I test drove a 2020 4 door S signature today and I can’t figure out if it has CarPlay or not… which is frustrating since my 7 year old GTI has it.

Here’s the VIN WMWXU9C02L2M07908. I’ve checked various decoders etc… and couldn’t figure it out.


should not have CarPlay which strikes me as odd for a 2020 model… can it be retrofitted? I skimmed YouTube and saw there were some products that didn’t look too hard to install. But the amount I drive and how long I’ve had CarPlay… it’s a necessity.

Also, what designation is the 2020 S? Is it and F55? I’ve somewhat new to Mini, been a longtime VW guy. Thanks!

 

Hi - that is an F55.

Unfortunately, it does not have CarPlay and there’s no easy way to add it. It has the BIS headunit, which would require replacing the headunit and screen to add CarPlay.

Multimedia interfaces (or MMIs) aren’t an option with this headunit.

I have experience retrofitting different factory hardware into similarly equipped cars if you have any questions.

 

Thank you so much for the info. I was just in disbelief since my GTI has had factory CarPlay since 2016 and I really thought MINI being a BMW product would have it. Definitly a deal breaker for me considering how much I drive and use CarPlay. I loved the car but... c'est la vie. This is my 3rd attempt at MINI ownership over the years. It'll happen one day.

 

I've been searching for tons of MINIs out there and it is hard to tell which have CarPlay and which don't. I've seen some videos now where folks have installed a unit behind the headunit to get CarPlay without changing the whole headunit/screen. Some on the larger screen and some on the smaller screen. Is there a rule of thumb to tell me which headunit/system is in the car I'm shopping and if CarPlay can be retrofitted without exchanging the headunit? Example if it has NAV then it is X system which is compatible?

I'm thinking of going the retrofit route since inventory of factor carplay units is slim and quite expensive. Thank you for any advice.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...men-parts.html

NBT EVO (newest icons) vs NBT (older design icons)





You can see what you have in the information screen.

 

Thanks, ECS! I didn't realize you guys also did MINI stuff. This will be a smooth transition from VW!

 

Yep, we have more MINI stuff then anyone I know. Glad to help.

 

MINI has had CarPlay since 2017 that particular one didn't!!!
Not all VWs have CarPlay either.

 

cool your jets, boss. It’s great that mini had offered the feature for that long but it seems to be far more of a rarity than in the VWs. Basically every VW from 2016 onward offered CarPlay perhaps not in the lower trim level Jettas but that’s ok I was making a comparison based on my personal experience.


for your peace of mind I bought a cooper s with CarPlay last week and I’m happy as a clam. It was hard for a non-veteran mini customer like myself to learn the nuances of the multimedia offerings something it seems you take for granted. Thanks for having more experience and knowledge with the brand and snapping at me for not knowing. You’re a peach.

 

I ran into the same issue when buying my car. XM was rare...CarPlay was rare....etc....And then Carplay is only half the screen (fixed that issue...thank you Bimmercode and sb).

The cars were intended to be quirky, so is finding one.

 

I love the thrill of the hunt and coming to a resource like this to learn the nuances. It takes time to learn a new brand but that’s half the fun.

 

I think you need to rethink your response to me, I was only stating fact. Not snapping.

 

 

Three exclamations and a curt, short reply tells me otherwise. Nothing for me to re-think, boss. Take a look at how you type... put yourself in the other person's shoes. Someone just looking for info, and a confessed newbie.