MINI USA Introduces Bluetooth Retrofit Kit
After much customer inquires, MINI has introduced an official Bluetooth retrofit kit for the R55, R56, R57 produced after 03/07. The retrofit kit enables you to connect most bluetooth devices. Additionally the kit also includes a USB/audio interface. Here’s the full list of functionality:
Functions of the hands-free kit
– Voice output via the car’s loudspeakers
– Control via voice commands (only with multifunction steering wheel)
– Telephone book display and selection, top 8 list and last numbers called
– Wireless connection of the mobile phone to the car via Bluetooth
– Usage of the telephone’s own aerial
– Storage of the telephone in an storage tray or in a jacket pocket
– Up to four mobile phones can be connected
Functions of the USB/audio interface
– Playback of MP3, WMA and WAV files
– Access via playlists and search for music genre, artist, album or title
– Track repeat, shuffle, fast forward/rewind
– Connection via USB / audio socket
– USB devices with a total of 20,000 tracks can be managed
Of course the benefit the OEM kit is the full integration within the display and sound output while retaining the full vehicle warranty. The downside is price at well over $700 msrp. You can see more in the official PDF below.
+ Official Bluetooth Retrofit kit / MINI USA PDF
<p>Great, was looking for this 😀 Hope that it will be soon in Europe.
BTW: the link of the pdf isn’t working.</p>
<p>links broke…………</p>
<p>700$… no comment LOL</p>
<p>So I already have the BT comfort access package in my ’09 JCW. Is MINI going to fix it finally so it works properly with my iPhone 3GS?</p>
<p>I’m surprised it isn’t more expensive. Normally options like this from the factory cost way less since they’re just “upgrades” to the to the parts already being used and not additional parts. I wonder how many hours the install will require too, because at $100-125/hr that will add a lot to the cost. At least it’s a good option for someone that finds the perfect MINI minus that one vital piece of equipment.</p>
<p>been using one of these in my R53’s for years. works great. $50 on ebay.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.myventuri.com/overview.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.myventuri.com/overview.aspx</a></p>
<p>Am I reading the .pdf correctly? $9.25/$9.75 for the instruction manual??? WTF?</p>
<p>The whole bluetooth/usb/audio system in my 08 is seriously one of my biggest disappointments. It’s too slow and unresponsive. The screen is too small. The control layout is lousy. I was in a co-workers new Hyundai the other day and the stock system with USB in that car was so much better it was embarassing. Any aftermarket setup is better than this retrofit for that kind of money. I really hope they come up with something better in the future.</p>
<p>This is great, but what about those of us with the 2007 Bluetooth kit? I already have the whole phone part, but no USB audio integration. Is there a kit to add that functionality to the older R56 kits, or would the entire kit have to be replaced with one of the new ones?</p>
<p>1/07 build makes me unlucky/lucky I can’t use this</p>
<p>I was getting all excited until I saw the price. I think it should be covered but whatever.</p>
<p>Holy crap! $700?! The way I connect my iPhone is just fine. I don’t need the USB lol.</p>
<p>Once again, us R53 owners get screwed..</p>
<p>Now for an R-56 / R-57 Harmon Kardon retrofit to the Hi Fi option for FREE since the HIFi was such a letdown!!!</p>
<p>For those with R50-R53s you can just go and buy a headunit with bluetooth built-in, i bought a Clarion unit 2 years ago and it does everything the retrofit says it does minus remember the last 8 numbers dialed and it was only $150 then and it works perfectly and it makes my stock speakers sound so much better.</p>
<p>@Andrew – I am in the same boat. I need just the USB part. Probably not a part number for just part of it?</p>
<p>$700 sounds expensive but compared to adding the Ipod hookup in the secret compartment ($270 roughly; self install), having it programmed by my dealer, then of course buying an Ipod…the USB option isn’t that bad a price and no dependency on Apple. Still a lot but so is every Mini option.</p>
<p>@zm: Thanks for the link to the Venturi Mini. What city are you in? Wondering how well it would work in a crowded urban area like the San Francisco Bay Area. What devices have you used successfully with it?</p>
<p>You can still buy the full bluetooth unit from MINI, I have one it does the same thing, made by visteon.
I does all the the same features, I believe MINIUSA just updated the wires. Its a BMW ULF.</p>
<p>That is r52.50.53</p>
<p>No MP3/Mp4 connection though…</p>
<p>When is this going to be available?</p>
<p>I’ve also been using the Venturi Mini <a href="http://www.myventuri.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.myventuri.com</a> too. Love it. Works well for handsfree, music streaming is the bonus ace up its sleeve. Great for music and ebooks. FM no problem in my car and easy to setup and move between cars too.</p>