Sorry if this has been covered, I searched and couldn't find anything...

As some of you may know I'm finalizing the order of my R56 and I've got one question that I've been trying to get answered for awhile. Can you order the Bluetooth without having to order the armrest? My arms are too long to comfortably shift with the armrest in the down position. And I'm not entirely comfortable (aesthetically speaking) having the armrest in the up position 100% of the time I drive.

I'm pretty sure the answer is no - you can't get Bluetooth from the factory (in the US) without the armrest. So the follow-up question: how hard it to rip the armrest out of an R56? On the previous MINI I know it was simply a matter of a new plastic console piece. But on the R56 I'm not as familiar with the pieces that make up the console.

Any thoughts are appreciated...

 

I haven't seen any indication that you can buy the Bluetooth separately. It seems wedded to the armrest.

I went out and looked at mine and there's a phillips head screw on each side, so it doesn't look to be too complicated. I'm assuming there may be a couple more screws in the base.

Good luck on your order Gabe. I enjoy Motoringfile, even though I think I've only posted once there.

 

Great - thanks for info on how it's attached. I hate to buy a car and immediately rip out something but that may be the route I take.

Oh and a little insight into commenting on MotoringFile... less than 1% of our visitors actually post comments. So you're not alone in simply reading.

 

Well, I know there's a cord running down the back of the armrest to the floor, which I assuming is power/connectivity for the bluetooth. IF you rip out the armrest, you'd have to find someplace to put the components that are concealed inside it.

The armrest does go up to a 90 degree angle. Unless you have a back seat passenger, it would be pretty fully out of the way.

 

It may be out of the way but it doesn't change the fact that it's not out of my mind Seriously though I've had an armrest in one of my press cars (and almost all my various loaners since it was introduced in 2005) so I've had plenty of time to try to like it.

That and I'm not really a fan of the idea of an armrest

So the cord - I'm guessing it provides power if you get the adapter specific to your phone. That could make things a little less clean on the install.

 

I assume that is power for charging the phone. I wonder if there is anything else in those connections? I'm not sure what it would be because Bluetooth takes care of most functions.

Not really good enough. For a tall person, it does not go back far enough. I'm going to try living with it a little longer to see if there are times when I like having an armrest, but I'm leaning towards ripping it out. Putting a simple cigarette power outlet on those wires whould solve the charging problem for me. I already use the lighter outlet for an iPod.

 

Well, I planned (until my bluetooth connectivity went south until after the summer) on using the 12V in the boot for my cell phone, leaving the front one open for charging something else, the ipod, or just reducing clutter in the front seat. Now, however, I'll have to use it to charge the phone. Gotta pack some CDs for the trip, since the iPod will need to come off the 12V up front once in a while.

But, anyway, I don't know what the cord is for exactly beyond attaching to the cradle. Since the cradle cord provides power and attaches to the car antenna, allowing for better reception, I don't know what else is in there. Considering the armrest is required for the bluetooth, it seems to me like a good bet that the bluetooth module is in there also.

I just went out and looked, and it seems the armrest is fairly easy to remove, and the parts that make it up could be installed anywhere within reach of the cord, maybe under a front seat even, if need be. I'd love to remove the added bulk inside the armrest to get back some storage space there, but I'm not that daring... yet.

In short, however, it seems like there could be some options where the cord and assembly remains intact and functional, but seperated from the armrest assembly itself. I find the armrest to be horribly flimsy and fairly useless, so I don't fault you at all for wanting to get rid of it. I'd rather have had a fold-town side-mounted armrest, but no one asked me.

 

Gabe, your review of the MCS on MF was great. Might you also review the R56 MC? I know you're an S guy, but it would be interesting to read your thoughts on the non-S Cooper as well.

 

OT: I'd love to but often it comes down to just not having enough time. However it's certainly something I'll try to schedule with MINI over the next year.

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure the module is integrated into the CPU in the dash.

 

Looks like it's in the boot?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...17&hg=84&fg=20

Interesting site anyways. Not all that helpful here, although does show the armrest's removeablility:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=51&fg=35&hl=4

 

Very interesting... looks like it could be simpler than I thought. You may only need a new cupholder portion of the console.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...88&hg=51&fg=35

#14 on that page.

 

Glad to be of some service. Usually the roles are reversed on that.

If you keep the hardware in the armrest intact but remove the armrest itself, please let me know. I'd be interested in knowing how to do it. If nothing else I'd like to remove the cradle inside it and least get a bit of storage room for sunglasses or coins or something.

Btw, I dropped you an email, Gabe.

Jmelrose