Phone button on steering wheel
 

On an '06 S convertible what does the phone button do? It's on the left side of the steering wheel. Thanks.

Nothing unless you have the integrated Bluetooth module.

The buttons on the wheel are standard with the MFSW which itself is an option and the bluetooth was also an option. More than likely you don't have the bluetooth module. If you have it the control pad will be at the top of the left hand riser right next to the stereo.

This might be what you are looking for.
https://www.outmotoring.com/bluetoot...nvertible.html

Before you buy make sure the harness is present in your trunk, my 06 cabriolet doesn't have it but does have the mfsw and HK stereo. The harness is two plugs wrapped in tape way inside the right
side panel. No fun to get at.

editorial comment

we have an R-59 roadster with bluetooth

with the top down the bluetooth is 99% useless ..... too much noise

if Mrs is driving the 59 the top is down unless it is raining. Neither radio or BT gets much use .....

just sayin'

Yep,

I have the Full Bluetooth kit on my R52. A little hard to hear your voice with the top down, but with the wind deflector in its ok. There is a simple version also. This is the old school bluetooth days. MINI gave everyone those button from 1/2005+ even though they did not really do anything unless you got the kits.

Tons of info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-retrofit.html


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f7620fd8fe.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...75046588d5.png

This unit is a 20 min installation which will allow you to use the steering wheel control to accept/reject calls, play/skip/reverse music from your phone/Bluetooth device, play from USB stick/MicroSD. No need to go into the truck. Works great...

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06Y66HF...=vglnkc6797-20

Or just swap to an aftermarket head unit with steering wheel control interface and it works fine also.

.

Looks like Amazon doesn't have it any longer, but Ebay does. Will it work with H/K system?

Yes it does, my system is H/K.

Seriously, you want to mount this in a convenient location so you can insert an SD card. It is no longer available for many very good reasons. There are much better solutions out there. For me aftermarket HU is the ticket and I said that in 2005.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...401222bc43.jpg



https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...d7af6fd1d3.jpg

You mean in a location like this?https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...ce601ab90b.jpg

I don't understand your reluctantance with this unit?
Have you used it before?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...10560a2ede.jpg

The cable is long enough to reach the roof cutouts, I just didn't want to go through the trouble and the microphone works very well here.

You also mention, Better solutions, Unless you have the OEM factory Bluetooth unit, or RIP out the existing system and replace with an up to date system, what is the better solution?
Could it also be that it's unavailable because they've sold out?????????????

It certainly would not be my choice. Real estate is most precious in our Mini and that would not be my use. I don't need to use it to want one. And don't expect to be hand free answer if you don't happen to set the HU to CD. It is a kludge.

An excellent BT HU can be had for circa $100 with proper updated BT functionalities.

If I'm listening to music from my phone via streaming or stored music, I don't have to change the mode to answer a call. This unit was $70 shipped, 30 mins tops to install and you've yet to mention a "circa $100 with proper updated BT functionalities" unit that works any better that gives you steering wheel control.
I ask you again, Have you any experience with this unit?

Something are just so clear cut from the design and features that I do not need to experience it to know it is far from the best choice. If I am dead set in keeping the factory HU, I might consider it. But the fact is there are much better BT add on units out there over this one.

Hate to keep beating a dead horse, but we are waiting on your "better BT add on units". I want to know so that I can get one for myself and I'm sure there are TONS of other people waiting with baited breath on that solution. care to share?

My advise when the BT retrofit question comes up is to bite the bullet and swap out the HU, standard issued or HK. There is little reason to cling on to a 18 year old car HU which was designed before the first smartphone that was 2007. I can be wrong, the factory HU (without HK) outputs 7W RMS per channel. The factory HU is a cost-reduced Alpine designed and built for OEM. All single DIN HUs now including those $69.99 ones sold in Walmart are 14W RMS. That alone is good enough reason to. The built in BT functionalities and hand free phone support is much better than throwing money into a retrofit, unless you can come up with something this elegant:

even then for me, I don't think I would given the huge spectrum of choices
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...23f3d9d3c1.jpg


I am sorry to throw cold water at your endorsement.

This seems to take up much more space that my unit. Enjoy

So, since you've been trumpeting replacing the HU since 2005, have you done so yet. OP has an H/K system which is a LOT MORE complex than just replacing the HU. I love the way my H/K systems sounds and would not change it even if it were a simple solution. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I believe the OP was asking a specific question about the unit I'm endorsing.

The above photo is not mine. It is just one of the best BT retrofit executions that doesn't look like a hack. :lol:

As for me, I am on my second aftermarket HU. Wondering why I failed in my first? Not fail as my needs evolved over time.

2005: Minidisc HU with 6 disc changer with MFSW functions
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...19d1c69beb.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...fa85412086.jpg


2012: Alpine 133BT with MFSW functions
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...16760a93ce.jpg

Just to give a few more reasons to OP the benefits of newer HUs. You get USB folder and track text. You get smartphone audio streaming text. You get CD text. You get caller ID. You get seamless UI when dial out or receiving call, and the list goes on.

With HK the HU can be swapped without a lot of work. The HU output to the amp is just 4 channel speaker outputs.

I have the exact same adapter that gumbedamit has and it's great.
I don't have a H/K system and I did not have to make any modifications.
This adapter is powered through your OEM radio's harness. It frees up your cigarette port and gives you numerous input sources (Bluetooth, Micro-SD, USB, and AUX).
It's easy to install and does not require any splicing of wires.

Aftermarket HU's are nice but they require some modifications (front bezel hardware, female-male harness, wiring/buying adapter for steering wheel controls).
That said, aftermarket HU's do have several lighting options, have a more powerful internal amp, easily adapts to amps and subwoofers, displays more information, etc).

If you want to use the phone button on the steering wheel, then, you'll have to use Mini's OEM kit.
The kit that is sold on Amazon has Bluetooth capabilities but still requires you to make physical contact to your phone to dial/answer calls. Depressing the phone button and the button below it will not do anything.

Follow-up. The unit does not require you to touch your phone to answer, reject or hangup calls. If you use Android Auto, you don't need to touch your phone to make calls, "Hey Google, Call whoever" Android Auto has a nice simple interface as well. I decided to plug in a SD card, sounds great!, the only thing I can't figure out is how to forward past track 6????

Im still happy with my Micar bt module install too (pictured above). The rapid prototyped cylinder thing above is large but I wanted it to be a closer touch, so its designed that way. The unit itself is TINY. This is the best $17 Ive spent on this car.