I've spent the last several hours searching Google and this forum for a solution, but I just can't seem to find one.

Along the way, I've learned about the MOST Bus and the various components that can be connected to it.

My 2008 R56 MINI Cooper does not have navigation. I do have the HIFI upgraded sound system, bluetooth phone upgrade and the USB/AUX input under the toggles in the center console.

All I want to do is add A2DP audio streaming from my iPhone 4s to my setup. If I have to remove one of the components on the MOST Bus and replace it with something aftermarket, that's fine - I just don't want to lose the current capabilities I have to use Bluetooth for phone calls, USB for memory sticks with MP3 files, and the controls on my multi-function steering wheel.

I can't believe this is so hard to find a workable solution for! I'd imagine it would just require removing and replacing my current Bluetooth phone connection module on the MOST bus with a new one, either OEM or aftermarket. If my car would then need to have the computer re-programmed to recognize the new module, that's fine.

If the new MINI Connected-equipped MINIs can do A2DP, why can't older MINIs do the same with an upgraded Bluetooth module? MINI Connected must use some kind of Bluetooth module (unless it's somehow built in to the MINI Connected display).

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Unfortunately at this time a 2008 can not be upgraded to MINI Connect so you are out of luck with adding that to get A2DP. The Bluetooth modules that are compatible with the 08 MINI are not A2DP compatible. So there is no OEM solution at this time.

As for a MOST bus addapter that has A2DP I have nto been able to find one. THere is a scompany in germany that only does AUDI MMI stuff which works on similar technology so in the future there may be a solution but at this time there is not.

Now there are a number of A2DP adapters out there that run off of 5vdc or USB power and will connect to the AUX input of your car and will allow you to stream music via A2DP. I use the Blackberry Bluetooth Audio Gateway ($40). there is also the Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver F8Z492ttP, and others that work the same way.

 

And the sound quality gets worse and worse... If Ipod wasn't bad enough...

 

I do have A2DP functionality with the FISCON Pro on the Most bus of my 07 MINI. And m0bridge offers a similar solution (with more features such as USB) with the same Parrot CK5050+ chip.

But I really don't see the point, as I could just as easily hook a cable to the AUX-IN and have better sound quality. Since A2DP re-encodes the audio and streams it, the HU sees it as CD-audio so no tags and info.

Only feature maybe useful, is that it does allow changing to the next track through the car's controllers.

 

I plugged a Sprint/ANYCOM FIPO adapter at the end of my iPod adapter cable and it works in a pinch, but the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired.

 

The only viable (quality-wise) bluetooth music transfer scheme is the apt-X codec. Very few handsets support that however (and probably even less in-car systems).

 

The other feature is taking calls over the radio or cd player.
Could you give more details on how you got that fiscon pro and how much the whole deal cost you?

 

I am pretty happy from the Belkin Aircast. I use it for bluetooth and music streaming. So far - no noticeable difference between aux in from iphone and A2DP for MP3 (256kbps)

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Bluetoo...7351101&sr=8-1

This is a good solution if you mainly use the aux input (not radio or cd), like me.

 

With these A2DP adapters, do you loose the ability to use BT for the telephone? Can the iPhone can sync with multiple Bluetooth devices at a time?

 

Funny you should ask. I was musing earlier today about how seamless my Blackberry Music Gateway worked with my iPhone and my 2009 Nav /w Bluetooth. It looks like the music gateway only supports the A2DP & AVRCP profiles and therefore doesn't overlap with the profiles that the 2009 MINI Nave supports.

 

Does your phone automatically connect to the BB Music Gateway? Do you have to power it on and off? My iPhone automatically plays via BT when I start my Ford and Acura.

With the MINI USB connection kit I have to manually select 'iPod' every time. Very inconvenient! Plus the steering wheel controls are wonky. Sometimes the advance button acts as reverse. Other times it acts as pause. While trouble shooting today my wife drove up in the Acura and my iPhone automatically started playing on it. Why is the MINI so clunky?!

 

My BB Music gateway plugs into the Aux port. I had it plugged into the USB as well for power but that port seems to be always powered, so I plugged it into my lighter socket so that my iPhone would disconnect when I exited the car. Yes, it autoconnects. All I have to do when I get in is start the car and hit play from my lock screen.