With a perfectly good iPhone adapter available at the mini dealership, why would you go to all of that trouble? Part # 84212158683

 

Will using a USB cable that is too small in diameter cause charing/connectivity issues with the system? I am using just an ipod touch 1st gen.

 

Just picked up a 2010 Clubman S. Anyone know if the new stock armrest comfort package plus iPhone snap-in eliminates the need for this mod?

 

Yes. This mod was a workaround for not ordering the smartphone prep which would give you the ability to use the snap in adapter in the arm rest for the iPhone.

 

Thanks onefish2, but I have heard that the 09 models with this snap in can't get music thru it. It only adds antenna extension and USB charging.

So the 2010 models have integrated music into the stock system?

 

I have an 09 and it was a further option to add onto the smartphone prep to allow music to play though the audio system via USB from the iPhone.

So I use the cradle to charge the iPhone and have it supposedly boost the signal. I can't tell the difference from having it in the cradle or holding it in my hand while talking on the phone.

I have an iPod attached to the Y cable that I use for music.

 

I'm a little confused. The iPhone snap-in extension plays music as well as boosts the signal for the phone, right? So if I have an iPod touch, can I just get the adapter and use that to play music through the sound system, instead of having to use the y-adapter plugged into the center console?

I have a 2010 MC with the comfort bluetooth/ipod adapter, by the way.

 

Nigel86 - I think the adapter would work for the iPod touch IF AND ONLY IF you had the $100 'smartphone prep' option. Without it - it's just charging the Touch. What I haven't been able to figure out if you can get the 'smartphone prep' aftermarket.

 

Interesting. I didn't get the "smartphone prep" option because I figured getting the whole comfort bluetooth setup would encompass everything needed to take care of ipods and phones. What's in the smartphone prep package that's not included in the comfort package?

 

I don't know what's in the 'smartphone prep'. All I know is that my MINI - without it - cannot control my iPhone thru steering wheel buttons while the iPhone is jacked into the armrest. The iPhone charges there, but there is no connectivity to between the MINI and the iPhones music. It DOES in this position connect thru bluetooth for handsfree phone operations.
If I use the Y-adapter connecting the iPhone to the console (leaving the iPhone dangling into the cup holder) - the steering wheel buttons control the iPhone as expected. I can't find what the 'smartphone prep' is or whether I can do that to the car since my dealer advised me poorly during the order.

 

Yup...you need to have the smartphone prep for $100 to get that functionality from your iPhone plugged into the armrest cradle.

I fortunately figured that out from reading around on NAM after I had placed my order...but still in time to call the dealer and tell them to add it to my car. I'm extremely glad that I did...everything works just as I would expect.

I don't know for sure if that is something that you can add after production...but some of the responses in the threads that I have read here say no. At least not at the moment.

 

Wow, that makes the armrest thing pretty much useless doesn't it? I mean why plug it into the cradle when it can only charge and do bluetooth when you can plug it into the center console and charge and use bluetooth AND play music? Weird.

I like the idea of this mod though, I'd like to be able to just plug my iPod Nano into the armrest and close it up and be able to leave it in the car without worrying about anyone seeing it or the cable and trying to steal it. I might do it in the future if I'm feeling brave.

 

I know this thread is a bit old, but I am considering doing this to hide my ipod so I dont have to worry about leaving it in the car all the time and was hoping to see some post-install pictures from someone who has done this as to how I can route the cables from the dash to the armrest base. Thanks!

 

Old thread, yes. Only place I could find a detailed armrest/iPod mod, also yes.

Used this last night. I didn't cut anything, I actually left the board in place, but removed two of the wires that were plug in instead of soldered to the board. This allowed me to pull them down and out of the armrest channel and shove them between the rear cub holder and e-brake, underneath the console. I then was able to run the iPod xtenza cable through the hole in the back of the armrest. I did have to dremel sand a little on the dock insert as the xtenza 30 pin was just barely too thick, but after that it slide right there. The advantage I see here is I could rewire the board and add the doc later-on if I wanted to, especially when it comes time to sell. For how the xtenza cable runs to the dash and then comes out and plugs into the front ports, but the next project will be to get everything behind the dash. Thanks again!

 

http://www.cellphoneshop.net/doexcaforapi.html

Do not buy the above cable.
It charges, but does not recognize the iPod/iPhone being connected.

 

This is the one you want if you are trying to do what I am doing and the thread starter did


The reason the above cable is not recognized is because it doesn't have the chip in it. The Xtenzi cable does. Here it is hooked up. I didn't have to put the hole in the back of the armrest base, it is already there, but I did have to trim off the tab that usually sits in front of it.

 

Hey guys,
This is a very good mod, but I was wondering if you could do this for anything other than an Apple devices (Android, Blackberry, etc).
Also, is it possible to do this with the connection that goes into the armrest and not using the USB/Lighter port?
I've been looking for an adapter I could use for this but apparently it doesn't exist.
Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

WOW... still no replies.
I just want to be able to use the armrest with my android phone. Any ideas?