I just purchased an 08 Cooper S convertible. 3 questions: 1. The phone button on the steering wheel, its not in the manual (that I could find) Does it or can it do anything? 2. In the glove compartment is an oldschool pin connector for an ipod. Is this factory? Can it be changed to the new type? 3. What have ya'll found to be the best phone holder?
1. I googled the info on the phone interface. Don't remember where I found it, but printed it out. Sadly it was in the owners manual folder when I traded it. 2. I found that the best adaptor is from Apple. I tried a few generics but they didn't work as well. Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (0.2 m) Item# MD824AM/A 3. My pocket. Oh yeah...... welcome to the asylum. :arf:
1) Phone buttons do nothing, unless the car has one of the very rare dealer-installed bluetooth kits. All the Multi-Function steering wheels have the buttons, only a few actually did anything. You CAN purchase aftermarket bluetooth kits with custom wiring harnesses that will enable the buttons. 2) No telling what that iPod cable is connected to. It MAY be the OEM iPod interface, or it MAY be an aftermarket interface. Here's the details on the OEM one: https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/display/tech/Ipod+Interface+Installation+2002-2006+MINI+Cooper If it's an aftermarket one, it MIGHT be USB connected and you MIGHT be able to substitute a lightning cable. Otherwise, use the Apple Lightning-to-30pin adapter. 3) Phone holders - ProClip has the best actual phone holders, and has good car mounts. But pricey. I use them in all my cars. Note that if you use the downtube mount from ProClip, it will tend to vibrate/bounce as those tubes are pretty flimsy, not structural. Can be mostly fixed by stuffing some foam or felt behind the downtube. Kuda has the most OEM-looking dash mounts, then you can put a ProClip phone holder on it. I've done his also.
These guy's have retrofit kits... They are in England but they ship worldwide. I've never used them but have heard good things about them... NewMINIStuff worldwide mail order accessories for the MINI Also give Aaron a call at Outmotoring... MINI Cooper Ipod Interface Ipod Controller