I JUST got my first mini, an 08 Clubman S and am loving it.

I have looked all over but have not really seen an answer to this.

I have a RAM suctioncup windscreen mount for my iPhone and in my old car (miata) I usually had a navigation app running (Navigon, Trapster, GPS Box, MotionX GPS etc. ).

BUT, it seems that I cannot do this in the Mini and have the iPod controlled by the MFSW due to the cable issue. Is there a way to extend the cabling to the iPhone/iPod behind the dash to the iPhone on top of the dash and get
-iPod control by MFSW
-Good sound quality
-BlueTooth phone control by the car (yes, I have this and it works now)
-with IOS 4 and multitasking run a Navigation app also.

There are so many threads and none seem to answer this.

Right now I am able to plug in the iPhone to the y-cable and charge the phone and control it and use the phone functions from the car, and use the nav apps, if I want to look at the cup holders to see where GPS thinks I am.

I have seen the m/f iphone cable extenders, and I think this would work. Does anyone have experience with this? I would rather not plug a minijack into the top of the iPhone to aux in to the car.

Can anyone confirm that you can get this

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8743

and it works without issues?

Or can you go the other route and get a USB cable extension:

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics--...6940071&sr=1-1

and mini jack extension?

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-3-5mm-Aud.../dp/B00117G7N0

to extend the audio lead and still get good sound quality?

Thanks to all who can help me in this quest!

AS an aside, has anyone tried one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/iPhone-30-Pin-...6940141&sr=1-4

 

If all is working when plugged in with the short cable you should have no problem with a 30 pin extension cable. Others have used them to place the iPod in the arm rest or on the dash.

 

I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/CableJive-dock...7098138&sr=1-3

it works perfectly and its a little bit longer at 6 feet, so give you a little more flexibly in placement. I am running the exact same setup, iphone 4 + navigon on a 2010.

 

I use this so that its not a bright white cable: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

It works great attached to the y-cable.

Also, I found a great dock which I love for the price, and the ability to continue to use a case: the SoundGate G2.
Found a good video review that made me comfortable with the small disc.
P.S. The Soundgate is only $9.92 on Amazon right now!

 

I ordered a black one from Amazon and it should be here soon. I'll update when I get it.

 

I got the cable from Amazon, it was 4' long, and it was charging it when I first plugged it in, then a few minutes later the iPhone rebooted, and now it does not charge it.

So, I think I need to replace it.

Sigh

 

What iPhone are you using? it does make a difference which y-cable is used with which phone.

 

I am using an iPhone 4 on 4.2.1 and using the stubby 1 foot long cable that connects under the center stack.

Ordered the Dock Xtender that lazieepete recommended from amazon.

 

Okay there are a couple of possibilities here.

1. You have an 08 car and some of those cars just will not charge and iPhone 3GS or 4 no mater what cable is used as the USB port will just not put out enough current.

2. You are not using the latest OEM Y-Cable, and even that may not allow the charging of an iPhone 3GS or 4 in some 08 cars.

This is a limitation of the car not the phone. This may sound strange but some people have found way s around the charging problem in 08 cars by making sure the drivers door is open when the iPhone is first connected to the OEM Y-Cable. Others have found that a certian way of connecting it to teh car is needed such as turn iPhone off connect OEM Y-Cable and plug it into car then turn on the iPhone. But those are all from playing with it repeatedly and finding what works and what does not.

All of this stems from a change by Apple in the way the iPhone charging circuits work for early phones to the 3Gs and 4. MINI designed the system in the 08 to work with the at the time standard and then Apple change it after the 08 electronics were designed.

So you may need to have a seperate charger to charge your phone.

 

The phone DOES charge from the Y - cable that was in the car when I got it. So it was something in the extender cable that was stopping it from charging.

I hope.

 

The cableJive cable that lazieepete recommended

http://www.amazon.com/CableJive-dock...98138&sr =1-3

DOES charge my iPhone from the USB port of my 08 Clubman, while the other one did not. As a bonus, it is 6' long and not 4' long, so a bit more options on routing. Now to find the best spot for it.

I really like the looks of this dock, but I am afraid the steering wheel will block it

http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/01/...-iphone-gauge/

Has anyone seen it in use? Do you need to bend over to see the iPhone/Touch screen?