2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Radio feedback when using iPhone 4

Sounds like you need a ground loop isolator. Basically the iPhone and the car stereo are powered by two different power sources (battery and alternator), and if there's a slight difference in ground voltage, you'll get some hiss. I have a Kensington car charger & aux input cable that's a few years old and works great. You'll get better sound quality if you use the line out from the big Apple connector instead of the headphone jack, too.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Charger-Audio-Cable-iPhone/dp/B0031U1AU0"]Amazon.com: Kensington 2-in-1 Charger and Audio Cable for iPhone/iPod: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31reMtk4ULL.@@AMEPARAM@@31reMtk4ULL[/ame]

Or they just sell an aux input cable with a GLI.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Noise-Reducing-Audio-SmartPhone/dp/B0031U1ATQ/"]Amazon.com: Kensington Noise Reducing Car Audio AUX Cable for MP3 or SmartPhone: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31NmPSqeVoL.@@AMEPARAM@@31NmPSqeVoL[/ame]

 

Oops, just saw that I posted two of the same link above. Fixed that.

Yeah, those ipod line out cables aren't marketed much but they're fairly common. The Kensington unit (or others like them) is nice because it integrates the GLI and the cigarette lighter power adapter. If you want to go the cheap route without power, try this:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L3-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B003UCESP8/"]Amazon.com: FiiO L3 Line Out Dock (LOD) Cable For iPod and iPhone: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31YjfE-ncvL.@@AMEPARAM@@31YjfE-ncvL[/ame]

and this (I have one of these, they work well):

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/GROUND-LOOP-ISOLATOR-3-5-APPLICATIONS/dp/B001EAQTRI/"]Amazon.com: GROUND LOOP ISOLATOR FOR 3.5 MM APPLICATIONS: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31SYqE1VYcL.@@AMEPARAM@@31SYqE1VYcL[/ame]

 

I ordered the Kensington noise reducing cable. This makes the music sound terrible. It did take out the noise, but now the iPhone sounds like a transistor radio. Terrible solution!
Anyone know if this is resolved through MINI updates?

Any other suggestions?

 

I have an 09, also with the Hi Fi radio. My MINI came with a special "Y" connector cable (it's listed in realoem). It uses the standard 30 point Apple plug and then splits into the USB plug and mini audio plug for the aux plug in the bottom of the center stack. Works like a charm, no hiss or interference. The songs played from my IPhone 4 sound every bit as good as the CD music. Much better than the radio reception.

 

I have the same Y cable that came with my 2010. It makes noise, a griffin cable makes noise, just a 3.5 plug from the headphone jack makes noise.

 

Weird there is such a wide variance in sound quality.

 

Did you mean FiiO? Any kind of search of Fios brings up the internet/tv service.

This what you had in mind?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-20-Inch-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B005DK08X6/ref=pd_cp_e_4"]Amazon.com: FiiO L10 20-Inch Line Out Dock (LOD) Cable For iPod and iPhone: MP3 Players & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Ldhm5ZhsL.@@AMEPARAM@@31Ldhm5ZhsL[/ame]