Hi there,

Just ordered my 2015 Copper S in Canada and have been doing the dreaded accessory shopping online!

Noticed that mini sells a separate USB charger that plugs into the 12V outlet. Led me to wonder if the USB port in the centre console charges? Or is it simply an audio output?

Also, are the phone cradle preparation part of any packages for Minis in Canada? my car is fully loaded but I don't recall reading that the phone cradle preparation is in any of the packages. I know the phone cradle option isn't particularly popular in North america, just wonder if it's only for other markets.

thanks!

 

The USB plug on most every car made, meets the computer standard for USB power...so much less than the 2.1 amps most modern phones need...so you will find that the USB plug that comes with the car will charge the phone if off, or about matain the charge if the screen is off...if the screen us on and an app, like GPS is running, the battery level will still drop, just more slowly than unplugged.
WHY most car makers don't make USB plugs that output 2.1 amps?? Most likely some standard they must abide by to use the "USB" LOGO, since the 2.1 amp micro USB plug has become the defacto standard, but itself is NOT a standard....

 

My iPhone 6 will charge slowly unless I'm using Waze and the Podcasts app at the same time. If I do that it discharges slowly.

 

The USB does recharge (providing you are using the correct cord). The USB charger sold separately is just that, an additional charging option.

I always opt to buy a dual USB plug for the cigarette light. allows me to charge phone while BT'ing music and have another open slot if wife wants to top off her Kindle or phone while we're driving .

These have served me well:

 

The USB port is powerful enough to power my external hard drive. Haven't tested it on my phone yet.

 

It charges my phone, though I never use it for that. I have a USB drive plugged in all the time, so I have a small USB charger plugged into the 12v socket instead.

 

Thinking about this and with a few long road trips coming up, I decided that I would go get this part number 61 12 2 167 663 (see also ). It has three cables and two sockets. You plug the 12V cigar lighter plug into your lighter socket, and the USB and AUX into the car. The existing Y cable then plugs into this thing. Apparently gives a lot more charging current. I'll post here when it shows up.

 

My 2014 MCS charges my iPhone 6 Plus just fine while running Spotify and occasional Waze. Using Amazon retractable Lightning Cable.
I didn't know cable would affect charging capability...

 

The 2014 and 2015 F5X cars are completely different. They can just use a single Lightning cable and as you say they charge just fine. The older cars use the BMW/MINI Y cable and are marginal. They don't have high power USB ports.

 

Couple options for the F56 and F55:

Charges and connects to the USD driver under the toggles.


61122354908 30 Pin USB

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61122354908/ES2715124/




61122354909 Apple IPhone 5 / 5c / 6 / 6+ Lightning USB Cable - Red 61122354909

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61122354909/ES2714957/




Micro USB Wire Cable - Red 61122354910

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...910/ES2714940/






Or use its with the aux plug to just charge: 65412354907

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/65412354907/



OR

MINI USB Charger 65412354906

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/65412354906/

 

Can someone who understand amperage better than I explain something? I was looking at chargers and see that they have different amps available. Most have a 1 amp slot, then some have a 1 amp and a 2.1 or 2.4 slot. I read on the apple site that they recommend 2.1 amp for fast charging with the later phones. When I read descriptions of some of the chargers they say the 2.4 amp ones are compatible with iPhones. Is there any reason not to charge using the 2.4 amp slot assuming I forget which slot is which (which will happen down the road as the numbers always get worn off)?

Annette

 

I am not an amperage expert. However there will be no trouble with using the 2.4 I charge my phone with the higher amperage iPad wall connector all the time with no issues. It seems it would just charge it faster.

 

Will the USB charge an iPod?

 

It charges my iPod Touch 5th gen.