Has anyone used the new Bluetooth buttons on the MFSW? I am looking into getting a new phone and was wondering how it works with the new buttons? On MotoringFile I saw an article that said something about it would only work with a few phones, but didn't sound too sure.

What has to be added to the system to get the Bluetooth to work, etc.?
Thanks

 

you would have to get the "bluetooth kit" from MINI which 1/05 and newer cars are prewired for. not sure of the cost, though. from what I understand, bluetooth is bluetooth, so no matter what kind of phone you have, as long as it is bluetooth enabled, it should work with the MINI kit.

 

I was kind of thinking htat it shouldn't really matter what phone you have as long as its Bluetooth

As for the MINI Bluetooth kit, I haven't seen one except for the one that has the funky little box with the buttons, which I don't really need nor want as they are redundant. I have heard of several aftermarket Bluetooth kits and was wondering if anyone has tried to use any of these yet with the MFSW or if you have to use the MINI one, which I haven't been able to find yet for the MFSW

 

I moved this over to the Navigation and Audio forum as there are already several Bluetooth related threads there already....


As for the new buttons, first from what I've been told you still need to get the MINI Bluetooth kit. Per MINI of Towson the current MINI Bluetooth kit is compatible with the new wheel.

Some things to keep in mind:
First it turns out that not all Bluetooth phones play along well with the MINI Bluetooth kit. There have been reports that the Sony-Ericsson P900 series of phones don't play along well with the MINI kit, as they don't support the correct handsfree profile. That being said 95% or more of the Bluetooth phones out there will work fine with the MINI kit.

Second, the MINI kit is EXTREMELY expensive. Yes I know it's an OEM kit, but there are other high quality kits out there from Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, and Parrot at have the same capabilities as the MINI kit and cost 1/4 the price of the MINI kit, and that's including installation.

Those things being said though, if you're interested in a Bluetooth car kit, go for it. I've got one in my Subaru and will be putting one in the MINI and it's terrific. Headsets are great, but eventually you get tired of fumbling with cords and stuff and stop using them. With a Bluetooth car kit, you just start the car and go...

 

Hello everyone! I'm new to this site and have received great info from all here. I'm now waiting for my first MINI S, a Feb build (2 weeks early!) and am also waiting for the new bluetooth kit.

According to MINI Center in TX as of Feb, the new bluetooth kit for builds that have the phone MFSW (1/05-on) will require a new software kit to enable, and it is being planned for June 05 release.
(can anyone else confirm??)

FYI--I currently have a BMW X5 with the factory Bluetooth kit and its awesome. The voice dialing is dead-on and the caller ID on the display is great when your phone is in your pocket. Hopefully these features will be in the new MINI kit, which may help to justify the high price. As others mentioned, not all bluetooth phones work as each vendor implements the "headset" profile differently. The Ericsson T68 works great!

 

The current MINI kit does not do this. One of the reasons why the high price is so frustrating.

 

Well if we get voice dialing in this BT kit, then that's good for $450. I was completly ripped-off when I paid $900 for the BMW kit, but I'd rather have the integrated functionality and I've got to have "bleeding-edge" electronics!

Anyone else hear about the new BT "software upgrade" for June?

 

It does support voice dialing if your phone supports it. But you can get that same functionality from the Sony Ericsoon HCB-30 which you can find on e-bay for under $100 or for $130 to $150 elsewhere.

 

Well, now with the phone & R/T button on the MFSW like BMW, this may justify the cost to get the integrated use & look without the additional "green-light fob" or button pack as the previous BT kit and other 3rd party suppliers like Parrot, SE, and others.
Its expensive, but I can't wait!!

 

Grrr... So there isn't any way to hook an aftermarket Bluetooth kit up to the MFSW. I'd hate to have the aftermarket control if I don't have too

 

This months GO Mini mag out of the UK shows two new bluetooth headsets, both from Logitech. One cuts out wind noise(great for the convertible drivers) and the other has easy to use finger controls. Go to logitech.com for more info.

 

I know BMW uses an info-BUS type system for button/data transfer within the car to control all their electronics. I don't know of any current solution for BMWs that take over the phone-R/T buttons for a 3rd party bluetooth kit. If MINI uses a similar info-BUS (?) system someone could hack a solution to use those buttons. The closest solution that uses MFSW buttons to control 3rd party electronics is the iPod controller for MINI & BMW, which allows you to use the MFSW to control the iPod; so something similar would be required to use the phone buttons.

 

The holder for the phones (not available in the US) will only work with a couple phones. The kit should work with all Bluetooth phones.

 

We have been integrating some nokia kits to the steering wheel/radio display & are going to do some testing on the new Mini wheel when we get hold of one to see whats possible