Mine seems to keep the ipod screen lit and charging all the time. You definitely don't want to leave it in your car for extended periods, especially when the car is not being driven. The ipod is slowly draining the battery by powering the ipod screen, which never dims. I turned down the brightness on mine to its lowest setting, both to preserve the battery AND the screen's longevity. Definitely a flaw in the system.

 

D'oooh, that sucks

 

WOW

 

Yes, it does... However, you need to remember that the MINI is set up in such a way that it will leave power on to accessories for a set amount of time (something like 8 minutes or so I believe) before it switches it off. Thus, you're not seeing your iPod power down simply because you are not leaving it alone long enough.

What I did to test this was leave my secret compartment's door open and have the iPod's screen in plain view. Switch off the car, shut the doors, and walk away from it. Come back in ten minutes or so and you'll see that the iPod has indeed powered down completely. The same goes if you leave your radio on, etc. This is "by-design" and is a very nice feature of the car indeed.

 

Awesome! Thanks much

 

I like reading this stuff even though I don't have the adapter, nor do I plan on getting one. I really want to access all the stuff on my iPod 60gb, which is half full with maybe 6000 songs. Several things are becoming clear to me. First is Mini must make a whole lotta moolah on these things. The cable costs $50 retail. The labor is just to plug it into the existing CD changer port, a technique used for years as a poorman's aux input. Companies like PIE make these cables for any unit and sell them for about $50. A stereo shop will charge about $50 to plug it into the back of the headunit. So the last part is the software loading. Software is cheap, call it another $50. Loading charge the same? They should do this deal for about $200 and be happy to get it. I've read posts where the dealer wanted over $1000 for the thing installed! They must fall down laughing when somebody paid that (sorry if I offended anyone reading). I just have a problem with ripping off good customers and looking them in the eye.
The limitations in using it are certainly due to it's using the CD changer port, which obviously wasn't designed to handle the content of an iPod, just 6 cds. Even mp3 cds can only hold about 15 albums worth of songs at 128kbps, so the 255 number probably comes from that (15 albums, 17 songs/album). The software is sort of a workaround to make the system search through 6 menu items of the iPod and access up to 255 entries. Makes me wonder what the software really does. To me it just looks at the iPod menu instead of at the CDs in the changer, nothing more. In the future I hope they add a bunch of memory (cheap) to the system.
I have a bud that just got a new BMW with the iPod interface. This weekend I'll hook mine up and see if I can get all my stuff to show (his iPod doesn't have much on it).

 

@ The BigNewt

The price of the ipod cable kit from Mini is 350, this includes cables, converter box, compartment kit and software. The rest is all labor charges. Yes it does plug into the changer port but it is more than that, and this is where it is lame. The controller box which is part of the kit is what is used to read the ipod and transfer that data to the screen. This box should be more than the box for the changer, whenever that becomes available, in that it should run the ipod without any limitation to what the ipod can do. The reason for the high price is that the converter is not built into the head unit, and so the cable includes that. From my understanding Alpine is currently the only aftermarket that can actually sell a 50 dollar cable, as teh converter is built into the head unit, that was last year and it could have changed since. You are also thinking of a simple aux cable install, which provides no converter to allow display on screen, and won't charge the ipod while playing. That is avaialble under the head unit and is free with the car, it's what I use currently due to all of these limitations. The price for the kit is about average for aftermarket ipod integration with on screen displays. However aftermarket also provides functionality that even the ipod doesn't do on the fly.

In the end I am not going to opt for the ipod integration until they can provide what the aftermarket can in terms of ipod integration. I was spoiled by an Alpine aftermarket head unit in my last car and want that integration before I will adopt in on the MINI.

 

The BMW interface is the same as the new one for the 2nd gen MINIs. Thus, it will have the EXACT same limitations I'm afraid (which I believe is due to the file system that CDs use - since as you mentioned, the iPod simply mimics itself as being a CD changer in the poor BMW/MINI implementation).

Although, I do agree with what you've said. MINI is indeed ripping us off with their options... $500-$1,000 for an iPod adapter, $2,000 for leather seats, $2,100 for navigation, $600 for Bluetooth, etc. This is WAY more than what other manufacturers charge for similar items. I guess that with MINI not making much money on the base model (in order to keep it competitively priced), they make it up by selling overpriced options to all of us schmucks who will buy them at their inflated prices.

