I remember when I got my MCS, some people were having problems with their cell phones and/or handheld radios causing problems with their windows and other remote controll units. Is this still a problem, or was it just withthe first cars? I have a 2003, and I have never had a problem, but I have only used the phone in the car once, and it was an emergency. Am I worrying needlessly?

Does the Bluetooth setup eliminate this problem? Does it have an external antenna? If not, Is there a MINI kit that does?

I know probably 90% of you use your phones in your cars, despite the sticker on the windshield that said not to. I'm trying to gague the numbers of problems.

I actually like having a good reason not to talk on my phone while driving, since most of the people who are driving like blind <insert nominative plural explitive of choice here> have a cell phone glued to their head, usually between us.

Anyway. Please respond. I'm planning a cross-country trip, and I need to know if I'm going to have to get the bluetooth or not.

THanks

_________________
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper 'S' Machine!

(G.I.R.)

 

There are no inherent problems with using cell phones in the MINI, but with that said…

HANG UP THE PHONE and drive.

 

>>There are no inherent problems with using cell phones in the MINI, but with that said…
>>
>>HANG UP THE PHONE and drive.
>>


I Agree!!!!

 

I was really asking about HARDWARE problems, not Driver error problems.

 

I have a 2003 MCS and my phone is always on. No problem.

Earl

 

Well this is kinda on the same subject. I Have noticed that my Nextel phone has alot of dead spots between major towns.

I got the phone for the walkie talkie feature when I lived in Ca as my son has one also. When my wife and I drove from Ca to Okla she had AT&T service and had a signal 95% of the trip. I had the Nextel phone and ONLY had a signal in the larger cities that we went through on I-40. The rest of the time, my phone had no signal.

My real concern is if I ever need to call for road service with the Nextel phone and I'm out between major cities I could be out of luck.

I think I will changing cell phone providers before the next road trip.

 

Several of us have Amateur Radio rigs in our Minis. Here is a a discussion with some more details. Theses radios run power levels hundreds of times higher than a cell phone and I know of no problems that have been found.

Of course Mini has a "thou shalt not radiate" notice on the car, but that's typical CYA legalise.

The biggest problem I have had is that the rear window defroster radiates some serious noise that clobbers frequencies from 10 MHz and up.

Tom

 

I try never to use my cell phone while driving unless it is a truly important/can't wait type of call. I use a handsfree Jabra earphone set because it is simply crazy to try to steer, shift and hold/talk on the phone all at the same time (I can do it but it is not a good idea). But even with a handsfree kit, you can get distracted...phone conversations make your mind wonder..a big no-no while driving.

I have used Motorola, Nokia and Samsung phones in both of my MINIs without a single problem, ever.

I think the radio interference sticker warning applies more to the addition of non-approved FCC devices or 'wacky' electrical type of installs or devices that may potentially interfere with the operation of not only your power windows and locks but your throttle by wire E-gas pedal system, which relays on an infrared signal to operate (Instead of a physical cable linked to the engine).

As long as you stay away from doing weird things to your car in the electrical system or bringing home made electrical/electronic devices, you should be just fine.

 

I believe that newer MINIs do support Bluetooth technology. I would say that if you can added to your MINI, that would be a fantastic idea. Let us know how it goes.

 

Welcome back Verruckt!

I remember this subject from nearly 2 years ago... There was never a technical problem with cell phones causing interference with any of the MINI's components. This was all rumor, instigated by (as Tom points out) the CYA sticker that BMW places on each of our windshields at delivery. That said, I'll say it again...Hang up and drive!

 

Close... There is a Bluetooth kit from MINI in the accessories catalog and should work in all models (2002 on up). However, unlike what was expected, it does not integrate with the MFSW, and even more annoying, IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE HK SYSTEM!!!!! There's no mention of this in the catalog, but on page one of the instructions it apparently states this. It's also quite expensive.

There are options however to get Bluetooth in your MINI, and do it for less than the MINI kit. Contact Mike at newministuff.com, he has a way to connect the Sony-Erikson HCB-30 car kit to MINI's. It's probably cheaper to get the kit here in the states, and just get the MINI (and if necessary phone specific) parts from Mike.

The Bluetooth kit DOES NOT include any external cell antennas, both the MINI kit and the Sony kit use the antenna's on the phone, the kits are merely interfaces to route the audio from the phone through your in car stereo system.

As for cell coverage, Nextell, T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless (GSM), and Cingular (GSM) are all pretty limited. AT&T Wireless's non-GSM network offers much more coverage. I don't know what Verizon uses... Sprint's PCS network offers coverage along most interstates once you get away from urban areas.

As more of AT&T Wireless's customers switch over to GSM (or worldband phones) you should see the GSM networks expand. AT&T Wireless has a pretty good infrastructure in place from the days of Analog service, while all of AT&T's towers are providing digital service, they're not all setup for GSM (it's expensive to upgrade to) plus I believe there are some differences in the range of GSM signals as opposed to PCS(CDMA/TDMA) signals from the original digital systems...