Uncategorized
As reported on MotoringFile this past August the MINI iPod adapter was delayed due to incredible demand for the BMW version that was released this past July. It looks like once the BMW version is widely available the MINI adapter will be released. We're told this should happen fairly soon.
Pricing should be similar to the BMW units currently available – $150. You can read our review of the BMW version here (it will be identical to the MINI adapter).
<p>UK too? Anyone heard any news on this?</p>
<p>Anyone have and experience with this solution?
Looks like it will display track information on the
head unit.. Although I think you need a specific Alpine
head unit to accomplish.</p>
<p>Alpine KCA-420i </p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p>Yes – we've experienced it. Check the reviews section. </p>
<p>No – it will not display track info on the head-unit.</p>
<p>UK – no word yet.</p>
<p>Gabe..</p>
<p>Actually talking about the Alpine KCA-420i.</p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p>Still no final word on navigation functionality, eh Gabe?</p>
<p>Mike – I haven't heard anything definitive other than the BMW version doesn't work with the NAV.</p>
<p>If someone would be so kind as to post the part number once it is out I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>Actually the part # was posted this past June:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/21/ipod_your_bmwmini_officially_announced"><a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/21/ipod" rel="ugc">http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/21/ipod</a><em>your</em>bmwmini<em>officially</em>announced</a></p>
<p>I'd recommend doing a <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/search.php?search=ipod">search</a> as this topic has been covered extensively earlier this summer.</p>
<p>BMW adaptor is NOT the same as the MINI adaptor.</p>
<p>I've waited for my MINI adaptor since the morning they were announced here (6/16). I persuaded my dealer's parts counter guy (very helpful department at Schomp Denver) to let me examine one of the MANY BMW adaptors he had in stock (grrrr!) I compared the BMW radio plug and adaptor plugs to the MINI and BMW radios. BMW's has bullet connectors; MINI's has spade. Schomp would have sold me the BMW part for the MINI (I'm FIRST IN LINE), but I'd have to modify/replace 2 plugs on the adaptor. NO thanks.</p>
<p>Let me say just how much BMW USA treats MINI owners like second-class citizens. Separate service departments. Separate parts delivery dates for the SAME items. Very much BS! Love my MINI, but the AFTERMARKET treats me better than the dealership!</p>
<p>Rant concluded. Enjoy yor day.</p>
<p>Thanks gabe for the part number, I am off to my mini dealership which apparently does not have a clue about the stuff that I order and therefore does not impose any limitations. Maybe I will be lucky.</p>
<p>Gabe – to clarify, is this from first-hand experience someone trying to use it with the nav or just the BMW announcement with which we're all familiar? If it's just the announcement, then I can still hold out some hope that there will be some workaround way to make it work. :)</p>
<p>I had asked the question when we were at the convertible training if the IPOD would work with the Nav system and I might be wrong but I believe the answer was yes – but – the CD player would be disabled.
Regards… Steve</p>
<p>Mike – this is just from the “official” line. </p>
<p>Steve – let's hope so!</p>
<p>Steve, thanks – by CD player, I assume you mean any 6-disc if present, not the in-dash? Sure hope you're right! I heard the same from another MA who went to the Minnesota training.</p>
<p>Will the iPod adapter work if you have XM-Direct installed instead of Sirius? XM-Direct uses the cd-changer input.</p>
<p>Mike, not the 6-disc – the in dash – not enough plugs in the existing harness. Rumors on a new one but pure speculation. Might not be a problem – you can always take your CD's and put them onto the IPOD but as I understand, the in dash CD player will not have sound if you have nav and IPOD.</p>
<p>Yes, I have the same question as kurt… I'm thinking of putting in XM direct with the blitzsafe pass-through adapter so I can still use my changer. Then when/if the ipod adapter comes out, I'll have to give up the changer, but hopefully can still use the adapter through the blitzsafe. However no one can confirm that this will work, so I'm holding off on buying XM. I don't want to invest in it and install it, only to have to take it out in a few (hopefully) months…</p>
<p>Hello, I am a motoring advisor for a mini dealership and I have an update to tell you guys about. I met with the gentleman who is charge of aftermaket accessories for MINIUSA last week and he told me that he is going to try to have the ipod adapter out sometime in October or November. He seemed very anxious to supply this part along with all of the new accessories that are MY05 specific, (such as the fog light and aero kit, clear taillights) in the end of October or early November. He also explained to me the reason why BMW is supplied with the adapters first. He explained to me that the reason why they are giving priority to BMW is because they had already made all of the TV advertisments and they were already running on tv… BMW misjudged the popularity of this adapter and is now playing catchup. BMW is now doing as much as they can to increase the supply of adapter but since they put themselves in a jam by advertising and not predicting the demand correctly, they are going to make sure that they get themselves out of the jam that they put themseleves into by suppling the market that was advertised to and then move on their other market (the minis) Please understand that BMW does not make anymore money selling the adapters to BMW customers than MINI customers. There ideal situation would be to have both adapters on the market at the same time with enough supply for both brands. </p>
<p>Please do NOT take this as a point to make MINI customers feel like the red headed stepchild. This is an extremely reputable company and they do not deserve some of the slander that they recieve. They are one of the only companies that understands that customers are the only reason why they are in business,and actually listen to the what consumers are saying about their product. They often go to great lengths to satisfy the customer (read anthricate headliner return)
Well i will stop babiling now. Congrats if you have read this entire post!</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>thanksisellem</p>
<p>isellem – very well said.</p>
<p>I just read another “review” of the BMW ipod adaptor in PC Magazine. I made a .pdf for anyone who is interested:</p>
<p><a href="http://webpages.charter.net/aircoolednut/ipod.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc">http://webpages.charter.net/aircoolednut/ipod.pdf</a></p>
<p>Here is a flash overview of the Alpine head unit and iPod integration.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/ipod_demo.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/ipod_demo.htm</a></p>