Ok, so I have spent the last hour or so reading about all the different options available for the Cooper. There seem to be a few popular ones; EAS for NAV, Parrot, OEM.

My question is really directed to EAS but its for any one who can answer:
What about us with OUT NAV? I would like to get Bluetooth capabilities in my car, but I do not want to spend $500+ to get it done. I have read many times that EAS was coming out with a system for the non-NAV, the posts were made months ago and they all say "within a week" or "we are testing next week" were are they?

I don't mean to sound disrespectful, if it did come off that way.

 

I am too waiting for the non-navi kit from EAS. But another forum sponsor offers a kit: http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=256

With the current exchange rate it should be under your $500 limit.

 

Yep, I have the Parrot EVo from Mikey and it works great. It does not use the nav at all but rather voice prompts. I recommend it.

 

I got the EVO kit from Mikey and found it to be really great as well. Easy to install (completely plug and play), so you can save a few bucks and install it yourself. With their NAM offer, it came out to just under $300 US after shipping.

 

so the NewMiniStuff.com one is the only aftermarket way?!?!

 

Yes. Of course there are plenty of aftermarket systems out there that will work with the MINI, but the newministuff.com one is the only one I know of that fully integrates with the stereo, steering wheel buttons and no NAV. You could probably make your own and save a few bucks using the correct EVO kit and Connects2 adapter, but it wouldn't be easy.

 

Sure there's other kits out there. But you'll probably have to deal with cutting and splicing if you want the unit to mute the stereo when you get a call. Then you'll have to deal with mounting a control pad. But the unit from New Mini Stuff utilizes the phone buttons on the 3 spoke steering wheel and it's a complete plug and play unit.

 

& with the current NAM offer you can save £15 $30

 

I too have heard nothing but good things about New Mini Stuff's products and service. But I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Parrot's MULTICAN interface for the CK3000 Evo? Its supposed to provide an interface with the MFSW and eliminate the need for a separate control pad. It has three modes of operation: Mode 1 no dedicated phone buttons just volume up and down and the seek buttons, Mode 2 one phone button and the volume buttons, Mode 3 is two dedicated phone buttons. Parrot explicitly states compatibility with the MINI.

The info I have found still leaves me with many questions though. I have a two spoke MFSW so Mode 2 would be ideal for me, but only if it could utilize the unused button on the back of the two spoke. That seems almost too good to be true though. Another thing makes me hesitant is that one web page says its compatible with 2003 and up MINIs and the PDF say 2005 and up. I have a 2002 I am not quite sure what's different. Maybe its the introduction of the 3 spoke wheel? I have a 2006 headunit if its a radio incompatibility but I kind of doubt that.

 

I'm using the Parrot 3200 LS and Mikey's harness. I can't use the MFSW, but I like having the display. I also used the tach mounting bracket, it looks great and was a snap to install.

 

Can you take a picture so I can see the install? Thanks!

 

Not sure on the parrot multican - have not used one - might order one so I can see what they are up to

 

I'm out of town today but will be re-united with Silver Bean Thursday evening. I'll get it posted late Thursday or Friday.

 

We've got you covered, we brought out the NAV kit earlier in January: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=90414



Not only did we add bluetooth to the MINI, we were able to integrate even more features:

- Voice Activated Dialing
- Phonebook Synchronization
- SMS Text Message Display (depending on carrier)
- Name Recognition
- Voice Activated Navigation (vehicles equipped with NAV)
- Digital Notepad

The NAV kit has been a huge success and we have our sights on the non-NAV applications as well. Rather than rush out a kit, we would prefer to test on a non-NAV MINI just for verification.

The non-NAV MINIs do not have phonebook display on the radio, so most control would be through the voice command system. I have a separate ID controller that would allow for text display as well as a Multi-Function controller for those without the MFSW.

If there is someone in the local to the Orange County, CA area that is interested in the system and is looking to be the first - contact me directly via email as we'll get you set up. This will definitely blow the doors off anything else on the market once seen in action.

 

Actually Tom, he was looking for a non-NAV solution that wouldn't set him back over 500 dollars like your system does.

 

Well that sounds interesting, but how much $$$ are we talking about?

 

I'd like to just perform an installation on a local vehicle just to verify, we we have a few enhancements we can offer with the package as well.

Offer is still out there for locals.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Motorola-IHF...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Here you go! I'm using Mikey's tach bracket.