Just passin this along.. its supposedly the complete kit with display.

http://store.monstercable.com/iCruze/

 

For $99, this is one hell of a deal, the normal price for the MINI is well over $350.

Steve

 

But it still locks the ipod controls. I want to be able to use my steering wheel to change the tracks, the numbers to choose a playlist, and the ipod itself to do anything else I want.

Is this asking too much?

 

Yes but for $99 it's less than MINIs solution (which is on Nationwide BO) and it has a screen for track and artist info.

The only reason I figure people want to be able to use the iPod controls is to pick songs and playlists outside the preset 6, and to watch videos.

Steve

 

I ordered... I have one giant playlist and all I do when I use the iPod is hit 'shuffle' and off I go... Can't wait to finally have it in my car, too.

 

Couldn't resist - IceLink+ stays in my wife's MINI and this one goes in mine.

 

Read the fine print:

MINI COOPER Mini Cooper 02-05
Plug In Location: Radio
Important Notes: Must be External CD changer capable without Factory Navigation
Functions Disabled: CD CHANGER/SATELLITE

 

Yup... no nav on my car, external capable... And, I don't have a changer or satellite!

 

"SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the overwhelming response to the $99 Monster iCruze offer, there may be slight delays in the processing of your order. Your patience is appreciated."

:impatient

Guess their $99 offer moved some merch, eh?

 

Hell for $99, I am thinking of buying it, just to try instead of my already installed OEM version. Just for the screen

Steve

 

I just ordered one as well.

 

How hard is it to install?

 

Say has anybody tried this ?http://www.mp3yourcar.com/default.asp

 

Depends on which one you get. The NEO Ion is a completely different set up, but the ION SP is the exact same thing as the IceLink

Chrisa, don't know about install yet. Mine hasn't arrived. I think I ordered either same day or day after FUEGO, so I should be getting mine this week. I'll let you know when I install.

 

I ordered a "special" configuration and will attempt to do something a little different. I have Sirius already. With an IceLink+, you can connect a special BMW CD-changer cable to the OEM Sirius, and then connect the IceLink+ to that and have both functioning. I have a kit that "should" support this configuration with the use of the BMW cable. I probably won't be able to test this until Sunday, but if it works I'll try to remember to post details.

 

One stupid question: can I use the MFSW control to change tracks? Their FAQ isn't so clear on this...thanks

 

Yes, from what I'm understanding, all normal radio functions will work with this setup.

 

The 'experiment' worked! This can coexist with the OEM Sirius unit. With OEM Sirius installed, you need the same cable that is used to hook the IceLink+ up through the Sirius - BMW p/n 84110150532 which costs about $10 at a BMW/MINI dealer. It goes between the Sirius tuner and the iCruze BMW interface. You'll need to order the 5 meter iCruze extension cable to make it all work also but if you need the part numbers, send me a PM for the way I ordered the kit. Nice to have the large display with functioning ID3 tags too! I believe the special $99 pricing is supposed to last through the end of this month.

This was just a test to see if it worked the way I thought it would - will need to do the actual installation later.

 

FYI... For those waiting to get their iCruze...:impatient

I ordered my iCruze on Feb 2nd. Got the email from them saying my order will be processed in 48 hours. And then....

Today, I called their 800 number and spoke to iCruze support, and they said my order wasn't processed until Tuesday, Feb 7th. When I asked what that means, when you order on the web, they print out your order and then have someone else type it into the order system.

Yes, they have a manual order input for Web orders.

But, in the end, I spoke to the support person, and they said they should ship my order out on Monday or Tuesday so call back then for a FedEx tracking number.

So, no iPod install for me this weekend.

Scott

 

how does the icruze work?

 

Turns out that there was nothing special about the order for this configuration with Sirius. They sent me the standard MINI kit. You won't need to use the included cable (requires splices) p/n: MPC-FX-IC-BMW2 if you use the BMW cable that I listed above. The only splices you will need to make (for the iCruze interface) will be behind the headunit to the wires on pin 15 (constant +12v) and pin 16 (accessory/switched power) on the large connector behind the headunit. It appears that all of the iCruze are designed to be connected to the CD-changer connection in the boot - a relatively easy task for all coupes, except for routing the 5m extensioon cable from rear to the dash area. But, it may be a little more painful for cabrio owners as that connector is buried behind and under the passenger-side interior trim in the boot. Cabrio owners can find clues to its location here.

Also, in spite of the way the MINI dash and LCD display are pictured on their website, the 'universal mount' foot on the bottom of the display can't be moved to the top of the unit so it can be mounted (hanging) beneath the toggle bank. When I complete my installation this weekend I'll just remove the swiveling foot and use industrial Velcro to attach the top of the display to the underside of the toggle bank.

 

The iCruze connects your iPod to your Factory (or Aftermarket) Stereo and allows you to control your iPod as if it was a CD changer. The special offer also comes with an LCD display that will show you Song Name & Artist Name, which doesn't show up in most head-units (the dash mounted part).

Yes, you can still use your MFSW (Multi-Function Steering Wheel) to change Volume, Track, and Modes.

Scott

 

I got this email today :(

[FONT=Helvetica]Hello iCruze customer,

Thank you again for your recent order. Monster is currently experiencing an unusually high demand of iCruze orders due to recent iCruze promotions that have been featured on various web sites. As a result the iCruze main control unit is on a backorder status for the next 7 days, and your order will be shipped just as soon as the inventory becomes available. We apologize for this delay for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Monster iCruze

2/10/2006[/FONT]

 

Hey Fuego,
just wondering how difficult the install was, where and if everything fit behind the headunit. it sounds like you had to work with some of the connections from the boot as well as behind the headunit, was that difficult to integrate together?

i got my kit this week, and i'm trying to figure out the best way to approach this.

 

Started the installation Friday night but had to put my dash back together for an AX yesterday. Will try to finish this today. If I'm not mistaken, all MINI kits are the same and include a rather thick 5m long extension cable that must be run from the boot area changer connection to the iCruze module in the dash. The changer interface cable and (black) interface module need to be located in the boot area. I believe that on MINIs without Sirius, the changer connection is on the right side in the boot cubby where the H/K amplifier is mounted.

I found a good place to mount the (silver) iCruze module but you need to remove the headunit, toggle bank and temp controls. Mine is velcroed to the plastic on the right hand side of that center console area behind the temp controls but low enough to allow the head unit to still slide in and out. I put the connections on top. The interface cable for this has a yellow wire and blue wire that need to be spliced into two wires on the headunit main connector - yellow wire to the red on pin 16 of the connector, and blue wire to the purple/blue wire on pin 15 of the connector. Today I'll try to get the extension cable routed along the left side of the car since mine needs to go to the Sirius tuner in the left boot cubby area. I'll try to take pics and write up a how-to as I go and post it later this week.

The iCruze module may fit in the area up above the center console cubby above the access panel but I couldn't use it there with my auto-up/DSC circuit velcroed in the middle of the panel.