Hi all, I know this question has been asked before, but searching didn't really net the answers I needed. I found a lot of stuff related to MINI Connected and not nearly quite as much related to other options. Maybe the other options don't exist, but I'm here to ask to satisfy my curiosity before I take drastic measures.

Here's what I have:

• R56 MINI Cooper Hatchback BASE stereo
• Android Phone (LG G3 to be specific, but the phone itself is not important, just know that it is NOT an iPhone or any other i-Product)
• iPod Nano (5th gen I think) -- this is my current music source, which just isn't really sufficent
• 8GB USB flash drive -- this lives in my wife's car so I have music when I drive her car

At any point in time, I use one or all of these things. However, my phone with Pandora and Google Play Music is my preferred method. I currently have a WEB of wires that are running everywhere and dangling to support the AUX-IN and charging.

I know of Tune2Air, but it seems a little pricey to me, given that it will cost $100+ to purchase if you include their Y-cable (required for the MFSW controls to work), which is different from the BMW Y-cable.

I bought a bluetooth 30-pin connector from Best Buy and it's total rubbish because the MINI won't recognize it as an iPod (since it clearly is NOT an iPod), and just simply doesn't do what I want. It will be going back tomorrow morning.

I've been reading on occasion about the MINI connected retrofit, but I don't think that's viable either for me.

I know I could replace the factory radio, but I don't want to do that much work. It's simply too complicated to replace the radio, even though I have a radio in my garage in a box from a previous car that does exactly what I want.

Are there any options out there that will allow me to use my android phone without the wires, and ALSO allow me to make use of the radio controls and MFSW? I know any of these options would likely be a 30-pin solution, which is fine if the mini will acknowledge it. A big added plus would be if track info is displayed on the radio. It looks like Tune2Air does this wonderfully if you have an iPhone/iPad/i-whatever but not for Android (yet?).

 

Their website says it now supports Android and even Windows Phone.

http://www.viseeo.com/ugC_ShowroomIt...0&hidShowID=15

 

So it claims to support android and Windows phone but from posts I've seen here on NAM people say it doesn't support track info, and you have to buy the viseeo Y cable for AVRCP to work. That takes my total over $100 which I think is a bit much.

 

What year is your R56? If you have a newer one or at least a newer BMW Cable, MFSW and AVRCP will work with the Viseeo WMA1000 with and android phone. I know because I have that set up for my car. The only thing that isn't supported is track info. I thought that track info would be supported if I bought the actual Viseeo cable, but that is not the case. The Viseeo Y cable does not add any extra functionality. Why they even have a cable for sale is beyond my comprehension. Anyway, as long as you have the BMW/MINI Y cable, the Viseeo will work like you want it to. I drive a 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman S w/ HK w/o Nav.

 

My R56 is 2011, made in 8/2010. I believe it's the LCI since I have the N18 engine. I bought a different model from best buy that allows me to use the AUX port via bluetooth, but obviously no track info and no radio or SW controls. It's solid, and I get what I expected for the $25.

Since you have the Viseeo module, would you say it was worth the $89? I don't use the SW controls that much, and the track info is really just eye candy more than anything else...but it doesn't mean I don't want it! I thought I read somewhere that Viseeo is working on the track info display for the android phones as well.

I also have been thinking about digging up an old iphone 3gs and seeing what kind of magic I can work with it....

 

I got it as a gift, but regardless I was going to get it because it is one of the most advanced ones available. I do use the SW controls often, I like that it turns on and connects automatically when I enter the car. It also pauses what you were listening to and, if you're not long too gone, it will resume play. I too think the track info is eye candy, although it will be nice if they can ever get it to work. Other than that, the only other thing you can't do with an Android but with an iPhone is select a playlist, but I think choosing your music or playlist from your phone is easier unless we had a touch screen or at least a screen to use. If you want something that is dependable, firmware upgradable, convenient and easy to use, I say go for it. It's definitely a lot cheaper than trying to retrofit MINI Connect, which was what I originally wanted to do.