I didn't want the center armrest @ first after all the complaints I heard, but I had to take it [order it & paid for it] at a cost of $500 add'l to get the Comfort Bluetooth w/USB iPod adapter upgrade to the $1250 Convenience Package.... also decided to take it as I could buy a cradle normally only sold in Europe for my phone, thus use Bluetooth & charge the phone.

...however, I didn't get the armrest (nor wiring for my special phone cradle of course)! It is being handled by the dealership so I'm chill. I'll be fine if it's taken care of next week.

Anyone else not get something ordered & paid-for?

 

I should hope not. I went over my car with the list I had and made sure I had every single option I paid for. I did get one small bonus that I didn't pay for. I got the wheel locks for free.

Dealer was lucky nothing was missing because I was already pissed about the huge gouge on the steering wheel hub near the MINI logo that they completely ignored and was blatantly obvious. I would have refused the car and made them order a new one if they missed a big item.

 

Maybe the factory center armrest guy is the same guy who installed two different colored door armrests in my car. Too many pints at lunch maybe?

 

In the USA, you don't have to get the armrest to get the Bluetooth/USB iPod connection. The only thing the armest adds is the ability to buy a $140 cradle to connect some phones to charging and antenna. You can get a cigarette lighter charger for very little. So you are paying over $600 for a phone antenna. The iPod doesn't go in the armrest, anyway.

 

Nope, I bought my car on the lot so what I saw is what I got. Just make sure the dealer does the wiring for the armrest right (the armrest itself is a 2 bolt install) so your sleeve fits in there right. The sleeve itself should just snap in with no tools to charge the phone. The antenna won't connect to most phones that have a sleeve, so you'll never know if that wires up, but if it charges that should be OK. The only cool armest feature is the 09 one for the iPhone that lets you store it there and play the music from there/charge it. I like that. Far cry from the old $700 iPod integration cable/software upgrade for the 07s. That didn't go over too well with some people.

 

Except that we don't yet know whether it works with the new 3G iPone, which may have a different connector.

 

same connector but different profile so the cradle for the old iphone may not fit.

 

You did have them replace it correct?
The MINI logo was pulled up on one side and they told me that they couldn't replace just the logo that it would have to be the entire airbag system.
So the entire steering wheel airbag system was replaced and I have a nice new MINI logo.
I could not for the life of me understand why BMW would design it in such a way that they have to replace the whole thing just for the logo.

Remember, you paid for new so you should have new.

 

I wanted the center armrest which came with the Convenience Package along with the USB/iPod hookup. I drove a MINI without it and kept reaching for it. I also did the cradle. I've got enough other stuff (like my GPS and Radar Detector)to plug into the SINGLE power take-off in the front of the MINI.

And, Robin, FWIW, I paid $79.00 for the cradle from Classic MINI. Not bad considering Verizon wanted $25.99 for the car charger. Now I've got a built-in phone charger, boosted phone antenae and a place to put the phone and my arm. Good deal in my book.

 

yep, they had to replace the whole airbag module. but they had to wait for parts (3days) so I got a courtesy car (MC) for 6 days (they also had to fix paint chips on the rear bumper). I wouldn't have accepted anything but new!

 

Ordered it but didn't get it or pay for it - checkered door handles. Bimini has checkered dash, fabric, mirror caps, and will soon have some artwork with checkers (details are currently classified Top Secret). So I naturally wanted the checkered door handles. We ordered them, but about halfway through the cruise my MA called and said sorry. Normally the checkered mirror caps and door handles are dealer installed items. But I have Comfort Access and they don't yet make checker handles with the entry button. So he had to delete them from the price.

 

Without the factory installed armrest, it is less parts needed to install the usually preferred Euro Armrest.

 

Call me kookie.... I know. But I sprung for it. The Nokia 6310i is to go in the armrest, which MINI nor BMW won't confirm works, but folks on NAM do, and I have the cradle already.

I asked the dealer to give me a credit [so I could buy the Euro Armrest & cables myself] but they had their ears off every time I said it.

 

Edit: Ah, I see covered already. Otherwise, here's a link to a post in the "Bluetooth Compatability" thread that it connects & syncs... (and others)
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...10#post2360365
...regarding bluetooth only I realize now; you were asking about the cable. Gotchya.

 

center armrest is one of the lamest features on these cars, and waay overpriced. I accomplished the same with a $7.99 15 cd jewel case from Target that fits perfectly atop my parking brake handle 'tween the seats. at least on my former r53. I hope it fits in r56.

 

Are you talking about using a CD case rack as a substitute for an armrest? Does it have a padded top? How do you attach it? Are your CD's visible to the outside?

Anyway, I'm not sure what I would put in the rack since I keep all my music on an iPod now.

 

To each his own, I love my armrest and am waiting for the 3G cradle to put in it. No way would I leave CD cases or a CD rack visible in my car. It would be broken into pronto.

 

Totally agree about the armrest. Tend to think your right about the CD rack, too.

 

Test drove a car without the armrest and it was very uncomfortable for me. An armrest is a non-negotiable option for me.

 

mine showed up without the armrest - yet armrest was on the window sticker. Just had them take the price of the armrest off and I was ok. I didn't really need the arm rest anyway.

 

Same!

 

+1

 

I test drove a JCW without the armrest and was too busy rowing gears to notice.

 

I have the Redwood Red Lounge Leather and was expecting the interior door panels/rear seat side panels to be red as well. At delivery, we were surprised to find that the panels were all black! My MA thinks this was a factory mistake and he's trying to contact someone at Mini for an answer. I like the black panels better anyway ...

 

I didn't get a decent alarm.
The factory alarm is crap.
Beat on the window or shake the car...no alarm.
That's correct, according to the dealer.

Any 6 speed owners wanting armrests?
I'd think the automatic owners would want it.