Somebody on here (I can't find the thread now) asked about how to use an ipod with your cd player. Well...I went to the apple store and asked Jason in San Diego how he thought it might be done. He said a friend of his had a BMW and went to the dealer and asked if the existing cd player (in dash) had jacks on it to plugin the cd changer. The plugs look kind of like the kind of plugs for cable tv (I'm not too techie here sorry) If it does you can buy and audio adapter at the apple store (cheap) and plug it into the back of your in dash cd player and run the wiring under the carpet to the area near the shift ****/emergency brake or anywhere in the same general area and then plug in your ipod. It is way cheaper than the cd changer and it can go with you anywhere unlike the changer.

Hope this helps, if you have any questions I am sure jason could explain it better than me.

See ya,
tmgrobyn

 

Does this work for any external Walkman-type audio player, such as a minidisc player?

 

yeah, all it would be is a headphone line out to RCA cables that you would hook up to the back of the the indash unit. im not sure if it does have this hookup but i wouldnt be surprised if it did.

oh, and concerning your walkman i am pretty sure the same solution would work.

 

Hi....I'm interested in using my iPod in my MINI as well, so any more detailed info would me greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks[img]null[/img]

 

>>Hi....I'm interested in using my iPod in my MINI as well, so any more detailed info would me greatly appreciated!!!!
>>
>>Thanks[img]null[/img]
Hi . I have an iPod and an $19:00 fm transmitter... No wiring, just tune to an un-used fm station and ..Viola!!! magic...1000 tunes on the go! It's called a SOUNDFEEDER fm Stereo transmitter SF121. I found on the web I think it was on Dr. Bott but I'm not sure, just go to some of the iPod sites. Ron

 

I've been using the Soundfeeder with my IPOD in my PT Cruiser (don't worry - moving back to Europe and will soon be the owner of a pure silver/black roof Cooper). It does work but tuning it in can be fiddly and keeping the thing tuned in while driving can be a pain - but it does work.

 

I've tried a SoundFeeder a couple of times in different cars, and judging from my experience, it's a piece of crap. Nearly impossible to tune, completely impossible to keep it tuned for any length of time. I finally got a Blaupunkt unit with an aux input jack that I use for mp3 and minidisc players. That's why I was asking if there were any input jacks on the Mini unit.

 

Well I did say it wasn't perfect! Looks like we are all looking for the same thing...I've ordered the HK audio upgrade (can't find any pictures of the unit even on HK web site) so am wondering whether it comes with an input device as i am sure more people will want the ability to have 1000-2000 tracks on hand!

 

Normalizer on roadfly has been talking with a company called Blitzsafe.blitzsafe link They are maling a patch cord that will allow you to plug into the 6pack cd changer port in the back of the stock head unit. You won't be able to control your I pod from the radio but you will be able to line in music this way. last time I checked they didn't have any pricing yet . This would be much better than an fm link.

 

This sounds like a great way to use the iPod..do you have any details on how to purchase this, or when it will come out? I checked the Blitzsafe link and I couldn't find any details.

Thanks for all the continued help, I know our great experiences will only be enhanced by the ability to listen to thousands of songs while we motor!

Brian

 

Yeah I've since found out they want $125usd for the adapter. A bit steep I'd say. There are people out there working on it though and if I hear any more I'll post about it.

 

I was very pleased to find this section on minicooper.com. I was wondering if the HK head unit would have an 1/8” input on it. I had never considered using an FM transmitter before now. Here’s a good link to show most of them out there: FM Transmitter Guide I found a review of the Irock…it wasn’t rated too good. I’ve also read that the Radio Shack FM transmitter sucks as well.

There’s also lots of talk about an FM modulator (basically an inline FM transmitter):
Info Here

Personally I like the wireless system. I’m going to purchase the C.Crane transmitter & see how that works out. Here's a review. This is the only review I found. I’m buying it now…I’ll let you know how it works out.

 

Well, I got the C.Crane FM Transmitter. It works fine. It's really well built (more so than I imagined). The only draw back is that it's not as loud as a cassette adapter....basically I can't put too much input into the Fm Trans...because it gets distorted. Nervetheless it sounds good & it really doesn't care where I place it in the car for the radio to pick it up without static. It acutally overpowers other stations occupying the same freq. The manual says it works up to 70 ft. I haven't tried it that far yet. I would much rather get the new headunits coming out next year (in the forum- Audio :: UPDATED HEAD UNITS FOR 2003!!!)...but the FM Trans is just a short term fix.

 

>>Yeah I've since found out they want $125usd for the adapter. A bit steep I'd say. There are people out there working on it though and if I hear any more I'll post about it.

