Is there a way to do an ipod hookup to my Harmon Kardon stereo in my 2005?

 

Yes. I installed a Gatway-100 iPOD adapter from http://www.newministuff.com
They provide a wiring harness that fits the H/K. It works great. You can put the ipod in your glovebox, and using the radio buttons, you can scroll playlists, albums, artists. None of the limitations some of the other brands have, like only a certain number of playlists. Also you get menu display on the radio, display playlist name, song title, artist, album, etc. If you have the MFSW, you can control the ipod with the steering wheel buttons.
Mike at newministuff is great to work with. He is a specialist with MINIs, and expert with car electronics. The prices on the website are in British Pound Sterling. If you go with this, I can help you with any step of the DIY install. They also have a gateway-300 and gateway-500 with more features.
Here is the Dension site so you can look over your Gateway product choices. http://www.dension.com/GW100.php

 

Any of the MINI AUX-IN iPod adapters on the market will work whether you have the standard "Boost" stereo, the H/K, or the DPSM - the head unit is the same for all three systems.

Note - by "the same", I mean that they're all compatible. The head units *did* change over the years (the Alpine unit changed around 2005 to allow playback of MP3 discs, and then in late 2006 the Alpine unit was replaced by a Siemens unit, but they all use the same wiring harness and AUX input, and you can swap between any of the three versions without having to change any other parts).

 

I just used an auxiliary input cable from Outmotoring. I did a custom mount in the cup holder, and its very easy to just select the songs on the ipod. You cant beat the price either

 

Sorry to get to this thread so late but I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. Am I correct in assuming that using the AUX Input cable means that song selections or playlists are available on the IPOD or similar only? 2nd I'm an older fellow, age 70, how hard will it be for me to reach the Aux Input on my HK 03 s radio?

Thanks

Bob

 

The AUX input is a unit that costs about $40 from Mini (occasionally available used in the NAM marketplace). It is a cable with a socket at one end (where you plug the cable from your iPod) and a plug at the other end that plugs into the back of the Mini's radio. The Aux input itself plugs into a "socket" located on the rear face of the radio, driver's side, top corner (top left corner when facing the front of the radio).

Some have reported that they can get their arm in there, from the driver's footwell, and plug this harness in (I could). It's a bit of a stretch, not too bad, but I was 45 when I plugged mine in. If you're not super flexible, it's time to recruit a neice, nephew, or other young'un to assist! The good thing is that you can plug the harness in to test, then run the cable and mount it wherever you want it.

The aux input I'm talking about is "just" a receiver for a double-ended headphone cable - so you're still selecting songs on your iPod, not on your radio or MFSW, and you can control the volume from the iPod or radio. The good part is that it's only about $40, easy to install, and the sound quality is as good as the output of the iPod (which is to say, fine). Once it's installed, all you do is plug a jumper cord into the Pod headphone, and the other end into the iPod adaptor. Easy. The bad part is needing to be able to access the iPod to start, stop, or song select, and the amount o f cabling necessary to both connect the audio to the car radio, as well as another cable (for longer trips) to connect the iPod charger.

The other units mentioned will allow remote song selection and charge the iPod while driving. They also connect to the rear of the factory radio, but I don't know if you can connect them without removing the factory radio. Once they're connected, you plug the iPod in just like you would plug into an iPod charger (with the big plug).

 

Thanks for the great info. I'm actually using the Apple Shuffle which holds about 500 songs, plenty for my use. The only issue I see is the charging issue. There is only one connection on the shuffle an RCA opening. Charging and listening take place through this port only. I suspect that if charging on a long trip for example was an using a cigarette lighter charger would be an option.

Seeing some of my grandkids tonight. I'll see if I can talk them into doing this for me. :-)

Thanks again

Bob

 

[quote=DixonL2;2740792]The AUX input is a unit that costs about $40 from Mini (occasionally available used in the NAM marketplace). It is a cable with a socket at one end (where you plug the cable from your iPod) and a plug at the other end that plugs into the back of the Mini's radio. The Aux input itself plugs into a "socket" located on the rear face of the radio, driver's side, top corner (top left corner when facing the front of the radio).

I received my cable and the instructions are a bit different than what you suggest. They talk about plugging into the radio wiring harness after removing the radio rather than the rear of the radio. I like your idea better. My questions, first, do I have the option of where to plug it and second, are these instructions or yours the same even though I have the Harmon Kardon radio?

Thanks

 

Bob, it sounds to me like the harness you bought is similar to a what I would call a "breakout" cable... this is where the original MINI harness plugs into the iPod adapter harness and the other end of the iPod adaptor harness then plugs into the H/K head. Am I right? (Just trying to make a visual for myself).

If so, then it may be easier to just remove the radio from the dash and do the work while sitting in the front seat.

 

FWIT it's Mini's part number 82 11 0 153 367. I think your suggestion may be the best for a couple of reasons 1, I'm not flexible enough to reach up behind the radio to plug it in 2, even if I were flexible enough then how and where do I mount the face place for the IPOD cable and 3, if I follow the instructions that came with the part everything is hidden inside the glove box which then gives me the option of taking my 30 gig creative jukebox and put it in the glove box if I wanted.

If I read Chilton correctly, the removal of 8 screws lets me get to the back of the radio, 4 for trim and 4 for the radio itself.

Any thoughts on this?

Bob

 

Yep, 4 for the down-tubes, then 4 more for the HU. Real easy.

Since it looks like no one has mentioned it yet: Have you looked into the "Dice" unit at all? It's a complete iPod integration kit that works off the CD-changer wiring that already exists in the car, so all you have to do is plug and play. It sells for something like $250 IIRC. I've had one since December and have no major complaints - Definitely MUCH better than trying to play with the thumb-wheel on your iPod while driving, and the SQ is better than with AUX too.

 

Everything is in and working. Glad I have another profession. Would never make it as a mechanic. Oh. When done the car wouldn't start. Wheels locked, steering wheel wouldn't turn. Turns out the negative side of the battery had worked loose on my ride home last night so all is well now but a few scary moments. :-)

 

Glad it worked out! I'm considering this item... although I listen to XM on a daily basis in the MINI and the iPod where I work.

 

First thing I did when I bought my mini was buy an auxiliary chord for my ipod. I cut a small hole at the bottom of the factory mounted cupholder and stuck the jack into it. I have an ipod touch so the ipod just stands up inside the cupholder since the headphone port is on the bottom.