silly, but thought i'd mention it if others are in the same boat as me. When i purchased my mini, i was unfamiliar with how BMW removes audio streaming from the base radio. Unfortunately, i found out the hard way when i could only handle phone calls and not be able to stream pandora or music through my phone (Google Nexus 5).

this was resolved earlier this week with the rockford fosgate RFBTAUX ( )

it's pretty simple. it plugs into the 12 outlet and then a shorty 3.5mm cable will connect to the aux port. it will allow your phone to connect to it via bluetooth but ONLY for media streaming. the phone will ALSO connect via bluetooth to the car for phone audio. this allows me to play my music, answer a call while the music auto-pauses, and when i hang up the call the music continues.

couple notes:
- great price @ $45 vs the the tunelink auto which is about $90 and didnt' work for me. griffin has a model as well @ $100...too expensive.
- cheaper models that exist out there have a physical on/off button. this unit relies on the car being on or off. i'd rather get in the car, turn on, and be connected.
- cheaper models require you to manually select the bluetooth device everytime you get in the car (BT 1.0 and maybe 2.0)
- cheaper models use an older version of BT (2.1 or less) which consume more power and will not allow you to "autoconnect" when you get in/turn on the car.

hope this is helpful for anyone that did not get the upgraded radio but wants to be able to stream.

P.S. the blue button on the device can be used to pause/play so when i turn and want to play music i press that and it starts playing music off my phone immediately. i prefer that over some other devices that will automatically start playing music when you turn on.

 

Fantastic. Bluetooth streaming media is the only feature I was going to miss from my VW, but this looks like it'll solve that problem. Thanks!

 

So Mini does not offer Bluetooth Streaming? I ordered Mini Connected with Fully Loaded and HK stereo. I was hoping I would have covered my bases. I find it hard to believe this feature is not standard on even the most basic stereo. Wife is going to be pissed if Bluetooth is not in the options we ordered. She usually keeps her phone in her purse, and wants to work the phone and the audio from the phone remotely, like the last couple cars we have owned. Cross fingers.

Maybe new owners can chime in with their findings.

-Tej

 

Bluetooth streaming was on the earlier models with MINI connected.
There are several threads about it in the Gen2 area.
A few threads below this one is another thread talking about this also.

 

Great info, MarcoPolo.

I have a third party bluetooth add-on as well for my R56.
Works like a charm, and works with Siri when driving and you have your phone in your pocket. Just tap and ask, etc. Here's the one I got:

Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit



Price is excellent, fully Siri compatible, and you can mount the mic closer to you for greater call clarity, it auto connects to your phone so it stays in your pocket, etc.

With any of these inexpensive BT adapters, there is the possibility of noise/hiss when you install it. If you experience that, you can also get the PAC Ground Loop Isolator which completely knocked out all sort of hiss/hum/feedback:



Really inexpensive way to have BT enabled in your car.
Works like a charm.

 

Also have a Kinivo, which btw also supports Apt-x codec. These devices are great solutions for those without the streaming built-in.

 

I have a basic radio. No mini connected or nav.. You should be fine.

 

I ordered that one for my crv that has no bluetooth at all. Personally I wanted to take advantage of the car having builtin bluetooth for phone so I can control via the steering wheel and load contacts on the main display. That's why I was looking for one that split the signal and only handled media streaming.

 

I was looking specifically at aptx until I found out the phone requires it as well for full support. Nexus 5 does not so I wouldn't have been able to take advantage of it.