Hi, what is the purpose of the jack/connector in the armrest? All I have is a dummy plastic tray that snaps into place. When I ordered MINI Connected I had no choice but to add the armrest. It holds my sunglasses nicely. I'd like to use it to dock and stow away my iPhone 5. I'm currently using the plastic iPhone holder (that doesn't fit it) to strap the phone to the rail. Has anyone had any luck with docking their iPhone 5 in the armrest?

 

When the C'man was introduced, there were a number of promises made for Connect, all of which required the mandatory optional arm rest and which also required an integrated iPhone holder that snaps in to replace the blank. I bought 3 versions (at $100 to $200 each) all of which were guar-an-teed to work with Connect. They don't. Mid-way through the fiasco, they issued a software upgrade that pretty much eliminated the phone dock - most everything can go through the cable now. I quit keeping track, so I don't know if they have an upgraded cradle for the i5. If they do, it pretty much is just going to be to charge the phone.

 

No cradle for the 5... 3 & 3s, 4 & 4s works fine obviously with the correct cradle for the correct physical size of the phone...... Been running the 4s for about 1 1/2 years now...and true...the connected software updates have probably hurt the cradle connection more than helped and visa versa for the Y cable. Plug-in does not work, but then again never did with the cradle, other than that..all the social media are there, google search, send to car, can control all your media through the cradle as well as album art, etc...
I switch from the cable to the cradle only cause I have it and went through trial and error to find the correct cradle. I do like that it's concealed so if you make a quick stop for milk or in celebration of the upcoming holiday, the liquor store your iphone is hidden and out of harm's way....But that does make for a very expensive ($250ish If I remember right) phone concealer One other thing it helps with, well at least in my case...it keeps your eyes away from the phone and on the road...as it's hidden. Office is finally coming alive...with calendars, emails...but again should be concentrating on the view out the windshield and not the screen........

 

Have you heard of anyone removing their armrest? Can it be done fairly easily by somebody who is not mechanically inclined? Also I would be curious if it leaves behind screw holes As I do not think that the rubber rail liner goes all the way back to the end of the rail; it stops at where the armrest is mounted...

 

Is there a snap-in that just provides a USB port that would recognize an iPhone? I wouldn't mind stashing my iPhone 5 there but right now I have no snap-in at all, and they don't yet make one for the iPhone 5 (supposedly coming before fall of this year... but yeesh, I'll probably have a new phone by the time it's out).

 

Nope, sorry :(

 

I have the same question. What can I do with this connector in the arm rest? It has a cover for it.

 

Yes, it can be and I have early on when finding the right cradle was an issue and wanted to see what it be w/o the armrest... If you have the snap-in mount in the armrest that accepts the cradle you will need to unplug that harness located under the rail. Other than that it's a matter of 4 bolts that secures the armrest through the rail and into part of the frame of the car. Your correct the rubber liner will be short, but you can slide it over the holes and leave part of the rail w/o holes exposed. I'm sure something equal to the mini rubber liner could be searched and purchased... Even you needed to replace with a whole new liner....I did eventually re- install the armrest .....mostly as my arm/elbow became lazy and needed it's resting place back... Actually installed a 2nd armrest in the rear rail for my passengers as an extra compartment for storage.....should still have pictures in my gallary if interested.........
Good luck

 

Keep the cover on to protect the connectors located in your 2nd picture....
Wouldn't want something gooey or sticky messing up the connections if you ever decide to purchase a cradle for a iPhone 4/4S........other than that it makes a great little storage compartment....

 

Hey fellas looks like iPhone5 support is coming soon.

iPhone 5 Adaptor

 

Just in time for the next new IPhone :-)

 

I wonder if my dealer will let me swap the cradle that came with my car for the iPhone 5 version. I'm sure these things aren't cheap.

 

Cam, I'm confused. Cradles don't come with the cars. They are $250 accessories.

 

I think they run about $150. My car hasn't arrived yet so hopefully they will let me choose the one I want. The part wasn't in their system yet and the parts guy said I should try back in a week or so.

 

Hi
Again. The car doesn't "come with a snap in adapter" it's a dealer installed accessory. Chose the one you want for $250.

 

It came with something to hold an iPhone 4... but maybe it's just for the rail, not for the armrest cradle.

 

There you go that's the difference. This thread is just about the snap in for the armrest for iphone5.
Thanks

 

It'll be interesting to see if the 5 cradle will come with some updates as far as mini connected app. Neither the 3's or the 4's currently give us everything the supplied Mini Y cable does. The soon to be released iOS 7 should have some nice updates if Mini takes advantage of them.... Would be nice to see some advances in office...emails

 

I just hope they come out with some sort of digital video adapter The only thing that has kept from updating my 2nd Gen iPad is that it is what I use for video.

 

I called my dealer and they said the iPhone5 dock was supposed to be available for order by North American dealers on 8/28...

 

Any news on the iPhone 5 arm-rest snap-in adaptor that BWM MINI was supposed to release in August?

 

Was at my dealership a week or so ago for service, while there stopped in at parts and nothing was in the system for a 5 cradle, not even a part #.....

 

There are part numbers now. I started a new thread to track if and when somebody is able to order one. You can find the part numbers for all three versions over there. The connected version is out in Europe, they are even available on ebay.uk. The parts department at my dealership was able to pull them up but they are not available for him to order yet and no eta when they might be.

 

did ya see my DIY?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lightning.html

 

I did see your post and I just might end up going that route. It would have been nice if they just tossed in another USB port in the armrest. My wife's Volvo has one and it seems like the right solution.