Hi,

I have a 2007 MINI Cooper S Coupe and want to use my steering wheel controls for my ipod. I have the CD Changer Prep with no changer. It has the standard boost cd radio. I would like to use my ipod, maybe a USB stick, for music. Blue Tooth would be nice. (There is a button on the steering wheel that does nothing). Finally where would the auxiliary plug be located in the MINI.
I can switch to aux but now what. Please help with some options. I am pretty handy but don't know the direction to head. Thank you, Steven

 

Aux connection is "out of sight" in the void underneath the climate controls. Stick your hand under there on the right side, and you'll feel it. (or lean WAY over and look. it's there)

 

There is a USB/Bluetooth retrofit kit available that will give you everything you mentioned. However it may cost about $1500 installed. For just iPod with steering wheel controls, the dealer has an iPod interface kit for $500-$600 installed.

Note that for an iPod you can only skip next/previous track from the steering wheel (the other two buttons are for volume). The other iPod functions are performed on the headunit.

As moondawg says, your car should already have an aux connector. Look in your Owner's Manual.

 

Thanks all for you help. Ouch very expensive. I think I might just stick with a good quality CD filled with MP3s.

 

I have bluetooth but no usb, can just usb be added? I do have an aux input.

 

What year is your MINI? Normally if you have bluetooth you should have USB. The USB is hidden behind a small door that slides to the side. Can you snap a picture of your aux input for us?

 

September 2007 build. Here is a picture of the aux port. It may be worth mentioning the car didn't come with bluetooth from the factory, it must have been added by someone. It all works through the radio and steering wheel controls.

 

Ah okay then you might want to check and see how much the dealer installed USB is.....but I doubt its worth it.

 

Why do you say ah ok? Is there some difference in the model year?

 

The OEM Bluetooth and USB are only available together (the electronics is a module that combines both functions). The dealer retrofit kit is around $600 for parts and with installation will total over $1000.

 

07 Model year did not have the option of USB/Bluetooth. It can be retrofitted as rkw says but could not be purchased with the car originally as it came out in 08.

So your bluetooth is probably OEM and it would take a new ULF module and the wiring harness for the USB connector and new AUX/USB block. You may also need some new plastics for the center console as the AUX/USB block i believe is larger than the hole you have now for the AUX connector and they actually sit at a different angle than what you show in your picture.