Everyone seems to have a lot of questions about the bluetooth voodoo that's been going on with the mini over the past year or so. Its one of the only areas I feel qualified to speak on because I think I'm one of the few people who sprang for the full OEM "Universal Hands Free" (integrated into the armrest) for my '06 cooper. Here's the facts (what your dealer will likely misconstrue):

The Bluetooth hands free kit module (its the same in both the $450 and $1250 packages) was designed back in the 2-spoke steering wheel days. To my knowledge the 2-spoke wheel, although it had phone controls, likely did not have integrated bluetooth capability, which I think was the justification for the higher cost of the 3-spoke. (please someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Anyway, if you don't have the multifunction on either wheel, you're going to need a little black controller that adheres to the downtube, to operate the phone.
If you have the $450 bluetooth option, the phone will automatically integrate with your headunit if its turned on and within approx. 30 feet.
If you have the $1250 option, the phone hides away nicely in your armrest, while being charged by the battery, and connected to the car's main attena for better reception.
The only downside to the $1250 option is that the adapters only fit like 6 phones that were all produced in the Fall of 2003. Way obsolete, but it turns out, I still use my Ericsson t616, which was one of the supported phones.
Other than this, both kits are identical, they both include a microphone (the car does not come standard with one, despite what some are saying).
A lot of people are intrigued by Tom's Phone-Nav system, but reading the manual to the OEM bluetooth kit, it seems that using your Navigation display for dialing and caller ID information is already possible (at least it has been in Europe for some time). Does anyone out there with a Nav system know if this is true?
So bottom line: the "Universal Hands Free" integrated with the armrest is big bucks to pay to feel really cool answering calls with the little "phone" icon on the steering wheel. But it does work right out of the box, if you paid for it, don't let your dealer install that ugly controller on your downtube!

cheers,
andrew

 

Sticking with my Parrot EVO option for now. Total cost was about 260 bucks and I can use the buttons on my 3 spoke. Tom's solution is a nice idea, but way to expensive for my taste.

 

Did you buy the one from NewMiniStuff?

 

The "handsfree" kit is a really stripped version of the BMW kit. On NAV vehicles you get Voice activated Navigation, Digital Notepad, Caller ID/SMS Messaging and the ability to store 1000 names/numbers in the directory.

The phone cradles take away the point of bluetooth to me. True they offer a 3-5dB signal boost and charging capabilities, but this then tethers the phone to the vehicle - if a cradle is available. Keeping the phone in your pocket or purse is the most convenient method - so you have nothing to worry about, the MINI does all the work for you.

The buttons aren't even needed for the NAV setups since everything is voice controlled or can be controlled by the NAV button if desired. The non-NAV kits will have a few other tweaks we're putting the final details on next week.

 

On my system, there is still a voice notepad, caller ID (although no text messaging, i don't think), a large directory and enough memory for 50 voice activated commands inside the bluetooth unit itself. (You can still store extra voice commands in your phone, in my case the t616).

 

Yep, got it from Mikey..

I love the solution that Tom has and I am finally glad to see that one is availble that takes advantage of the NAV it is just the cost that got me. Perhaps one day I might upgrade...

 

Hmm... great post Andrew, but I'd like to clarify one or two things:Not really the same... read on...OK, a couple of points here. Prior to 01/2005 manufactured MINIs (not 100% sure on that date, but it was definitely 2005 models), the MFSW did not include the Bluetooth buttons. So, if your MINI was manufactured before then, it doesn't matter whether you have a 2-spoke or a 3-spoke wheel, you don't have the bluetooth buttons therefore you'll need the little black controller.

Also, the Bluetooth functionality consists of three bluetooth-specific buttons:

• R/T
• <little phone icon>
• <little speaker icon OR talking head icon>

The Bluetooth functionality also uses the + & - buttons, but every MSFW comes with those.

The catch is, the new MSFW with Bluetooth buttons doesn't include the 3rd BT-specific button (namely the little speaker icon/talking head icon).

What does that mean? Well, that button is needed to bring up voice activation, for starters. Even if you're not going to use voice activation (I don't use it in my car at the moment), that button is required in order to trigger pairing mode.

So where do you get that 3rd BT button? There are two ways:

• The ugly little keypad
• The armrest charger dock ("expensive" BT kit only)

This means that the only way to fully avoid the little keypad with the OEM kits is if you both buy the "big" kit and if you also have the armrest dock installed. I know this from experience, because when I first had my "big" BT kit installed (same one you have), I tried to do it without the armrest - I didn't want it. Once it was realized I then had to have the keypad, I sprang for the armrest retrofit and the rest of the install. Thankfully I also have one of the few phones that is compatible with the charger/antenna dock (Motorola E815)!

