So I found out that its impossible to add a aftermarket stereo to my car... let alone a navi. I kinda wish I researched before I bought the car. I have a iPhone 5 and really like to listen to my music, just wish I had better connectability then just an aux audio cable. I called Mini and the service guy told me there isn't an adapter for my car. Double bummer.
I saw this in my arm rest... is it possible to use this for some type of hookup? What have other people done???

 

I don't think you can use the thing in the armrest but I'm not sure. I know others have connected up a bluetooth device to their aux jack so they can stream music from their phone to this device to the aux jack. Look up Kinivo on amazon

 

That is what my husband uses in his car with the iPhone 4
If the car isn't in drive he can even watch a video on the screen.
He listens to music and makes calls through that.
However you need to buy the adapter that snaps in there.

 

You might need the snap in adapter : Do you have Nav : MINI Conncted or Non Nav ?
Its mostly to charge the phone and a holder. But dependent on the year and options i believe you can stream audio.

 

I have non-nav. But I do have hands free bluetooth for handsfree calls.

I WISH I had the possibility to put a separate system in the car. I'd love to just install another stereo below the stock and run all new speaker wire to the speakers and just leave one small speaker under the dash for chimes...

Anyone thought of doing that?

 

Very well documented; check the Gen 2 electronics and mods sections for write ups. It's not for the faint of heart but you can install a single or double DIN unit by moving most of the rest of the center stack down.

(Man I hope you are asking about a Gen 2 car. The NAM mobile app just says "navigation and audio" forum. If you are running an F56, disregard my post.)

 

What car do you have? I have an aftermarket headunit in mine...

 

It charges and for some newer MINI transfers data. What year is your MINI ?

 

gchurchill,

What are your goals? Just ease of connectivity? Better sound quality? Both? If you had to choose, which is most important to you?

 

I just got a snap in adapter for an old iPhone 4 I had lying around. I put it in the car but don't it doesn't seam to recognize that their is a phone connected. Is there something special that needs to be done?

 

Did you push the button to the left of the volume ****? That switches it to CD/AUX which is how it plays.
Or you can push the home button and roll around to CD/AUX and bring it up that way.

That's all we have to do in my husbands car.

 

Yep tried that. I checked the mini connected plugin section also and the phone just isn't showing up. I'm wondering if I need to update the software or if the snap in adapter is bad (I did buy it on eBay).

 

Does the phone work in the car without being in the cradle?
Can you make a phone call?

I know you have to pair the phone but since we had already been using the
phone it was already paired with the car. I'm not sure if that is relevant to the cradle.

 

It doesn't have service (I use my iPhone 6). I was just planning on using it as a media player and for some of the offline MINI connected features. It works fine if I plug it into the usb port. Which is why I'm thinking its a cradle issue.

 

You need to see if your car was built with the smartphone prep for the arm rest to function. Check your vin. I got it in my car it works fine.

 

Using the VIN decoder here? What exactly does it say for yours?