 

+1

What bothers me even more is that for some options, MINI chooses the most unappealing one as standard (e.g. the checkered grey dash). And other options, like the anthracite headliner, costs us $200 more when it costs them nothing extra to produce.

The lack of many no extra cost color options is also a disappointment. I would have liked a non metallic black car, and ended up with a black car, that isn't black for $450 extra.

Such a shame that the MINI is such a phenomenal car in other respects. Not sure which is more frustrating, MINI's or women...

 

just get a proclip holder:

http://www.proclipusa.com/

and use your aux input with a filtered line out from the dock connector as suggested by somebody earlier. Use the ipod interface / controls for navigation. sure, you wont have the handy steering wheel buttons but you'll have the ipod in full view to operate (ipod's controls are and always will be more intuitive than any car's controls for navigating playlists, etc IMO) and you wont have to shoot yourself for spending $500-$1k on a stupid ipod interface. Better yet, wait for the Dice

http://www.diceelectronics.com

iPod interface to come out for the R56 (generally $100-$150), use a proclip, have your steering wheel buttons AND your dignity!

FWIW, I have an iphone and the proclip / dice combo in my current vehicle and its great to be able to see what's playing, change tracks, answer the phone, etc.

 

I forgot about the converter box and charging aspect. The converter box sounds like the problem, it sort of fools the system into thinking the iPod is a CD changer. The DICE unit looks better, but doesn't that have its own screen to mount?

 

That is indeed a nice solution if you want to save some cash.

However, since my MINI has the nav system in it, you just can't beat the way the OEM iPod adapter integrates into the car. I love being able to stick my old POS iPod in the secret compartment and totally forget about it. The OEM adapter charges the iPod for me, turns it on/off automatically for me, and it allows me to navigate the iPod using the buttons on the MFSW and via the MINI joy stick for the nav/entertainment system.

Most of all, I like having the song info available to me via the common nav interface in the car and not having to have an iPod, iPod cradle, and cables clutter up the inside of my car. I also like not having to remove/hide my iPod every time I leave my car. I simply get in my car and drive it the way it was designed.

I know that all of this doesn't justify the crazy price tag for some, but for others (such as myself) it does/did. I'd definitely buy it again.

Note that relief is coming for some of those who will be getting a 2008 MINI since it can be ordered with the new USB port. You can then purchase a much cheaper (probably $80 to $100 USD) iPod adapter kit for the USB port and have a nice OEM solution.

Although... You still have to fork out $600 dollars (and that price will likely be going up by at least $50 to $100 for the 08's) for the Bluetooth Prep package since it is required in order to get the USB port. Also, you'll still have to deal with the clutter of having your iPod, holder, and cables sitting in the car that you will have to hide each time you leave your car (since the USB port is down in the cubbie by the cup holders instead of in the glove box or secret compartment - although I'm sure that can easily be fixed by simply relocating the port or using an extension cable).

 

Yes, but currently the DICE doesn't work with the R56 and somehow I doubt that it ever will. Doesn't mean that someone else won't come up with an aftermarket iPod adapter solution for the R56 cars though.

 

ditto. With the nav system, I consider the iPod adapter a must. If I didn't have the nav, I'd probably look at the HK Drive and Play system (hard wired, not through the FM). The Bluetooth package scared me off due to the lack of approved phones, and the get-in-the-way armrest.

I don't see where the USB port is going to be of much real use other than for charging your iPod, unless it feeds some operating system in the car. What exactly is the USB port designed for according to MINI? I have to admit ignorance on this feature.

 

I can see where it makes sense with the nav. Newt: the Dice has no screen..it is otherwise completely "hidden" and all you see is your ipod and a mount, if you choose to use one.

I still don't understand what the deal with the USB port is on the '08s..is it designed for any media player or for an ipod specifically?

 

All I know is if you plug the iPod into a USB port on a PC, you need software to play anything. Is the '08 coming with some kind of mobile iTunes?

 

my thoughts exactly... maybe its only for charging your usb-based device? that would make a whole lot more sense. combined with the aux input you have a full media player functionality without taking up a valuable cig-lighter port.

