I have just ordered my new mini cooper s which comes with a standard ipod connector, in retrospect i phoned my dealer up the other day and asked if I could have a multi functional steering wheel fitted so I could flick through my tracks from the wheel.
He then told me that to do this I would need the full USB/Bluetooth Kit (which is around £570) as the standard ipod connection doesnt allow you to select tracks and just cycles through your tracks one be one and it doesnt even charge the ipod while it is docked.
yip thats correct std ipod connection just pipes the sound to the MINI sound system, its no big deal ipod sits in cup holder nicely and its fairly easy to change songs, usually have to be stationary to select a new album mind you
I think your dealer is bigging up the aux in socket - just a jack socket for plugging in any external player
You have the options of factroy fit USB/ipod solution as above or
Dealer fit ipod adaptor which is about £300
Just two more questions, does the £300 Dealer Fit Option allow the Mini's Head Unit and the MFSW to select tracks from the ipod? And where does the ipod dock with this option?
The dealer fit ipod connector gives you full functionality through the stereo and FF/RWD thru the steering wheel buttons. The ipod sits in the upper dashboard storage compartment, its very good.
What I don't understand is what advantage there is for the iPod connection over the USB connection with the official iPod cable... from what I've read you have exactly the same functionality plus the extra benefit of Bluetooth since they are in a pack together.
If I've got it wrong please set me straight cause since I ordered my car I've been thinking I should've specced the Bluetooth/USB and not the iPod connection!
The USB / Bluetooth option has only been available for a few months and its been overlooked.
Compared to the optional ipod its much better value for money. I only found out about it a few days before my car was due to go into build and by the time the dealer had got hold of a cable to test it and confirm it worked it was too late to add it on.
For any prosepctive owner with an ipod and a mobile phone its a total no brainer. For starters you get the MFSW (and therefore cruise control) and the armrest (chocolate fireguard some people say but hey ho) which come to £275 on there own.
> The USB / Bluetooth option has only been available for a few months and its been overlooked.
I was afraid that was the answer
> Compared to the optional ipod its much better value for money. I only found out about it a few
> days before my car was due to go into build and by the time the dealer had got hold of a cable to
> test it and confirm it worked it was too late to add it on.
I too realised too late but in Australia things are a little misleading, the Bluetooth option is listed only as "Bluetooth Phone Interface" there is no mention of USB at all
> For any prosepctive owner with an ipod and a mobile phone its a total no brainer. For starters
> you get the MFSW (and therefore cruise control) and the armrest (chocolate fireguard some
> people say but hey ho) which come to £275 on there own.
Pretty much the same down here in Oz it's AU$250 for the armrest and $970 for the Bluetooth but the iPod connector is around $1300 as well, cruise control is standard on all models of Mini sold here.
I'm a little cranky that the dealers don't know their product well enough to suggest going for the Bluetooth option instead of the iPod connector. In fact one dealer I went to didn't even know there was a difference between the AUX in and the iPod connection, he even argued the point with me!
I do not use phone in car, so thought I would not be too fussed, but I understand that bluetooth also does voice control for things like radio, so it would have been nice.
I do like the fact that my iPod sits in the hidden panel, though - no need to take it out as much
We have just taken delivery of our clubman Diesel...with AUX in. I confirm that it works with the ipod....mostly full control but it is a bit clunky - maybe just a matter of getting used to it - not sure what buttons do what and I was terying to figure it out as a passanger .
My biggest gripe is that the ipod in that location is not at all hidden. It is in the small recess behind the lower 2 cup holders which has no cover. The recess is not that deep and any one can see the ipod sitting there.
Has anybody a solution of a cover for the recess so as to make is appear there is none.
Has anybody moved the aux in location to the slightly more secure but totall 'invisible to thiefs' glove compartment ?
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Standard ipod Connector 
