OK, pile on if you want, and yes, I am the guy that calls IT helpdesk at work the second I can't figure something tech out. I picked up my new mini yesterday. Awsome in all respects. Except: I have the ipod/bluetooth option and my MA said that the sych up was really easy but that he was bad at tech stuff and didn't know how to do it. I was too giddy with euphoria at the prospect of finally motoring to recognize the absurdity of his statement. I have a blackberry which has to be an approved phone. The manual is no help to me (and does not seem to match what the car is telling me to do). So, is there any idiots guide to set up out there. I've searched to no avail.

 

There is a small pamphlet that comes with the owners manual that is specifically for BT devies. I set my Blackberry up yesterday without it as the prompts were pretty easy. IIRC the instructions told me when to turn on my phone and then enter the password (which is 1234).

Hope that helps.

 

greystone is correct. Most phones require a 4 digit password for the bluetooth so most people use 1234. The thing to note is that the MINI BT booklet has a error in that it says to use the single digit, 1. That is incorrect and it messed me up for a while.

Also, when you are instructed to enter the codes, make sure you enter the same code in the MINI BT system and your phone WITHIN 30 SECONDS or it will not sync.

 

There is also a second error in the MINI BT booklet.

Once you have synced your phone, depending on the phone, you may have to enter specific names/numbers to use the voice command system.

The error at the top of page 18 "Storing an Entry". The booklet says the command is "Store Name" and "Store Number". THIS IS WRONG. The CORRECT command is "Save Name" and "Save Number".

Amazingly stoopid error from our precise Germanic friends. It drove me crazy until I figured it out. Out of frustration, I said "Help" and the voice began reading the commands. That's how I discovered the error.

 

What confuses me if you have to make up the code, it doesn't generate it for you. Usually one end or the other comes up with a code you put in the other half of the pair, so I was staring at a screen saying "enter code" while the other end was doing nothing.

 

MINI gets a D- in my book for their BT instructions. There is really no excuse for stoopid errors like this. I called 800 MY MINI to let them know about the errors, but I got the feeling they really don't intend to do anything about it. Very stupid way to introduce yourself to your new MINI, IMO.