This is our 3rd mini we own now. I just traded my BMW Z4 for this mini. But I ran into some questions about the steering wheel controls. I have been searching the web and even went as far as driving to my mini dealer in the next state for answers. No clear answer yet. Hope you can help. Here are my concerns. I have controls on steering wheel and the radio and cruise control switches or controls work great. Now the phone control and speech button do nothing. I was told this is a programming issue since the phone control module are in the same module for the cruise control and did not get programmed into vehicle at factory by mistake. Other say you have to buy a module and have it programmed. Does anyone really know. I spoke to my service writer today and they had no idea. So again. If it is just a programming issue I will get that done. Don't see why mini would put controls on a car that do nothing. There are others who say it was a factory error that all it needs is programming to bring it to life but is a 2 hours process at dealership. Can someone answer this question. I appreciate any help. My other minis have the same controls and they all work just fine. So I am at my wits end.

 

You need the phone module. BMW and MINI equip all cars with the buttons even though they are inactive. Was the same story on both my 3 and 5 series cars.

 

Like above they will have the steering wheel buttons on the left hand side but they are not in use, as in prep for the Bluetooth retro fit.

There is a Bluetooth retrofit kit from MINI.

Production: 8/2007 - 8/2010

MINI Bluetooth Retrofit Kit Part number 65412152530

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/65412152530/ES1599517/


&

BMW / MINI ULF module. * Required for above retrofit kit Part # 84109229740

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES1906933/ES1906933/



And here is a thread that has a link for the install PDF and people who have installed it.


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


Thanks and hope that helps. Most likely you don't have the phone installed. If you do the phone can be accessed through the Menu , then turn the dial and will see the phone icon.

 

Thanks for the information. Before I spend 1200 with the dealership buying a ULF and retrofit kit I am going to purchase a Parrot 9200 which gives me handsfree,voice recognition and Ipod,Iphone,Usb,Display and other features. I spoke with the sales manager he wanted me to trade in the car I just got a couple of weeks ago. Now unless you have a endless supply of money this does not make sense. It is just bluetooth. I have already done so much to my little mini that I am not going to trade it in. Got to be crazy. Just for bluetooth. I thought the sales manager had lost his mind. I paid cash for my car so I owe nothing. I not going to get another car and have a payment even if it is 12 dollars a month just so I can have bluetooth. But I now know about the bluetooth Retrofit Kit and what a pain it is to do yourself. I don't want to pay the dealership a ton of money for something I thought was on the car. Bad choice for BMW to put steering wheel controls that do nothing. But I don't run BMW so they have to live with it as well as I do. I am going to go with the Parrot MKI 9200 with Display and I am going to put my display in a Mini Pod. Thanks. Still trying to find someone in the USA that is a Parrot Dealer that can sell me the parrot and the wiring harness and also the Mini Pod for the display unit. I know someone will know someone who has them. Don't want to send my money overseas.