Just bought this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350908362032...84.m1497.l2649

I will post up what works and what doesn't work.

 

thanks - can't beat the price

I am interested in your review.

 

I just have to wait about 2-3 weeks for shipping from China.

 

Here's what works:

Standard bluetooth audio streaming from phone to car radio. You just have to turn on your music service on your phone (but you have to do this with all bluetooth options). So, the USB plugs into car, then audio comes out of USB and plays through the AUX input. On the car, you select AUX input. So, you'll have car connected to USB connected to AUX Input.

What doesn't work:
Steering wheel controls. You can't advance to next track with steering wheel buttons.

That's it. Not bad for $5. It seems like tune2air will get you the steering wheel buttons to work. But is that worth $84?

 

I have the exact same thing in the wifes countryman and it works great. Same as yours. No steering controls except volume. Can't beat it for $5.

 

I have the Tune 2 Air and like it a lot--yes, the steering wheel buttons work.

Had I known about this option for $5, I would've pulled the trigger on this instead.

I still find it odd that MINI refuses to make BT audio streaming standard. Guess they wouldn't sell as many $750 Connected radios...

 

The bluetooth automatically switches to the phone when a call comes in. Also nice for $5.

Yeah, I'm still bummed about the whole mini connected package.

 

While not nearly as cheap, I used the older model of this: Blackberry Music Gateway

The one I had was 80 bucks and I have no idea why I paid so much. This new model is $50 from BB or around $40 elsewhere.

If the $5 one works just as well, there'd be no loss in trying that first. I don't have the HK upgrade, so I probably wouldn't notice an audio quality difference if there was one.. Everything sounds so flat anyway