Official MINI/iPod Adapter Review

Sections: Uncategorized Nov 17th, 2004 76 Comments

[Update: Matthew was kind enough to substantially update his review with another day's worth of use behind him. Skip down to the end of this article for the update portion.]

For all of you patiently awaiting the official iPod adapter here is the first review of the actual MINI version of the product.

Installation:
The entire process was very painless at about 2 hours. (Bare in mind that this was their very first official 'consumer' install they have ever done aside from the demo MINI so they did spend time to make sure it was just right.) My guess is that it could be done in less than an hour if the glovebox & centre console area are already cleared. Wanted to do the install myself, but there isn't an install manual with the kit like many other oem parts.

The cable is just a bit over 62 cm from the interior glovebox gasket to the beginning of the dock module. Sadly, this isn't long enough to put my ipod in it's usual resting place below the e-brake.

I'm still searching for that perfect passthrough mount that has a 'dock' connected to it so i don't have to clasp & unplug the cable every time i leave the car. Something like the Belkin or PowerSupport models for the cup holder but with a rigid dock connector, something that can be mounted on the Centre Console Pillar screws, or something with super-strong suction cups.

Display:
Like it's BMW sibling, the MINI Interface system displays 'MINI' in the iPod screen when connected & 'Do not disconnect' when it's in use. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news to my fellow iPod Photo users, but you won't see any of your favorite album cover, song, or track information as with normal operation. (Perhaps the only defense for the AUX cable…which is still usable with the interface kit installed.)

There is a clause in the Manual that does say: 'Future firmware updates for your iPod or iPod mini may affect the features and functions described in this manual.' So one would hope that more features perhaps would be supported as opposed to functionality taken away every time we update the iPod…

Operation:
There is a definitely noticeable time delay as the system scans through your playlists when the iPod is first plugged in. (My standard motoring playlist has 203 songs & takes over a minute and a half to scan) You may avoid this by not removing the iPod as you depart; but that is highly inadvisable if you usually keep it in plain view & don't have a lockable glovebox of the 2005 models.

I'd also like to mention that quite often the iPod won't be recognized if plugged in after the radio is turned on. (Just as with the computer, the iPod isn't hot-swappable so be sure the radio is off before you remove it.)

As with the BMW interface, the MINI kit also requires that you name your 5 playlists starting with 'MINI1….MINI2', & so on. You do however, have the ability to add to additional text, such as 'MINI3-Motoring_Tunes' or 'MINI5_CanyonRun'.

One interesting feature is that when in RND or random mode (which shuffles your current iPod playlist) you can't fast forward through the current song, but rather skip through tracks which gains speed in increments of 10 (not exponentially by powers of ten alla Charles & Ray) as you hold the fast forward button down. So if on track 5, it'll go to 15…25…35 etc.

When not using RND mode, you can fast forward through a song as normal & skip tracks with a single click too. I don't have any feelings about this as any songs with unfortunate or extraordinarily long intros can be set to start at a certain time frame in iTunes. (Be sure to recopy them to your playlist when doing so from the computer's library.)

Those of you who like to listen to your MINI's stereo while detailing will be happy to know that the MINI Interface kit does work for 20 minutes without the key in the ignition.

Conclusion:
All things considered, I fully agree with Gabe's review in that though limited in function; there are definite benefits to being able to keep your eyes on the road & hands on the wheel. This is the best interface thus far for those who have the Multi-Function Steering Wheel. I'd liken it to having a 5 CD changer, but with less delay for track access & 100s of songs per CD.

*Special thanks to Long Beach MINI for offering this as the grand-prize for this year's Poker Rally. (They not only gave away the interface kit, but also a mini iPod to go with it & free installation)

-Matthew [2003 SLKGRN-MC]

[Update]

Here's an update on yesterday's findings:

The Connection with AUX port looks as follows:

When first going to the MINI this morning, I tried using the dock. The iPod Photo connected as expected with the “MINI” screen, but no sound was present (probably due to line out on dock). The MFSW controls were activating the iPod as i could clearly hear it accessing it when advancing tracks. However, after testing it & turning the radio off, it failed to go back to the main menu! It wasn't until the iPod was plugged back into the Desktop G4 that it reverted to the menu screen.

