Guys, just a small question, I know that we can retrofit MiniConneted in the Visualboost Radio, but can we retrofit the Nav?

 

Good news!

.. George has been upgraded with Mini Connected, a successfully retro-fit ! Took about 2~3hrs to complete, maybe because it was their first one? But I know that firmware for multimedia and telephone needed to be upgraded prior to installing Connected.

.. I think the part # for Mini Connected is M65.90.2.219.124

.. any questions, just let me know!

 

If you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge? I read somewhere that they would only charge labor cost, not parts. Is this true? How do you like it so far? Thanks!

 

The option cost was 230 GBP plus 1.5 ~ 2hrs labour at your dealers normal rate, it may take longer than the stated 1.5hr as your Visual Boost/Sat Nav may need firmware upgrade to support Connected.

 

I just got a my new MINI (produced 4-11) which has MINI Connected with Nav.
Mission Control sounds like it would be fun once in a while but I don't have an I-phone. Is there a way to use this without the I-phone?

 

I think it will work with an iPod Touch.

 

Right. An iPod Touch should work. Older (3rd) generation Touches might be available for a reasonable price. Also, rumor has it that the next generation Touches will be out ~September '11.

I'm hoping to hear soon how well they work. Someone mentioned here that they're getting one to try...

 

A couple of weeks ago, I asked my MA about the "fully functioning" snap-in connector for the iPhone4 (the one that charges and supports all of the MINI Connected App functions, etc.). He was able to confirm that it was not yet available, but that the one for the BMW had just come out, so it should be "soon".

Today he told me that they were told by BMW that the MINI version is out, and the first load of them are in shipment to the US - available in 2-3 weeks.

Part number is:
84 212 199 393

 

So let me get this straight. The Mini Connect + Nav that I fought so hard to get since they no longer make it will not work with my 3GS. The reason would be because I do not have the snap in adaptor. That SUCKS! Us people who got a 3GS will be getting an upgrade soon and I am not getting a new phone until Apple releases their new phone in september. So the option I paid the most for will not work completly until after September. But then I run the risk of the new iphone being shaped different and not fitting until they design a new snap in adaptor. Why would Mini make you get the snap-in adaptor when they are so phone specific? This is so stupid. They should have left it alone with the Y cable since all iphones use the same connector!

 

Only parts of Connected don't work without the snap in. Minimalism & Mission now require the snap in if your car was made after 03/2011

 

I agree with you. I plan on keeping my car for some time and apple seems to change the IPhone annually. That means the R and D for a new snapin adapter will have to keep up annually as well. Never going to happen!

 

Hoping that the next one will have the same shape at least!

 

Any update on the snap-in adapter? Anyone actually tried the new 393 part number?

 

Apologies for not reading this entire thread... but what happens to an iPhone4 when connected to Media Connected?

[EDIT: I mean MediaConnect, not MINI Connected.]


Does the screen blank out, does the screen work? Do you keep all other functionality of the device?

What I mean is, can I play music via USB on the iPhone through Media Connect (and control FWD/BACK via steering wheel controls) and also use a GPS App on the iPhone?

 

I use an iPhone 4 with a y connector on my Soho built 10/10 and i play music via cd/ multimedia selection on the screen and use the controls for track fwd/back on the steering wheel. Also able to use sat nav app and listen to music at the same time using Y connector.
If you use the plug in option in mini connected to play music you can not do anything else as the connected App can only run on its own.
this is why when a call is made, the app stops and need to be restarted afterwards.
If you receive a call the app resarts automatically.
I have attached the hand book for connected. Hope it work and is helpful
owners_handbook_EN.pdf

 

Thanks for the link. Sorry I meant just the MediaConnect (USB port), not MINI Connected (LCD screen, etc).

