maybe they got in trouble for using the word Mini on their website!?

 

According to that Apple or BMW website it doesn't mention anywhere that it will work with MINI's.

This might actually finally get me to buy an IPOD if it works with MINI's. But i will definitely have to pass by my local BMW dealership on July 12th and see how it works. Would you have to Navigate through each song track by track? When your going to have a few thousand songs on there it seems pretty time consuming to go one by one!

 

I just read an article by David Pogue of the NY Times. He was discussing the adapter and said that the MINI adapter won't be available til later in the summer. That's probably why they pulled the MINI out of the ad. Another cool thing about this adapter was that the plug will charge the ipod also.

 

It's also a digital connection:
"The difference between third party solutions and the Apple/BMW offering isn't just cosmetic: The integrated connector offers something nobody else can at this point -- a digital connection." - MacWorld

This is something even the MINI AUX jack doesn't offer. There is also the plus of not having any visable wires.

I did talk to my MINI service guy and he says they are coming for MINI. He wasn't sure if the Multi Function Steering Wheel was required or if you can scroll with the head unit.

 

I have been told that the head unit on all 2005 Mini's will play MP3 files off a CD. I assume it will display track info as well. This is not a difficult or immature technology. I yet to see the specifics on the new head unit, but I would assume it should do what a cheap CD player does - read the MP3 files and list the song titiles from the ID tags. I guess we will know for sure when the first 2005's arrive.

 

The keynote speech was released on the apple website yesterday, and when Jobs spoke about the iPodYourBMW campaign, he did in fact include the mini. Should be available by the end of the summer, I would guess.

 

The iPod adaptor is backordered for BMW cars, and not official yet for the MINI.

Remain calm - it will probably be coming officially in a month or so.

 

Thanks for the update... I am still waiting for it to be released. Keep me update pls

Ed

 

I was watching a car show on SpeedVision this morning (can't remember the name). But they mentioned that the iPod adaptor won't work with premium sound systems. I checked out the ipodyourbmw site and it didn't say this. I think the show may be wrong. Anybody out there know if it will work with the HK?

Thanks.

 

I don't know if this question has been posted or answered: But in the BMW (and MINI), can the iPod be plugged up via the prewired CD changer cable in the boot? Or must it be wired directly into the headunit as reported? If so, why?

 

I belive you can do what you ask by getting an Icelink system. This way it can all be controlled with the MFSW. However I think the installation is complicated, and the Icelink is expensive. You can also simply install an Aux Input and connect the ipod though it, but no controls on the MFSW.

I connected an XM receiver thru the CD changer, it was quite easy, but pricey at $300. The XM interface has a pass thru cable that still allows another device to be plugged in to the CD changer.

Good luck,
Nando

 

That is an option, thanks!
However, I am still trying to figure out the logic as to why the official iPod unit has to be directly plugged into the headunit. If I am not mistaken, it is plugged into the "cd changer " port of the head unit. If so, why could it not be plugged into the prewired cables to the boot (assuming I don't want to keep the iPod in the glovebox, but in the boot). Is location of the iPod the only rerason for the 'official hook up', or is there a technical reason for direct plugging into the headunit?

 

Do we really know that the BMW interface is going to be available for the Mini? I went to the Apple website and didn't see it mentioned. I'm getting my MC in January. Will it be available as a dealer installation by then?

 

I would like to know the same thing. I'm getting the mini Ipod this weekend. I'll ask at the Apple store, but I doubt they will know. If anyone does know - please post. My mini is almost here, and I will need lots of music for the long drives.

 

If you happen to see the TV ads for "iPod Your BMW" they show the man getting into his car with the iPod in hand. He then opens the glove box and reaches in and grabs this cable looking thing, which he promptly plugs into the top (?bottom) of his iPod. He proceeds to then throw the iPod into the glove box, closes the glovebox door, starts the car and ...BAM... iPod music via the factory radio.

From the Mini2 forums on this subject it is still my understanding that NO track/artist info is displayed. This is true when using the iPod or using MP3 discs directly in the head unit. Why BMW/Mini will not allow track/artist info to scroll is still way beyond my comprehention.

Hope this helps.

 

Yeah, I think that's correct. It will just display "playlist 1" and "track 1" etc...

Anyone have any info on when the MINI version will be released?

 

I think that the Dension is a nicer product and much more versatile... Here is mine in an 05 MCS
MW

 

Yeah, I like the Ice Link as well, but the iPod/MINI will be cheaper at 150.00, and it does the trick.

 

Only plays 6 playlists though,,, and no 'local' control. MW

 

Hm, yeah, true... well, we'll see...

 

I was at Long Beach Mini today and the Sirius rep was there. He and the MA's informed me that one would have to choose between Sirius and the i-Pod/Mini since they both use the same input. And neither is currently available for an '05. Both will play digital quality when implemented which is a must for me.

The Sirius guy said track and artist info would display on the head unit. Is it true that this is not the case with the i-Pod Mini system. That could be a deal breaker for me.

 

Yeah... I hear that forsure. Too many choices! Why can't they just make one thing that does it all for like $20... lol

 

It's mentioned in posts here and at mini2. Get the auxillary input cable from your MINI dealer. Mine was $35. Then a $5 male-male minijack extension cable from Radio Shack. It is a different input from the CD changer, I believe it is used for the DVD Nav system or Sirius/XM. I was able to install it with a torx wrench set (for the screws to the panels under stereo) and a drill in about 20 minutes. Otherwise the dealer will charge approx 1 hr labor.

But don't do it in the glovebox like the instructions say. Why would you want to have to open the glovebox to control the iPod? Route it down below the stereo to the open space just forward of the shifter. There is a small panel that you can open, drill into that and put the auxillary input minijack.

I've had mine working with my iPod Mini since February in my '03 Cooper S and it is awesome. I put it in a cupholder space so it doesn't fly around. You have to control it through the iPod interface, and all you see on the stereo is "AUX." The BMW system, having to use playlists, IMHO defeats the purpose of having all that music available. Why should you be forced to use one of 5 or 6 playlists, and only be able to FF or RW through them?

 

Echelmeier:

Are you getting digital, i.e., CD quality or is it FM modulated? I saw someone on this site put their aux connection on an open toggle switch and it looked good.

Mike

 

How about this idea. They allready have FM transmitters for the IPOD, How about they transmit the ID tag info like regular FM stations.


Paul