Hi!

I have a 2007 MINI Cooper. It has the multi-function wheel but no bluetooth installed. The dealer told me that it will cost me $1,800 to install the bluetooth. As much as I love my MINI, there is no way I will pay that kind of money on a bluetooth.

I would love to use those two extra buttons from my steering wheel to answer my phone, is there any other alternative way that will allow me to do that?

Has anyone bought the factory bluetooth kit and installed it yourself?


Thanks in advance,

Lidiette on behalf of my MINI "Daisy".

 

 

The main module to make the bluetooth work in a R56 is $700.00. Three more modules are needed and when done, raw cost is around $1,000.00. Installation requires removing the front seats and center console to install all the parts (the arm rest part/cabling) can be left off. Once done, functions need to be enabled in the computer. This is one of those options that is cheaper and best bought when ordering the car.

If your mini has the wiring harness in place, you can install it yourself. It is rather easy. You will have to bring the mini in to have a dealer activate the function. I have not installed it yet on mine, but I did have to dismantle the interior to find all the plug points to make sure it was there and doable. Sad part if I do decide to do it, I get to do it all over again .... argh ....

 

There's been a few others to look into it too- but never heard of anyone going through with it. It sounds like it's very involved swap.

The closest that I've seen to a DIY install is the Parrot EVO kit

 

WOW!! That is nuts! Oh well, I will have to search for other options...Perhaps, getting a newer wireless bluetooth microphone.

Morbius and Nick, thank you for answering my question. It has been very helpful.

 

Take a look at the visor-mounting Bluetrek/Countour Design Compact Surface Sound:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/rev...sound-compact/

I was considering this for my old car, but just picked up my Clubman last week, so this would be redundant. Looks like a promising product, though. Biggest challlenge would seem to be routing the charging cord...

 

I recommend installing the Parrot CK3100 series with the special mini adapter if you want an installed option. Its a PITA to install on a R56 but if you have the controls on the steering, the mini modules uses them and makes things work like the factory bluetooth. I have the CK3000 and it was falsely advertised and a hunk of junk ! So I will be removing it and installing the CK3100. If you are not handy with tools or comfortable taking the dash apart to get to the stereo wiring connector (takes 3-5 hours to install the CK3000/CK3100 with mini module on a R56), then look at the other options that are portable.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Roberto

 

You could get a Nav. The MINI branded Nuvi has blue tooth as well as many others.

 

Morbius is correct. I have the Parrot CK3100 and the adapter wiring harness. It takes a bit of work to install (remove most of the dash) but I can answer and hang up as well as adjust the volume with my MFSW controls. Also my friend manager to install the microphone in the factory microphone spot in the overhead console (right near the toggle switches). The only external giveaway that I do not have a factory bluetooth module is the small Parrot controller that I mounted next to the key slot. I highly recommend this setup.

 

If you have a COSTO near you,here in the Sacramento area they sell a device that gives you Bluetooth capability for 36 dollars.It hooks on to your visor and works like all the high end gadgets.Q

 

Thanks for your responses.

I will be looking into all those options.

 

any standard Garmin Nuvi has the bluetooth function built in, doesn't have to be the MINI branded one. I found this out by accident while trying to see if those buttons on the steering wheel did anything, I enabled my Iphone for blue tooth and the next call I got came through the Garmin!

 

So you are able to answer the call from the MFSW and hear the person through the car speakers?

Do you have the regular garmin or the mini branded?

 

no, sorry for the confusion. I can answer the call through the nuvi (NOT MINI BRANDED)

 

I was too cheap to add the bluetooth option on my '08MCS despite the fact that the non comfort bluetooth one (no armrest) was $500. I have checked with my dealer as well as another one in the area. My dealer refused to do it saying it wasn't cost effective. The other dealer said it would cost about $900 and they attempted to do it on one other car and found it also wasn't cost effective.

The Parrot CK3100 seems nice, but I'm not someone who's comfortable taking the whole dash apart. I'm not sure that I wouldn't break something or cause rattles and so forth.

If you are looking for a bluetooth speakerphone that goes on your visor, take a look at the supertooth on amazon as well as the motorokr t505.

 

Does the Parrot CK3100 require anything besides the 6 speaker stereo system and multifunction steering wheel? Their website I seem to recall said something about the nav system, although I didn't check the details.

Rob

 

I am interested in the experiences of folks who went the Parrot CK3100 route.

 

To me it seems difficult to install. I have no experience taking the whole dash and stereo apart and my fear is that I either break something or when I put things back together, they are just not the same and cause rattles and what not.

 

Yes, getting to the radio wiring harness in a R56 is a nightmare. There is so much stuff to take apart that its not funny ! The MINI folks that where responsible for that design never heard of the "KISS" principle or where stone drunk and thought they would show us a thing or two .....

Installing the CANN module to make the steering wheel controls work is not for anyone. Installing the factory BT modules is a whole lot easier (need to remove the seats to the get to the bays) but then there is a cost difference of about $600.00 and dealer time to activate the unit in the computer .....

 

A friend of mine installed the Parrot 3100 (and the newministuff MFSW adapter) for me. Yes you have to take the entire dash apart, but he seemed to be able to do that in about 20 minutes. It is rather easy to connect the parrot and the adapter, it was the numerous dash pieces that took the longest time. I am very happy with the install. You can even put the parrot microphone in the same place as the factory Mini bluetooth microphone. I recommend it!

 

Thanks 9000RPM. I am not afraid of the dash work, this is a new car and everything will be clean and rust free . Did you purchase this all of this from newministuff in the UK? Are you in the US? And (last question) did you notice anything peculiar about the MFSW install part of the process?

Gracias again for the details.

 

I am so tempted to install the Parrot system. For now, here's my "temporary" bluetooth solution. It's a BlueAnt Supertooth device I got for $70 a while ago. Very loud and clear for the caller as well. I have it velcroed it to the headliner. You push that mic in to turn it off. When my phone rings, I just push the mic to turn it on and it connects fast enough. I don't talk much, so the "15 hours" talk time lasted 8 months before I needed to recharge the battery.

 

lanching74, the supertooth is a popular bluetooth speakerphone and there are many folks who have reviewed it on Amazon. Unfortunately, many who reviewed it complained about echo unless they turned the volume down.

 

I am in the US, and only bought the MFSW harness kit from newministuff. I bought the Parrot kit from Circuit City. As for as the install, I never had to touch the steering wheel. The newministuff harness kit handles all of the MFSW signals directly.

 

20 minutes! I need to borrow your friend. How long for a noob like me? Were the instructions straightforward?