Alright, I decided not to get the Bluetooth. I'll just get the iPhone bluetooth earpiece from Apple ($100.00) - and then use the aux in jack to play my podcasts, etc. The only bummer is that when I get a phone call, I'll have to unplug the cable to take the call.

 

I didn't order the Smartphone prep, but would have had I known it was available. My dealer doesn't have a clue. I just talked to the sales mgr., and he didn't even understand my explanation (thinking I was talking about the iPhone in the headrest and a iPod in the dash). Now he is "looking into it."

 

Why would you need to unplug it???

 

I love my bluetooth but I'm still figuring out how to work it all.

As stated you can't stream music through the Iphone bluetooth.

 

These are the most confusing options in the Mini ordering process.

You do not need the MFSW to use bluetooth. You can control it through the stereo.

Does the $500 option allow you to control the iPod through ONLY the stereo or the stereo and MFSW (if you buy the MFSW)?

For $1000 you get the $500 option plus the MFSW plus the armrest. My take on this is that the difference between this package and just ordering the Bluetooth/USB+MFSW+armrest all separately is that the armrest has the ability to charge/cradle your phone if you get the $1000 package. Correct?

What I really don't understand is what the $100 gets you. If you get the $1000 option it looks like you can control whatever is in the armrest through the stereo/MFSW. So what does the $100 give me?

I really wish MINI would clear up these options and detail exactly what you get when you bump up from the previous option.

Since I'd get the MFSW and armrest anyway, I'd go with the $1000 option. I just can't figure out if I need to pay another $100 for the Smartphone. For what? And for all the talk about iPhones, what about the rest of us who have Windows Mobile phones, or Palm or Blackberries??

 

What I don't understand is that since the MFSW comes with the premium package (which I ordered) and the "regular" Bluetooth option "only" costs $500 did I just spend $500 for an armrest since I ordered the Comfort Bluetooth which cost $1,000?? Hopefully there is something to the Comfort Bluetooth besides the MFSW, the Bluetooth and the armrest that I'm not understanding or else this will be the most expensive armrest ever!

 

If you just got a regular arm rest, I doubt it would have the wiring necessary for the charging and playing of music. Not to say that relatively simple wiring is worth $500 (and not to say it isn't), but I think that's what the difference would amount to if you already had a MFSW.