Adding the convenience package adds the "comfort bluetooth with usb/ipod adapter". Looking at the picture in the configurator, it shows the ipod adapter in the glove box. Based on the postings I have seen here though, that doesn't seem to be the case. I have only read of people plugging in at the bottom of the center console.

Can someone with the 2008 convenience package clarify if it really is in the glove box (as in the configurator picture) or if it is elsewhere?

THANKS!

 

It is not in the glove box. The convenience package comes with a very short cable that plugs into both the USB port and the Aux input jack at the bottom of the center console. The other end of this double cable has the standard iPod docking connector.

 

That's too bad. Would have been much nicer the other way. Wonder why they show such a misleading picture...

 

The adapter works well and is a lot cheaper than the secret compartment install. I was dead set on that one, but I decided to stick with the provided one. I just stuck my iPod in the little mesh pocket in the footwell and it is almost invisible. I was thinking of extending the cable and putting the iPod in the armrest.

 

That would be interesting. I was hoping that this would leave the USB open so that I could at least use it to charge my MotoQ. As far as I know, there won't be a cradle for the Q and even if there were it wouldn't be worth the cost just to charge it. Hardwiring the iPod into the armrest would be ideal.

Then again, if I didn't have all these little details to try and figure out, I would already have a Mini instead of spending months configuring one!

 

If you are worried about not having the USB open, I see no reason why a small USB hub wouldn't work as long as it doesn't require power. That way you could plug in multiple devices. My MINI is still on its way here, but once it arrives, I think I'm going to try using a hub for the same reason you mentioned.

As I said, I haven't gotten my MINI yet, so if someone has tried this and it doesn't work, please correct me.

 

I may be wrong, and I haven't actually tried it in my MINI, but if you introduce an unpowered hub into a USB chain, doesn't it stop delivering power to the downstream devices? porifera was particularly interested in using it to power another device.

 

This is correct.

You could always get a cig lighter->USB thingy which are easily purchased these days.

I like the USB+AUX cable a lot. The only problem I have with it is if I -> forward a lot it eventually "disconnected" and I have to wait 30 seconds and select iPod from the menu again. Not sure why it is doing this but I have an older iPod so maybe the stereo just gets tired of waiting for the iPod to load songs off of the disk once I've depleted what is in flash.

 

Will the USB work with other MP3 players, such as Creative? Also, is there still a problem with large playlists?

 

I don't know about other mp3 players. If they show up as disks then they may work. I know flash drives work.

Don't know about large playlists but I'm thinking it isn't a problem.

 

Thanks. Sounds like it will work. I'd heard there was some issue of having over 256 CDs and/or artists on your MP3 player causing some upload problems.

 

Has anyone tried any of these methods to extend the standard USB/iPod interface cable into the dashboard storage compartment or armrest? I'd really like to have a dedicated car iPod that I could leave in there all the time, but I'd be a little wary of just having it sit in the mesh pocket to the side of the console.

 

That will probably be the strategy I take (if and when I can finally stop wasting time playing with the configurator and actually pull the trigger) is to use extensions off of the USB and aux ports to put the iPod in one of the compartments and then hardwire a phone charger (cig lighter or otherwise) into the armrest for the MotoQ.

 

Sorry if this was already covered; I tried to do a search to spare this from being asked again, but couldn't fine it

A few questions:
- So the convenience package comes with an iPod dock connector AND a USB port just in front of the cup holders?
- I assume the iPod just needs the iPod dock connector to integrate control with the mini functions (display songs, etc. on either the Nav or digital display)?
- What's the intent of the USB connection? I saw that it's to attach memory cards. For what purpose? mp3 downloads?
- A dealer told me that there's a connector in the armrest. I saw a button in there that looked like a speaker, but I had no idea what it was. Any guidance that can be offered on that? Is this another iPod connection?
- When I build a Mini on the miniusa web site, and I choose the convenience option to get the usb/dock connectors, I'm still presented with a iPod adapter option for $350 US. Does this just move the dock connector from the cup holder area to the glove box, or does it provide additional functionality? Do I have to have this option to control the iPod from the mini control options (on the steering wheel, etc.).

