I have had my 2007 MCS with Nav for just over 2 months. It was delivered with the Voice Control non-functional and Downtown MINI (Orlando) had to order the software fix before they could get it working and install my iPod adaptor. It finally came in and they loaded the new software last night. Voice control now works, iPod adaptor works (more on this later) and the bluetooth connect to my phone just fine.

Here is my problem...before the fix, my iPhone and the MINI worked great, even downloading the address book (Names & numbers). After the fix, it still connects and functions fine but the address book downloads garbage. The entire list is long strings of seemingly random numbers. This makes it impossible to call contacts from the MINI or display who is calling on incomming calls.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? I wanted to see if this was a known issue or some glitch with my car before I call the dealer.

The iPod adaptor works fine with an iPod but when I attach the iPhone, it will display the list of songs but no playlists or albums and it won't play any music. I haven't tried airplane mode yet to see if that works (as other have described).

Anyone?

 

Just a guess, but have you tried clearing the system of your ore-existing phone book entries and allowing it to resync fresh? It is possible that the new firmware is storing addresses in a different manner and that the onld ones have simply become corrupted with the new firmware install. I don't have my 07 MINI yet and so I can't say for sure, but I do believe that there is a way of deleting all address book entries from the system in one fell swoop.

 

After the update, I had to re-pair the phone as the system was reset by the update. It does look like a corrupt address book download but it reloads each time it reconnects and gives different random numbers.

 

You might want to call MINI USA. I was told that the address book remains resident in the Bluetooth ULF module, and is never deleted, unlike the Bluetooth implementation in BMW's.

My Treo 755p sends the address book on every start, and ultimately filled the MINI's memory, which corrupted the Bluetooth module, and rendered it inoperable. In my case, this process took about two months. This is a serious design defect, and MINI should advise buyers that this scenaro is possible, if you try to use any phone other than the antique phones that are on the "MINI Approved" list. The manual and the Nav screen in the Bluetooth section, simply says "For best results" use MINI approved phones.

FWIW, I don't remember seeing the IPhone on the "approved" list.

 

Actually, this looks like a problem with the software running on the Mini. Older 2007s work perfectly, while new ones have address books filled with garbage. If an older 2007 gets a software upgrade, the address book stops working. I've been talking to my dealer about this and they're totally clueless and don't offer any suggestions, which is pretty disappointing.

My only suggestion for now is, if yours works, *don't* let them upgrade your software because it will break and BWM seems uninterested in fixing it.

Here's a discussion on the Apple iPhone support forum: http://discussions.apple.com/thread....23624&tstart=0

 

To the original poster, the same thing happened to me, 2 mondays ago...

I'm told that MINI USA is aware of it. And an update won't be released until April 2008. Not sure how much truth is behind that statement, but my iPhone does the EXACT same thing

My suggestion: Look at your phone when you're getting an incoming call, if possible. Then use those results to decided if you want to answer or not.

Sorry :(

 

Well, that's really pushing me not to get the ipod interface, if the iPhone isn't even working correctly with it. Is anyone successfully using the iPhone (just the iPod part!) with the new software? I can live without the bluetooth pairing for now.

 

Am I missing something here??? The iPod interface has nothing to do with the Bluetooth package. I.e. if the iPhone doesn't work properly with the MINI's Bluetooth prep kit (as far as the address book feature goes anyway), that doesn't mean that it won't work properly with the iPod adapter. They're completely different animals.

 

I was referring to GLJones' original post at the top of the thread indicating his iPod adapter did not work well with his iPhone.

 

I think that the OP was lamenting that the software update necessary to install/enable the ipod interface, had the unintended consequence of trashing the bluetooth phonebook loading scheme.

 

Oops! My bad. Thanks for clarifying things for me guys.

The whole garbled phone book thing has me a bit concerned as well since we're just about to take delivery of our new 07 MINI (it's been stuck at the darn VDC for nearly two weeks now!) and it has both the iPod adapter and the Bluetooth prep.

I'm more than sure that MINI will fix the problems sooner or later. However, the problem lies with getting them to fix/update pre-existing cars. MINI's track record for doing this in the past is waaay below average (i.e. it's darn near impossible).

Seems like a LOT of money to be paying for (over priced) options that don't work as they should. Oy!

 

I have a 3 day-old 2007 Mini with the Nav system, the bluetooth option, and the dealer installed iPod harness. I also have an iPhone. The iPhone/bluetooth connection works almost flawlessly with the exception of the display of address book names on the Nav screen. In place of names, you'll just get a loooong string of numbers. Everything else works flawlessly. Incoming calls are displayed and fade the music, etc.

The iPod harness does not work with my iPhone (at least I've not gotten it to work thus far.

The iPod harness DOES work with my old 4G iPod Photo that I had in a drawer. This is actually a good thing as it has a 60GB drive and holds my entire music library. You can navigate the iPod via the Nav screen (although the software is a bit clunkier than the iPhone god knows). It does not interfere with the iPhone/bluetooth operation in any way.

