I finally broke down and ordered my car and now have a couple of questions regarding potential VPC options (JCW body kit, fog lights, and iPod interface are all being considered). All seem to be ridiculously expensive, but are even more expensive as dealer installed options.

Regarding the iPod interface can someone enlighten me regarding exactly what capability I am receiving by opting for the iPod interface vs. using the aux. jack or USB port that comes with the car? As best I can understand, the added capability is simply the ability to control the iPod using the radio and multi function steering wheel controls. Is this correct or is there something else I don’t understand? This seems to be a minimal benefit for the huge added cost. My car will have the navigation system and there may be an iPhone in my future if that makes any difference. For those that have this option, do you feel it is worth the $500 or $600 cost? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

We paid to have the iPod interface put in our 2006 MC ($500 add on, we don't have NAV) and I can tell you what it does for us. As you thought, it allows us to control the iPod through the stereo and multi-function steering wheel. Playback of music is straightforward and you can randomly play music. If you create playlists and name a particular way as described in the paperwork that comes with the iPod interface, you get some gross selection control. However, you cannot search for a particular song/artist/genre, etc as you can with the iPod directly...a little frustrating if you're in the mood for a particular type of music/artist. To do that, you can disconnect the iPod to make your selections and reconnect...

I am quite fond of Alpine's iPod interface capability on their stereo headunits. I put one in my other car and when the iPod is connected to the stereo via a special cable that plugs into the back of the headunit, the iPod can rest anywhere in the car (I have mine in the glove box). The iPod is controlled via the Alpine headunit controls, complete with all the search capabilities one has with the iPod. Alpine's technology for iPod control has me spoiled...

 

Unless you're getting a convertible ...
The '07/'08 hardtop MINIs (R56) have a quite different iPod interface to the pre-'07s, so the above may or may not be applicable.

I just got an '07 with NAV and iPod; I'll be writing about it on my weblog soon but short answer is it's not impressive. Or maybe - it's impressive how bad some of it is!

 

There have been a number of threads about the iPod Integration in the 2007+ MINIs. Some have reported that the sound quality is significantly better than going through the AUX port.

There have been some reported limitations to the listing options. It seems the NAV can't handle song lists with more than 255 entries. So, you have to design your playlists for that limitation.

The iPod integration will hide your iPod in the "secret compartment" and keep it charged.

It is unknown whether you will actually get the USB connector. You don't mention Bluetooth, but the USB port is part of the Bluetooth option. So far, It seems that no one in the USA has received one unless their car was delivered in Europe. It may not come over here. Several 2008 options that are showing up in Europe are not coming here.

You can put mp3 files on a CD and play them in the MINI's CD player. The tracks will show up on the NAV screen as the iPod would. The limitation is that you only have 700K to work with, rather than the 80GB (or whatever size iPod you get). I'm still debating whether to get the iPod Integration added. It was not available when I originally ordered. My dealer says it will be somewhere around $625.

 

One nice thing about the ipod adapter is the ease of selecting things by using the joystick, rather than the ipod interface. It's much easier to use the joystick while driving than the (more sensitive) ipod itself. Also, I like the hidden factor of the ipod, which is a very nice, clean interface vs having wires hanging out. It's all a personal choice.

 

It will cost more a fair amount more to have it done at the dealer. I personally like my iPod interface. I don't have the NAV so I only get a 2 line screen with play list information but I really like the clean install factor. No cables showing or cigarette lighter chargers.

The interface is much different than the Gen! MINI interface. No special play lists needed.

 

My question is how easy it easy it is to do a diy install into the aux jack. I don't use my iPod much but on long trips I love to play podcasts of my favorites, Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, Buzz Out Loud, The American Life, and of course WhiteRoofRadio. I just want a cable that can plug into the back to route through the speakers.

I don't need control on the steering wheel. These episodes are so long I don't need to change often, nor will I listen to them in random order and won't need to shuffle through the songs.

Isn't there a $30 cable that will fit the bill?

 

Two options -- mini-jack to mini-jack will work ($9 or cheaper)
Or, get a cable that goes from the dock point to a mini-jack. I think Belkin makes one, monster makes one, etc. Lots of options out there.

 

$13

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

 

where's the input mini jack? Back of the head unit, radio face? I am sorry I haven't even seen my car yet and I'm asking all these silly questions.

 

R56: Under the toggles in the center storage area

 

Yep, this works great:
http://www.provantage.com/cables-go-35508~7CBTY00H.htm