I still don't know if the I-pod connector is available by now - it says no on the Mini-Build-your-car site, it says yes in the accessories brochure and the MA said by March.

Has anyone had one of these connectors installed, how much did you pay for unit plus install and does it fit into the 'secret' glovebox?

Tks for info

 

Yesterday, my MA said it's still not available and they still don't know the price. Again I am mystified by MINI's seeming lack of advance planning.

 

My dealer plans on installing mine on my 07 when it gets in next week. No word on any holdups.

The quoted price is 570, installed.

 

Quoted price $520-install first week in April. Call parts at your dealer.

 

Mine is being installed today, allegedly, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

$500+ for the iPod connector is ridiculous, especially cuz that's 2x more than the iPod connector for R53. I'm assuming all those that are planning on getting this option are load$d folks.

I'm enjoying my iPod via the aux jack and a $20 belkin car charger.

 

what of it BritBoy?
Did it happen?

 

Nope, not yet. When I spoke to the service guy yesterday, they'd fitted the driving lamps and rear bumper protection, but not the Ipod adapter. They'll be doing that on Monday, I hope.

 

What more do you get via the iPod connector that you don't get through the AUX port cable?

Just the ability to control through the MFSW and song titles displayed, right?

 

I would say the 570 is the "holdup."

I would LOVE to install one of these goodies, but that price excedes the price/desire ratio by too much for me. I think I am going to resign myself to burning a few MP3 CD's or using the AUX jack.

Paul

 

Yep.

And you either don't have to go fumbling around or come up with a mounting solution.

That's why I have a vent-mounted holder and am using the aux cable right now. I can afford getting the adapter, but I can't justify it after the initial purchase.

I know it seems stupid, but if I'd been told $600 for the iPod adapter at purchase, I'd have bit and paid for it up front. Gladly, and with a smile. After all, I've got the illuminated sills and folding mirrors, TYVM.

But after the purchase, priorities change. I'd rather put the $600 or so against, I dunno, lunch out at a decent restaurant for two months.

 

For anybody that does not mind going the aftermarket route, check out the ICE-Link.

 

From their web site: "We do not yet have a DICE ipod integration kit that is compatible with the selected vehicle: - 2007 MINI Cooper"

 

www.dension.com seemed to have them available for all Minis, but I'm not sure if it is actually R56-compatible or if they just have not updated their site to reflect the new model.

 

Anyone tried a "Griffin TuneFlex AUX Flexible Charging Cradle"? The Apple Store has it. It is similar to the Belkin, but without the intervening amp. I think I'd rather not have a Belkin amp in the chain. Half the Belkin products I've ordered haven't worked. So, I try to avoid them.

 

My dealer quoted me $770 for the i-pod adapter install. Same dealer that quoted someone else $500 for mud flaps. I guess they just don't want to bother unless there's big $ in it for them.

 

MINI of Mountain View charges $150 per hour. Seems like they don't really want to install things either.

 

JEEZ!!! That's INSANE!

Seriously... $20 and you can get a cable that uses the dock connector and plugs into the existing AUX IN port! I've tried it in my friend's R56 and it sounds as good as the DICE unit I have in my Volvo (very similar in design to the existing MINI unit).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...903986-5490233

I'll probably let mine rest in the well near, or under the parking brake, but another $10-15 and you can get yourself a vent mount. Or save the cash and route the cable into your glove box.

http://www.amazon.com/ARKON-CM160-W-...4877742&sr=1-2

POW! Youve just saved yourself at least $55o!

 

My dealer quoted $330 that's why I went for it. I've not had the bill yet, but if its more, I'm not paying. (East Bay Mini, Pleasanton).

 

Hey, msh441, thanks for the info. For that money, it's worth trying!

 

My dealer quoted me 480.00 today installed.

 

The dock connector to Aux wire is the way to go IMO. It'll sound exactly the same as the $500+ dealer installed unit, just won't let you change tracks with the steering wheel is all. I doubt you can change artists/albums with the dealer install. You need some type of mount though.

 

I think that you are mostly paying for the software. My dealer says $520 in Puget Sound.

 

Here is what Mini2 has to say regarding what the new iPod adapter brings to the table. This is from an internal MINI email:

The iPod connector allows an Apple iPod, iPod nano, iPod Mini and iPod Photo to be connected to the MINI's audio system using a cable in the glovebox. The tracks stored on the iPod are played via the vehicle's audio system with the iPod being controlled using the radio, multifunction steering wheel or MINI joystick depending on the equipment in the car. By selecting genres, artists, albums or playlists, it is possible to access your entire music collection at any time. All lists, tracks or artists are displayed on the on-board monitor or the radio display. An additional advantage of this system is that the iPod's battery is charged whilst the iPod is in use via the vehicle's electrical system.

The iPod interface supports the following functions:

Playback of all tracks stored in the iPod
Operation of the iPod interface via the MINI joystick, multifunction steering wheel or radio dependent on the equipment in the car
Track search by artist, album, playlist or genre using the on-board monitor or radio display.
Podcast playback
SC/SCAN: Play the tracks in the current list for 10 seconds each
RPT/REPEAT: Repeat the current track
Track jump: Jump to the next or previous track
Fast forward
Display of detailed information about the current track (artist and time index) depending on the equipment in the car.
Technical Information



The following versions are compatible with the interface:

iPod (G3, G4, G5) with docking connector from software version 2.2 onwards
iPod mini from software version 1.1 onwards
iPod nano from software version 1.0 onwards
The iPod interface can be connected with the following equipment

Boost radio (SA 6FC) or Professional Navigation (SA 609)
When installing the iPod interface to vehicles with MINI CD changer (SA672), the CD changer, must be removed and can no longer be used. Please ensure your customers agree to this.
The iPod interface can be combined with the MINI glovebox divider (51.11.0.418.072). This means the iPod can be accessed quickly and easily at any time.
When retrofitting the iPod interface to vehicles with storage compartment (SA 493) in the dashboard, the storage compartment is no longer visible. Please ensure your customers agree to this.

This interface is only suitable for R56.
__________________________________________________ _____
Apparently, the interface replaces the 6 disc changer, so each "disc" is a different way to browse the ipod.

Here are some photos of it installed on a SatNav system:

Ipod Interface SatNav Photos

Disc 1: Playlists
D2: Artists
D3: Album
D4; Genre
D5: Podcasts
D6 Songs (alphabetically)

Downside is that apparently it only shows the first 255 of any list, so the songs one might be kinda useless. However, some even halfway decent playlist management should make it quite useable.

 

That amounts to a whole lot of looking around at the screen for someone with as many artists and tracks as I have. May as well look at the iPod and save $500 IMO.