Hi Ministers,

OK go easy on the new boy - I just ordered my Clubbie on Friday! But I am confused about the iPod intergration with the Mini and I forgot to ask the dealer, so here goes..

So I have ordered the new Clubbie with Bluetooth/USB intergration and a Sat Nav.

I understand there is also an AUX slot as standard in the Club.

Now my question is - will all of this enable me to use my iPod instantly and be able to select songs via the Mini etc etc?

Or do I need to order a specific iPod installation and/or adapter?

All this USB/AUX/Ipoddie thingie is doing my head in!

cheers,
Glen

 

If you have the USB you have all you need. Just make sure you get a Y-Cable with the Clubbie.

 

Yea, the Y-cable is supposed to come with the Bluetooth/iPod USB option. The base of the Y plugs into the iPod. The other ends connect to the USB for control and charging, and the AUX for audio.

 

Thanks for your replies. Does the Y-Cable come standard with the Bluetooth/Nav options, or will I need to ask my Dealership for it?

If it is not standard, can something similiar be bought at an electrical store etc?

Thanks again

cheers,
Glen

 

It should come standard with the Bluetooth setup because that also includes the USB/Aux in adapter. Mine did anyway.

 

As it is required to run the iPod it should be a no charge item. BUT some dealers have been taking them out of the glove box and charging customers $100+ for the cable.

If they try to charge you tell them to take the car and stuff it. I know that sounds extreme but you are paying for it in the price and shoudl not have to pay an extra fee for something that is required to run one of the options you had installed at the factory. Its kind of like them telling you, you have to pay extra for a steering wheel even though it is required for operation of the car.

 

Thanks guys for the feedback. I will send my sales guy an email closer to the delivery time.

cheers,
Glen

 

I believe the Y cable was in glove box with the driver manuals.

 

It's BS if the Y cable is included and a dealer pulls it out and want you to pay for it. But that really has nothing to do with needing to purchase something additional to make an option functional.

Look at the armrest cradles. Same concept. None are included but I paid extra to have the armrest with wiring for charging a phone and connecting it to the roof antenna. That's no reason to tell a dealer to f-off. But ripping that Y cable out and making you pay for, that's a damn good reason to tell a dealer to f-off.

 

deleted.

 

Dear http73,

When I discussed the "Y-cable" with my MA at the dealership, she said that the upgrade includes the cable for sure; no added charge. I cannot speak for your dealership, but hopefully all will go as planned.

Good luck!

 

When I picked up my 2009 I had to pay for the cable.. I was a little pissed but it was my only option.

 

The cable was in my glove compartment when I picked up my 09. MA even hooked it up for me and plugged my iPhone in to show me how it worked. Did not have to pay extra for the cable.

 

The Y cable comes with the 2009s. You shouldn't have to pay for it.

 

Should the Y cable have come with the Mini that has the centre console cradle?

I did not get one.....

 

No, only if it came with the USB iPod connection next to the aux-in jack on the roof of the console cubby.

 

Thanks! Phew

 

I'm absolutely incensed at this. Unfortunately I didn't realize until just now that you needed this Y cable. I just picked my MCS a few days ago, and my sales guy did a good job of selling me the bluetooth/usb package, conveniently failing to mention I needed an extra cable. Now they want to charge me $100 or so for it. He said he's had this issue before with clients, and apparently his manager has told him that if he wants to provide the cable for free it comes out of his paycheque. I raised a bit of hell over the phone, and he did offer to sell it to me at 'wholesale' price.

Regardless, I'm fuming. I've told him that the cable should come standard with the package and they shouldn't be pulling it out - and he's said its out of his hands. He actually told me that if I can find proof that it's supposed to come at no extra charge I should bring it in and take it up with his manager. (the whole I'm on your side speech).

Anyway, any advice for me? Will Mini Canada confirm the dealer's shouldn't be ripping it out and charging extra? Even if they do, will the dealer do anything about it? Am I wasting my time with this one?

 

You know... I agree.

My advice this....

Call him back and say fine, it comes out of your pay.... he will soon go back to his boss and BMW and try harder to get the cable. it turns out that in Europe, the 6NF pack currently is shipping with a cradle that does not work either! Therefore i lost the plot with BMW UK / Ireland and they are sending a Y cable.

Do NOT back down. It is a farce.

I asked them why they had not properly trainer their dealers on this, and they said they had. I beg to differ. I explained that the whole problem is that only a "select few" in BMW Germany know how the interface should and should not work.

I am working on a long blogpost on the matter.

 

My understanding is that in Canada the y-cable is not part of the USB Audio / Bluetooth package, and must be purchased separately. I don't think the dealer has done anything improper.

 

If he demonstrated the use of an iPod and didn't tell you that it required the extra cable (for $100), I'd say that's improper.

 

Didn't demonstrate it per se, just told me about it.

 

I'm actually shocked this cable can't be found on ebay or something... Apparently though, it can't.

 

There are numerous threads on NAM which verify your statement. In the US, the Y-cable is standard. In Canada, they always charge extra, I've not seen many examples of Canadians getting them without paying.

 

It is a very special cable only used on the BMW and Mini. It has a serial to USB converter built in that only works with the BMW/Mini