How to make an iPhone 4 Holder
(with things you already have!)
Updated: 4/24/2011

Let me start off by saying that the media/phone holder that comes with the Countryman just wasn't working for me. The length of the cable, the interferance with the handbrake... well anyways... I started to look into solutions.

First, the one offical one from MINI. I haven't seen one and was wondering if anyone on the boards has it and their thoughts.

Second, make my own. So I did, and it was suprisingly easy.

Step 1: Go find your iPhone 4 box.



Step 2: Remove form fitting tray

Step 3: Trim tray at top to make a small curve that matches gear select housing and trim area for plug in cord. (Before and After)



Step 4 (Method A): In sert on top of center rail, use MINI supplied bag holder clips (not using them anyways) to push snug against gear select housing.



Step 4 (Method B): While investigating further I stumbled on to a way to make it more secure, reclaim the bag holder clips, and use the rail itself to corral the iphone should it jump out over a nasty bump.

Remove all items on center rail. Including the little divider wedges. These can be twisted and removed without tools. Don't worry they are rubber and are pretty tight in there and can be repositioned later.


Notice the black insert in the rail that keeps you from putting rail accessories further forward? That is our new friend.



Position tray behind (towards rear of car) and in open rail area. Don't forget to plug in the cable.



Now slide tray forward. It will be very snug against the rubber insert. In fact you may need to sand down the edges just a bit. Pretty sure no one had this in mind when the tray was cast or MINI made the rail. Think of it as custom fitted.

Note: The cords will push the tray upwards slightly. May not however let tray slide all the way to gear selector housing.



Now your ready to enjoy!







Finishing the Tray - Painting & Dyeing
Originally I wanted to dye the tray black instead of painting it. I was worried about heat and long term use with the phone. If able to dye the color becomes part of the plastic and bob's your uncle... if it works... it didn't.





Might be okay for some of the lighter/brighter color interiors but the best I got was a grayish green.

On to option b, rattle can.



I decided I could reduce some of the paint worries by lining the bottom with a vinyl layer. Easy to cut to size and the adhesive backing will allow it to stick. Can be found at any craft store. Still searching for a better material, maybe a thin leather or some no skid rubber material like they have in the center rail.

NEW!

Couldn't find any thin leather but I did find some black no skid shelving paper. Cut to size (and with some mood lighting for good measure)



All in all I think cost for new materials for the mod are somewhere around $7 dollars, depending on if you can find a good sale on shelving material and paint.

Overall satisfied with fit and finish. The end look is like something that came from MINI (maybe ... )



2011 MINI Countryman S - Connecticut, USA
If your in the market for a MINI, I recommend New Country MINI in Hartford CT. Ask for Joseph Sajda IV. A great experience.

 

Wow, great idea. Very cool. Please post follow up after you do the dye/paint!

 

Wow, thanks for the pics and details!

 

What a great idea!!!

 

Excellent write up and an incredible idea!

One interesting note:

You don't appear to have MINI Connected/NAV. I do, and when I did this mod, I noticed I have quite a bit less room behind the gear shift. I have the automatic, but that doesn't appear to be the issue-the Connected is the issue because of the added space required for the joystick and buttons.

Here is a pic:

 

Would someone please try placing that white iPhone tray in the Armrest

 

where is the cord plugged in?

 

The problem is that the Y-Cable will not reach into the armrest, and even if it did, I don't believe there is a pathway to run it up into the armrest.

 

Here is a picture. It drops in but really doesn't have any support. A quick turn or bump will drop the tray into the bottom.

 

Thank you for the image of the tray in the armrest!!
There are endless posts regarding the over priced iPhone cradle insert & how no one seems to know when/if there will be a proper all media version that works.
The y cable seems to do it all & can be extended I'm sure.
I believe that the armrest is prewired for the cradle if Connected is installed so there should be a path for a cable to the armrest.

Any thoughts?

 

I have MINI Connected + Nav and the armrest shows up as an additional auxiliary (AUX) audio input on the menu, so it must already be pre-wired into the sound system.

Unfortunately, the dock contacts beneath the armrest are BMW/MINI proprietary: of neither USB nor Apple iPod/iPhone variety. AND I still have to buy the ~$200 phone sled if I want the snap-in capability. *SIGH*

 

Added the last touch...

 

They must have changed the cord cause the one I got actually reaches the arm rest.

 

AWSOME!!!!! i love creative solutions for poor designs.