 

The "new" adapter 84 212 199 393 is NOT fully functioning! Do not waste your time and money. It basically functions exactly as the 390 part number that others have tried on the BMW side but ~$50 less. This new adapter is actually not as nice as it does not have the integrated cooling fan. You will also notice that it is labeled "MUSIC" as opposed to "MEDIA" on the 390. The enclosed instruction manual is quite clear in its description that it is only for playing music. It makes no claims as to its ability to support video of any kind. I have no idea why the dealer in an earlier post was claiming that this one would be fully functioning.

Here is what it does do:
1.) Plays music using the ipod function and the native Mini interface with cover art
2.) All of the miniconnected features with the exception of the "plug in"
3.) Does support Pandora with cover art
4.) No apparent Bluetooth quirks as others have observed on the 390 (although admittedly I personally did not observe any issues with the 390 in the short period of time I used it)

Here is what it does NOT do:
1.) NO video option from the ipod using the native Mini interface
2.) NO compatible "plug in" found under Mini Connected so you are unable to use the snazzy ipod native interface.

It appears to me that the basic underlying problem here is the inability to support video through the armrest cradle. I am guessing that the A/V plug under the center console is the ONLY way into the video head of the NAV system. Just a guess….. This would also explain its inability to support the "plug in" option, which essentially uses the ipod "tv out".

For the time being, I have elected to embrace this new adapter as continuing to use the "Y" cable just irritates me. When I attempt to use it to view a music video, the audio and video are so horribly out of sync that it is nauseating to watch. Kind of like you are watching an old Godzilla movie from the 70's. It is really a cool idea and you would love to show it off to your friends but then find yourself embarrassed to do so. I assumed that this sync issue stems from the fact that the audio is being transmitted via USB and the video through a separate cable. At first this did not bother me as I assumed that the new "fully functioning" cradle would correct this shortcoming but alas it addresses it fully by simply disabling it entirely.

So I guess in summary, if you like ALL of the various functions, you are just going to have to stick with the stupid "Y" cable and own up to the fact that we were all succors in insisting on having smart phone integration, the armrest, and the various cradles that we have all had to endure. Buy hey, you are not alone! Perhaps we should start a support group. I apologize for the long post but I felt that all of you deserved to have all the gory details before making the same mistakes that I have made.

 

Thanks for the heads up...

 

Are you using an iPhone or an iTouch in the snap in arm rest cradle ?

 

Iphone4

 

I guess it depends on what "fully functioning" means. To the dealer, if it isn't possible to play video from the handrest, then a snap-in that does everything else is "fully functioning".

I have also been thinking that MINI has decided not to support the hardware and software to allow two video sources. When you have a TV with more than one Video input on the back, they need to provide the hardware to switch between inputs, and the User Interface to allow you to select which one you want. If MINI wanted to support this, they would have to provide hardware for two video sources, and then either a selector for you to choose (which might be confusing on a car) or software that detects which one has signal on it, and switch automatically. Can be done, but at added cost, and for what fraction of the users???

For me, I have no desire to play video on the MINI interface. The look-down time on this car is already on the hairy edge of safety with all of the various functions one can do. Watching a video while driving is way too distracting. And for me, once parked, I don't tend to sit in the car and want to watch a video. So, a connector that does everything except play video would be fine.

Is there any device that plays video from the armrest??

BTW - thanks for checking this out and posting the results.

 

I'll be picking up my new Mini w/ Connected+Nav in a week or so and I have a few questions about what parts I need. I have an iPhone 3GS and an iPod Touch running the latest iOS (I have no music on my phone.) From what I've been reading, I would need the Media snap-in adapter for the 3GS to get most Connected functions and the newest Media Y-Cable for the the iPod to access the Plug-In function. Is this correct? There's lots of confusion about all of this.

 

I think that sums it up..

 

WTF?

So my brother got a Clubman Hampton Ed and we tried to turn on Mission Control and it says he needs the iphone 4 arm rest dock.

I take the same phone, running the same app into my Cooper S Hardtop and it works fine with just the ipod cable. Then I tried it on my wife's Countryman S and again it works fine with just the cable.

WTF is going on?

 

Any mini built after a certain date will do that. I think it is April 2011. My new JCW will not work unless I get the dock.