Hey... i've been interested in doing the same thing, and have been following all the threads on different boards... apparently (i believe normalizer started this particular thread) Crutchfiled is offering the adapter for a lot less... waiting on the part number, I had checked the site having used them before, but there was no listing at the time.

Here is a link to the thread:

MINI2.com Adapter thread

 

I'm the guy ordering the Blitzsafe adapter, got it through Crutchfield.com for something like $75 or so.... very tired, don't remember exact price. Should have it monday or shortly thereafter, will be posting reviews on the roadfly and mini2 forums, and here if I can remember to make it back. Got my S yesterday and haven't slept much since getting it.... LOVE IT!

Pics of my car

 

The standard head unit for 2003 is romoured to have an AUX input jack (headphone type) on the front of the case. WHEEEEEE!!

 

Hi.

Can u post the Crutchfield order #?

Thanks alot!

 

Thanks for all your leads on the iPod hook-up. I just got off the phone with BLITZSAFE (800-597-7233) and due to my impatience (thanks to MINI USA) I am motoring to Englewood, NJ tomorrow to pick what they call the "Auxilary Interface" (MINAUXV1). I spoke with their tech-guy and he said it's a simple install in the trunk that outputs with two RCA plugs. From there, it's up to you. Crutchfield didn't have the item. Good luck.

 

>>I am motoring to Englewood, NJ tomorrow to pick what they call the "Auxilary Interface" (MINAUXV1).

How much is that costing you?

 

Normalizer, do you know yet if it's an RCA or 1/8" or a funky custom connector to the stock tuner? Also I love that windshield cover!! Where can I get one?!

 

Hey! Let us know how the Blitzsafe "miniauxv.1" works! I have tried to talk Crutchfield into ordering one of these, but they won't yet.

Problem I have with Blitzsafe is they will only take Amex or a money order and they do not handle refunds even iof it does not work. They will only issue store/company credit towards other merchandise. Circuit City carries Blitzsafe, but they have to order this cable for you.

Thanks !

PS - How easy was the installation?

 

The adapter that has a model number listed above will work, but be warned you won't be able to use a changer. To do that you need a different adapter Blitzsafe sells that creates rca inputs and still allows changer use. I just got mine yesterday and realized this, am sending it back today for replacement with the dual capability unit. According to the tech guy at BlitzSafe I talked to yesterday, they are working on an adapter that will create up to 4 sets of RCA inputs for the MINI! They also have units available now that allow use of certain XM satellite radio's with the factory radio, though they will still need to be controlled by an external controller and display module.

The aux input only adapter cost me $128.... dealer list is more like $60 but I was told by my local Blitzsafe dealer that it might cost more through them after it went through the ordering/shipping/markup process so I just ordered it direct.

If you call Blitzsafe, and that's the only way they will respond and be helpfull, be sure to tell them EXACTLY what you are wanting to do. Use a cd changer, aux input, xm radio, or combinations of them all.... they will find the right adapter for you.

The only other problem with BlitzSafe so far is that they don't take checks, and only accept American Express. I had mine shipped COD via UPS and paid for it with a money order.

 

wow alot of mac users!!!!
well im wanting to use my nomad jukebox so what i want to know is can both a cd and tape deck be put in the mini?

 

>>wow alot of mac users!!!!
>>well im wanting to use my nomad jukebox so what i want to know is can both a cd and tape deck be put in the mini?
>>
If you get the BlitzSafe adapter for alpine changers you could have the MINI tapedeck in the dash and an aftermarket changer in the boot, that's the best I can think of....

BTW: I got the adapter from BlitzSafe today, for the changer AND aux input. Works great! Now I just gotta run some cord up to the front and get rca to headphone jack convertor and an a-b switch.

 

I also bought the Blittzsafe "Mini Cooper/ALP DMX V.1 Auxiliary Input Interface" and plugged it in this morning. It worked great! The toughest part was going to the post office to pick up a money order since I don't have Amex either. I don't have an Alpine changer, but they said it would work with or without it so I thought I'd leave myself the option of adding it later. I picked up a 6 ft. mini phono to RCA cable from Radio Shack. Not quite long enough for a permanent installation but it'll do for now. I'm using an Archos Jukebox with it. Any MP3 player with a headphone output should work.

Thanks for the tip!

>>>>wow alot of mac users!!!!
>>>>well im wanting to use my nomad jukebox so what i want to know is can both a cd and tape deck be put in the mini?
>>>>
>>If you get the BlitzSafe adapter for alpine changers you could have the MINI tapedeck in the dash and an aftermarket changer in the boot, that's the best I can think of....
>>
>>BTW: I got the adapter from BlitzSafe today, for the changer AND aux input. Works great! Now I just gotta run some cord up to the front and get rca to headphone jack convertor and an a-b switch.