So, with the exception of the address book coming in as garbage, it all works pretty much as advertised.

And IMHO, an April 2008 fix date for the address book is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I develop software for a living. Fixing a file delimiting problem - particularly one that *used* to work on the old version - should be extremely straightforward. GRRRRRRRR!!!!

 

Well, here is the definitive "you're screwed" answer I was afraid of, direct from MINI (see below). The upshot is that the iPhone is NOT on the approved phone list and they have no current plans to support it. My dealer indicated that it worked like a charm. Which it did. Until MINI issued the new software update this summer.

======================================
"Thanks for contacting MINI. I am sorry to hear of any problems you are experiencing with the Bluetooth in your MINI.

The iPhone has not been approved by MINI for use in the MINI Coopers. Unfortunately, we can't say whether this particular phone will be compatible in the coming months. The MINI Bluetooth system uses the standard BT Hands-free Profile (HFP 1.0) with additional commands implemented on top of the BT standard to transfer phonebook data from the phone to the car. This enables the user to access their phonebook and dial from the vehicle's communication center.

MINI is working with phone suppliers and carriers to implement the additional commands, however, this support is not based on business agreements and, therefore, MINI has little leverage to influence phone suppliers to include it. Phones that do not support the additional commands may or may not pair or connect to the vehicle and will only have partial functionality at best. Because of this, phones that do not support the additional phonebook commands will not work as intended, may present significant issues, and are, therefore, listed as non-compatible phones.

If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand."

MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)
======================================

 

This response from MINI USA proves that they are totally clueless. All they want to do is sell cars, and not take any responsibility for fixing their inferior electronics...The Iphone IS on the MINI approved list...look here -->
http://wireless4mini.com/phones.html

You may want to save the above page. This way when/if MINI removes the Iphone from their infamous "Approved" list, you will be able to prove that you purchased your Iphone, based on it being on this list. Then you should be able to have MINI USA compensate you for the total purchase price of the phone, since they now claim that it is not "approved"...morons

 

I sent a query citing the approved list to ask mini -- we'll see what happens...

 

Is that web site really owned/operated by MINI???

 

This is a very interesting question. I've asked this of the rocket scientists at MINI USA, and was told that it is operated by their approved subcontractor, Wireless Solutions.

It is interesting to note, that nowhere on MINI USA's site, is there any reference to "approved" phones, or a link to "approved" phones. Further, if you have Nav, the website that the Bluetooth screen directs one to, to view a list of "approved" phones, lists every Country EXCEPT the United States.

Based on the above, it is pretty obvious to me, that MINI USA has zero interest in supplying owners/buyers with any information regarding Bluetooth in their vehicles, and also has little interest in dealing with problems that this lack of information generates. A true case of the sales and marketing departments driving the bus, while engineering and customer satisfaction ride in the back.

 

@Coffeeman,

well said and very interesting indeed.

It's tough to pay good money for options that MINI could care less about and seem to have no intentions on supporting (once you've bought your car anyway). Hmm...

 

Here's the updated response from MINI:
---------------------
Thanks for writing MINI. We appreciate your inquiry.

While MINI USA is committed to offering the iPhone, it is not currently compatible
with our cars. It is on our Bluetooth website, www.wireless4mini.com, but if you
click on "Learn More" next to the iPhone, it shows that the iPhone will only be
compatible with MINIs produced after October 2007. At this time, we do not have any
information to indicate whether or not a software update will make this phone
compatible with 2007 MINIs produced before October. I apologize for any confusion
or disappointment this caused.

If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an
e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.
---------------

i.e., we're screwed.

 

Yes, I just received the same response from MINI "customer relations". I've informed my dealer and they're pretty pissed. They're talking to them now. It's really should be a simple software fix and they're really negatively impacting the BMW brand at this point. Very short-sighted.

 

I would recommend a calling them to register complaints. The squeeky wheel gets the grease!

MINI Customer Relations and Services Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)

 

Another fine illustration of MINI/BMW not giving a hoot about you once you've actually bought your car. They only seem to care about new/future buyers. Oy!

 

This is a very disappointing thread indeed. And while I'm glad my (not approved) BB Pearl works I feel for you others having these problems, including the expensive iPhone. I really hope they can step up and fix this crap and soon.

 

the iPhone is on the approved list now and it worked just fine on my test drive of other MINIs but the address book doesn't show up on my car.

http://www.wireless4mini.com/phones.html

EDIT: I just called 866-ASK-MINI, they forwarded me to Pairing support 877-269-9500 opt 3. They had the gaul to ask me if my car was produced in October 2007. I said, "How could it be? Oct 07 hasn't happened yet."

I also told the guy I thought it was really shady that they added phones that are compatible but didn't put for what build dates on the website except in a PDF that you have to download.

Quite dissappointing indeed.

 

But read the response from Mini. That explains why it won't work until a software update in October.