This is something I believe with all MINIs with the iPod interface and maybe I haven't figured it out.... But if I want to listen to a song by Yes I have to scroll through several hundred artists (if I go through the genre or artist list) to get to the band. I know if I had a few artists it would be easier, but I wish MINI had a better way to move about the music on my iPod. I have come up with a work around but it is a pain.

Also, the connection between the MINI and the iPod doesn't keep the iPods battery charged all of the time. I have to remove my iPod and charge it overnight. It's not a biggie and I don't have a problem doing it but I was hoping it was like what a friend has in his A3. He's never removed his iPod and it stays charged.

 

Are you talking about the aux input as opposed to the factory installed Bluetooth/iPod connection? The aux input will not charge your iPod, the other should.

 

Otra, I have the convenience package and that comes with the bluetooth with USB/iPod adapter - I thought I had my bases covered with that.

 

As long as you have the USB adapter it should keep the iPod charged . Mine has been in my car for over two months now with out running the battery down.

What model of iPod do you have. There is a model/serial number on the back. I would need that info not just the gen4 or gen 5 info.

Some iPods are designed to work with fire wire ports as well as the USB and it seems those may be a problem.

 

Thanks! The one in my car is like gen2 or 3 at best. The last gen before the newer screens. I used it because it was old and figured it could stay in charged in the car. I'll get the serial number.

 

Does yours have four extra buttons on it for play stop rewind ect. If it does they it probably will not charge.

The actual requirement from Apple is a "Full Power" USB port and the Mini has a Limited Power USB port but even on that the iPod should charge unless there is something wrong with the usb port.

 

Sorry Joep, didn't notice your options. Hope you can figure out the charging challenges.

 

Yeah, mine has been in the car since I got it, over 1 month. Joep, yours is just an old iPod.

 

I'm actually surprised the ipod still works. It's at least 4 years old.

Just a point of clarification. I'm attaching the y-cable to the connections underneath the center console area.

 

That is correct.

As for the charging issue you may want to think about having the battery replace. Old batteries can take a lot more current to charge than a new battery.

If you can get your hands on a newer iPod and test that to see if it discharges the battery. If it does it mean a service call to your dealer to get it fixed. If it does work (does not discharge) try getting the battery changed in your older iPod.

 

The USB port on can also be used to charge cell phones even when the car is off.

 

The doors are a little frustration for me too...

 

Yeppers - I've about gotten my leg taken off a few times - had it half way out stepping out and wham....with the door. It's not just a Clubman issue - we experienced the exact same issue in all of our other previous MINIs.. It's quite annoying.....

Donna

 

Mine, too, with the punch carbon leather seat!

 

Just figured out that the ambient lighting changed colors...hubby asked what the button was for and I said.."Dunno" take out the manual...and lo and behold...more colors!!

 

I'll agree... MINI could make the detents in the door holders a bit deeper so that, when the door swings out, it would catch and hold a bit more firmly.

You will get more experienced in how hard to 'throw' the door out to catch the notch you are looking for, but it definately isn't as 'grabby' as I'd like it to be.... Hmmm... maybe another mod coming! :D

 

I agree about all of these... but I love the car! The door stops don't even work in my flat driveway! So, I just ordered the fresnel lens, perfect. Wish I'd thought of that. My best solution to now was looking out the side window toward the stoplight.
Question Please: Someone posted a web site where we could buy a $20-ish device that guides the seatbelt alongside the head restraint. It fits through the two posts and then takes the belt in a slot. I lost the link and now that I've ordered my lens, I want to fix the reach around problem too. Sliding the little tab up hasn't quite done it for me. Does anyone know where that accessory company is? Thanks. BTW, 8000 miles and zero issues with my HC MINI.

 

Does anyone else find the throttle pedal too easy to push down? This is definitely not a Clubman thing, it's a recent (last few years) BMW thing. On my 1996 328i and my wife's 1998 740iL and all the previous BMW's we've had, this was not an issue. On my 2003 330Ci and both of our Mini's the pedal just seems real limp....

 

I had the opposite issue with an '02 BMW wagon. The pedal was very stiff and notchy. They replaced it with a much smoother pedal assembly. As for the MINI pedal being "too easy to push down", I haven't noticed that, but it's very easy to keep it down too long!

 

I am still waiting for delivery and don't have any experience to back this up, but there should be a switch/wire in or from the belt buckle that is used to inform the system that the belt is in use. It will take some investigation and maybe technical/electronic ability to locate the wire and then one can 'disconnect' that part of the circuit.

Best of luck if you decide to try that route.

 

For those wanting to try this here is a quote from the Mini Wiring Diagrams.

This means DO NOT use some sort of test equipment or you may end up deploying an air bag or two.

Also note that there are six (6) systems that all interact with each other to form the restraint system and if anyone of them is fiddled with then i can cause the others not to function properly

The four systems are
1. Seat belts and connection sensor supposedly for all four seat locations.
2. Seat occupied sensor - this sensor is weight sensitive. for
3. Seat belt tensioner
4. Air Bags.
5. Air Bag Deactivation switch for passenger seat
6. Crash Sensors (accelerameters) 6 of them

All of these connect to the MRS (multi restraint system) controller. The controller then decides what to do in the event of an accident.

Such as if there is a frontal crash the acceleration switches let the MRS know that a front crash has been detected and depending on the severity of the crash will do one of three things.
1. Trigger seat belt tensioners only
2. Trigger seat belt tensioners and air bags.
3. Trigger seat belt tensioners and air bags and turn off fuel pump.

These systems are so integrated into with each other that it is dangerous to mess with any of them in such a manner as to short or disconnect any one. It could stop any part or all parts from working correctly.

 

I've had ipod problems since I got my car in beginning of August. I have the a 5th generation ipod 30gig that was the first of the new 5G ipods with video. I have the convience package with the USB/ipod adaptor. My ipod only registeres on AUX and not on USB. My wifes Nano howerver works fine. I had the sales manager try his iphone and had the same problem as I did in my car. It seems to be random, but now it is becoming a PITA, since the sound quality is terrible and the ipod does not charge.

 

I have had ipod problems since I got my car in the beginning of August. I have the a 5th generation ipod 30gig that was the first of the new 5G ipods with video. I have the convience package with the USB/ipod adaptor. My ipod only registeres on AUX and not on USB. My wifes Nano however works fine. I had the sales manager try his iphone and he had the same problem as I did with the device just picking up on the AUX port. He switched out the USB cable to see if it was faulty, but we still had no luck. It seems to be random, but now it is becoming a PITA, since the sound quality is terrible and the ipod does not charge.
I'll need to bring it into the dealership, but I'll be surprised if they can fix the issue. My guess is they'll tell me my ipod is the problem.

 

I never look at the light above me anyway, I'm always looking at the light for the intersecting street to turn yellow and then I know...... Red = Go!!

 

I've got one of these on a convertible and a coupe and they are great. Although, getting on the floor to see a red light did allow me to see if I had dropped anything under the seats.