I'm sure you're all up to speed but in case not, I fitted this simple widget to my car today - a few quid off fleabay and a simple app for my phone and hey presto - a whole bunch of info you never knew you needed, bag loads of customisation and looks great too

IMG_5339 by felt_tip_felon, on Flickr

IMG_5329 by felt_tip_felon, on Flickr

IMG_5316 by felt_tip_felon, on Flickr

Looks impressive Lee

Was the dongle one like this one here?

Curious to know what information you would get from a 2007 Mk1 MCS, if it's any different?

yep - very similar to that one

You may want to check it's compatible with your phone, some of them don't support iOS

That's a very good point, weirdly you seem to have to need a wifi one for iOS

I've been using 'Torque' (an android phone app) with an ebay bluetooth ELM327 clone OBDII adapter to monitor coolant temps, input temps and boost in my R56 MCS. (Apparently it can read and clear codes, too.)

IMO definitely useful given that coolant temp info is available from the ecu but certainly not shown on the dashboard; apart from a CEL when it might be too late. I think that alone needs monitoring given the 'demanding and complex' nature of MINI cooling systems...

One downside tho'; oil pressure isn't a feature of the MINI ecu so this info's not available but I think oil temp is.

Costs? I paid ~£12 for the adapter + ~£2 for the Torque download about 2 years ago. I have no worries about leaving the adapter connected. Some adapter makes can run the battery down, I hear but mine seems to behave ok.

ps a friend bought a wi-fi ELM327 OBDII adapter at first then decided to go with the bluetooth version instead and gave me his surplus wi-fi adapter to 'play' with. Wi-fi seemed a little more complex (tho' 'do-able') for both android and ios but the only way for an ios phone, I think. I wonder if anyone can confirm?

what do i need to run this on my Iphone then

^ I forgot to show you this in the metal on the weekend didn't I?

there are apps on the iTunes store...

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/obd-car-doctor/id652142348?mt=8

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WIFI-iCar-ELM327-OBDII-OBD2-Diagnostic-Scanner-apple-iOS-Android-iPad-AIR-/121418512717?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c451b794d

a little research and I'm sure you can get the right widget for your motor

I assume if I go down the Bluetooth option, it means I can't have my phone paired to the car simultaneously?

Um, dunno if this helps but bluetooth works only with android and it pairs to the car OBDII gadget via a code usually 1234 or 5678 that the phone asks for, I think from memory.

Are you asking if you can have something else paired to the phone at the same time? 'Cos if so I don't see why not...probably can't be on the screen at the same time tho'.

Those links above are brilliant. It seems the wi-wi adapter is a 'fix all'  for android and ios that would have made it less of a brain ache 2 years ago.

Yes Chris,

My phone is permanently bluetoothed to the car to provide handsfree calls, visual text messaging & music streaming. I'm pretty certain the phone can only connect to one bluetooth device at a time.

Hmm gottit...I wonder if you can flick between the screens, then, with both pairings working simultaneously.

I seem to remember I got a text when I was using Torque + it worked ok. Someone MUST have addressed this?

1234 was the code I entered - worked first time and has automatically paired without incident ever since - I've noticed no drop in battery performance whatsoever and haven't removed the OBD device (though I will for the MOT next week!) don't want the stealers thinking I'm hacking the main frame

Thanks for the links lee it's not like I'll be needing them soon haha

And yeah show me next time

I bought one

Can I leave it in all the time???

I often leave it connected for weeks at a time + haven't had any problems with flat battery.
I think it depends on your particular make/model.

I've had mine in since I bought (apart from when it went to the dealers I removed it) and *touch wood* there's been no issue whatsoever

A friend of mine did for a week and result was a flat battery! The Wifi ones I think are less power efficient, perhaps the bluetooth ones are better?

oh no ill take mine out haha

Erm, mine's Bluetooth (+ Android Torque) so that resonates with me...
Interesting to hear that wi-fi might be 'less power efficient'; I don't understand the process and would be curious to find out why, if anyone can supply the info...