 

The head unit can already decode MP3s (just pop in an MP3 CD to find this out), so the USB port would allow you to plug a thumb drive full of MP3s in and be able to play them off of that, displaying the titles on the speedo, control with the steering wheel, etc.

Unfortunately to get an actual iPod to work with the USB, you also need a $50 BMW cable that plugs into the iPod dock connector and then into the USB and AUX ports on the MINI. This is due to Apple's DRM nonsense, or something to that effect. It will, however, allow you to access your iPod from the MFSW, just like you would be able to if it were plugged into the iPod adapter.

 

ah right, like in my Dad's 335i. so $50 cable + $600 for bluetooth/USB option will achieve the same effect as the ipod kit. that's cool.

 

Of course it really only makes sense if you were already planning on getting the bluetooth anyway. Those of us who still don't have a cell phone are stuck w/ the iPod interface for integrated control (only $500 if you have it installed at the VDC before delivery).

Come on aftermarket!

 

Yes, it's exactly as Modnar has said. However, since the USB to iPod adapter thingy is currently selling in the UK for 40 Quid, I'm sure that it will be at least $80 here.

So... If you're looking to buy a 2008 MINI and you weren't planning on ordering the Bluetooth Prep package, then the iPod adapter would still be a cheaper way for you to go (since you'd need the $600 Bluetooth Prep pack plus the $80 USB to iPod adapter cable in order to make it work with the USB port). However, if you were planning on getting the Bluetooth Prep package in your 2008 MINI anyway, then there's no need to buy the iPod adapter as for an extra $80 you can hook up your iPod to the USB port and it will work EXACTLY the same (as confirmed over on the MINI2 forums by folks who already have it - note that the USB port has been available everywhere else in the world since August I believe - it's only us North Americans that get screwed by MINI as usual).

BTW, we have the Bluetooth Prep package in our new R56 and it works great! The sound is good (on both ends of the line), it works well with the buttons on the MFSW (and voice commands), and it has paired up just fine with every phone we've thrown at it so far.

I realize that MINI states that it only works with a very limited number of (out dated) phones, but I think they do that simply to cover their *****. It really does work with a lot of newer phones as well. The best thing to do would be to take your phone of interest down to your local MINI dealer and try pairing it with a car they have on the lot just to see if it works.

 

Ok, so I just did the iPod check and it does seem that indeed the screen turns off after it sits in the car for a while. However, if you drive a lot, the problem of the screen being lit all day does create a problem. Fortunately LCD screens do not suffer burn-in, otherwise that Mini logo could be visible as a permanent watermark on everything you use that screen for! :-)

I contacted MiniUSA about both the problems I have encountered with the iPod interface. It was SO typical... I send an email documenting how I can only see about 5000 tracks worth of playlists in my CD1 directory, and she writes me back telling me in her bouncy, happy, Mini fashion, that "The MINI iPod Adapter should allow you to create 255 playlists with 255 songs per playlist. This will allow you to access over 65,000 songs, which I believe is more than the 160GB iPod will hold. However, if any of the playlists exceed 255 songs, you will not be able to access them. Please also note that if any of your songs are encrypted to play only on certain devices or with certain software, such as songs you have downloaded from iTunes, you will not be able to access these with your iPod Adapter. Encrypted songs do not recognize the iPod Adapter, so they will not play."

Yea, except for she's wrong on all points. Almost sad, really. I can't access all the tracks, not even close, and iTunes purchased songs play fine. In fact, if they didn't, I'd be returning the interface for a refund!

I just wish they had people who actually know these cars working at MiniUSA's customer service. Thank heavens these forums are around to get the REAL info! :-)

 

Sounds like BMW/MINI needs to invest in some 16-bit memory for their iPod adapter... not sure why they thought 8 would be enough. Luckily I don't have more than 255 albums and/or artists on mine yet.

 

For those with the MINI iPod adapter, what iPod are you using?

I've got a 2nd generation NANO (the one before the release in September) that won't work with the adapter and the MINI dealer is stumped at the moment. Just curious if anyone has one of these and it works?

1st generation NANO works fine.

 

I have one of the new 6th gen iPod Classic 80 GB units and it works just great with the OEM iPod adapter in our 2nd gen MCS. We also have a 4 GB iPod nano (I think it's a 2nd gen, but it could be a 1st gen) and it works great as well.