I'd be surprised if BMW is equipping the vehicles with the snap-in adaptor right at time of delivery. Take a picture of the area directly under the armrest and we will be able tell you what's there at this time.

As for phone compatibility, not every Bluetooth phone is compatible with the BMW system. The link provided by 5xn3rf3 above shows the list of ones that other BMW owners have reported their results with (good and bad).

What your buddy indicated about not needing the cradle is 100% correct. As long as your phone is in close proximity to the vehicle then it can pair and function with the vehicle's BT system. The only thing the cradle provides is a charging connection and a connection to an external antenna in order to boost signal strength.

Good Luck!!

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