I just received a new MINI ipod factory interface kit; unfortunately, there is no installation manual in the box and I'm unable to locate any type of "how-to" installation guide online. Please help!!!

Note, the part number is 65-11-0-392-139 - this is the actual interface unit which allows control of the ipod via the factory steering controls.

 

From http://www.motoringfile.com:

http://www.motoringfile.com/files/mi...structions.pdf

 

The interface box instructs dealers to print instructions for the customer from theire ASAP database. My dealer forgot, but e-mailed the instructions to me.

 

For those who have the interface, I just tried to make an appointment to have this interface installed and was told that they would not be available until mid-February, and that this was due to a "supplier change". This sounds like so much hooey I can't believe that they actually have the nerve to say it out loud. So what dealers actually have these things ??

 

Ozbone, try Classic Auto Campus in Ohio - just ordered the kit earlier in the week from Classic and it has already arrived, plus they offer a 20% discount for NAMotoring.com.

 

Thanks, I just got off the phone with Brian - he had a bunch of them in stock and is shipping me one today. BTW, any dealers who try to tell you that these things aren't available, Brian checked his computer and found that there are 2,176 iPod interfaces in US dealers/warehouses!

 

Good deal! Just make sure to reference the install guide link provided earlier in the thread in case Classic forgets to include in the shipment.

 

When I called my dealer to arrange for installation, I told service I would be supplying the kit and that there were plenty of them available elsewhere. Their reply was, well, we don't have any because there were problems with the early ones and BMW/MINI has changed suppliers. I certainly haven't read of any problems. Anyone else ??

 

Wow, I looked at the installation time and it is no where near what the dealer said they woudl charge me!!! Is there a list of these installation instructions? I went to motoringfile.com and could not find a complete list...

 

There's a "How-To" page that has most of them. The link is at the top. What I generally do is use the search bar (also at the top) and type in the search term ".pdf" to find them. You'll get a long list of results but you can scan them quickly.

 

Do you know where they are getting them from? I would love to get my hands on the install guides b/c the time for installation on them is way below what was quoted to me by the dealer. I will be meeting with the service manager before my S comes in to "discuss" the cost of all of my installs (JCW, Driving Lights, Ipod, etc).

 

I don't know. You could go over there, email Gabe (who owns the site) and ask him.

 

On a related note...the official installation instructions (http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...l_instructions) is quite good, but also refer to needing specific tools for the install. Does anyone have a real "How TO" for the install from their own experience, with all the tips and hints that the official instructions don't have? like how do we get those special tools, are they needed, or what can one use in their place?

 

I used the How to from Motoring file. The only special tool you need is a wire crimper. Thare are no tricks other than patience. Took me about 2 hours, I followed the instructions to a T, but I was being extremely careful, because my car was only a few hours old. It works well, and I am so glad I did not pay someone to install it.

 

I installed mine myself, and the only problem I had was that the directions told me to put the 4 newly created wires from the existing wiring harness for the radio backwards in the connector. If I would have put it the way the directions wanted me the wires would have lined up 1->4, 2->3, 3->2, and 4->1 insted of 1->1... etc. Other than that install was a breeze.

-Andy

 

i would also love to know what kind of substitute tools i can use to install the kit! im stuck !

 

id love to get some info on substituting some of these 'special tools.'

if it helps, i used a hair pin in place of AMP
terminal removal tool p/n 61 1 134 (name of the tool in the manual). im still trying to install but i dont know if i have the right crimper.


im at the point where im trying to crimp wires 9,12,15,16 and it says my kit should have the female bullet connectors but i cant find them! what do the look like so i can buy some @ radio shack ?!