Thanks bunches!

 

Not sure on your other questions but the button inside the armrest is if you buy the optional phone cradle. The cradle is designed to charge a phone and connect it to the roof antenna. There are very few available and most are for older model phones. There is one out now for the iPhone, but if you used it, you would have no way to use get music from the phone to the car.

 

kbleicher - these are a lot of the same confusions that I've tried to solve over the past few weeks, and I think I finally understand (even though I don't have my car yet!) What you get with the convenience package is a USB and analog aux in connection under the center console. When you plug a USB device, such as a memory stick, into that you will be able to play the music on that storage device through the audio system. A cable is also provided to connect your iPod to these USB & aux connectors. This allows you to wire your iPod directly to the sound system and have control of your songs and playlists from the head unit and MFSW. As far as I can tell, the dealer-installed iPod adapter just moves this iPod connector into the dashboard storage cubby (above the glovebox). So, unless you really want the iPod out-of-view, then you don't need anything other than what you get in the convenience package.

 

Hi Folks,

I have a MCS, 6 speaker with the factory NAV and Sirius radio,. The car has aux and USB input for an ipod and they work fine. The only thing I'm missing is seeing and controlling and selecting my ipod playlists, artists and songs thru the Mini controls interface.

Somehow I thought this level of integration was what i was buying...

Alternatively, does anyone have any experience with the DICE system which provides such control and selection pf playlists, etc.?

Thanks,

 

Some follow-up..

Does Mini publish a list of supported phones? And thanks for the reply!

Wow! Great info... Thanks!!!!


Did you get the convenience package when you purchased the MCS?


Thanks again to everyone...

 

Well sort of. There is a site, www.wireless4mini.com that lists some phones that are bluetooth compatible. But being on there is still no guarantee and doesn't really mean there is a cradle. You can call your dealer and have the parts department tell you what ones they can get. That's how I picked mine.

The Iphone cradle was recently discussed in another thread and was still just a BMW part not approved by Mini yet. It did however work fine in a Mini as reported by one poster. See here.

There is another thread about compatible phones as tested by NAM members. It is here.

 

Hi,

Problem solved.

Thanks for your reply. I have bluetooth capability for my iphone (works great) , and the convenience package cable (both inputs must be used) provides access to and control of everything in my ipod.

....except video. Is this too much to ask, or am I pushing it? Does the factory nav screen have enough resolution? What say you folks?

 

While the first gen cars had a video input on their Nav system, so far no one here has found one for the R56. They have a TV option across the pond but I haven't seen anyone post about turning that into a video input.

 

I found this posted in another thread and should help:

http://www.mini.com/com/en/usb_pdf/_...nfo_usb_en.pdf

Cheers,

Fuss

 

Thanks for the link!
From reading though this...looks like I may be in the market for an iPod. My MP3 player is pretty old anyway (40GB Nomad Zen-Xtra), I could use an upgrade.

I can always use the aux jack in the interim.

 

Just buy a very large flash drive. This way all your audio is digital in. Also these are pretty small and don't take up much space so it can hang off the USB connection instead of having to reroute bulky cables and the player to another location.

I got a 16GB unit off of new egg for around $75.

Of course if you want more storage it will cost more or you may have to go to an ipod. From my experience and according to the manual USB Hard Drives won't work. I think it is a power issue, the ipod works because it uses both interfaces simultaneously.

To clarify a bit on what driveblind said. the secret compartment ipod adapter doesn't just move the connection. This version runs off the cd changer instead of the usb interface. This imposes certain limitations on what can be done (the 256 artist/cd playlist thing that has been posted about). As far as I know this hasn't been an issue for USB connected devices.

 

Thanks!! I may go the USB flash drive route. I have a lot of music on my MP3 player but not all of it is what I'd want to listen to in the car. I suppose I can simply take my backed up MP3 files from my computer's HD and dump them to the USB and be all set. Plus, getting a $75 flash drive stolen is much better than a $400 iPod. As you mentioned, tucking a flash drive out of the way is much easier than an iPod or bulky HD, like my Creative Nomad.