Can I add iPhone/Bluetooth to R55

[nryberg]

I just purchased a new 2010 MINI Cooper Clubman. I LOVE IT! It truly is my dream car. I got the bare bones Cooper, and no upgrades. This is OK, because the price was right, and it is my DD (over 700 miles per week).

Since I got no upgrades, I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it possible to add OEM bluetooth conectivity with control via the steering wheel?

2. Is it possible to add iPhone connectivity to the factory head unit with control via the steering wheel for audio and track text on the display?

3. Has anybody found a decent looking roof rail system? I don't have the factory rails, and don't like the look of the Thule add on's. I'd like to add something to the roof that looks OEM, and can hold yakima products.

Thanks for any replies I get. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pics soon.

Neal

[schatzy62]

Originally Posted by nryberg

I just purchased a new 2010 MINI Cooper Clubman. I LOVE IT! It truly is my dream car. I got the bare bones Cooper, and no upgrades. This is OK, because the price was right, and it is my DD (over 700 miles per week).

Since I got no upgrades, I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it possible to add OEM bluetooth conectivity with control via the steering wheel?

The ULF module (controls bluetooth and USB) will be more than $1600 for the module and there is also a wiring harness you will need. Plus inlstall and programing time from the dealer. Total overall cost well over $2000. and if you do not have the MFSW (multifunction steerign wheel) that will cost you another $300 plus.

Originally Posted by nryberg

2. Is it possible to add iPhone connectivity to the factory head unit with control via the steering wheel for audio and track text on the display?

part of above

Originally Posted by nryberg

3. Has anybody found a decent looking roof rail system? I don't have the factory rails, and don't like the look of the Thule add on's. I'd like to add something to the roof that looks OEM, and can hold yakima products.

Becuase of where the side curtain air bags very very few companies will touch this car to put aftermarket rails on the car. All the side curtain air bags have to be removed to get to the area where the rails will need to be screwed to the roof. This can cause them to have liability issues most are not willing to chance. As for the OEM Roof Rack (removeable cross bars as shown here) if you do not like the look you and are not willing to go that way I would say you are out of luck or up for a very expensive install (probably over $1000 just for teh install not including the rack parts)

Originally Posted by nryberg

Thanks for any replies I get. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pics soon.

Neal

Honestly what you should do if you really need these OEM items is to return the car and buy one with the upgrades it would save you a lot of money.

[nryberg]

Hey, thanks for the detailed reply. I guess it's bluetooth headset and Thule rails for me Love your clubman, very cool color.

[nicknbecka]

Schatzy, have you seen the new retrofit kit?

http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-conte...578087307c.pdf

Looks like it's avoiding a straight-up replacement, which brings the cost of parts down to a measly ~$700. The PDF notes estimated install time should be under 3 hours, so the total price is still probably over $1000?

[schatzy62]

Originally Posted by nicknbecka

Schatzy, have you seen the new retrofit kit?

http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-conte...578087307c.pdf

Looks like it's avoiding a straight-up replacement, which brings the cost of parts down to a measly ~$700. The PDF notes estimated install time should be under 3 hours, so the total price is still probably over $1000?

Spoke with my parts department and the part numbers they list in the bulletin are not yet available. Or so they tell me anyway.

[nicknbecka]

Ah- I guess that's not too surprising, they had news on the update phone snap-ins about four months before there were even part numbers for them... Back to the waiting game!