One other benefit of the "big" bluetooth kit that you didn't mention (although Tom did in a later post) - integration with factory Navigation.

See, that's what sold me on it in the end. I have the factory Nav, and for that reason alone, I decided to spring for the "big" kit. At the time, it was the only way to get Bluetooth integrated into your Nav.

Now, Tom @ EAS has released a somewhat cheaper option, which actually uses many of the exact same parts from the big BT kit we have, although he has ensured the latest software versions (a nice plus). The main thing is that he didn't bother with armrest integration, which does save some of the cost.

The EAS option is the only other Nav-integrated BT kit for the MINI as far as I know....and for factory Nav integration.

 

so i would like a bluetooth system.. i have a s with the three spoke steering wheel with no buttons, where can i find that 450 system.

 

Edge -

Thanks for the clarifications. 2 corrections though: you don't need that 'talking head' icon to do voice activation, you just hold down the "phone" icon on your steering wheel for about 1.5 seconds. And you can also pair/un-pair the phone that way too! That little head icon I'm guessing is a hold-over from the first version of the kit, before the MFSW integration. Second correction is, I did mention the factory Nav integration - its mentioned in the OEM manual, I just never heard of anyone in the US using them together.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

Hi Andrew -

One more clarification requested: I bought the $450 Mini BT kit in a 2005 w/MFSW & Nav, and was disapointed to end up with BT buttons on the downtube.
Can this BT be controlled with the MFSW? If yes, what's required to do so?

Thanks,
- Jim

 

Jim -

I think what's required is you first "pair" your phone (instructions on how to do this should be in the BT kit manual) . Once you do that, your phonebook from your cellphone will automatically be sent to the bluetooth module (positioned behind the stereo head unit). At this point, you can check functionality by pressing the R/T button on your MFSW, and you should see one of your phonebook entries in the stereo display. If you see the entry, press (but don't hold) the "Phone" button on your MFSW to dial that entry. You can also change phonebook entries with the arrow buttons on the MFSW. If the mic and speaker connections are installed properly, you should have no problems after that.
As far as Nav integration is concerned, you should be able to see phonebook entries in your Nav screen, as well as the digits when you're manually (or thru voice activation) entering a number. I don't want to diss TomTom's upgrade, but I don't think you need it if your BT kit has been installed properly.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

I'm looking into getting bluetooth on my wifes 06 miniS. Since she has a newer phone (Moto Q) that probably wouldn't be able to use the arm rest charger should I just spring for the $450 version? I'm assuming the dealer would be able to get this for me and install? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out what to do as this whole bluetooth thing is confusing. Thanks.

Brian

 

Depends - is your MINI equipped with NAV? If so, you'd really be missing out on a lot without our kit.

 

No, unfortunately it isn't equipped with Nav. If it was I would already be on your site ordering!

 

We've got some surprises for the non-nav units that were added in last minute. We'll open a new thread as soon as we're ready for release.

 

Brian -

Yes you should spring for the $450 version, but if you have MFSW, I'm pretty sure you don't need the controller on the downtube. Request to the dealer not to have that installed.

ANOTHER UPDATE for the "Universal HandsFree Kit":

The shop foreman today informed that the $1250 version is in fact hardwired into the head unit (from the armrest) confirming my earlier suspicions. So, it does not use bluetooth unless the phone is unplugged from the adapter, which makes sense because the 'adapter' plugs into the phone's headset outlet.

cheers,
andrew

 

Only audio is hardwired into the HU and another connector (grounding) , the ULF still communicates via ibus. The ULF is doing much more work and offers much more features than the handsfree kit.

We won't offer the handsfree kit on our site - I don't feel it's worth the money.

 

does the oem kit use a separate telephone speaker, or the normal speaker system?

On my Parrot installation, if I connect the mute to the HU it forces it into "phone" mode during a call but you can't hear audio. with it disconnected the phone is heard normally through the HK system.
The HK schematic shows an output for a phone speaker. Is this used in the Mini?

 

The OEM kits (both of them... remember, there are two versions) both use the speakers from the OEM stereo.Nope - as I said above, both OEM BT kits use the regular stereo speakers.

They do this by "taking over" the head unit when you're on a call (in the same manner you describe) - the head unit displays "PHONE" and all of your other music, etc. is silenced, until the call is complete and the head unit reverts back to the source it was previously on.

 

Thanks
I'm stumped then.....my install should work with mute connected. I know the Parrot audio is getting to the HK amp.
I don't remember trying the volume control. Perhaps the phone is initially set to 0.
I'm assuming each source has its own volume setting in the HK, right?

 

Is there a way to adjust the volume on the OEM bluetooth? I have the one sold by EAS. Sometimes the volume is really low and I can barely hear the people talking (esp with the top down).