Can anyone confirm that the convenience package for a 2008 Cooper comes with the IPOD connector and the bluetooth connector??? I dont want to get ripped off and have to pay for the IPOD connector when I should already have it.

 

My 08 came with both.

 

FWIW, I have had my system for a year now and it has yet to need a new battery. I understand that the car will give me warning when the battery gets low so I can change it. No big deal. When we early deliveries were getting excited about all the options and speculating, we thought we would need to keep a spare battery in the glove compartment. That, like most concerns, turned out to be baseless.

 

My MA told me that if you did this, it would shut off automatically after a certain amount of time with the key away from the car, I think it was 20 minutes.

I like the Comfort Access too, I only wish it autolocked from 20 feet or something. I occasionally go to the boot or the passenger door after leaving the car, but that makes me forget to lock it, since I am so used to locking it from the driver's side button.

 

Yes, the 08's with the USB/Bluetooth prep package come with an adapter cable that will allow you to connect your ipod/iphone to the usb/aux ports.

When you pick up the car the connector will be in a little bag in the glove box.

 

+1


Love your cars name CSC.RCC. That was a great movie, is your car voiced by Billy Crystal as well?

 

As others have said, I got the package because of other things I wanted, such as usb/ipod, magic mirror, garage door opener. The comfort access just came along as part of that package.

Don't just look at the price of the option - look at that price amortized over the life of the car. I expect to have my Mini a long time!

Cheers--

 

Another point that I haven't seen anyone make is that the Comfort Access removes a major wear-point of the vehicle. Over time, the ignition, lock, and steering lock get worn and loose. If you plan on keeping the car a long time, a traditional ignition will eventually wear out. This can be a costly repair! We once had a '69 Cutlass that we had to replace the entire steering column because the ignition/steering-interlock was worn out, big job & big bucks.

 

I just worry how well the button on the door handle is going to hold up.

 

I rigged up a key fob that clips onto the inside of my purse. I never take it out unless I am somewhere that I don't want to carry a purse, such as when I'm on the school track, running. Then I carry a shortened JCW lanyard that I clip the fob onto and drop into my shirt.

I really love the convenience package. In my view, order everything you think you might actually use. As someone said earlier, amortized over the time you'll have the car, all the extras do seem worth it...

 

I like the sound of the comfort access system more and more. Is it possible to be fitted by the dealer for a price that dosnt make my wallet explode?

 

A friend of mine has a BMW with their comfort access system. We hopped in his car went down to the Stewart's shop to get some bread and milk quick...got back to the car, wouldn't unlock. He had left the comfort access key in his other coat in his apartment. It was close enough right outside his apartment door to open and start the car, but once we got to stewarts and wanted to get back in the car and start it...no dice lol. After that experience at the end of last summer, I skipped right over the comfort access option, knowing i'd do the same thing. Not sure if the MINI system works the same...but I didn't want to risk it lol.

 

Ahh - so that's where I went wrong. I gave my other key to the hubby... Note to self: Must make it harder and more inconvenient to drive the MINI.

BTW I love the comfort access feature. As other have said - cool feature to show off and it's great to not have to dig the keys or phone (bluetooth) out of the purse. Now if I could only install an "open sesame' device at the office

 

Now that I have just ordered a Mini with the convenience access; how does it work? On the Toyota you must be within 5' of the door for it to work, inside the house will not work, and the car will not start unless the key is inside the car. It will not start if the person with the key is still outside. It will also not allow you to lock the car if one of the keys is inside. Does the Mini work like that?

thanks,

 

useless.IMHO

 

The MINI seems to be able to tell whether the fob is inside the car or outside. So, I don't think that is possible with the MINI.

 

Yes, you have it pegged right. You should not be able to lock the car from outside if the key is inside, but I once tossed my key inside on the seat and was able to lock it using the door button. I think it takes a little time for the car to figure out the key's inside is all. If you leave it inside I don't think you can lock it (I worry that carwash dudes will accidently push the door button wiping down the car and lock the key in there by accident, but I've only had my car washed once at a carwash).

 

I want to know if you get the the IPOD connector in the DASH not the auxiliary input that is standard. You know...the IPOD connector that charges the IPOD while its connected...according to the website it seems like it should be included but the dealer is telling me otherwise...input please!!! Thank you!

 

IIRC, the convenience kit has the iPod adapter with the USB and aux inputs in the central cubby near the shifter, and NOT in the "secret compartment" above the glovebox.

I'm pretty sure I saw the charge indicator light up on my iPod when I tested it out at the dealer (I have another post about that learning experience with the so-called "user interface"). I could double-check over the next few days; I need to bug them about some other things as well.

Cheers--

 

This is funny!! My girlfiend has this same type feature on her Nissan Murano and I do the same thing. We usually keep our spare keys in a junk drawer in our office. So it is easier just to grab her purse if I need to use her car for something.

Anyway I think it is just a matter of convienence. I really don't care for it all that much so I didn't order it on my MINI.

 

Two separate things.

Option #1:
The USB/Bluetooth prep gets you a usb connector and aux input under the center console with a little usb to ipod dongle that you can hook up. Cost is pretty cheap considering the other things you get and the flexibility of the usb port.

Option #2:
The ipod install option connects the ipod to the radio via the cd changer input. It is a proprietary connection that is only compatible with the ipod but does get it out of the way because it will reside in the secret compartment. Cost is a bit expensive because it only gives you the ipod connection and nothing else but it can be done by the dealer if not ordered this way.

 

If you buy option #1 is there any way to get the ipod into the secret compartment?

 

I assume you could get some sort of USB cable extension that would reach into the secret compartment. I don't know the logistics of getting that cable into the compartment though. That might prove difficult.

 

In cars with factory NAV a screen pops up and dings that "Elvis has left the building". Not sure how non-Nav cars warn you. You can lock it or drive it, but once it's off it's off.

 

Look Ma No Keys. Comfort access is a must. Not taking the key out of my pocket is sooooo convient. No more fumbling around in my pockets.

Funny story regarding my key fob. Christmas Eve I went to McDonald's and went to the bathroom. The Mini key fob was in my jean's fifth pocket. I left in my Dad's car. Little did I know until later, the key fob slipped out when I was using the stall. When I got to my sister's house I was freaking out because I couldn't find my key and I needed to go back to Long Island for work the day after Christmas. I retraced my steps and called McDonald's at 11 pm. They had just closed but would wait for me to pick up my keys since they were closed for Christmas.

I recently bought some McDonald's stocks.