Skeeter had a 10:15 am appointment and we arrived about 15 minutes early, looked like it was a busy morning.


I checked in at the service desk and once the paper work was completed, was told it should
take about 90 minutes. Before long Skeeter was in the shop and had a MT starting the install.


Ipod Adapter Installed.


Software Update.


Since Skeeter had such a new build date, the software only required a "short update" which saved time.


Final testing, Skeeter passed with flying colors !!!


Ipod in the hidden area, the Ipod has the Iskin case and fits nicely,will not slide around on corners.


Skeeter was then taken out to the covered car wash area, no direct sun light. Hand washed using wool
wash mitts and then dried and returned to me spot free.

Total cost of the Ipod adapter installed/tested was $475. Now before I get bashed and told I could have saved money by doing it myself, thanks I know that.
Considering the $30k + investment I have in Skeeter already, I was not about to start tearing apart the dash, doing the install, then taking him to the dealer
for the software update. By paying the dealer to install, it is now up to them if I have any issues.
I like the advantage of having the Ipod out of sight and having control of it from the steering wheel. I know have access to the 740 cd's in my colection
and no more swaping out cd's in a mega changer.
As for the quality of the sound it is as good as playing a cd in the on board player. Will see what I think in a few weeks, but at this point I would recommend it to
anyone considering the adapter.

 

I just got my MINI yesterday with the adapter and teh stupid adapter won't recognize my ipod. I mean when I hook it up the mini wings come up on the ipod but my radio only shows Tuner and CD and when I click CD it says "insert CD" which I don't have nor do I want to do. Any suggestions?

 

Sounds like you need the software updown download (again?). Sometimes it doesn't "take."

 

Is that a Frapuccino in your cupholder or just a brown cup?

 

I'll be getting the adapter as well. Also, I just want to take a moment and say Skeeter is one sharp-looking MINI. Have fun!

 

I got mine in stalled but it ran me $815! Don't feel so bad about your $475

 

The radio display should show: Tuner - CDC -Aux, with the CDC being your Ipod. If you do not have these Icons, call and make an appointment. Sounds like they may have not done the software update, also give them you Ipod to test the system with.

 

Skeeter is a wonderful color and overall a wonderful new addition. Congrats on the purchase!!

Just looking for comments on the usability of the ipod interface. Is it better than the BMW integration? Do you need to make 'special playlists' ie BMW1 BMW2, etc for the car to recognize the playlists on the ipod? Is there on screen display of track name, title, artist, etc?

Thanks for the feedback. Skeeter is amazing, I am a little jealous.

 

Is this info from personal expierience ? From watching the puter screen yesterday it is a standad update to the current software version. Either it installs or not, if the MT doing the install does not have his current certification, this could explain the problem. The MT should have at least verified the CDC icon was on the display if he did not have an Ipod to test the sytem with.

 

Not with the i-pod, but when I got my car it needed the voice recognition software update. It took 2 dl's before it "took."

 

Ya I'm a Mocha frap junkie, reason for buying the Mini was to help fund the frap addiction.

 

I have a Unix system admin and a puter progamer living with me and as with all computers, the Mini shop puters are only as smart as the MT using it.

I had inquired about exactly how many of these Ipod systems they have insalled so far, and having done over 50 of them I gambled the tech knew what he was doing. He was very detailed and had a procedure, which proved to be reliable. If the MT tech graps the wrong update package for the wrong Mini version, he will have a problem.

 

The Gen2 iPod Interface has full intergration so no.... no BMW play lists. I waited just for that reason. There is a limmit of 255 songs per play list. If you view all your songs, it will only show the frist 255.

 

The fact that your i-pod still doesn't work suggests the procedure may not have been so reliable. I really don't care if you let them try again or not. I just posted what my experience was.

 

Thanks for the great comments about Skeeter, after all the stress and waiting, he is well worth it.

I have no expierience with the BMW system, so can not comment on that.
On the radio display for the CDC (Ipod) there is six options (numberes 1-6)

1) Playlist
2) Artist
3) Albums
4) Genres
5) Podcasts
6) Songs

From other posts I have read there seems to be come confusion about the number "255". Some seem to believe that they can only access 255 songs for some reason. On page # 19 of the Ipod manual it states: "Only up to 255 folders per directory can be displayed". Now how many CD's or songs are in a folder is up to you, the screen will display title and song.

We have the 80 gig Ipod and currently have 50 gigs used or 600 + albums. It takes approx 45 secs to load all of the albums, once loaded I have access to any album, any song. One thing the software is lacking is a good search function. But that can be solved by creating specific playlist, so not a big concern for me at this point. The controls on the steering wheel alows you to cchange tracks on the current CD.

So is the system perfect, not for some I'm sure. I'm happy with it serves my needs well.

 

That, besides the ipod adapter and ipod couch in the glovebox, is the finest addition to the MINI you could have! I will have my well used SS Starbucks insulated mug "fitted" to the cupholder...I'll be right there with you.

Nice looking MINI...excellent pics!

 

Not sure whom this post is diected at, hopefully not me. I was not criticizing your input, just saying to not always just "trust" the MT tech.

 

I see you decidied to go with the white turn siganl for the $100, I think you will be happy with it. Not that big of an expense really, and I do like the look of them. Congrats on the ordering and hope the wait time goes by fast for you.

 

I did...that's why I'll be brewing at home instead of purchasing at the store! I spend my idle time churning through pix like yours and living the life of "owners" instead of "waiters" like me!

I actually "built" every color online and looked at the white versus regular turn signals...with the darker colors, they looked better white (to me).

 

The advantage of buying a Mini, you build as you like, and yes there will always be opinions on what you have, bottom line it is your choices that make it your Mini.

Just as we have owners that don't care for the chrome, for me because of age perhaps, I choose the Mini for the amount of chrome it does have and added even more. So far one of the first comments I have had from people seeing Skeeter is "wow the chrome looks great". Plus in the evenings the rme gives me something to be **** about well having a frap, keeping it shinny and finger print clean.

 

Hello everyone. First post from someone hoping to purchase a Mini before Winter. I have a question regarding the iPod interface. Does it allow you to change any settings on the iPod itself? By this I mean Shuffle, Repeat, etc.

 

Not entirely true. They are also at the mercy of the stability of the software they are running. Mini seems to be changing something with every production week. I wonder if there is a separate set of instructions for cars where the secret compartment doesn't open.

I consider myself lucky that they only had to reload the software twice, and my secret compartment wasn't sealed shut like some others.

Another stroke of luck is the dealer didn't know there was a new module for the 07's, so my iPod adapter cost me $250 installed.

My only complaint is sometimes it takes forever to load. But usually
I have it set for the 'playlist' option. Some better search options would be nice, but overall it is nice to have (especially with the nav system).

 

Ok, talked w/ the dude and i've got an appointment the 4th of September (I live 120 miles away from my nearest dealer) to get the software reinstalled. Not bad for the first day I owned a MINI... no ipod, sunroof didn't work, and the service engine light came on. Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Thanks for the info and I'll stop hijacking this thread now!

 

Shuffle and repeat are options on the radio display menu for the Ipod. (CDC)

 

Good to hear. Thanks!