Just heard from my MA. Yes, the iPod interface is available, but they want $600 installed. Give me a break! I told him I wasn't going to pay double what I paid for my iPod just to be able to use the MFSW to control it. For now, it is the Aux Input. Then I will wait for an aftermarket solution. Does anyone have experience with Dice Electronics on an older model or other brand of car? I see that they offer HD radio and an iPod interface for about $200. Even with installation, I come out ahead. They haven't come up with the 07 MINI yet, but it is only a matter of time.

 

Yep thats what I was quoted by Morristown(NJ) Mini......I might get it and use the "AUX" for my Sirius................

 

Just spoke to my MA (my car has STILL not left the dock!) and he informs me that the PART alone is $320, and he was unsure how much more time it takes to install. He did rattle off some facts about the new ipod adaptor, and it is a much more complex setup that allows for much better use of the ipod. As my car was one of the MFSW mixup, causing me a LOT more waiting, they are open to giving me a break on the installation when the car comes in. So we'll see. Hope this helps.

 

I got one of those $40 fm broadcasters from ebay and it works great. give your money to habitat for humanity and go cheap.

OUT!

 

I suspect that talk about the difficulty of the installation is a bunch of crap. It is a jack on the back of the head unit. It is just overpriced. Even my MA, after saying all the benefits of the unit, agreed that he wouldn't be selling many of them. MINI missed the mark on that one.

I have tried the FM transmitter on a previous truck. The frequencies are just too crowded in my metro area to find an empty slot. And even when I can, the sound bites big time. I'll stick with the Aux Input and get clear input, even if I can't use the MFSW.

 

Um...why the talk about FM transmitter now that an Aux jack is standard?

 

Try the DICE iPod integration kit. $148 and self-install takes all of 20 minutes if you've never pulled the center stack apart. Also, check this thread for lots more info about the DICE kit.

 

I notice that the DICE iPod kit is for 2002-2006 Mini. Is it the same for the new cars?

 

No, they're reportedly working on it.

$600 is too much. IMO. I'm going to ask about it when I'm at the dealer tomorrow. but that's insane.

 

how much for the part alone? anyone up for a DIY how to?

 

cant wait for my Astro Black Mini S --- damn!

how can I use the AUX? will it show on the nav screen? (entertainment)

 

It'll show that aux is active but the display won't show track names or that kind of information, it's just a simple feed in.

 

I think I'm just going to wait for the retrofit PDF to show up somewhere and then see if I'm up to it. $320 is still high and I'm going to live with Aux for a while.

 

You could install it your self. The hardest part of the whole thing will be taking your dash apart...



I just opted to get the $10 AUX jack for the time being.

 

Its awesome that the AUX input is standard. But it doesn't charge iPods, doesn't display music info on the dash and you can't browse playlists using the MFSW. But paying more than $250 for these options through the iPod jack seems to be high.

And what's causing the delay in the availability of the iPod jack? I believe it is already available in UK.

 

Actually, I think the hardest part will be updating the car's software to use the interface. My MA describes the update as "software for the entire car has to be upgraded for the iPod interface."

The hardware takes about 20 minutes to install, or so I've read. The software takes several hours since it is slow to upload I guess.

All that and it's limited to only the first 255 items in any folder. Meaning, if your library, artists, songs list, etc have more than 255 items in them, the 256th on down won't be playable.

Also, if you into "artists" you get a list of all the SONGS in each album, in album order, not the albums, and THEN the songs. Check out the "2nd Gen ICE" forum at Mini2 for lots more information about the iPod interface, including photos of it with the SatNav. It looks great, pity it's a bit hobbled by list size.

Time to start making some playlists... but not more than 255 of them!

By the way, the interface IS available in the states, not sure if it's available to ALL dealers yet though. It's pricey $500-$600, installed.

 

this is how i currently have my ipod setup thru my landrover w/Aux jack.
and i plan on setting it up the same way when my MCS gets in.

to keep my iPod charged I use this from Belkin:


and it has a an audi output that you run you line from to the Aux input.
works great and stays charged.
just bee creative to hide the wiring.

 

I have the same setup in my current car. Run Monster Cable from the Belkin to the head unit, sounds awesome. Can't tell from CD.

I also like that the "bulb" has an independant amp volume control to further boost the signal if desired, although it is possible to overboost it as well, resulting in distortion.