I have had my CM since end of April and I am totally kicking myself for not getting Connected. Does anyone know if this can still be added to the car afterwards?

 

I was told that neither Connected or Navi could be retrofitted. On the other hand, I've found in life that nearly anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.

 

I had connected on my list, and removed it at the last minute. I read too many threads of people complaining that it wasn't everything they thought it would be, so I decided not to waste the money and risk being frustrated by something that I spent so much money on. I don't regret it for a minute. I use the Y cable and my iPad, and I'm happy.

 

Well just for the record, I love MINI Connected. And I'm so glad I got it. Not sure about the retrofit, but like starman said anything is possible.

 

I've seen mixed reviews, and glad you love it. I just read some reviews of lots of promises of 'future' updates/enhancements, and had flashbacks to when I had my R53, and kept hearing promises on something as simple as an aux input for iPod owners, never to see it materialize for the 4 years I owned the car. My MA couldnt even tell me exactly what it did (or didn't do), so I took it off my list. I have Bluetooth, and the ability to plug in my iPod/iPad, that's good enough for me.

 

I simply can't go without CONNECTED either in any future mini. It's my first checked box and one of my favorite things on my car! Get ahold of the guys at Sewell Mini and see if they could walk you through the switch-out (at least they could give you a $ amount). Their website is great for parts, their parts guy is awesome, and they are a site sponsor I believe. Good luck!

We also have a local mini Countryman here that calls itself Storm Trooper...they even have the big white helmet sticker on the back!

 

• Can I retrofit MINI Connected on my MINI?
  MINI Connected can be retrofitted (2010 model update MINI and MINI Countryman only) beginning Q1/2011 if a Radio MINI Visual Boost or a MINI Navigation system is part of the car already. MINI Connected is available in most MINI markets. Please contact your dealer for further information on availability of MINI Connected and the MINI Connected feature set in your country.

from the site http://www.mini.com/connectivity/


scott

 

A bit off-topic, but I had a 2003 R50 and a 2003 R53 and installed aux inputs on both of them using an OEM install kit I bought at the dealership in 2004 or 2005. I used the install guide here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f..._faq_aux_input

 

Yeah, i kind of regret not having connected either. My dealer ordered an equivalent car to one i was ready to order and offered a discounted price if i purchased it instead of ordering one. The two things it didn't have that i wanted was Auto climate and connected. Auto climate isn't missed but i regret not having connected. Granted i'm sure its a distraction. I mostly drive to and from work and don't really go on long trips so i'll get over it.

 

Thats the thing, it does what its supposed to do. If people bought it for future updates, well thats just silly. If they happen, awesome, but you can't penalize someone for a product they never said would be there.

BMW/MINI did F up on the cradle, and there was a firmware issue for late '11 model owners and their y cable.

There has definitely been some confusion around it, as the MA's don't really know that much, so they can't pass along good info. That seems to be the root of a lot of it.