(Dock : Bad, Cable: Good)

Next, the dock-cable was used directly, but discovered that it wasn't quite in all the way as shown here:

The iPod now worked as before, allowing control from both MFSW & click wheel; showing all track, album, & album art info! Thinking that this loose connection was the key to “new functionality,” i snapped the connector all the way in. But no change, everything still worked without any skipping or delay in song management.

Here is the iPod resting very precariously on the cupholder with Boost Radio in plain view playing a song chosen with the MFSW:

*note the radio display says: CD 2-09 which indicating Playlist 2 and song #9 out of 10. Special thanks to my buddy Jay who brought the fancy click wheel cover back for me from Japan a 1+years ago; for my 2G iPod :-)

Hmmmm….i know what you're thinking: “Speedo Wheel” instead of Tach wheel eh? (Apologies for the grainy photo; couldn't get external light source mounted for this one..)

This next photo show a manual change of songs with the iPod: As i've skipped through songs 1-3 on the iPod, the display updates on the Boost Radio & lands on Song 4 in synchrony.

Now to control the iPod with both MTFSW & Click Wheel:

1. 1st the iPod was plugged in & the radio turned on.

2. The Playlist “MINI2_Hitz” is chosen via radio preset button #2 & the 1st song starts playing.

3. The song is skipped to the next one (#2) with the MFSW, so i know the iPod is synced.

(The screen won't change, but rather stays as in picture above. I went through the hierarchy to find that it had been changed miraculously to the right playlist & song!)

4. As i dig deeper into the hierarchy, the ipod shows that it's playing the correct song chosen.

5. Now I click once more on the iPod button to reveal the Song Info. Correct again :-) From now on, the iPod stays on this Track Info screen & updates as i skip songs on the MFSW.

6. When I click on iPod Button again, the full album art shows as usual for a few seconds, then goes back to the previous screen.

*Note all the photos had the Backlight turned on with no sleep from the settings menu. Otherwise the screen will go dark according to the Backlight settings. Unlike accessing the iPod normally, the Backlight won't turn on when any changes are made with the MFSW. Thus i've chosen to turn “Backlight Timer Off” since the iPod is being charged while plugged into the MINI.

*On the occasions when i do get the standard “MINI” screen, touching the click wheel only activates the Backlight if the timer is set & hold slider deactivated.

7. I can still click further & access the Song timing/advance and the Rating screen too; which all revert back to the Track Info Screen as usual.

8. No other Playlists other than the “MINIx” ones where accessed as the manual specifically says to make only 5 Presets & name them accordingly.

Not sure if i've confused myself and everyone else more or less, but i'm happy to see that my findings weren't just a fluke.

-Matthew

Written By: MF Reader

Chris T.

I'm still a little unclear about how you play songs with this. The only way you can do it is by putting the songs in a playlist? I rarely use the playlists on my iPod so this seems like an annoyance. With the auxilary input can you at least control the songs through the iPod?
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

Matthew, did Long Beach have any thoughts, perhaps, on whether it would be possible to make the connection work on a system with nav? Still dying to know this (although the more I hear about the unit, the less desirable it sounds to me).
Andy

Did I read it right? The AUX cable will still work with the iPod adapter?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Mike – I know you have heard me say this but I'll say it again for the benefit of others. I'm 99% sure they are no compatible. However that 1% still lingers…
Speck

There's a great mounting solution that's custom for the MINI by a company called proclip (proclip.com). It attaches the ipod to the MINI's downtubes and really looks / functions great. This works very well when feeding the aux connector under the toggle switches and using a monster or belkin auto charger for line out and charging. The proclip is at just the right height to hit forward and reverse on the ipod while your hand is resting on the shift knob. The ipods display is inches away from the cars display, and if you keep the ipods backlight on you get more informatin than provided by the bmw adapter. – seems like a more intuitive and flexible solution than the bmw kit…
http://telly.bravo5.org/blojsom/blog brian

Does the play count get updated in iTunes after using this interface?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

The thing with the MINI or BMW kit is that there's no need to see the iPod while functioning. This is one of the features of the set-up. Basically everything is integrated within the car's interface. Granted you lose a ton of functionality but you gain some safety.
Chris T.

Is the audio quality with the iPod adapter better than it is with the standard auxilary input?
Matthew

Whoa! Sooo many questions already? Guess i'm not the only one who lives, sleeps, & breaths MINI ;-)
Matthew

Playing Songs: You can play songs from either your “all music on your iPod” or one of five playlists.

