Adding bluetooth audio streaming to R56

[CrouchingWayne]

Hi guys

I picked up a R56 mini recently and am keen to add the ability to play music from my phone through the stereo using bluetooth if possible.

Is there a plug and play solution that can be added to enable this? I used a box in my previous car which plugged into the CD changer cable and it worked faultlessly over bluetooth (made by GROM). For the mini they seem to be about double the price so I wanted to canvas others in the same position before ordering.

Thanks

[Mr-B]

I started a thread quite recently in the BMW section about adding bluetooth to an E46 BMW 2004, so possibly a fair bit older than yours but there may be some crossover I don't know (same company, similar era etc) so it might be worth 10 minutes of your time to see if there is anything that helps. It might be that there is no commonality whatsoever in which case you have wasted 10 minutes.

[Heartworm]

The R56was a PITA to add this too in the past, if there was a solution nowadays I’d definitely be interested.

Good luck OP

[Brainpox]

It takes up the aux port and the USB port in the tray under the centre console but I use this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KZR6S6W/ref=cm_sw_r...

[twokcc]

As posted in the E46 thread I use the BC10 bluetooth receiver

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BC10-Bluetooth-Car-Hands-...

Doesn't look as good as the one above but as far as I know its the only one on which you can pause or skip to next or last track by pressing the buttons on the receiver. Changing tracks no use in my E91 with Aux in under centre console but fits neatly in chubby hole once set up auto connects /disconnects to music source on phone Works well in E46 with after fit Aux port next to cig lighter port in front of gear knob.
Had an R56 mini but never needed it as 2011 car came with bluetooth streaming

[MDifficult]

I used these in both my R56 MINIs.

Neat, tidy, cheap and work really well, especially as you can skip tracks, pause etc without taking your eye off the wheel.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E3UC59Q/

With the powered USB port you can chuck the ugly included cigarette lighter too (or keep it to charge other things)

[twokcc]

MDifficult said:

I used these in both my R56 MINIs.

Neat, tidy, cheap and work really well, especially as you can skip tracks, pause etc without taking your eye off the wheel.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E3UC59Q/

With the powered USB port you can chuck the ugly included cigarette lighter too (or keep it to charge other things)

That looks really neat and would work better in my E91 could place control outside armrest just behind icontroller

[MDifficult]

twokcc said:

That looks really neat and would work better in my E91 could place control outside armrest just behind icontroller

Yeah, the little controller bit has a magnetic back plate, which, in-turn, has some super-sticky 3M tape on the back. So you can put it where you want and it’ll stay, but if you need to remove or hide it you can just grab it.

There’s a few similar ones from a variety of similar brands but that’s the one I’ve got - it’s great.

[CrouchingWayne]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

I managed to grab a second hand Intravee Tune2Air from eBay which plugs in to the OEM USB and AUX ports and allows OEM equivalent iPod connectivity over Bluetooth.

The car controls change the track and the display shows the song names so it seems to accomplish everything I need and then some.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Do any of these options play havoc with the factory bluetooth? And can you pair multiple phones to them? Would like to have the ability to BT music in my R55 but factory BT is calls only.

Is there a neater, hidden option vs having some Halfords-esque thing plugged in somewhere? Something like the Connects2?

[pangster79]

I miss not having DAB, BT handsfree and spotify in my Mini (I've got all of these in my Golf R) - so started looking for options/solutions.. and for me, the best option that I decided to go for was the PURE Highway 600.. It's a great bit of kit.. pretty easy and straightforward to install.

I put the control unit on the right hand side of the steering wheel, the antenna at the top of the passenger side, hid the microphone in the centre roof switch panel and rant he power and AUX cables down the passenger side A pillar: