Hey everyone,

If you have the Navigation system in your MINI, you are probably like me in that you love gadgets, both in and out of your car. I just received my MINI last week, and already I'm wishing that some of the non-USA OEM options were available here.

I thought I would start a discussion thread on this, in an attempt to gather any information available into one place. Official part numbers are the primary goal, with which it's a little easier to hunt down and order the parts, even if it is done internationally. I'm not interested in aftermarket solutions at this point, so please keep replies to OEM MINI and/or BMW parts.

The four biggest "gadgets" I've been looking for are:

* MINI Onboard camera system for the Navigation system (actually counts as two gadgets if you separate the front & rear cameras)
* TV tuner option for Navigation system
* MINI Power Folding Mirrors
* MINI Bluetooth system that uses steering wheel buttons

I have already found the following links on MotoringFile for the camera, mirrors and Bluetooth:

The MINI On Board Camera System
Official MINI Rear Camera Retrofit Kit
MINI Power Folding Mirrors
Attack of the Electronic Folding Mirrors!
New Bluetooth Kit Comes to the US

I don't have any links on a TV tuner for Navigation system, except that I know the Nav system is EXACTLY the same as the BMW model, and they have an official TV Tuner module... so that should work in MINIs too, right?

Does anyone else have any useful information or links to share on these or any other "cool" OEM MINI non-USA add-ons?

 

I love gadgets!

 

The Rear Camera would be so awesome

 

I've actually had one of the "offical" (or OEM) rear-view camera kits for the MINI's nav system for quite a while now (about six months - I had it sent over from Germany for my first MINI which turned out to be a lemon). However, I haven't had a car to install it on until now (i.e. the replacement MINI). I'll take some photos and do a small write up once I put it in.

I'm a bit of a gadget guy too...

 

Come on then - post the part numbers and purchase source! I'll update the first post with the new info!

 

Hi Edge,

Actually, the part numbers are given in the rear camera retrofit installation instructions PDF that can be downloaded from Motoringfile via the link you provided above (and also in the comments section as well). Here they are again though:

66 21 0 392 370 - Reversing camera retrofit kit
66 21 0 303 085 - Retrofit kit extras (aditional switchbox kit)

The prices are around 530 Euros for the reversing camera retrofit kit and arund 242 Euros for the additional switchbox kit (Ouch! ). I purchased the kit from a BMW/MINI dealer in Germany named "Rumphorst AHG mbH".

I plan on taking photos and doing a brief Motoringfile write-up of the installation just as soon as I can.

I hope this helps some...

EDIT (03/28/05): The part number for the front-view (split screen) camera is:

66 21 0 392 371

NOTE: Only one additional switchbox kit is required even if you are going to be using both the front-view and rear-view cameras at the same time (as they both share the one switchbox).

 

Sounds good - I saw those part numbers in the PDF, but I was concerned about the additional switchbox kit (didn't realize the other part number given WAS the additional kit), AND the "handle strip seal N", for which there is no part number listed at all?

Have you taken that into consideration? And, do you know what "EPC" is when they say "see EPC for part number and documentation/details"?

Also, would you expect that a USA MINI dealer can install the kit, using the retrofit PDF? Reason being, I am not handy with interior stuff like that, a fact proven when I could barely get 1/3 of the way to installing Ian Cull's auto-up circuit yesterday. (In my own defense, I do have a 2005 and the auxiliary gauges, which makes it much tougher)

 

Electronic Parts Catalog

It's the computer system the parts and service departments use. Part numbers, diagrams, and instructions are available through the EPC.

 

Hi Edge,

I didn't bother ordering the "handle strip seal" as I don't think that it will be needed (since my car is brand new and so I should be able to reuse the existing one). If it is required, then I'm sure that I can get it from a local MINI dealer without a problem.

As for a USA MINI dealer installing the kit, I'd imagine that they could/would (if you find an accommodating one). Although, it would probably cost an arm and a leg since their labor rates are so high. I'm planning on installing the kit myself as the installation doesn't look bad at all. If you're not good with interior installs, then I think that you'd be better off just having a good stereo shop do the install for you as it would probably cost a lot less. The installation instructions are pretty good and so it shouldn't be a problem for them to do the install for you I'd imagine.

 

Do you think it is applicable/adaptable to the convertible?

 

The official MINI rear-view (and front-view) camera retrofit kit will work on any 2002-2005 MINI with the factory nav system installed. It doesn't matter if it's a regular Cooper, a Cooper S, a convertible, or a hardtop. It also doesn't matter if the nav system is DVD-based (MKIV) or CD-based (MKIII).

BTW, I've now installed the rear-view camera in my own MINI and it's AWESOME! Look for a small write-up about it (including photos) to appear on Motoringfile.com any time now.

EDIT (03/29/05): I believe that the nav computer on the convertibles is under the driver's seat (as opposed to being under the passenger's seat on the hardtops). Thus, you'll simply need to route the wiring harness for the rear-view camera down the opposite side of the car than indicated in the installation instructions. It will work just fine though.

 

I am wondering if the rear camera kit can coexist with the Nav-TV system. To me, the rear camera makes more sense than the usual PDC in cars that have Nav. Yeah, the stuff is rather pricey, but the integration and seamless operation can't be beat.

 

OfficeMaven,

That's AWESOME! I definitely look forward to your write-up... and thanks for the updated info on the forward camera - are you considering adding that as well?

I'm so glad to know that this whole setup IS feasible - I'm going to have to track down those parts from your source, and order my own set.

