[oldnell]

I notice that the newer Minis have the option of a USB socket that comes along with the Bluetooth option.

If I managed to acquire a head unit from a new Mini, what would be my chances of fitting it to my R50 Mini One?

I read also (*Official* 6FL iPod/USB Thread - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com) that some BMWs have this. If I acquired a head unit from a BMW with this option, would I be able to fit it?

Apart from that, I'm on the verge of paying lots of hard-earned cash to Becker and buying an iPod that I don't really need, as I really really want the OEM look above all else, rather than a miniature version of the Blackpool illuminations in my car.

Oli

[oldnell]

I've just taken a look at some photos of the (ghastly) interior of the new Mini and realised what a silly question I've just asked.

What I meant to ask is -- are there any models (BMW or Mini) that would physically fit in a first generation car that have bluetooth and USB?

[S33BBY]

You're best to get a Dension Gateway 300 or 400, which has USB connectivity. There's a Bluetooth add-on coming out for it too.

[oldnell]

Thanks for that.

I have more questions (and hoping that Mikey will reply as he'll be getting some money if the answers are right!).

I have a Jan 2003 build Mini One.

1) If I got a Boost CD that was manufactured in December 2006, would I be able to fit it to my car after I'd bought the Wave to Boost conversion kit from Mikey?

2) Is it possible to retrofit the stereo, bluetooth and USB socket combo to an earlier Mini (or is the system too intertwined with the Mini's comms bus?) If it is, what do I need?

3) Given option 1, and if I bought the Dension Gateway 300 and its associated Bluetooth adapter from Mikey, would I be able to answer the phone without a MFSW, or would I need to install extra buttons?

4) If I got a Boost CD, Dension Gateway 300 and a third party bluetooth hands free kit, would I be any better off?

5) Should I blow £599 on a Becker Cascade instead?

What I am trying to achieve is to get rid of CDs from my car (playing MP3 from a USB memory stick, hard disk, SD or CF card), keep the OEM look and amber illumination and not have any blue LEDs anywhere near my car. I also really want to avoid fitting extra buttons.

Cheers

Oli

[mikeythemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by oldnell (original)

Thanks for that.

I have more questions (and hoping that Mikey will reply as he'll be getting some money if the answers are right!).

I have a Jan 2003 build Mini One.

1) If I got a Boost CD that was manufactured in December 2006, would I be able to fit it to my car after I'd bought the Wave to Boost conversion kit from Mikey?

2) Is it possible to retrofit the stereo, bluetooth and USB socket combo to an earlier Mini (or is the system too intertwined with the Mini's comms bus?) If it is, what do I need?

3) Given option 1, and if I bought the Dension Gateway 300 and its associated Bluetooth adapter from Mikey, would I be able to answer the phone without a MFSW, or would I need to install extra buttons?

4) If I got a Boost CD, Dension Gateway 300 and a third party bluetooth hands free kit, would I be any better off?

5) Should I blow £599 on a Becker Cascade instead?

What I am trying to achieve is to get rid of CDs from my car (playing MP3 from a USB memory stick, hard disk, SD or CF card), keep the OEM look and amber illumination and not have any blue LEDs anywhere near my car. I also really want to avoid fitting extra buttons.

Cheers

Oli

1. Yes wave to boost adaptor here NewMINIStuff.com
2. The Mini oem USB is for the new shape Mini with fibre optics so it wont fit
3. The bluetooth adaptor is still having its firmware improved but when complete you will be able to answer the phone using the track up button on the stereo
4. Still waiting for improvements to the gateway bluetooth before I comment to much - new firmware has just arrived so I am going to do some testing
5. Nice looking unit - not used one though

[oldnell]

Thanks, Mikey.

Much appreciated. I think my strategy will be to get hold of a Mini Boost CD cheaply and make do for a bit. It'll be better when I come to sell the car than the Panasonic C1300AN I already have or the Wave piece of junk that's sitting in a box.

Meanwhile, I'll see if the Dension thing works out and what the pricing's like, and compare that against Becker's offerings. I guess Becker may release new models, or the price of the current models may come down a tad.

Many thanks for your help.

One thing I think it might be useful for you to sell via your web site is that self-adhesive tape with a soft covering that you wrap round cables and adaptors to stop them rattling. I used sheets of felt cut into strips, but it would be nice to have the proper stuff -- can't find it anywhere. Just a thought!

Cheers

Oli