I just took delivery of a new Mini with Connected/Nav. It's a great car and seems to be a great entertainment system. We were forced to buy the Armrest that we otherwise would not have ordered. It is a requirement on the Connected systems.

We did not receive a cradle for the phone. Is this correct, or should one have been included? It does seem that it should be included. They forced us to buy a $250 armrest we did not want and now want us to buy a $200 cradle to make it work.

At any rate, should the cradle have been included?

Thanks, Pete

 

Nope not included... I paid $124 with my BMW CCA discount... The cradle is the same for both BMW's and Mini's.

Does the Mini connected include smartphone prep?

 

I thought Connected included smart phone prep. I think it includes USB/iPod adapter.

When ordering connected, USB/iPod adapter is grayed out, cannot be ordered in addition. I presume this indicates it is included.

I do not see Smartphone Prep as an option anymore.

 

I'm not sure if I'm on the same page. Connected doesn't "INCLUDE" the armrest and cradle--as in the price doesn't include those items. However order Connected requires that the armrest and cradle are ordered as well. That was my understanding. I could be wrong though because my dealer seamed to know less that I did about the system when I ordered.

When I look at my specs in the Owner's Lounge my spec list says, "Smartphone Integration". I don't see how you could say smartphone integration unless the snap-in adaptor is included as a part of "Smartphone Integration".

For clarity let's try and agree on what they mean by "Smartphone Integration".
Would you agree that:
"Smartphone Integration" = armrest + snap-in adaptor + bluetooth + handsfree programing

 

Also, let me ask it this way. When you picked you car up did it have the snap-in adapter (cradle) or not?

 

I recognize that Connected doesn't "Include" armrest. It does Require them though. It forces you to buy the armrest and it does seem to include "Bluetooth/ipod adapter". If the cradle is not included, it is odd that the armrest is required. Connected certainly works without the armrest connection, using the dash usb.

My mini also includes "Smartphone Integration" according to the OL. I would think that this would include the cradle.

Certainly, my car does not have the cradle.

This is the first Connected that my dealer has sold. It's possible they have made a mistake.

I agree on the above regarding what Smartphone Integration requires, although I don't know that this defines what it includes. I guess it doesn't even really require armrest/snap in adapter with the front usb port working.

It could simply mean they pair your bluetooth phone with the car.

It is very not clear.

 

It does look like the snap in adapter is (or was) a seperate item.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/...ection-for-09/

 

My MA confirms that it DOES NOT come with the system. It is purchased separately from the parts counter.

 

The adapter is NOT included. You have to ask for the specific adapter for you phone and then pay for it.

All smartphone prep is the wires from the Aux in USB also go to the armrest. To make use of that, you need the adapter, which they then bend you over for... I mean really, $124 (or more now) for a plastic cradle...

 

Thanks. I guess I'm glad my dealer got it right.

It does seem pretty high priced on top of Connect (w/nav in my case) and the armrest.

It would be nice if there was a snap in adapter with a USB port, so any phone/ipod could go in the armrest.