It's a valid question. The answer is that it's a crude, dorky implementation.
Functionally it works as Metalman described, but MINI/BMW could have done better.
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Metalman Well-Known MemberLifetime Supporter
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If you just hook up the audio cable, you will get music to play out of the car's speakers.... Control of the songs will be by the I-phone....
Hooking up the USB cable will allow the radio head unit to display the song, track, artist.... etc. etc. etc. Control of the music will be through the steering wheel or radio connection. If your MINI is equipped with this feature.... -
Stinker Active Member
Do they make this cable longer, so you can mount your iphone/ipod higher?
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Stinker Do they make this cable longer, so you can mount your iphone/ipod higher?
I'd like to know if they make a longer cable for this also. It seems the USB attachment on ours works in a hit or miss fashion. Some times the head unit recognizes the IPod and can run it, others, only the music plays through the Aux. -
You can use an iPhone/iPod dock extension cable to add length from the Y-cable to your device. You have to be careful about which one you choose. There are many cheap versions on the market that don't connect all the pins on the connector and you may lose some functions such as video.
http://www.amazon.com/CableJive-dockXtender-Compatible-including-SoundDock/dp/B003N3GRCQ -
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Antiquated is a nice way to say it. I just got my 2014 MCM JCW PW and LOVE the car. But the radio and phone interfaces are very disappointing. To keep the price "within reason" and reduce complexity a bit I did not get the tech or connected packages. I had thought the basic radio would be fine and provide access to my iPhone. Kind of but really not so much.
1) only way to use iPhone 4 voicecontrol to make a call is on iPhone.
2) radio display tags do not line up with buttons so it is hard to see what to press
3) USB hookup to iPhone does not always work...says Insert USB when it is hooked up and charging
4) when it is hooked up and working no way to use steering wheel controls to change tracks
5) when changing track via main radio control the iPhone pauses and you must hit PLAY on the iPhone
Ugh. It's my fault for not spending more time looking at those items but I just expected better or least as good as other brands. Seems MINI/BMW wants us all to pony up another $1200 for packages to match other makes.
I'll survive of course but am just disappointed on these things. -
Thought this might be of interest/help for others.
Last night I tried hooking up my first gen ithouch and it works much better in the car. It connected easier and I can use the steering wheel mounted controls to change tracks and the itouch does not pause. So maybe it's a comparability problem with iOS 7. Who knows.
The itouch is not ideal but it's doable.