Can Bluetooth be added to a Mini or is there an after market solution that can be used? I have a '09 "S" with the Multi Function Steering Wheel.

 

short answer is yes. There are several options to use the MFSW for this. You can get more info searching here for MFSW and bluetooth etc.

I went with a Parrot cv3000k unit. They have many options depending on what you want to accomplish.

For me, this unit + my iphone allowed me to use voice commands and dial or hang up from the MFSW.

In addition I bought a custom exact fit wire harness from newministuff.com. Mikey, makes a great plug n play interface that connects car harness to parrot then parrot to radio headunit and bingo, you are in business.

 

05r50,

Thanks for the reply! Doesn't the parrot cv3000k already come with a custom fit harness? I must not be understanding what you did. Would you mind going into a little more detail?

Thanks...

 

Sure no problem.

The Parrot harness has a plug harness on one end and loose wire on the other. You need to no which wires to tap into on the car.

With the harness from newministuff.com I didn't have to do this, just plug it in and done. Maybe these pics help. The blue box is the parrot and the silver box is part of what you get from newministuff.com


http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwHTDKV

 

I think the one from MINI is $400 part and install. It has been awhile since I have looked into it.

 

another option is dice electronics media bridge. It plugs in to where your cd changer would be. Complete kit less cradle. I am happy with mine. Easy install.

 

When I looked into it for my '10 prices were around $1000. Parrot unit is definitely the way to go just because the price is so high. That said, the MINI setup is much nicer to use (on screen phone book, etc.)

 

Where do you guys keep coming up with these ridiculous prices. That is the 2nd time today I have read outrageous prices for parts and service.

http://www.shopminiusa.com/PRODUCT/5...CenterId=46778

 

Guys...

Does the parrot use the radio to show the phone numbers etc. like the OEM Bluetooth or does it just use the speakers?



...

Advice to people that are going to order their new mini.... go over the options offered very carefully and make sure that you get what you want at order time! It's very expensive and almost impossible to add the features later!

 

+1

Also make sure that when you buy used that you can live without certain options also.

 

Not on my head unit. I have a 2005 and the headunit has a 1 line display. It will say "phone" when a call comes in. Since I am using a Iphone and I have phone mount that is in my line of sight I can see the callerID on the phone.

Now, if you want to skip the MFSW option, I think I saw a high end visor clip unit that synced your phonebook to the unit and would announce the caller. Maybe it was a jawbone. I can't recall for sure.

 

Your link shows $657.17 for the kit, installed. The kit also requires the BLUETOOTH CONTROL MODULE FOR MINI HARDTOP, MINI CLUBMAN AND MINI CONVERTIBLE which runs an additional $416.97 for the part. Totals just over $1000.

No phone numbers or other such info on the display. You can either dial using your phone or voice and/or send contacts from your phone to the module to store for voice dialing by name using the MFSW (if equipped).

If you go the Parrot route, definitely recommend the NewMiniStuff kit. Makes installation fairly painless and fully reversible. Wiring would have been a mess without it.

 

The
dice Mediabridge will show incoming phone numbers on your stereo, and allow you to voice dial using the button on the MFSW. It is an awesome unit for $250.

 

Try this one.
http://s3.motoringfile.com/wp-conten...578087307c.pdf

And the control module they speak of in the ad is to make sure that you have MSFW because if not you can not get the bluetooth.

 

Hmmm, my MINI has the MSFW (if that means the steering wheel with all the buttons on it). My only worry is that the bulletin says R56 built after 03/2007 and mine was built in 03/2007 so I might be out of luck on this

 

Talk to the stealership and see what they say.

 

The linked .PDF describes the control module as "Hands-free charging electronics", which doesn't sound like just the MFSW buttons, but it could be deceptive. All 2010s have the MFSW but both dealerships I talked to and got quotes from (neither of whom had actually ever performed the retrofit) seemed to agree that the control module would be needed.

That said, I never went through with the install (ended up just getting the Parrot kit instead, then traded in the car before I got around to upgrading to the OE bits) nor have I heard from anyone who had gotten the upgrade or a dealer who actually performed it.

Bottom line, I guess, is that whether you need the control module or not a OE retrofit is going to be considerably more expensive than the aftermarket solutions.