According to Consumer Reports the dealer pays $450.
My dealer has it added to all the low cost basic minis. Some are being added at the port in LA so it's not really a factory instal.

1)If the dealer really pays $450 do they get some kind of "kick-back"?
2) Can this be done for less after the you buy?

 

You gotta remember that Apple as a company is a price *****. Everything dealing with them is expensive. Especially since it's called and "iPod" dock/connector. Which means they buy it directly from the apple pimp himself. What they should have done is put some USB connectors in the glove box and under the radio and just called it a USB media player connector. Then allowed anyone to use any MP3 player. But you know its all about perception. When people see the word "iPod" I am sure it will sell better. Even though it would be basically the same thing. Just no direct cable to the ipod and we would have to supply our own.

 

worth $500?, that's a personal call

While you don't have complete control through the head unit, running a $10 cord from RadioShack from the Aux output to your iPOD and playing it through the AUX option on the head unit works pretty well.

This one is a little down on my Mod list personally

Tim Shackelford & 'Augie'

 

As far as I know, just plugging in the iPod/iPhone via a regular old USB cable wouldn't let the car control the it. Actually, I don't think you'd even see the plain old music files, and even if you did, I think the car could only play them back if they were plain MP3s (so basically nothing from the iTunes store).

And that's why BMW/MINI had to license stuff from Apple, which amounts to sending control signals to the iPod/iPhone and splitting the audio out to the AUX port.

Of course, if you were fine with controlling playback through your iPod/iPhone then you just need the AUX cable

 

Whether it's worth it or not is a personal call, but it's the best way to ensure reliable compatibility the your controls and display.

 

The BlueTooth was worth $500 to me, the iPod came for free. The MINI iPod adapters are a bit flaky in general, this one isn't too bad. I was quite put off them by the dealer installed version in Tristan.


Apple only charges around $5 for the licence, so the other 99% of the price is BMW's choice.

 

Where did you get this notion of "kick-back"? There are many options priced at $500 MSRP, and they all cost the dealer $450. See this list of MINI options MSRP vs invoice: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2009/mini...&y=16&action=1

 

bobsax,

...like anything else for sale, the seller is getting some $$; nothing is for free!

But, don't make your decision about the iPod based on this issue. I purchased my 09 MINI Clubman about a month ago, and upgraded to the Bluetooth and iPod and made a VERY wise choice.

Prior to buying the MINI, I use the wireless connection between the iPod and radio; which outright sucks compared to the quality of sound and direct functions you get right from the MINI Speedo Console.

Bottom line; if you love your iPod, don't even second guess this; I strongly recommend you upgrade. The features you can use on the steering wheel and thru the Speedo controls are excellent. The sound is really good and the ability to use your iPod from your car is fantastic!

Good luck!!

 

The MINI iPod adapter is *not* made by Apple. Apple does get a licensing fee for any iPod-compatible accessory that uses their proprietary 30-pin dock connector, but it's a flat fee of $4 per device, so it's an insignificant fraction of the price of the MINI iPod adapter.

As others have pointed out, simply installing a generic USB port in the car wouldn't provide the capability of sending control signals to all of the different kinds of portable music players on the market, so automakers usually "hitch their wagon" to one particular brand of music player. And if they're going to do that, the iPod is the logical choice.

 

Thanks for all the good advice
$500 just seemed a lot for an adapter
I would think you could have an after market iPod sound system installed for that or less.
If they gave you an iPhone it would be a good deal
the $250 multifubction steering wheel however does seem like a good deal and am I to understand you can control the iPod from the wheel ?

 

Yes, but consistent with other MINI options (all overpriced).

However, make sure to distinguish which iPod adapter you are talking about. The $500 factory option is for the Bluetooth/USB/iPod adapter. I believe this is only available direct from the factory. There is also an accessory iPod adapter for about $300 which has no Bluetooth or USB, which can be installed by the dealer or optionally at the port. Including dealer installation cost, this item could easily total $500 (or more). I believe this is probably the option you saw added on to the cars by the dealer. Your title mentions USB but this accessory is iPod only with no USB. Are you sure that it included USB?

 

You're right rkw, this is what the salesman said
"The iPod installed at the port does NOT have a USB port or Bluetooth."
and they still wanted $500
..Well now I don't feel bad about getting my Mini from another deal

btw This is my first post as an oxygen blue/white roof hardtop Mini Owner !!

 

Enjoy the ride.
I would have selected Oxy Blue were it available on the MCS.