Hey everyone... been looking at options to hold my iPhone while in the car. I've heard a lot of good things about the phone mounts from CravenSpeed. Just found this on the Mini Accessories page... It's called the "MINI Click & Drive System" looks to basically mirror the functionality for A LOT more money, however, if you zoom in on the screenshot the iPhone pictured has an image which says "Mini Click & Drive App".

Wondering if Mini is coming out with some new version of its Connected App, or if this is just mocked up to support the accessory vs. being any kind of new service? I'm hoping for the latter because Mini Connected is pretty limited in functionality and needs a serious revamp!

If anyone picks up one of these MINI OEM phone mounts, I would love to hear your impressions... Let the speculation begin!

 

We have all of these pieces on order and they should be in stock before the end of the week.

We should be able to post some updated photos soon!

http://mini.sewellparts.com/accessor...2014/6855.html


-Thanks

 

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/mini...830688110?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ickanddriveapp


"In the advanced instrument display, you will see excellent added features in your MINI"

I don't see much there. It uses the iPhone's accelerometer.

The hardware sounds pretty good, it includes a USB Port? I wonder if the iPhone has to be out of its case to fit in the holder.

 

Since it offers a USB port / power, is there any wiring to redo? Heck if it is a plug and play device, yes it is costly, but might be worth it depending on ease of install and integration with the vehicle.

I'd def, like to know how flexible that mount is for different kinds of cases.

 

Humm I do not see an application for the Samsung Galaxy S5

 

Though it's in Google Play, none of my devices are supported which is strange considering two of them are the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (I get that one). Nexus devices are vanilla Android by definition. EVERYTHING is supposed to work with them.

Then again with the abysmal implementation of MINI Connect on Android, I have no idea what BMW is thinking.

 

Here is some additional information to browse. (see attached)

We received a couple pieces of the system today, photographs to follow shortly.


-Thanks!

 

So the question remains, is this worth the $100+ premium from the other aftermarket instrument cluster mounts?

Well, that depends on what the app does, right? It is not currently available in the US iTunes store. The app on the Canadian Store says it was released in May 2014, it is August, and still not available in the US, how much longer?

The other question is: when the phone is connected via the included cabling, is it merely charging, or is it like connecting via the USB port? (An educated guess would be that it is "connected" a la USB port, which includes data as well as juice).

Sometimes I like the flexibility of having the phone only charge (via a 12V adapter) versus the USB port which changes the way the phone connects to the vehicle. In any case, I'd be curious about the added functionality before making a decision between this, and the Cravenspeed mount (which at this time seems to be the gold standard instrument cluster mount), especially with the price difference, and not so plug and installation with the click and drive system.

 

I don't know if this is actually true. I only saw it mentioned in one place when I was doing some digging, but I heard that we will be able to play any and all audio from android phones via usb when the Android L software update releases.

 

There seems to be only two wires.

 

With the exception of the MINI Connect app it looks like everything MINI has made is location restricted to exclude the US. I tried to get a copy of the user manual app and the same thing happens. Unfortunately Google is rather poor at communicating errors to the user and the true reason is lost when looking at the play store.

Huh, went looking for the link to the owner's guide and now there IS one available in the US (posted 8/4 according to Google Play) here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...iversguide.usa

 

This is true

 

(Photos Attached)


The main system includes the base assembly which attaches to the rear of your Driver Instrument Unit. Wiring, some zip ties and other small pieces are also included.

The mounts for each phone or NAVI module must be purchased separately. Each mount includes the specific USB cord to support charging that device.

http://mini.sewellparts.com/accessor...2014/6855.html

 

Is that a Garmin ball that the cradle attaches to?

 

Service department at Seattle MINI informed me today the click and drive system only charges the attached device. I expected that answer but it still boggles me since I thought the phone needed to be connected via USB to use mini connected. Anyone using the craven speed holder? I wish they offered one with two mounting points.

 

I use the craven holder. It's pretty darn good. Good build quality, good pinch to holf phone.

 

You don't have to connect it to that usb port, but it sure seems like a flaw.

Right now I'm still considering the Click & Drive because I can get my dealer to install it.

I bought an Arkon Mobile Grip 2 cradle that works with a Garmin ball. I may just use a Garmin suction cup, I have to see how much the dealer wants and where I can mount it.



I also came across those seat bolt mounts, but I like where the Craven and Click & Drive put the iPod.

 

I totally agree... Based on everything I've read, I don't understand what MINI's Click and drive offers that's worth the price premium over the excellent Cravenspeed Mount.

I've run the USB cable from the 12V adapter, pressing it gently between the seams of the dashboard, then behind the tach, and around the craven speed a bit to tighten the slack, so it is always ready to be plugged in, and out of the way when not used.

It may be hard to see, so I added arrows to the picture below.

 

Nice sal1k. I ordered a flat cable for my phone to make it more discrete.

 

+1. Thanks Sal1k, I'm going with this method also

 

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'm having trouble locating instructions on the removal of the instrument panel so that I can attach the click-n-drive base.

F56 Hardtop.

 

If you look on either side of the tach / speedo cluster, on the 5 o clock and 7 o clock positions on the bottom and to the side of the cluster, you'll see rubber stoppers, take them out and inside the holes you'll see the screws which hold the unit in place. Remove the holes and you can pull the cluster out. Don't force it as there are wires connected behind it.

 

Thank you for the reply. That was exactly what I needed.

 

There's a pretty good explanation somewhere, it mentions not letting the screws fall into a crack. Let me search...

This thread on the CravenSpeed mount, I think is the one I remember.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-w-pics.html