Apparently, I can have my Mini dealer install an AUX jack input so that when I get around to buying my iPod I can plug it in and listen to it in my car. This ends the last of my iPod issues, except for the price. And, I suspect, that will be dropping sometime before I buy one (in that, unless I get an unexpected bonus of some kind, or our house is $20,000 less than I'm expecting, I won't be buying one until the price drops).
And I found this from Neil Gaiman's blog. Useful man!