Never heard of a software upgrade requirement. MY dealer wanted $770 for the adapter, installed. Considering they wanted $410 for mud flaps, that's not unexpected. An installer told me he'd do it for $100.

 

Nope, there is no software upload needed and there have been a lot of people that have installed them on their own. The problem is that it requires snipping and most people want a plug and play solution. DICE or Icelink Plus are better solutions and easier to install. I did mine in about a half hour. I helped a friend install the MINI one and it took about an hour. This is one of those items that dealers can make pure profit on.

 

I recant my comments as I thought this was the 1st Gen forum. Sorry guys. I don't know how similar or dissimilar it is.

 

Apparently the US software has the functionality built in. I know in the UK a software update was being required before the kit could be installed, and in some cases the hardware was at a dealer but the software wasn't, which was pretty frustrating for them.

 

I don't want to be distracted looking at the little display on my iPod while driving and I really want steering wheel controls, so the iPod-stuck-somewhere-on-my-dash option is not for me.

BMW was first to offer iPod integration (at a reasonable price) and now its priced as an expensive aftermarket gimmick that ignores the impact the iPod has had on how people listen to their music.

This should be a built-in feature by now!

I was told the adaptor is to be offered only as a dealer installable option, costing $315 plus two hours of labor (seems absurd as that implies they have to rip something apart - if so, this should be installed at the factory!). Something like $500-550 should be the going rate.

The AUX input, if taken from the headphone jack of the iPod, is not as good sounding as using the iPod line-out signal that comes from the bottom connector.

Given the redesign of the console and radio setup in the '07's, it makes sense that the aftermarket stuff hasn't quite caught up yet.

Has anyone done a DICE setup up on an '07 and how does it compare in functionality to the dealer installed option? Anyone know what make the dealer installed option is and whether it is available elsewhere?

Repeat after me: BUILD IT IN! - BUILD IT IN! - BUILD IT IN!

 

I agree 100%. Its pretty crappy that Mini is allowing dealers to gouge the customer. I asked MINI direct and they said, "We have no way of installing it at the factory". That's baloney. If they can install the CD changer they can install the connectors.

Its $1000 in our neck of the woods.

 

I have the hardware of the iPod adapter now installed in my Mini (picked it up yesterday). However, it is useless at the moment because the vehicle software needs to be upgraded as well, and the dealership does not currently have the disc with the latest version, which apparently my Mini needs due to it having the Sat Nav. The disc will be in next week. i'll post pics then.

The iPod adapter goes into the "secret compartment" and there is a pad for the iPod to rest on inside it so it doesn't slide around. You can simply plug it in and then close the compartment, and that's that.

With the Sat Nav, it should be very easy to get around between playlists, etc. The nav system screen and joystick take some learning but wow is the system cool.

I'll post more once I have a bit more seat time and some photos. For now I am using my Aux for the iPod and it sounds great. The HiFi upgrade is quite nice. 6 speakers in the front seat is quite an improvement over 2!

 

Here in Calgary, Canada I was quoted $700 Canadian installed from my dealer, luckly I had done a Mini Challenge (Test drove thee Mini's against the A3, Mazda 3, Golf GTi and the Rabbit) afterwards we were given a coupon for $1000 worth of free accessories if you buy a new Mini, I had just ordered mine, so I got mine done for free at the dealership.

 

Glad to hear you got your car back, jmelrose. But, has MINI not heard of overnight shipping??? Or are they still working on getting the software right?? MINI (meaning MINI, not necessarily the dealer) customer service sucks. If they don't get their act together it will come bake and bite them.

 

Wow I can't believe some people on here were quoted upwards of $1000 to install the Ipod adapter. My dealer quoted me $375 for the part and install. And $400+ for mud flaps? The sell for $65 and it takes like 15 min to screw the 2 screws apice in there. Are they loosing their minds??? Crazy crazy crazy.

 

I would recommend to anyone getting the iPod adapter that they NOT be the first install of it done at their dealership, and I consider the SatNav a different beast entirely than the regular interface. (In other words, if they've installed the iPod on a regular display, and you're getting it on a SatNav, that's a more complex process apparently.) The cost of being an early adopter may be your Mini's computer being hosed. Be very, very cautious when it comes to anything that requires the software on the car to be updated.

