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I am slightly confused about what exactly I would need to do the following:
Put my iphone 3gs in the center armrest and have it play music, accept phone calls via bluetooth through the car speakers / sync with contacts, and charge the phone.
I've read there are a lot of problems getting the 3gs to charge, so that feature would be the least important to me.
What EXACTLY would I need OEM wise on my mini to accomplish this?
Is it the comfort ipod / bluetooth and the smart phone prep?
I know there are other posts on this, but I've been a bit confused on what I exactly need.
Am I getting this wrong? Also, does the center armrest really get in the way of shifting a manual? If so, what is the option that does the same thing through the secret compartment?
Is it the comfort ipod / bluetooth and the smart phone prep?
Yep, that's it, plus the snap-in adapter part number 84 21 2 151 043.
There's not any problem charging the 3GS with the armrest, it seems to be a limitation of current available from the USB port that makes for charging issues using the USB cable.
Also, does the center armrest really get in the way of shifting a manual?
I've never felt that it gets in the way of shifting. If anything, it just feels too flexible- it'll give if you put weight on it, which gives a 'cheap' impression. Also, depending on how you rest your arm on it, it can slide back while you're driving. Mine didn't do this until I accidentally broke one of the pins in the sliding part while messing around with the snap-in connector
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If so, what is the option that does the same thing through the secret compartment?
The secret compartment one is dealer installed, would probably cost $700.00, and has a bunch of limitations. No lists with more than 255 items, so long playlists are out. You control it like you would a six disc CD changer from the head unit- the Disc 1 button has one function, Disc 6 button has another, etc... Unless you're really, really wanting to hide the iPod away in the secret compartment doing the USB option is a better option all around.
I am in the same position as tmelsh; can someone explain exactly why I also need the smart phone prep? What does this option/feature add?
With a smart phone there are to options you can have.
Bluetooth/USB option - puts USB port in center stack just below the window switches, allows for charging of phone if it the armrest and cradle is purchased allows of music to be played thru USB port to the stereo system.
Bueltooth/USB?Smart Phone Prep. - all of the above but also puts a SUB connection in the armrest so that the phone can play music thru the USB system into the stereo system
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And it's probably worth adding that the USB connection that makes it to the armrest is through the separately-sold snap-in and is designed to connect to the phone- it's not a standard USB connector like the one in the center stack below the A/C controls.
Is the snap on easy to install? Just pop it into the arm rest? Or does it require wiring or something more complicated? I looked up that part on a website and it was only for BMWs...the Mini was not listed under the models that supported it.
Very easy- the "blank" plate comes out, and the snap-in... snaps in.
The part number came from a MINI dealership employee a few months before they were released- he was also the first one to test it (and report back on NAM), I believe.