 

Most of these are only semi-OEM. They use aftermarket parts to adapt OEM parts.

StealthOne:http://www.jaricdesign.com/products.htm makes an interface that places the remote display for Valentine One radar detector into the NAV screen of the MINI.

umnitza: http://www.umnitza.com/product_info....roducts_id=160 sells a remote Valentine One display that is hidden in the rear view mirror. They don't specifically list MINI, but since the mirrors are made to order they might be able to make one.

LG recently showed a Bluetooth rear view mirror: http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=1139 which displays the caller ID information. Have not seen a release date yet.

Some of the newest BMW radios can display the Sirius satellite radio information in the NAV screen. Don't know if this can be adapted to the MINI system.

 

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't. For the MINI rear-view camera retrofit kit, you simply unplug the current wiring harness from the nav computer (under the passenger seat in the hardtop and the driver's seat in the convertible I believe), and piggyback on the new switchbox. There isn't any cutting of the existing factory wiring etc. It's a very clean install.

Thus, no matter how the Nav-TV system connects in, it should still be able to work with the OEM rear-view cammera. However, I believe that the Nav-TV folks also offer their own rear view camera for use with their system. If so, that may be a cheaper way to go. The only thing I would question is how it would be mounted/integrated into the back of the MINI. The OEM system is very clean. It installs into the handle strip on the back of the MINI. It comes with a new boot opening button so that you can still access the boot, etc. Here's a shot of what it looks like on my car:




BTW, for those interested, the small write-up is now available on Motoringfile web site here:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/..._camera_review

 

Hi Edge,

The small write-up is now available on Motoringfile.com here:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/..._camera_review

As for the front-view camera... It's very cool as it is a split view. The camera is like a pyramid (with lenses on two sides) and so it shows you both a left-front and a right-front view of the car at the same time (the nav display is split and one image is shown on each side of the split screen). This allows you to look around corners, etc.

However, I doubt that I'll be installing it any time soon as I don't think that I'd find it as useful as the reverse camera. I've always wanted a rear-view camera in my car, but I never knew a front-view camer even existed. Besides that, I think that my wife will absolutely kill me if I spend any more money on my MINI.

The OEM rear-view camera setup is indeed feasible and it's actually quite easy to install as well. It's time consuming, but easy. The hardest part is notching out the handle strip (to fit in the camera) and routing the wiring harness to the nav computer under the front seat. The installation instructions are spot-on and so you won't have any trouble installing it at all.

I've provided the address/number to the MINI/BMW dealership where I got the camera from in Germany in the write-up. The parts guy (Lars) speaks English and so you can communicate with him even if you don't speak any German.

 

I see that the rear view camera switches on automatically when the car is put in reverse. Is there a function that allows you to switch it on at will? You know, when you want to check out what dead bugs are on the grill of the guy who's tailgating you...

 

The front-view camera actually comes with a button allowing you to turn it on/off upon demand. The rear-view camera (as you mentioned) turns on and off automatically when you put the MINI into/out of reverse. However, you could easily hook up an external button/switch allowing you to turn on the rear-view camera on-demand if you wanted to do so. The switch wire for activating the camera simply senses the positive voltage going to one of the reverse lights in the car. All you would need to do is extend the wire up to the front of the car and then send a 12v signal to it via a switch. No problem at all.

 

That's very cool TheOfficeMaven!! Now the question I'd like answered is---is there a VIDEO OUTPUT anywhere?? Can you record what the camera is seeing?

Richard

 

Richard,

There's not a specific video out addapter, but looking at the wiring diagram in the rear-view camera installation PDF, there is a video + and a video - output on the control module and on the switchbox. Thus, I'm sure that you could tap into that feed and send the camera signal to a video recorder if you wanted to.

 

that must be the coolest gadget for the Mini..
I want one.. but don't have nav. do you think it'll work on an aftermarket DVD screen?

 

VoiD,

I'm not 100% sure. However, if you just purchased the camera part of the kit (and not the additional switchbox kit), I'd bet good money that it could be made to work quite easily. The camera simply has four wires coming out of the back of it. I'd guess that they are Video +, Video -, a hot, and a ground. Thus, I would think that you could hook it up to any DVD screen that will accept an auxilliary video input.

 

KevinR,

Thanks for the additional info - I had already planned on having a V1 integrated somehow into my MINI - I have it in my other car (95 Mustang GT) and most definitely miss it in the MINI. The StealthOne installations are very impressive, although I would miss the big red arrows from the official V1 remote display. Clearly more thought has to be put into this...

OfficeMaven,

GREAT write-up! You've only renewed my interest in doing this (including the front cam), and I'll have to pursue it soon... although I suspect I am not as handy with car installation stuff as you are, and I may end up paying the dealer to integrate it for me. Are you SURE you don't want to get the front camera too? (hint, hint)

 

Hi Edge,

If you lived in Southern California I'd be more than happy to help you with the install. However, it's too far of a drive for me to go to Virginia I'm afraid.

BTW, the front camera doesn't look to be that difficult of an install either. I have a printed set of the installation instructions for the front camera as well. The only problem is that they're in German. However, based on the photos (and the similarities to the rear-view camera), it looks no harder to install than the rear one was (i.e. easy, but time consuming). The hardest part appears to be running the wiring harness through the grommet in the firewall. I had to do this for the aux gauges I installed and it's a bit of a pain, but totally doable.

 

would love a set of electric folding mirrors, but i would need pictures and instructions.