Mine still doesn't have bluetooth, voice rec, traffic info, PDC display working through the Sat Nav because they're afraid to try to program the car again for fear of another mishap. Just be cautious, is my advise.

 

Does a DICE unit work in the 07? It is a lot cheaper and does most of the same things if not all.

 

According to Amazon, the vent mount that you discussed does not work with circular vents. Are your vents circular (they are in 2007 model) and does the vent mount fit? I don't want to spend $$ needlessly.

Thanks for your help!
Cathy

 

Can i do that in '07 MCS?
if yes, can you tell me how? thanks in advance.

 

hi, i like the idea of the AUX cable.
but, how did you solve the battery issue? AUX cable doesn't recharge the battery right?
any input would be appreciated.

 

I'm getting the iPod connector as an accessory while ordering my MINI. It still isn't installed at the factory, but my MA at MINI of Mountain View has put an order on it to be done "in Port" when it arrives in LA. I'm told the labor for the install is only around $150 going that route.

 

No, the Aux cable just lets it play, you need to connect the docking port to the lighter to charge it. You can get a gizmo that plugs into the docking port on the bottom of the iPod and runs a line to the lighter and a line to the Aux input so it charges and plays at the same time. It could be hard to use that without some kind of mount though. Some come with a mount that just plugs into the lighter.

 

When I was getting my mini setup I was given the 1000 dollar price and told to just use the Aux port. Did that install pdf ever show up, if I could get the cable and install it myself I will. I might try calling around to other dealers in the area for a purchase and isntall quote to see if I can find a lower price.

 

Sounds like they just don't want to do it. The part (cable kit) costs something like $300. Install labor is the rest, I was told ~2 hrs. The center console has to be dismantled for access to the radio setup and the hidden compartment. For me it was about $520. Expensive, but worth it since it is controlled via the radio and steering wheel.

If you have the SatNav system, the cost might be higher, as I've heard others say it needs software upgrades to work with the SatNav display. The labor costs might go up because of this.

In the end, BMW/MINI is backpedalling on iPod support by making it an outrageously expensive dealer install instead of a more appropriate factory option. It should be a standard feature with at least the upgraded radio and/or SatNav systems. The $300 part probably costs them well under $100 anyway.

 

So I guess I am spoiled with having a custom head unit in my old Focus for over a year, with the ipod connection. Leaving the ipod in the little cubby underneath the AC and having to reach down there to control it is annoying. Not to mention that if you have drinks in the cup holder it's a pain in the *** to skip songs. This weekend was an exercise in frustration with the ipod connected through the AUX input. So in the end I will probably pay the premium, but it is stupid that they want so much money for a cable.

 

I called my Mini dealer yesterday to get the Mini iPod adapter installed. I set the appointment, and was told it would take about 1 1/2 hours. Fortunately, I asked how much for the install (mind you, I already had the kit given to me by my wife for Father's Day) and was told it was $800 !!! I asked if they were kidding, and they were not.

Today, a stereo shop installed the unit in about 1 hour (including time to replace a fuse and correct an earlier wiring harness mis-step) and for $50 plus a $20 tip to the technician, my iPod is resting on my Euro Parcel Tray! And I saved the money for the next 2 payments on my car!

 

That sounds like the right price. What was the name of the stereo shop?

 

What about software install?

 

Long Beach Mini gives a quote of 420 with part and install. That was the best price I found locally.

 

I had my adapter installed by Advanced Car Stereo in Riverside, CA (my home town.) I called Tony (the owner) & he quoted me $40 for the install, but he was thinking it was just the Aux jack, since that is what he did in his 2005 Mini - he had mini for about a year until his wife got pregnant. He uped it to $50 because the trial and error of changing out the wires in the harness by Nicholas (the installer.) I thought it was more than fair, especially versus the $800 quoted by Crevier Mini in Santa Ana.

The unit was plug and play, so as soon as we turned it on, it worked and no software was needed. I asked about adding XM, and Tony quoted me $100 to install if I get the unit (probably from AES.)

Motor on (especially with Advanced Car Stereo.)