I did return it, only after the service dept at mini had to replace my stereo due to a faulty software update and after being 10 days without my car, they tell me Mini made an error in releasing the cradle....

 

That's just fantastic, you would think being as close with apple now and the original 5 being out for a couple years this would have been thought through just a bit better than it was.

 

err... the 5 has been out for barely a year.

I think BMW, as a car company that works on 7 year product cycles, must have a hard time keeping up with products that are updated annually.

 

Guess I'm wrong then I thought it came out not long after the 4s and I got my 4s when it was just out. I can't keep track of apple lol.

 

Easy, Apple puts out one new phone each year. The 4s is now 2 years old.

 

I have a 2013 Paceman S with Nav and the Mini connected package. I have a $200 rebate coupon from Costco (I bought the car via the Costco Auto program - and they provide the coupon good at my dealer for parts or service). I also have a iPhone S due to arrive on Friday. So, I have been tracking this discussion and have been considering getting the arm rest iPhone 5/5s adapter.

I don't understand why it has been so difficult to get a functioning adapter. The only difference I can see is the new part will use the Lightning connector now used on the 5 and 5s (and 5c). The only advantages I have been able to discern for the arm rest adapter is: (1) protects the phone; (2) powers the phone; and (3) uses the car antenna for better reception. Those might be of value. What other differences (advantages) exist for this adapter as compared to just connecting the phone using the cable that Mini included with the car (along with a 30-pin to Lightning converter)? You can buy the 30 pin/Lightning converters on Amazon or even eBay now (I got mine from Apple to make sure it is quality). That should have been easy for BMW/Mini to handle. One poster indicated that he tried the adapter and the communication test passed - before his dealer bricked his radio with a software update. Other posters have noted that iOS 7 seems to work OK.

So, can someone enlighten me on what I would be giving up if I just used the cable and adapter for the phone? There must be something I am missing. I do like the idea of having the phone safely stored and not "hanging" around the center console but given the cost and the apparent impossibility of getting a functioning part, I don't know....

David

 

It hides the phone as well

 

Hi:
I was the guy who's radio got bricked by the software update. My dealer billed Mini USA @$2200.00 under warranty for that little blunder. Mini USA informed the dealer that the cradle was released prematurely and was only meant to be released for BMW. Something sounds so fishy with that explanation but I really have no recourse.

The armrest cradle hides the phone, charges faster, utilizes the vehicles antenna and just looks so cool. The phone looked so great snapped into the cradle.
The box contained no instructions except for a little booklet that stated " the charging of your device may be slowed or disrupted by high temperatures" in @ 15 different languages.
I can't believe they would release a product that simply doesn't work. My service advisor gave me a perfunctory apology. Nothing has been forthcoming from Mini USA.

 

Well I did the test for myself yesterday at Motorwerks MINI in Minneapolis with part number 84212351308. They were good enough to let me try it out in the parking lot. The cradle did appear to charge the phone and the MINI Connected apps appeared, but no joy for the "plug-in" as the car reports no compatable plug-in device found. Ran the MINI Connected diagnostics and the phone says cable failed test.

Not sure I really want one of these for daily driving since you have to remove the cover/bumper to use it, but it does hold the phone well. I will have to modify the lightening/30 pin adapter to work with the case I have in any case, but it would have been nice on longer trips to be able to charge while using Connected.

Still playing around with using a 12v/usb charger/lightening cable and bluetooth audio as probably the best solution during daily commutes as I can't get the lightening cable into the car USB to deliver sound (although the album cover comes up)

2012 JCW coupe with Bluetooth and Connected
Eclipse Grey with red roof and mirror caps
Recaro seats
Cold weather kit
sport suspension
black headlights
white side markers
rear fog (snow light)
Blizzak Run flats this time of year.

DTW

 

My $200 coupon is good until mid-December, so I can wait a little to see in Mini straightens this out. What a shame. One interesting thing is that Apple has announced a list of Auto manufactures working with their connected program, and BMW/Mini is not on the list. That seems surprising given the Mini Connected program that has been around for several years - and appears to work with the pre-5 iPhones. Oh well....

David

 

I took the easy way out and bought an old Iopd Touch on Ebay . Works fine. Selecting music on the Mini Radio is a pain, so I disconnect often to set what I want on the touch and replug and let it play.

 

FYI- If you have Park Distance Control (rear only) , with an iPhone 5 installed in arm rest; the aural warning (beep..beep..beep) may not function!! Visual screen is normal.
check it out.

 

I decided to get the lightning adapter from apple and use my OEM iphone plug.

 

Scratch that, car still does not recognize the phone with plug in. It will play thru the Aux mode tho but still that means no mini connected.

This whole iPhone 5 adaptation with Mini is a fail....

 

I also bought a lightning adapter for use with the mini connect. I haven't tried it yet but it looks like from your experience that it won't work. I have an Iphone 4 that has been retired but I may activate it if that is the only way to get the mini connect to work.

 

I called the dealer and they wanted me to being it in to have it looked at but unfortunately I couldn't stop in today.

 

I took my inactivated Iphone 4 and using my house wireless system while in the garage was about to find plug in and access both Facebook and the internet. I am debating if it is worth activating the 4 just for the mini. As stated earlier by another owner the 32 pin to lightning connector is not recognized and did not work for me either.

 

For my rig the lightning adapter does work (mostly), in fact it seems to work very much like the XXXX - 1308 snap in does, in other words everything but the "plug-in" function, and the workaround for that is to just use the CD/Input function in connected instead of "Mini-Connected"

I did cut down my adapter to work with my phone cover (careful, there are parts close to the surface in there), but pretty happy right now WITHOUT the snap-in except for the not charging thing that the snap-in fixes.

2012 JCW coupe with Bluetooth and Connected
Eclipse Grey with red roof and mirror caps
Recaro seats
Cold weather kit
sport suspension
black headlights
white side markers
rear fog (snow light)
Blizzak Run flats this time of year.

26,000 miles, average mpg of 37.
DTW

 

If you do decide its worth it, there are a couple relatively inexpensive ways to do it in the US. If your phone is a Verizon model, you can take it to StraightTalk at WalMart and activate it on a cheap pay-as-you-go plan for about $45/mo. If it is an AT&T/GSM model, you have more options. You'll need to have AT&T unlock it (expect them to give you the runaround), but then you can take it to T-Mobile for their $30/month plan. (They don't advertise it, but it exists. 100 voice minutes and gobs of data.) it may also be worth talking to MetroPCS to see if they can offer you something.

Is it worth the $300-600/year? I guess that's your call. Good luck whatever you choose to do.

 

Latest update from Mini USA via a phone call from a supervisor in response to my original phone call to them.

Mini USA is aware that the iPhone 5 snap in adapter does not function properly with Mini Connected. They are working on a fix and should re-release the adapter in the first part of 2014.

 

in time for the new iphone 7

 

I tried using the lightning adapter with my IPhone 5 with the CD/Media input instead of the mini connected. I was able to see the list of music on the screen and even got it to play but without any sound. I am not sure what I have forgot to do about getting sound. I am investigating the suggestion about activating my IPhone 4 unlocked but haven't done that yet. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

I think instead of 30 pin adapter or 30 pin BT adapter - why not a USB BlueTooth Dongle?

 

Gee, only a little over a year and half since the adaptor was issued to use by the iPhone.

 

I own a Mini Cooper with the Mini Connected and Satellite Navigation, I am trying to get a cradle for my iPhone 5, is the cradle you got the one I need?