If you have 6NE and an iPhone 3G, you need snap-in number: 84 21 2 151 038

You will get proper charging, an antenna boost through the passive loop in the snap-in, and no music/USB connection when connected through the armrest.

There's no music connection through the armrest without option 6NF.

 

Hey Nick,

So, now I'm very confused as there are now three partnumbers in this thread.

• 84 21 2 151 038 - if you purchase 6NE and have a iPhone 3G. You get antenna boost, but no music through the cradle.
• 84 10 9 182 792 - if you didn't purchase Smartphone Integration. What does this one do and what doesn't it do?
• 84 21 9 164 213 - if you did purchase Smartphone Integration. This one does it all, phone and music all through the cradle.

So, it sounds like I have two options available to me since I only added 6NE to my Cooper. I can purchase (84 21 2 151 038) or (84 10 9 182 792), but sounds like they both do the same... So what is the difference, and why would I purchase one over the other?

Help.

 

There's actually way more than three part numbers available

I think if you look over my spreadsheet it will make more sense.

All of the armrest snap-ins add the charging and antenna connection.

Snap-ins that are made with SmartPhone integration will also support music playback in Minis with the 6NF option.

That's all the potential capability you get- the only other variable is the phone that the snap-in will fit. You're mixing part numbers for the standard iPhone and the iPhone 3G, which I think is where your confusion is coming from.

 

Hey Nick,

So thanks for the Excel worksheet. I did review it and it looks like what I need is 84.21.2.151.038, so I went to my local BMW dealership and they had four in stock so I pick up one. I'll test it out tomorrow night when I pick up my Mini from the dealership.

 

I just came across this thread. I have the 3g iphone. I think i ordered my '08 clubbie with the comfort/bluetooth. i will double check on that. That means i won't be able to listen to music with the iphone through the armrest with the adaptor? Can i get a look at that spreadsheet?

 

I just got 84 10 9 182 792 and I have 3g with smartphone prep.

this one does not send the music to the radio.

 

Yep- there's no music from the armrest without the SmartPhone integration. Spreadsheet's linked in my signature!

 

?

I'm unclear on a few things.

I have a 12/08 build Clubman with Bluetooth/USB/AUX. I use the USB for music with an old iPod.

I currently have no visible cables running to my armrest. Is this "cable" under the center console? If not do any of the BMW part numbers come with the cable? My Window sticker does not show Smartphone Integration, I bought it from dealer stock so I don't have a build sheet.

Assuming I don't have Smartphone Integration...can I add it? If not, charging and antenna boosting would be a plus.

Thanks,

 

So here is how it works. When I ordered my R57, I had two options for Bluetooth:

So, if you have two types of iPhone cradles available to you.

So the difference between the Smartphone Integration and just the USB/iPod is this:

This is all summarized very nicely in "nicknbecka" worksheet which can be found in his signature via Google Docs.

What I also discovered (atleast in the SF Bay Area), is that some of the part numbers are not carried as instock items at Mini dealerships, but are in stock at BMW dealerships. I had to purchase my iPhone 3G for No SmartPhone Integration cradle from PeterPan BMW, instead of my Mini Dealership. I assume this to be true becuase no where on the box or in the manual did it have the Mini logo or word mentioned. It was a BMW branded part.

Hopefully this helps.

 

zanary,

Thanks. What about the cables? I see nothing running to my armrest...the inside of it looks blank...nothing in it all. No cables running up the supports...nothing.

So does a cable come with the kits outlined in the spreadsheet? If so does this cable connect to wiring harness under dash?

 

So there are two answers.

(1) If you do have Comfort Bluetooth with either Smartphone Integration or USB/iPod then there's a protective plastic piece that is in the arm rest. If you slide back the armrest, flip it up, and press the release button, you'll remove that protetive plastic piece. You have to do this if you do purchase any of the four types of cradles for the iPhone 3G. They put the plastic pieces in there to protect the electronics that connect to the cradles.

(2) If your Mini wasn't equipped with either of the two Comfort Bluetooth options, then your right, there are no cables in the armrest, at which points all this information doesn't help you unfortunately.

I haven't heard of anyone getting the dealer to install the Comfort Bluetooth option. I think it's a factory ordered item when you place your order.

Alternatively, if you flip up the entire arm rest, and look at the two side pieces, you'll notice groves for the cables that connect to the electronics in the Arm Rest that the cradle plugs into. I have that cable in the groove closest to the passenger side.

 

zanary,

That's odd. I have no cables running down the supports. However, I have Bluetooth/USB. I have my phone synced, makes call etc.

I wonder if my armrest was added at the dealership. The inside of this armrest looks just like my old '06 MCS. Nothing in this thing but a padded bottom.

