Great site! I am so glad I found a group of people who love Minis as much as I do. I think I may be addicited. eek.

Question: Has anyone heard any news about the hands-free phone system? When will it be available? Cost? Will it work with all cell phones? I cannot wait for this, as it's very difficult to motor, shift, and hold a cell phone at the same time. Although I have gotten pretty good at a left handed phone hold on my right ear.
[img]null[/img]

 

I asked MINI USA the same question... they e-mailed me that MINI has no plans for an onboard cell phone interface. My dealer told me that a MIC was already installed next to the sunroof switch, the oval slotted one. I haven't take the grill off to see if a MIC is installed or not. He also said that the phone interface could mute the radio and used the speaker system. SO.... at this point I don't know who is correct. Anyone else know??? This would sure be a great option... Paul

 

Well I don't know who you spoke with at MINI USA, but let's hope that they don't know what they are talking about. It would be sad to hear that. There is already an OEM released detailing how to install a hands-free cell phone package that would mute your radio and the callers would come through the speakers. My dealer told me the same thing about the mic. I doubt if there is a mic in there, but it would be interesting to find out. It might be added after you make the purchase of the package. Hmmm....

 

i have taken off that slotted pannel and there is nothing under there...it looks like you could put a mic or something in there....im gonna use it for switches for my neons

 

There is already an OEM released detailing how to install a hands-free cell phone package that would mute your radio and the callers would come through the speakers.


I saw those instructions a while back. I recall that Semins and Ericcson were the named systems. I wonder if you could go directly to those companies for a kit? However even if you could get the hardware, you will need to find a cell phone service to support it.

 

>>I saw those instructions a while back. I recall that Semins and Ericcson were the named systems. I wonder if you could go directly to those companies for a kit? However even if you could get the hardware, you will need to find a cell phone service to support it.
>>

Yeah I read that too. It would be a shame that the system would be set up for only those phones. I have an LG, and do not want to buy a new phone for a car system. hmm....

 

From what my dealer told me, no built-in, handsfree phone is slated for the near future.

A possible alternative may be the SonyEricsson T68 series phones. I bought a SonyEricsson T68 phone earlier this year and love it. The voice dialing feature is especially handy when using a manual transmission.

However, the best feature of the phone, in my opinion, is the Bluetooth technology built into it. You can add a Bluetooth enabled wireless headset which works within approximately 30 feet of the phone. The headset is small and sylish (like a Mini ).

I have seen the headset from SonyEricsson on sale for $180, but Jabra makes one that is $99 and works with the T68 series (note: you may lose some features if you don't get the SonyEricsson headset). Amazon may still be selling the T68i (newest version of the T68) for free after discount, though you may need to sign up for a plan. SonyEriccson is also planning to soon relaese a new phone, the P800, with the same features of the T68s but with more PDA features and larger screen (Check out the website).

I am waiting a few weeks until I get my Mini and then intend to pick up the SonyEricsson headset. I will report my thoughts then.

 

Last weekend I installed the new Sony Ericcson HCB-30 Bluetooth hands free kit into my MCS. I'm using it with my t68i and the only thing I havent been able to get working is the stereo mute. The sony docs stink and I've wired it up to the stereo as mentioned on mini2 posts with other kinds of car kits.

It's a pretty nice. I can leave the phone in my pocket and as soon as I turn on power to the MCS the phone pairs with the car kit and all calls ring through on the hands free system.

If anyone is wondering I bought it from http://www.expansys.com I've emailed them because I'm trying to find out what the electrical properties of the mute wire are. I couldn't detect a voltage or a change on the mute wire so either my mute wire is faulty or I'm missing something.

I tried sticking the mic into the grill by the sun roof controls but it seemed to block too much of the mic reception. So I just stuck it outside next the the little microphone grill.

Voice dialing is a little hit or miss. So if anyone else has installed this kit or installs it let me know if you got you're mute wire working and if it has +12 volts across it when not in use and droped to 0 in use. Or the opposite, or what signal it provides.

Jon M.

 

Just got my MCS on friday. The dealer here in germany said it is the first with the HK with CD player/rain sensing windshield/auto dimming rear mirror...wya cool..dealer showed me in the owners manual where it pre-wired for a hands free cellphone only avail in the states...also said there is a middle button on the back left side of the steering wheel for it..Also showedme that the glovebox has a cooling function like the BMW 7 series...I have had a steady stream of germans walking by my house looking at. it ..Driving is fun again...

 

My dealer told me the slotted thing near the sunroof is where the sunroof switch would be if we were driving an overseas car. I also have navigation which also has a "dead" button for overseas use.

 

I own a Motorola V60i and I bought the 98413 Retractable Self-Install Hands Free Car Kit.
Price-$99.99 on the Mororola Web Site
I put in in front of the hand brake, in the middle and it does the job. I plug in my phone
pull the mike out and attach to the seatbelt and just put the phone on the passenger seat.
I don't need another cell phone account, I can use the phone I have
and if I change phones in the future, it will work with other Motorola phones.
I am waiting for Bluetooth to be a little more common..and for Verizon to have
a phone to sipport it, so I can use iSync on my Mac. But I can't switch providers
don't want to change my phone #!!

 

I use a Motorola cell phone and bought the hands free system that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I ran the mic wire over to the roof line right above my head and I used a small sticky plate to hang the phone on the dash right next to the right hand side of the steering wheel. The phone is secure on the dash and the hands free speaker is almost invisible under the toogle swithches. It works really well and you can move it from car to car. Good luck and happy motoring.

 

The iPAQ (when available in the States) will have the hands free phone option (a monthly service fee as well) but since it will be detachable I will definitely trade in my Cassiopeia for it.

_________________
PDX_MINI: 2003 MCS CR&W Sport/Cold/Premium packages, 17" All season