I just picked up my 08 MCS equipped with bluetooth and USB. When i asked my MA for the ipod cable that hooks the ipod to the USB/aux he looked at me like a deer caught in the headlights. He had no idea what i was talking about and said i could get a cable at radioshack, but he was referring to a 1/8 inch to 1/8 inch cable.
I have read posts saying that the cable was in the glovebox when they took delivery of their car.
I was just wondering how many people received this cable when they bought their 2008?

 

IS it possible the other posters, were infact referring to the IPOD interface that is hardwired into the stereo? Since the USB port is new for 2008, I am not sure how many folks have gotten into their new 2008's. I have an inegrated IPOD cable in my 2007 in the secret compartment.

 

No, the post was in a first gear thread for the same production week as my vehicle. He said the cable was just sitting in their, not connected, and that he used the usb slot near the aux slot.
I think i saw one of the cables at a mini customization shop i visited, a delivery of parts from bmw mini arrived when i was there. I peeked at the parts and saw a cable with ipod connector on one end and usb/1/8inch on the other end.

 

I would not expect an iPod-USB cable to be included. In the UK, the USB cable must be purchased separately for £40. I would guess that the US price will be close to $100. It seems to have gone through some revisions, and the current part number is 61120440812.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...ction-how.html

 

when I bought my i-pod, it came with a usb-ipod cable. I bought an extra one for about 20 bucks at best buy. Not an expensive part.

 

rkw, That is the exact cable i saw, and thanks for the post now i can give my MA the part number to order me one.

 

The cable was in the glove box when I picked up my car this past weekend. It's an '08 MCS w/ bluetooth pkg. The cable has an iPod adapter on one end and 3.5mm and USB port on the other end.

Works great with my iPhone.

 

I got mine a week and a half ago and it didn't come with a cable. Granted I don't have the blue tooth either, I would guess the cable you're talking about is meant for iphones but oh well. Find out the price for the one they'd order you, I'm guessing it'll be freaking expensive and you could get one for much cheaper on ebay or radio shack or best buy.

 

I'm pleasantly surprised. Bluetooth, iPod integration, and MP3 USB player make the package a pretty good deal.

 

I know its not a MINI but when I recieved my 08 335, it did come with that cable. And it was just sitting in the center console area. You would think they should all come that way. Definitely something to check into

 

I just called my MA, he has the cable. It is at the dealer and he said i can come down and pick it up. They are suppose to come with the car it was just misplaced, I'm guessing since i had the first 2008 they had seen they didnt know it was suppose to be included. If anyone else has the bluetooth package and did not receive your cable call your MA.

 

does anyone with an 2008 know if the usb port will charge mp3 players/ipod?

my bf and I each ordered 08 MCSs with the bluetooth/usb and hope this is the case....

 

Hmmm I'm getting the in-the-secret-compartment iPod interface installed in my Week 2 '08 MCS. Wonder if I'll get this one too... and I wonder what happens if you plug in both...

 

It does not seem to charge the iPod which is weird. My iPod lost battery power today. It does give out enough power if you plug in a thumb drive, and reads the thumb drive perfectly.

 

I'm not sure about plugging in both, but the ipod interface in the secret compartment was routed as a cd changer in the 07 model. When the usb/aux cable is plugged in on mine it shows another menu option which is iPod

 

Is the iPod menu from the USB port labeled appropriately? (Artists, Playlists, etc) I heard the other way is just cd1, cd2, etc.

 

Wow that would be really too bad. Kind of defeats one of the purposes of having the USB.

 

From the USB the ipod labels are correct. You can choose artist, genre, albums, playlists from the main menu. Then the sub menus are displayed appropriately. There is also a random and line level option from the main menu. You can turn up the level (loudness) the ipod sends to the aux jack.
EX. If you choose playlist you will then see list of songs. If you choose album then the album names will be displayed. If you choose genre then it lists genre after choosing the genre you want it shows you an artist list, after that it will show you albums, then it will show songs in the album chosen.

The menu is very similiar to generation 3 ipods. Before podcasts were popular a podcast would just show up as a genre and not have a seperate category from the main menu. Same goes for audiobooks. The mini display follows this scheme.
I just did some more testing and the charging issue is even weirder than i thought. When the iPod is playing there is no charging taking place, then if i switch to cd the ipod starts charging. The worst part is the screen stays lit when the ipod is playing, and as you all know this makes the battery last for less time.

EDIT : I have the iPod classic, firmware 1.0.3 macintosh formatted. I have not tested any other models of ipods.

 

Wow that is all weird. What would happen if you set the iPod backlight pref to off? Since you really don't need it on anyway.
I wonder if with the regular iPod adapter the screen stays on. Can someone answer this who has one?

 

If the '08 is similar to the '07 MINI, you have to purchase the I-Pod Integration pkg to get the hookup. Or, pay extra for a 'regular' connection cable.

 

I tried turning off the backlight and it still turns on when connected to car. The only thing i can do is turn the brightness all the way down, to conserve power.

I'm putting some pics in my gallery if anyone wants to see the cable and menu. Sorry in advance for the low quality it was with my cell phone.

Edit :

 

Mikeythemini reported the same problems, which apparently happen with the new generation iPods (not the older ones), and even happen with the dedicated iPod adapter option. He didn't post any resolution. The Apple website says iPod may not charge if the USB is low powered.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...ml#post3236130

 

The USB port charges my iPhone when plugged-in.

 

While the iPhone is turned on?

 

In general, I think The iPhone must be on in order to charge. Anytime I plug mine into a dock when it is off, it boots up.