Why only 5 Playlists? Because Preset Button #6 (on your radio) is for choosing to play the entire iPod Library.

Remember, the playlists must start with the word “MINI” and have a number next to it, ie: “MINI3″.
Matthew

Sat. Nav.: As Gabe said….99%.

LB MINI only aked if i had the MTFSW. The Manual doesn't say “not compatible with Sat. Nav. system” but does clearly state that it takes the place of the 6 CD Changer.

Mike, i hope the 1% is in your favor for this one.
Matthew

Aux Cable: Yes, both the Aux cable & iPod Interface can be used simultaneously!

Another hole & a rubber gasket was put about 3cm deeper into the glovebox with the white Dock Cable extending out of it.
Matthew

ProClip: Thanks for the suggestion. 1. Wish it were white or silver.. 2. Wish it didn't have to be mounted by mechanical fasteners or adhesive. 3. It does put the iPod in the best position.

BTW: The URL is: http://www.proclipusa.com/
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

Matthew, thanks for the info. Yeah, that's precisely what I don't understand about it. If it is a replacement for the CD changer, and the CD changer works with cars with navigation, then I don't get how the iPod adapter doesn't work with cars with navigation. There is probably some reason, though, otherwise I doubt MINI would have listed is as incompatible. However I'm still holding out for some smart fellow (or myself) to figure out that there actually is a way to make it work for cars with nav.
Steve

Seems like the only advantage to this over the auxiliary is that you can advance playlists and songs. With the aux input, you can still adjust volume and have to reach to change songs, lists (but you can see them). How does this compare to the Alpine adapter, which shows artist, song, etc. info on the head unit. You lose the steering wheel adjustments, but so what? At least you can legibly see the track infor while the ipod remians out of sight and charging.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Different strokes for different folks I suppose (reminds me of a tv show). We linked to a review of the Alpine unit awhile back and while it may work for some that solution is certainly not a slam dunk. Personally I think the ICE-Link comes closest to offering the full control of the iPod interface within the confines of the OEM stereo and MFSW controls.
http://www.matthewgifford.com/ Matt

A note to MINIUSA readers: You could score some serious PR points by clearing up this confusion. Surely someone there has read the Cluetrain Manifesto.
Matthew

Playlist Update: Nope, no update that i can see here.
dgszweda

Am I the only one who saw this. Two hours for an install? You have got to be kidding me. It shouldn't take much more than 15 minutes.
http://www.lackofstyle.com julie

I would love to see a variety of mounting options for the MINI/iPod adaptor. As much as I love the digital input and the ability to change tracks from my MFSW, the glovebox solution just does not seem at all adequate. My poor iPod would be pummeled against the walls of the glovebox every time I make a swift turn, unless I rig together some sort of mount.

I would like to see an option of rigging the cable under the toggles, where one might now find the aux input, and a suitable mount Ã¢â‚¬â€œ while keeping the same digital input and MSFW capabilities. Especially with the introduction of the iPod Photo, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢d love to be able to see my iPod screen during playback Ã¢â‚¬â€œ it would just look cool.

So as it stands now, I think I am going to pass on the Official MINI/iPod adaptor, in the hopes that they come up with a better and/or more varied solution.
http://homepage.mac.com/andrewz/MyMini.html andrew

i think this lacks alot of the functionality of the ice-link. I for one would miss being able to see the track names on my ipod's display. The fact that it is only a 2-foot cable (or so i have read) limits it's placement to the glove box and does not allow any custom installs such as my own. [ http://homepage.mac.com/andrewz/MyMini.html ] All in all, it seems like the ice-link, while missing a few features, is still the best choice.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Julie – I would think you could easily have the cable come out below the toggles. That's where I have my ICE-link cable come from.

I would assume when the fine folks at Designworks (BMW's own design firm down the street from Apple) were working on this solution they had no idea that there would be a small stoage space below the toggles introduced for 2005.
Matthew

You Go Julie!!!

Definately some valid ideas.
Matthew

Sound Quality: OK, i've just played “Nothing But Flowers” by David Byrne/Talking Heads with the iPod Interface. This one is notoriously horrible on my standard Boost Radio even at a very high ACC bit rate on the Aux port & it sounds 100% better with the iPod interface! (i used to fiddle with the Equlizer presets like crazy trying to ballance the sound..)

