINI dealer as regards to this steering remote issue i phoned em....

They said they were unable to fit the stereo as it was too small for the aperture!!!

BUT before you all reply saying i need an adapter ive got one (ordered with the stereo) so i know what they meant unfortunatley they didnt have a clue regards the remote wheel buttons....

Any luck from you guys yet (get my 'S' next friday fitting stereo Wednesday next week)

[pjmedlam]

Nothing from me yet Andrew, but i will be trying the Conect2 interface discussed above with my car when it arrives late september with its 'wave' radio to be replaced.

[Andrewfuzzy]

Still cant get my head around this

Are we saying that the Standard no frills, ill take it as it is stereo in the MINI has the same aerial plug type connection as normal cars? and the Boosts etc upgradees are some sort of altered aerial connection?

Cos ive got a Sony MP70 with the normal aerial connection but i dont know which if any adapter is needed and if one is where do i get it from?

Cheers people for any help

P.S Its an S im getting if thats any different

[Damo]

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrewfuzzy
Still cant get my head around this

Are we saying that the Standard no frills, ill take it as it is stereo in the MINI has the same aerial plug type connection as normal cars? and the Boosts etc upgradees are some sort of altered aerial connection?

Cos ive got a Sony MP70 with the normal aerial connection but i dont know which if any adapter is needed and if one is where do i get it from?

Cheers people for any help

P.S Its an S im getting if thats any different

If you haven't got your car yet then you wil definitly need the new adapter for the aeriel regardles of what radio you get.

The first wave radio's used a standard adapter like most SOny Radio's but the boost's used a different one (that required an adapter for other radio's) Now new car's with Wave radio's need the same adapter. BMW Mini obvioulsy changed the Wave radio, they may enevtually change the main connection for the Wave radio's to the same as the Boost radio's aswell.

[Andrewfuzzy]

Cheers Damo.....any idea where i can get one and how much?

[Damo]

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrewfuzzy
Cheers Damo.....any idea where i can get one and how much?

Halfords sell the normal adapter for the Wave radio in store under the BMW 3 series. THey also supply the standard Radio adapter you need in store.

The other 2 adapters you will have to order from the likes of halfords (my local ICE place had the Aerial one in stock tho), Just look up the part number in the booklet they have there and get them to order you the Mini Aeriel part.

If you've got "Wave" check which one you need though, if you've not got your car yet you WILL need the Aeriel adapter you have to order. As for the main adpater, you also may need the same adapter as the Boost radio (rather than 3 series) as I suspect they will change it to that. Best bet is to check your radio before buying anythin.

The standard adpter (BMW 3 series) is about £12 (WAVE)
THe Standaer Aerial connectore is about £2 (WAVE)

The Boost Adpater I don;t know how much
THe Boost (and New cars with "Wave") Aeriel adapter cost me about £13

Hope this helps and/or makes sense.

[Andrewfuzzy]

Maan this gets complicated with all these adapters my cars gona be 0-60 in 10 minutes!!!

Story So Far ......

Ive got the facia adapter for the din size difference

Got the Autoleads MINI adapter for the Sony to BMW Wiring

Now all i need is this Aerial adapter .... i think Oh and a Remote steering wheel adapter which i might be able to use the BMW 3 Series one you spoke of

Does this all sound correct?

Car gets delivered to MINI next Monday Yey!!!

[Coopergeezer]

This might be a really stupid question but does the same adapter that you use for Sony-BMW wiring, allow you to connect a Sony Head Unit and use it with the BMW/MINI Cd Changer?

If it does, then my problems are solved.