Hi Naylia, welcome to NAM!

The Bluetooth connection will technically come with the options needed to make the steering wheel music control work, but I'd recommend three specific ones for what you listed: MINI USA calls them "Bluetooth Prep with USB", and "Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod Adapter" and "SmartPhone Prep"

The Bluetooth Prep with USB gives you the Bluetooth connection, a USB port in the cubby below the A/C controls and a Y-cable to connect an iPhone to the USB and AUX port. This would get you both things you listed, with the likely exception of charging.

The newer iPhones have had some issues charging when connected using the cable- the best theory we have is that they need more electricity that the MINI's USB port was designed to supply. For some people, it works, for others it doesn't.

That's why I recommended the Comfort Bluetooth option- this adds a space inside the armrest to connect your phone, which uses a phone specific piece that snaps inside it. These do charge the iPhones correctly. Since the iPhone 4 is new, it'll probably be a bit before MINI releases the official snap-in for it. The iPhone is MINI's best supported phone though, so I'd expect one to be released for it before they do other phones. In the meantime, somebody has been able to make the iPhone 3G snap-in work with their iPhone 4.

The SmartPhone Prep option adds the connections for music between the armrest charger and the USB/AUX port, so that you can play music from the phone while it's inside the armrest.

Hope that helps!

 

nicknbecka, curious if you know the answer to this one.

In the mini configurator it won't let you choose all three options you have listed above. As soon as you choose "Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod Adapter" it removes "Bluetooth Prep with USB".

So, my question is, does "Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod Adapter" still give you "Bluetooth Prep with USB"? I know you get the armrest with USB and so forth, but...

The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to have the capability to use the Aux/USB under the radio as well as the armrest.

Am I out of luck?

Thanks,

 

Thanks nicknbecka, really appreciate the detailed response.

I'm wondering are these options that can be installed by the dealer after taking delivery of the car? Could I purchase them later on down the line. With both the wife and I having upgraded to iPhone 4's it seems like a reasonable idea to wait until all the kinks get worked out before getting everything installed.

 

Ah, sorry! I believe they show up as separate options on the options sheet when you take delivery from the dealer, but the configurator has you choose one or the other. The Comfort Bluetooth comes with Bluetooth Prep w/USB.

If you have the SmartPhone prep, you still get the USB port under the radio in addition to the armrest connector, but only one will work at a time.

My pleasure! The Bluetooth and USB module is part of some other internal bits, so it's particularly expensive; but MINI did release a retrofit kit.

The SmartPhone prep isn't available to be installed later though. All of the phone-specific stuff is part of the armrest snap-in, which would be sold separately.

 

Has anyone tried to fit an Iphone 4 into the Iphone3 armrest adaptor? It actually looks like it might fit.

I guess I'll take the adaptor into the Apple store and see.

 

I went from the iPhone 2G to the iPhone4. I haven't bought anything new other than the iPhone. The 2G Stand and Car Charger work fine.

BTW, WOW what a difference!

 

Thanks nicknbecka, that was very helpful.

Perry

 

I phone 4 adapter. Is it out yet? Any word?

Perry

 

Haven't seen anything yet- the last updated iPhone didn't have one for more than six months if i remember correctly. The older versions (3G and 3S) do work with the 4 as well, was Minian noted.

 

Whoops, accidental double post.

 

I've seen some reports of others getting it to fit but I can't get my iPhone 4 to fit in my 3G snap in cradle.

 

I tried to fit a 4 into my 3 armrest cradle, Nope. The 4 is a bit longer, and the edges of the care are square not curved. I'm pretty sure it's the square edge of the case that is the real issue, not really the length.

Maybe if you took a Dremel to the adapter? The plugs are the same, and in the same place. It's just a matter of fitting the different case.

 

Uh oh... I'd better change the notes on it then. Is it the 3GS snap-in that others have been able to make work?

 

There is no difference between a 3 and a 3s. (shape wise) They both fit and work fine. The 4 is different, it does not fit. And no telling when BMW will come out with an adaptor. (the snap in adaptor is a BMW part used by Mini.)

 

The easy way out, use a cheap iPod ( Nano / Shuffle ) for your music and use your iPhone for calls - no connecting unconnecting every time you get in and out of your MINI. I have a Nano connected and hidden away, this gives me all the music I need and my iPhone 4g connects by Bluetooth as soon as I put my key in. Easy, simple and cheap.

 

Even cheaper, just get an 8 or 16gb USB stick and use that for music. Works just as well as an iPod and doesn't require charging. I was sick of connecting and disconnecting my iPhone every time I got in and out of the car, so just switched to USB and it works great.

 

Yes, these options would be fine for just music. However, I mainly used the snap-in adapter for charging the phone. I dislike having to plug into the cigarette lighter with a cord. Using the armrest adapter keeps the phone hidden away without it sliding all over the place while it charges.

And yes, the shape of the 3G and 3GS phone is identical. I've given some of the 3G cases to my mother-in-law who still has a 3GS.

 

The problem I have with this solution is getting my albums to display correctly, in correct track order, and without any extra flotsam in the listings (this is on a nav-equipped '10) If I move full albums over by their own directory directly out of iTunes, into the root directory of the stick, I get a clean display, but the tracks are in alphabetic order, not proper album order. Does anyone know how to use a USB stick and have perfect display of your tunes, just as if an iPod/iPhone were connected?

 

I've heard it fits an IPhone4 and I've heard it doesn't fit an IPhone4.

What do you all think? True? False?

 

I've tried, The IPhone4 DOES NOT FIT the 3G/GS snap in adapter!

 

I've tried and it doesn't fit in my 3g adapter...

 

I modified a 2G snap in and it worked, 3G is too slim.

 

Seems the snap in adapter for the iPhone 4 will be out this november.
Info is in this doc: http://www.mini.com/com/en/connectiv...nnected_EN.pdf

 

Hey question about the USB adapter in the dash. When using the special y-cable, my iPhone 4 works great and charges without any problem. However, if I insert my white Apple dock cable into the USB port to just charge the iPhone, I get nothing. What's special about the y-cable that allows for charging?

 

There are probably some voltage adjustments going on with the y-cable that the Apple cable does not perform.