I was looking at the headliner of my mini the other day and saw what looks like a hands free mic attached to it. I've looked through my manual and can't tell if my mini has hands free capabilities or not...anyone know how I can tell? I've tried hooking my iphone to the radio iphone cord and it plays music just fine but I can't seem to get the phone audio to come through my speakers...any ideas?

 

It's probably an aftermarket mic. Where is the exact location? It would help if you post a photo. There is no standard "radio iphone cord" on an R53. Heck, the iPhone didn't even debut until 2007. You have an OEM or aftermarket iPod adapter. If the thing in the headliner is really a mic, you may have an aftermarket unit that combines bluetooth with iPod adapter. Again, photos may help to identify what you have.

 

I believe there are two things up there. One is the temp sensor and the other is the motion detector if you have the factory alarm.

 

If your talking about in the center of your headliner above the rear seat then that was for the ultra sonic sensor for the alarm install. There is also a place in the overhead console for a microphone install for the hands-free blue tooth kit. I don't know if its still available but honestly it never work very well. Everyone said ya sounded like you were talking thru a can lol.

 

My 2005 has the button on the steering wheel, but no microphone or cord behind the panel by the rear view mirror.

 

As soon as my wife gets back from having fun, I'll post a pic...now that we got the mini we always find a reason to be out running more errands! Thanks for the responses!

 

Yeah you don't have the kit installed then and honestly the phone button never worked. It was a production thing that never went into effect. The Bluetooth kit actually came with a microphone and a small controller on a bracket that installed on the driverside downtube next to the radio.

 

The location in the picture in the above post is where the micro phone goes if the kit is installed. It was a dealer installed option.

 

Its been so long since ive installed one I cant remember if it automatically switch over to the call or if you have to hit a button to switch to the call. But like I said the micro sound quality was very poor.

 

Ok here's the pic...(had a hard time uploading it from my ipad so I had to use my computer)...as you can see whatever it is it's above the clock. Any ideas?

 

Looks like you don't have the panoramic sunroof. That mic cover is standard as for the factory bluetooth prep.

Quick way to find out if you have the factory Bluetooth, which was a rare option back in the day.

Here is the cover in black for glass roofs. Part number 51447136033


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51447136033/ES115487/



&

Microphone Cover - Gray for non glass roofs part number 51447036783


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51447036783/ES115360/




Pop it of and check for the factory mic that was part of the Bluetooth kit.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/84318380319/ES201094/




If there is no factory bluetooth installed, there will not be a mic snapped into the back of the plastic mic cover.

Thanks hope that helps.

 

Thanks ECSTuning! I'll pop it out and see what's back there. Bluetooth would be nice! Thanks for the info

 

You are welcome,

Also you will see a keypad on the column next to the stereo , but I have seen people move these to other locations, another way to tell if you have factory Bluetooth.




Option 1 if you don't have factory bluetooth.

MINI Bluetooth Retrofit Kit W/ Button Interface ( simple version w/o center console / armrest snap in ) Part number 84110302897

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/84110302897/


Install instructions click here. To give you idea.


Options 2 :

Full factory bluetooth w/ the factory armrest and snap in adapter base. Shows for 1/2005+ , but I have installed it in earlier models.
Part number 84640404810


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/84640404810/ES201283/




You can see the large install thread and what user bradnic did on a great write up and install on the full kit , which is like the simple kit, but much move involved.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-retrofit.html

If you have the older style steering wheel ( two spoke style ) or newer ( threes spoke style ) and no phone button you use that separate column mounted key pad.


Thanks and hope that helps.

 

ECSTuning thanks for the help...after checking, it's just the mic cover. I'll certainly look into the aftermarket bluetooth kit! I just had my SC rebuilt and replaced it myself so this looks like a breeze in comparison. Thanks again!

 

Great,

Again glad I could help. The factory MINI Bluetooth kits were a rare option back in the day, so its was a shot in the dark you may have it, mostly because people did not even have a phone that had bluetooth back then.

Have a great weekend.