Sorry, but I cant find anything on this regarding how to use it. It's mentioned many places what it's for, but not how to use it. Has something to do with cellphone charging? Linking? I think mine is not operating correctly if it should be obvious. I slide the pad on the armrest back, which exposes a compartment with what looks like a push button at the forward end with what is a symbol for speaker output. I push the button and nothing happens. By pushing the button is another compartment or docking station/outlet supposed to be made accessible? Help please!
I would consult the User Manual, if I had one. Bought MINI last Sunday, used, and for some reason the previous owner kept it or perhaps the dealer likes to hoard them. Just looked at the PDF version of the manual, and again, just a description of what is in there, but no clear instructions.

 

Just got my first Mini a few days ago, used and was wondering the same thing. I believe it is for a cell phone adapter. I found this link:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-C...one/ES2138950/

Looks like its phone specific. Hope this helps.

Wonder if it is worth it?

 

Upon further investigation, or prodding, poking, and prying being more like it, the pictured plate came off exposing another plate and a plug in the rear of the armrest, also pictured.

I'm guessing now that's where the Y Cable plugs into, which I don't have but guess I can purchase at the MINI dealer.

I actually had to pry on the plate with my fingernails to get it to pop out of place, so assuming that the normal way is via the button with the speaker and arrow icon, which must not work.

Your advice, input, comments please?

Sorry, but that pic of the plug is upside down.

 

That's where the iPhone snap in adapter goes. The proper way to remove the dummy snap in is to slide the armrest back, then pull up on the front of the armrest. It will unsnap and pivot up and back. Then press the button on the dummy snap in and lift out from the rear.

 

The y-cable plugs in under the center stack of the dash. As previously mentioned, that is a cover id you don't have the snap-in cradle (~$250) for you phone. I have the same setup and I don't think we are missing out on anything as I would never leave my phone in the cradle anyways.

 

It would be sensible to play around with this only when you don't have a passenger - you don't want to find out the wrong way that this is actually the ejector seat control, do you?.....

 

Thanks SuperGreg! That worked much smoother than my way. So it looks to me now that the front edge has 2 functions. the area surrounding the button diconnects the dummy plate, but what does the button with the speaker/two way arrow do? Looks like it's stem rests on a micro switch.

 

Ha! That of course depends on who is in the ejected seat!

 

Thanks yetti96! So this $250 piece is an adapter from the plug I see in the compartment to my IPhone?

Also, does the Y cord you speak of for use up front under the stack plug into the phone dock port and USB and Aux IN jack? I have those jacks under the stack, and yes I agree, I may as well use those if they serve the same purpose as what I'd be paying $250 for.

 

Yup

 

That center console is such a waste of time for 90% of owners. I'm thinking of swapping out for the euro version which looks much more padded and has more storage.
I guess it was a neat feature when iphones dominated the market, but my note2 won't even come close to fitting...

 

I love my armrest with the snap in, and iPhones still dominate the US market :P

 

I suspect it's more the case that iPhones dominate the minds of BMW designers, who can't imagine any owner using something else...