The cable that MINI supplies to connect the iphone/ipod to the audio system does not charge the phone! Apparently MINI is not addressing the issue.

 

Good to know.
Me and the misses upgraded from our Edge iPhones to the 3G just the other day, and found out that our car charger/fm transmitter unit won't work with the new one either.

 

This is not exclusive to MINI. Same deal in a Subaru from what I hear.

 

I can charge via the USB connection in my '08 Mini.

 

It's a common issue, because Apple removed some circuits in the 3G (cost saving)

 

Apple announced it some time ago but not everybody cared or was paying attention.

 

Devices like the Scoche Passport have a pass-through port that allows you to connect to the Mini with an iPhone 3G and get back that functionality. That particular model is $29.99.

http://www.scosche.com/passport

 

Do we know if that one actually works? I know someone here tried a similar device (I think the Griffin one) and it didn't work with the OEM cable/3G. I'm willing to shell out the $30 for a fix if we know that it actually does work...

 

I think it must work.
The issue is that the first iPhone charged OK with 12V - easy to get in a car! The new iPhone requires 5V (and signals).
So this device has a 12V->5V converter, and signal resistors, and then the iPhone 3G will be happy.

 

Just picked my 09 mini cooper s on friday. MA hooked up my iphone 3g to ipod adapter. connected fine and was getting charging symbol. iphone battery was basically full to start with. plugged it in today, also seemed to be charging fine. im thinking some of the iphones arent charging because the iphone is less the half battery and needs more current to charge it up then the usb port can handle...

 

Hopefully this issue will be addressed for those that purchased the smartphone integration package. The cradle for the iPhone 3G should be on sale this month.

 

I have an issue as my iphone gets down to around 20% charge, it flashes back and forth between charging and battery symbol. I unplugged the BMW cable and put in the iphone usb cable and it charged just fine.

As long as I have more than about 20% charge left it works just fine on our 09 Clubman..

 

There are a few threads with the same conversation taking place.

My 09 JCW is not charging my 3G regardless of battery level.

The Scosche Passport did not remedy the situation.

I need to do some more tinkering as I only had a short amount of time this evening to "play".

 

Hmmm, not good. Now I'm going to have to wait to hear from someone with an 07 Mini with the iPod adapter talk positive about it before I'll pick one up.

 

I got the Scosche passport at an Apple store near work, tried it on the way home, saw that it does NOT work, and returned it at the Apple store near my home. So is there a product that DOES make the iPhone 3G work with the Mini USB cable?

 

My MA sent me the following message today:

This DCS message is directed to all BMW centers and MINI dealers with regards to charging the latest generation iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iPod Classic with the accessory iPod interface.
With the new line up of Apple devices, Apple switched from a (12 volt) FireWire charging protocol to (5 volt) USB, causing the devices to display the following error message:
"Accessory not made to work with iPhone" or "charging not supported"
We are aware of the issue and have started development of a new interface cable with an inline 12- 5 volt converter. The new cables are currently undergoing approval at Apple and will be available Q1 2009.
As these devices were create well after the development of the our interface it was unable for us to anticipate this issue.

 

Thanks for the info Desertmini!

 

You're welcome! I am also hoping the armrest cradle fixes this bug. One of the other 3G posts stated that the cradle should be released in December.

 

Thanks for the post DesertMini.
As for anticipating the change, that's bull. Apple has been switching over to the 5V for a couple years now. Devices have been able to charge using both and device manufacturers have ignored it for quite some time. It is only now with the 3G that Apple abandoned support for the 12V charging that the vendors are crying about it. At the same time they are willing to sell us a fix.

How much is this fix going to cost me, Mini?

 

I understand that you are throwing a rhetorical question out there, but I'll bet the replacement cable will cost $100. They should throw it in for free...Ha.

 

I've had success with the current cable charging my iPhone 3G by plugging it in prior to closing the door and starting the car. Strange chain of events but it works every time for me. It's certainly a temporary fix but better than nothing considering I have a hard time getting through the day without a charge.

 

wow thanks so much for that link

 

Why? It is not their fault that Apple changed it and it was a known change. You had a choice to buy an Iphone, why should MINI have to pay for your choice?

 

One of the main reasons I paid the $1750 for the package was to use the iPhone seamlessly for listening to music and talking hands-free on the phone. I was told that it would work with the MINI without any problems. iPod/iPhone are the most popular systems out there right now, it is a household name, you would think that it would work without any problems.

I really do not expect them to pay for the new cable, it works good enough for me and I am keeping my fingers crossed for the cradle that will be coming out soon.

 

I would argue that the mini/bluetooth site lists the iPhone 3G as a supported phone. While I understand that states the Bluetooth is compatible there is not an option to get just Bluetooth without the USB connection hence if it doesn't work with the USB that should be pointed out.

Also, my dealer told me personally it would work as I asked a lot of questions about that specific option - it was only one of a few I got.

That being said, my dealings with BMW NA have never been pleasant. I had a blown engine on a car with less than 20k miles and that was quite the debate. In my case the dealer stepped up and did the right thing.