Hello,

I recently purchased a 2008 Cooper S and I have a question about the arm rest.

This arm rest is the one that slides open to reveal a small compartment big enough to fit a phone and/or mp3 player.

When I slide the top open there is what appears to be a little "button" of some sort that has a picture of a speaker on it....what does that do??

I took it apart and the button doesn't appear to be attached to anything and I can't get it to "release" anything like an additional compartment or the like. I don't see any connections for say an ipod or phone or anything (unless I'm missing something).

I can't figure out what it is supposed to be?? Maybe an option that was not ordered for my Mini and so it's just not hooked up?

thanks,

Brian

 

Don't touch it. It's the seat eject button for annoying passengers!

 

Sweet...I didn't see that option on the build sheet I received from the dealer....BONUS!!

Should I assume then that the ejection seat only works when the car is running? When I messed with it, as I explained in my OP, the engine was off and it was parked in my garage. I didn't see/hear anything out of the ordinary.

 

Touch it!!!

 

Because the car has to be going at least 45MPH and have an occupant in the passenger seat for it to work? Also you need to open the sunroof. If you don't have a (open) sunroof you will end up with a bloody mess in the car along with a dented top.

 

The button will only work if you have a passenger in the car. There’s a safety mechanism that prevents it from working when you don’t have anybody on board. There’s actually a power boost function when you hold it down for 2 seconds but it only works with your mother in law.

Do you have the Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod adapter? If so, you can purchase a crate for your phone, snap it into the armrest and your phone will be charged directly from there. You hit the button to “release” your phone. More info here:
http://www.miniusa.com/bluetooth/pdf/MobilePhoneSetupNoNav.pdf

If you don’t have the Comfort Bluetooth part, the button is just a nice conversation starter ;-)

Dertef

 

Excellent points. I have learned so much about my Mini today!!

I do have the sunroof option so this all should work just fine.

One question, if an ejection needs to occur in the winter months, what reasons do you give to the passenger as you are opening the sunroof in such cold weather?

Driver: *as he is sliding the sunroof back* "Sorry, I know it's cold, but I had beans for lunch and need to get some fresh air in here....."
*click/whoosh as passenger disappears*

 

Thank you - I thought that it was probably something to do with the comfort/bluetooth option....just didn't know that there was a cradle that could be used to integrate the phone into the armrest....

Next question - I have a Blackberry Pearl....it has successfully paired with the bluetooth and works great....is there a cradle for that particular phone?

I've searched the forums a bit and can't seem to find out if there is a cradle for that phone.

thanks,

Brian

 

As you open the sunroof ask "Did you pass gas?". The question will startle the passenger and throw them off guard long enough to fully open the sunroof and hit the eject button.

 

Hi Brian,

There are a variety of snap-in adapters for the armrest for different phones. The one for the Blackberry Pearl has the following part number: 84 21 0 439 151. It’s a BMW part that also fits in the MINI (same part number). You can order it through your MINI or BMW dealer, and you’ll find it in the MINI Motoring Accessories catalog. The MSRP is $116.95 and if you don’t have the Comfort Bluetooth part (e.g. the regular Bluetooth only), it will not recharge your phone. All it will do is hold it… I prefer to keep my phone in my pocket. It’s still connected via the Bluetooth and won’t forget it in the car.

In regards to the sunroof, I usually just point to the sky once I opened it... the passenger will automatically look into the right direction when I release the eject button.

dertef

 

I just got my 2010 MCS and I ordered it with the smartphone prep. I then had to order the adapter for the Iphone, PN 84 21 2 158 683. ($125 with tax, with BMW club discount)

The adapter snaps into the arm rest, and the Iphone snaps into that. You get charging and Ipod control, with out using the USB Ipod adapter under the dash. The downside is you have to take the phone out of any case you have it in.

The Scosche ifwar adapter, (http://www.scosche.com/products/productID/1667) will solve the Iphone charging problem when using the UBS connection.