 

Hey JohnJohn,

That's strange. I'm very familar with the 09 R57, so I can't be sure if all the others should come with the center arm rest pre-wired for the cradle. I would hope so. Maybe nicknbecka can provide some additional details as hey may be more familar with the other models and the options available.

 

Now that I'm thinking about it, if you can register your Mini on Owners Lounge, they wouldn't it show what options were ordered with the vehicle? Mine does, but I registered it using the Produciton Number and not the VIN as it wasn't assigned for weeks after I received my Production Number.

Just a thought.

 

I think it is possible to have Bluetooth without the Bluetooth convenience option (which adds the snap-in'able armrest), from my reading over on Mini2, it seems more common in the Uk than here- in fact IIRC correctly, there was some complaints from people that didn't want the armrest, but had trouble getting it removed from their config.

@JohnJohn, it's probably best to check with the dealer and find out if they show the correct armrest as being installed. I don't beleive it's retrofittable if it's not installed, but there has been a few people that have extended the in-dash USB port to the armrest, which gets you part of the way there.

 

Did anyone order option 6NE, Comfort Bluetooth & USB/iPod, on an R56 (I have an 09 JCW MINI) with a build date earlier than 06/08? If so, did it come with a wired Ejection Box in the armrest? After reading several posts, it appears that most just have to purchase the correct phone insert (iPhone 3G) and just plug it in the existing eject box. Any information would be appreciated.

 

My window sticker just says "Bluetooth and USB/iPod adapter". Nothing about "Comfort". Since I don't think have "Smartphone" I would assume it's just a cable that attaches inside the arm rest and plugs into the wireing harness. It's just used for charging...

I logged into minisa.com User Area. However I could not find my build number until after I entered my VIN. Now it won't let me change it...I can't see what "official" options I have installed.

I just figured out while writing this.

There are three differnt Bluetooth/USB/Options

1) Bluetooth USB $500
2) Comfort Bluetooth $750
3) Smartphone Prep with comfort USB +$100

I must have option 1 (bummer)

 

'Comfort Bluetooth' is MINI's term for the ability to use the phone snap-ins in the armrest. If you ordered it then you should have the armrest wired for use with a snap-in.

If you have Comfort Bluetooth you can find the correct part number in my Google Docs spreadsheet (which is already linked/referenced on this page no less than six times already ), zanary's rather detailed message seven posts ago (also on this page ), or my post here which covers the exact config you're asking about (which is also the first post on this very page ).

 

The easiest way to know if the arm rest is wired is to look at the uprights in one of there there should be a wiring harness. If there is no wiring harness then the armrest is not wired.

Although with what you ordered is should be. and if it is all you have to do i buy a cradle. but for the iPhones there is more than one. check out nicknbeckas signature for a link to the spreadsheet that lists the correct part numbers.

 

I have the 6NE. The only question i have is......Does using the antenna make a big difference??

 

I haven't really noticed any difference in signal strength with the iPhone in the cradle to be honest. I'm glad I got my dealer to throw in the cradle for free, or I might have felt a little ripped off :P

 

If you purchase the $750 Comfort Option and the $100 Smartphone integration could you: plug in an iPhone and use it only as a phone and then plug in a separate iPod (to the USB plug) and play music off of that? So in essence you'd have two devices in the armrest.

Also, about how much are the iPhone cradles?

 

The phone functions are all handled through Bluetooth, and you can have multiple phones paired to the car (although only one at a time, you can assign a priority list).

Others have posted that you can't play music off of two connected devices though, so you might have to plug the iPod in before connecting the iPhone in the armrest. I don't know if anyone has done any testing and reported back to see exactly how it decides which device it plays music off of.

The price for the snap-ins are set by the dealer and tend to vary. You can probably expect to find them in the $100-150 range, depending on if there is a club discount, or if the dealer is is discounting to you.

 

Thanks nicknbecka. Just to clarify...

You mention playing of the music because the iPhone when plugged into the cradle is connected to the USB, right?

Also, if I only want to play music off of the iPod in the scenario above, then once it's plugged into the USB port, the mini recognizes there's music on it and displays it through the radio interface, right? In other words music is played via USB and not Bluetooth or some other means.

 

Yep, as long as you have SmartPhone Integration and the correct snap-in adapter, if not then it's a moot point.

Pretty much- iPods connect through the y-cable, which splits control to the USB port and audio actually makes it through the AUX-in. Thumbdrives, Zunes and other generic storage devices that are non-DRM'd are straight digital.

The only thing I'm not certain of is how the car decides the priority when there's both connected. Maybe just whichever is connected first? Armrest always wins? Maybe someone can test and clarify for us.