Also tried “All is full of Love” by Bjork which usually sends the bass way above the vocals & looses some of the more subtle refinements of the background score. All is full of great audio now ;-)
Matthew

quote: “custom installs such as my own”

Andrew, can this mount handle “spirited driving”?
Matthew

OMG! Album Art is Working now :-D

Where do i begin…. Recently, the iPod Photo has stopped displaying the standard “MINI” screen when connected. I just see the usual list of: Music, Photos, Extras, etc. But the iPod does sync.

So i tried the click wheel & it works! As i'm currently playing a song with the MTFSW, i go through the hierarchy on the iPod to find that the correct Playlist & Song are chosen.

Next step; try to advance to next song (showing album art) and the radio follows suit. Then; the steering wheel… works again! Now i go to full album art view, & it advances to the next song as i do so on the MTFSW.

(Volume is still controlled by MTFSW)

Don't know how long this will last, but i'm a happy man :-)
http://www.lackofstyle.com julie

Matthew – Do you have the MINI/iPod link installed? Do you have it installed through your glove compartment?

I'm very excited to see that somehow the regular iPod photo interface screen is showing instead of the specified “MINI/do not disconnect” screen… if this is standard, and not a “bug” – AND I can have it installed with the cable coming out below the toggles – I would literally run out of my office right now and buy one (and my MINI hasn't even arrived yet!!)
http://www.lackofstyle.com julie

oh, and btw, matthew – GREAT choice in sample music (esp. the bjork track!)
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

That's great Matthew! You know, if it worked like this, where you had the option to control manually, but could also control via the steering wheel and choose a playlist via the head unit, I'd be much more inclined to get it. I'd still only want a simple cable coming out though, I don't need a mount for the thing as there are plenty of places to stash the iPod and I prefer to pick it up to use it since it's too difficult to control while in a mount.

I suppose if I wanted to do this I could just use the ICE-Link solution, though, without a mount…
Matthew

Whoah! Hold those horses just a miniute Julie ;-)

Are Creative Professionals “Impulsive”???? (Certainly not i)

Yes, the link was installed by LB MINI & it does extend from the glovebox interior.

I've just told Gabe that i will send photos this evening if possible… (BTW: you might consider a D70 or 8400 to suit your needs)

Already burnt my toaster (no joke, looking for a Panasonic or Cuisinart one tonight) and skipped breakfast over this excitement.

And my colleague is ready to roast me too :p

Work? That's for people who don't have iPods!
http://www.iinet.net.au/~sun/dlhome/ JB

Mike: you mention nav working with the cd changer so why doesnt the ipod link? by all of the option specs i've read the cd changer isnt compatible with nav either, so there is the consistency you seek.
Matthew

Mike, one things for sure… I'm not going to update the firmware for a while ;-)
http://www.lackofstyle.com julie

i'll look out for those photos. i don't know what the point of being able to see the interface would be if the iPod is crammed into the glovebox anyways. hmmph.

oh, and i ordered the sd200 earlier today (talk about impulsive!), but thanks for the advice.
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

JB, you may be right, I wasn't aware of that if it's true. However, in trying to confirm that, I went to MINIUSA.com and attempted to see if I could add the CD changer when Navigation was in the 'shopping cart', as before it wouldn't let me do this with the iPod adapter.

Now here are the weird things about this: (1) It did let me add the CD changer with the navigation, and (2) it appears that the iPod adapter is gone from the site again? Is this right?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Yes I believe they removed it until they got final word on compatibility issues. No idea what those could be…. wait… you don't think they're reading these comments do you??? :)
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

hehe ;)
Milo

I know this might seem a little off but I was wondering if installing the iPod adapter would interfere with the bluetooth upgrade? Will the phone input also need aux connection?
Alex SM

Anyone have the part number? I went to my dealer with the part number that was posted here ages ago and it didn't work.
Murwil

Proclip USA is the way to go for a clip. http://www.proclipusa.com I use the Dension ice Link.
David

I've had my Mini S for 1 month now, and I couldn't wait anymore for the ipod adaptor. I too, was also told that the adaptor and Nav was “incompatible”. So this morning, I order the Dension Ice-link. It seems to me its the best way to intergrate the ipod with the MFSW. Another plus is the proclip adaptor, I will be able to see my ipod and all its info. I was told by Dension, that the Ice-link is compatible with the HK, and Nav system.
Matthew

iPod Photo Update:

So i go out to lunch & plug in the iPod again & guess what; no more album art & song info :( There are several factors that are different however. 1. With that fist test, the car hadn't been moved for a whole night. 2. The ignition had no key in it. 3. The “MINI” screen hadn't been appearing at all. 4. The iPod was fully charged.

I'm going to let the car sit overnight again & see if i can reproduce what had happened earlier today once more. It also seems that the ipod will go back to the standard list screen if not plugged in properly.

Sorry to get everyone excited, but i assure you it was working! At least we know it is possible for the interface & the iPod to display in synchrony…
BrantV

Could waking the iPod before connecting make a difference?

Glad to hear you're enjoying it. What was you winning hand?
Matthew

BrantV, Believe it or not, my hand was all Spades! An extremely low one considering that last year we had two winners with high-hands.

I feel very fortunate to have won something which is higher value in personal interest than in monitery amount :-)

Having said that, i also won a Black 40th Anniversary Shirt (99 00 0 020 087) for my license plate that might end up on ebay if i can't re-tailer/exchange a large to a small.

*I also have to give credit where it is due; Becky Bell deserves a round of applause for Planning/Managing the event for the 3 yrs. its been held.
Mark

Does the Mini and or ice-link display the song information on the head unit display?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

no – neither do.
Matthew

Hee hee, i'm not a quak! Got the iPod Photo Display to work again :-D
fms

Don't remember seeing that the MINI/iPod setup includes a hookup for charging the iPod, like the firewire ICE link option does. Can you run the iPod and charge it w/ the MINI adaptor kit, allowing for it to remain in the glovebox at all times if one wants to go that direction?
Matthew

Charging: The iPod definately charges while playing when connected.

Not sure what happens exactly when it's connecte & not in use, i'll have to expirement further with this one.
Melanie

This website is so cool…I had debated about whether to get the BMW/MINI iPod adapter and after reading the pros and cons, decided to go with the Dension ICElink. (I actually had planned on the NEOCAR AUDIO iON product, but Gabe pointed out to me that it is virtually identical to the ICElink and has been around longer). I spoke with Tom, a technician at Dension, and the salesguy, Curtis. Both were extremely helpful. For anybody else considering the ICElink, you should know that if you have the 4th generation iPod as I do (40 G), the ICElink connection also charges the iPod. There are NOT two separate connections, as the photo on the Dension webpage implies – that was for an older model iPod – not the 4th generation. If you are using the ICElink, the iPod is charging as long as the car is on – there is no option to charge or not charge. Once it is fully charged, it becomes a trickle charge. I had some concerns about this setup, considering the other posts that have discussed wearing down the battery cycles with on-off charging, but Tom allayed my fears. He claims that they have older iPods using the ICElink and they are doing fine. I think, though, that it is still a good idea to periodically let the iPod battery run down completely, and so “re-set” the memory, to prolong it's longevity. So, I got the ICElink with the radio connection (my mechanic is putting this baby in, not me!), the dock cradle, and also the Proclip mount (part# 853013) that enables me to anchor the cradle to the downtube on the right side. Tom has installed several of these for the local MINI dealer, and he tells me this is a good place to put the cradle, since it is out of the way of the steering wheel and is far enough above the cup holder so as to not get in the way. There is no drilling needed, it just clips on the tube. If you don't have Nav or satellite radio, you can also get the kit that attaches via the CD changer connection in the boot – but then you have to run the wires under the carpet, etc. If you have either the FACTORY-INSTALLED Sirius (not the aftermarket one – ICElink is NOT compatible with that), or the Navigation system, you have no choice but to get the trunk-connected kit – the redio connected kit is not an option with these.
I'll get the ICElink before I get my car (which is coming across the pond as I write this) but what else is new – I already have the auto-up circuit and a few other things. Now, as long as that boat stays afloat!….
Melanie

Also, I have photos of the iPod cradle mounted to the right downtube in the car, courtesy of Tom at Dension. If anyone wants to see what it looks like, send me a PM.

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