Update 2 – here's some info from a reader:
I just got off the phone with Aaron at Mini USA. After hounding him last week about the availability of this particular part, he finally spoke to Mini engineers, who said that this part is, I quote, “not compatible” with the US Mini coopers. He was told by engineering that it will not work. As to the actual Mini part, he still had no information on an expected date, other than to say to expect it “shortly”. He couldn't say if “shortly” meant 1 week or 1 month, but was able to guess that it would not be six months. So again back to square one.” – Loren
So unless we can get some sort of confirmation on the BMW part working with the MINI those waiting for the MINI aux port might want to wait for the “official” part and not get BMW's version.
Update 1: [ Here's a new image of the actual piece (thanks to Geoff Stradling for the pic and info). There's also quite a bit of info regarding this and other homemade version on this MINI2 thread. ]
There are many people out there that have been waiting for this part for quite sometime. It allows you to plug in an auxuliary sound device (like an iPod for intance) into the radio and have it play through the speakers of your MINI. The following are the part numbers given for the Z4 but I'm told should be the same for the MINI:
With standard CD player:
65 12 0 153 501 Auxiliary Connection Retrofit Kit
With navigation system:
65 12 0 153 503 Auxiliary Connection Retrofit Kit
Unfortunately it's only available for 2003 MINIs as the wiring on radios from 2002 cars is different.
From my understanding the device will attach to the back of the head unit and the access point will mount in the glove box.
<p>Sweet. Wanna help me install it?</p>
<p>Sure – the hardest part will be taking out the head unit. Other than that I'm told it should be fairly simple.</p>
<p>Matthew, Do you have your MINI yet?</p>
<p>It has been built, but is awaiting shipment.</p>
<p>How long does the shipment take these days with the heightened security and all. I know for parts and other commercial/industrial stuff it's a big hassle.</p>
<p>No idea. All I know is that my car was completed on the 17th and hasn't shipped yet.</p>
<p>I can't seem to get the MINI2 thread to load. Do you know if the price was mentioned?</p>
<p>I heard 46 Euros with 1.5 hours of installation. I would expect that the US price would rise higher than just the conversion rate would indicate. And expect 1.5 hours of installation to be $150 with tax. Those are just estimates obviously.</p>
<p>How is this different from the Blitzsafe unit referenced in your How To guides (other than the location where it connects)?</p>
<p>The Blitzsafe works on both 2002 and 2003 MINIs for one. Secondly the Blitzsafe hooks into the CD changer connector and has to be routed up through the car. This new MINI part hooks into the back of the radio and is accessed via the glove box.</p>
<p>will this aux connector work with satalite radio? thanx</p>
<p>Yes it will work with any device that has a headphone jack.</p>
<p>What I mean is will this connector work with the sat reciever instead of using an fm modulator or changing the head unit.I have HK sound.
Thanx</p>
<p>There should be an audio out or a headphone jack on your Sat reciever. To play the receiver through the stereo all you have to do is plug it into the AUX input. You will not be able to control anything but the volume from the car's audio controls though.</p>
<p>Where do you get this in the US? I've been talking to Mini USA and as usual they are totally clueless and still as of today have no anticipated date for this adapter! It's driving me nuts.</p>
<p>I imagine it should be available in the US fairly soon. It actually looks like a BMW branded part so if you ask for it via the part number you should be okay.</p>
<p>ack… fairly soon, huh. so not now? that's what bloody mini has been saying for months…. fairly soon. if one of those engineers over at mini2.com would just make the part they've already made by hand, i'd buy one from them! there is also an issue with a ground loop isolator, which apparently is needed if you want to charge an iPod and connect it at the same time. Given Mini and BMW's total incompetence with regards to getting this part made, I have ZERO confidence that they will have addressed it. I'd rather buy the part from some guy in a toolshed than Mini if someone would sell one to me!</p>
<p>I don't disagree with you Loren. I'm dying to get my iPod and my MINI together. I can only say I've been told to expect this anytime in the US. I would bug your local BMW/MINI dealer about it.</p>
<p>What type of jack input is this? Is it adaptable to a cassette player? I really miss having books on tape in the car. My library doesn't really have many on CD yet.</p>
<p>It works with anything that has a audio out or a headphone jack.</p>
<p>I just got off the phone with Aaron at Mini USA. After hounding him last week about the availability of this particular part, he finally spoke to Mini engineers, who said that this part is, I quote, “not compatible” with the US Mini coopers. He was told by engineering that it will not work. As to the actual Mini part, he still had no information on an expected date, other than to say to expect it “shortly”. He couldn't say if “shortly” meant 1 week or 1 month, but was able to guess that it would not be six months.</p>
<p>So again back to square one.</p>
<p>I shot an email to my MA to find out how much. Also, if it is available for purchase. I hope so, I'm looking forward to all my CDs available in one place.</p>
<p>I just got off the phone to my mini garage in Australia. They contacted germany and the price is AUS$215 (US$140 approx)</p>
<p>What a joke! Oh well!</p>
<p>Does thsi or does this NOT work with minis? if it does i'm calling the dealer to day and ordering one!</p>
<p>The last word I heard was no. I would wait for the MINI approved part.</p>
<p>You may also want to check out <a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26725&perpage=20&pagenumber=6">this thread on MINI2</a>.</p>
<blockquote> just testing how to do quotes </blockquote>