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Hey guys! So, my boyfriend and I spent our 3 day weekend detailing up my new Mini, and also decided to install the OEM Click & Drive system. We wanted to install it ourselves, and the only instructions we could find were actually pretty worthless, and there didn't seem to be any other people posting detailed steps on install, so we decided to document our crazy journey for anyone wanting to do it themselves. After installing it the traditional factory way, and seeing its limitations, we came up with an even better setup, which I will document below!
Basically, I loved the idea of the Click & Drive system - being able to have my phone/navigation right at my eye level by the steering wheel, and I also loved the idea that the phone can plug directly into the system to charge (and use Mini connected....or so I thought). What we found out through this install process, is that you can only use the Mini Connected app using the USB port below the center instrument, or with the snap-in adapter in the center console.
The way the Click & Drive works, is you install an awesome OEM piece behind your instrument cluster that allows for movement to hold your gadget (ie. iPhone, GPS, etc.). The part comes suited up with wiring and electrical hardware for you to wire into the Mini's electrical system, which is what we did, originally. But when the process was all said and done, I realized, I couldn't use the Mini Connected app unless my lightning cable was hanging all the way down and plugged into that one special USB port - which then pretty much rendered my Click & Drive system as just a fancy iPhone holder and charger. I personally like using the Mini Connected app to stream my Spotify. If that's not such a big deal to you, and you do everything over bluetooth anyway, then you're good! Just follow the regular install. (Which I can give any tips on if you need) But if you're like me, and you want access to any and all options possible, you can follow this special little setup.
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So, first thing is first, we didn't decide to document this until we had already removed the instrument cluster, but it's very simple. You have to remove some screws on the back of the cluster, as well as some little pieces on the bottom of the cluster on either side:
We used a small Allen wrench to get those pieces out on the bottom.
For installing the actual Click & Drive unit, it's just a matter of attaching it to the back of the cluster via the long screws that are provided in the package.
Now for the fun stuff...The cable that is directly attached to the Click & Drive unit itself, is a USB cable - that USB cable then attaches to this power converter unit, which is attaching to the wiring that will connect to the electrical in your Mini. For this setup, you can ditch all the wiring. All you'll need is the USB cable, which is permanently attached to the unit itself.
You lead the cable attached to the unit, into your dash, and down into the footwell.
Next, for our setup, you pop out the panel under your center instrument, that include the AUX in and USB ports. We just used a flat-head metal tool, with a thing cloth around it to prevent scratching. The panel will come loose, as it's just attached with clips.
Next step is going to be removing that white harness from the panel, which is the USB unit. I wanted to ensure that I could reverse this whole setup and return everything to stock if I so decided one day, so we were extra careful with this process. We took extra care and time in removing this piece using the tabs, being careful not to snap any of the locks or tabs off.
Next, the USB cable you left hanging in your footwell, you need to fish it through so that it will appear in the hole where you removed that panel. We did this by trial and error, and shining a light through the hole to see if we could see any light in the gaps of some of the panels next to this area, down in the footwell. You just need to gently pry back a few trim pieces and fish your cable through until you strike gold. This is much easier with 2 people, as one person can have their hand in the hole, waiting for the arrival of the USB cable.
Continued.....
Basically, I loved the idea of the Click & Drive system - being able to have my phone/navigation right at my eye level by the steering wheel, and I also loved the idea that the phone can plug directly into the system to charge (and use Mini connected....or so I thought). What we found out through this install process, is that you can only use the Mini Connected app using the USB port below the center instrument, or with the snap-in adapter in the center console.
The way the Click & Drive works, is you install an awesome OEM piece behind your instrument cluster that allows for movement to hold your gadget (ie. iPhone, GPS, etc.). The part comes suited up with wiring and electrical hardware for you to wire into the Mini's electrical system, which is what we did, originally. But when the process was all said and done, I realized, I couldn't use the Mini Connected app unless my lightning cable was hanging all the way down and plugged into that one special USB port - which then pretty much rendered my Click & Drive system as just a fancy iPhone holder and charger. I personally like using the Mini Connected app to stream my Spotify. If that's not such a big deal to you, and you do everything over bluetooth anyway, then you're good! Just follow the regular install. (Which I can give any tips on if you need) But if you're like me, and you want access to any and all options possible, you can follow this special little setup.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, first thing is first, we didn't decide to document this until we had already removed the instrument cluster, but it's very simple. You have to remove some screws on the back of the cluster, as well as some little pieces on the bottom of the cluster on either side:

We used a small Allen wrench to get those pieces out on the bottom.
For installing the actual Click & Drive unit, it's just a matter of attaching it to the back of the cluster via the long screws that are provided in the package.

Now for the fun stuff...The cable that is directly attached to the Click & Drive unit itself, is a USB cable - that USB cable then attaches to this power converter unit, which is attaching to the wiring that will connect to the electrical in your Mini. For this setup, you can ditch all the wiring. All you'll need is the USB cable, which is permanently attached to the unit itself.

You lead the cable attached to the unit, into your dash, and down into the footwell.


Next, for our setup, you pop out the panel under your center instrument, that include the AUX in and USB ports. We just used a flat-head metal tool, with a thing cloth around it to prevent scratching. The panel will come loose, as it's just attached with clips.


Next step is going to be removing that white harness from the panel, which is the USB unit. I wanted to ensure that I could reverse this whole setup and return everything to stock if I so decided one day, so we were extra careful with this process. We took extra care and time in removing this piece using the tabs, being careful not to snap any of the locks or tabs off.


Next, the USB cable you left hanging in your footwell, you need to fish it through so that it will appear in the hole where you removed that panel. We did this by trial and error, and shining a light through the hole to see if we could see any light in the gaps of some of the panels next to this area, down in the footwell. You just need to gently pry back a few trim pieces and fish your cable through until you strike gold. This is much easier with 2 people, as one person can have their hand in the hole, waiting for the arrival of the USB cable.

Continued.....