Thanks all for your input and for popping my bubble. A new radio with a builtin iPod connection might be my best option.

 

In iTunes, create playlists with names that start with MINI1 through MINI5. The names can be longer than that if you want, as long as they start with MINI and a number from 1-5 (with no space between the MINI and the number).

Any of these examples would work:

MINI1
MINI2 - Ani Difranco
MINI3_Driving songs

and so on.

After you sync your iPod and connect it to the OEM interface, pressing the "1" preset button will select the playlist that starts with "MINI1", pressing the "2" preset button will select the playlist that starts with "MINI2", etcetera.

 

 

Sorry for the threadjack, JT. Erika was asking how to use the OEM iPod interface to select different iPod playlists using the preset buttons on the radio.

 

Thanks for the info, Scott!

Sorry about the threadjack, JT!

Erika

 

Yes, the DICE does work on the auxiliary input - the connection is at the amp, where one would plug in the 6-CD changer. I have a 2003 and love the DICE. My problem is my HK amp died. I don't blame the DICE because many people seem to have trouble with those amps.

 

Let me jump on this thread concerning an Ipod interface issue if I may.

I installed the interface in my 03 MCS without issue and it works like a charm. It works so well that the wife wanted the same thing on her 06 MCS. I used the same set of instructions and even the cable colors were the same.

The Ipod in the 06 MCS will not play the 7th song on any of the playlists. Even when I play playlist#6 (which is supposed to access all the music on the Ipod), as soon as the sixth song is done it shuts down.
The only way to get it to start is to unplug and then re-plug in the Ipod.

I've used several Ipods on both MINIs and the results are the same. The 03 works great, the 06 shuts down after 6.

Both are HK neither have a CD Changer installed.
Any ideas?
Thanks for the help.

 

Are you talking about the OEM iPod interface? Because both my wife and I have 2006 MINIs, with the H/K stereo and no CD changer, and the OEM iPod interface works fine in both of them. And we've used a total of six different iPods between the two cars.

 

Yes, the OEM Ipod interface purchased from a MINI Dealer.

 

Erika,

You can view the manual (PDF) for the factory iPod adapter for 02-06 Minis at MossMini.com's website

I'll summarize: Create five playlists on your iPod (using iTunes) called MINI1, MINI2, MINI3, MINI4, and MINI5. Once you've done that, when you hook up your iPod to the factory radio adapter, press the numbered preset on your radio (1-5), and it will switch your iPod to the matching MINI# playlist. (Preset #6 is "play all songs".)

 

oops.

 

I picked up an used Dice iPod intergration kit. I am trying to locate the CD changer cables at the back of the trunk passenger side in my 06 MCS. I opened the little panel and only see the amp inside. I also check the driver side and no luck. Can someone point me the right direction where I can find the CD changer cable. Below is how my Dice kit contain

 

In my 2003 MCS, my husband said the wires were kind of tied up under the amp. He thinks if you look up there with a mirror, you might be able to get them out without moving the amp. I love my DICE, by the way!

 

I took out the amps and still didn't see any connectors

 

Maybe contact a dealer about where it would be on your year. Good luck!

 

Scott,

I have an 04' S and I'm still a little confused about the differences between the Dice and OEM interface units. Don't both units charge and allow for multiple playlists? What other differences are there?

Also what did you mean by this about the Dice:

"change tracks and select playlists from the iPod's own controls"

Thanks in advance.

 

When you connect the iPod to the OEM interface, the controls on the iPod itself are "locked out" - you can only control the iPod from the radio buttons. The Dice interface allows control from the radio buttons or the controls on the iPod. So with the Dice unit, you could use the iPod to scroll through to a particular song or artist. With the OEM interface, you're stuck with five playlists (accessed via the 1-5 preset buttons on the radio), or a "play all" feature accessed with preset 6 on the radio.

Also, the OEM interface won't display artist/track information on the radio's display, whereas the Dice interface will (if you have a text-capable radio - I think only the 2005 and later radios will do this.)

 

Thanks Scott.

So, with the Dice interface I'm guessing you can do the 6 playlist option you have with the oem unit?

 

That, I'm not positive about (I have the OEM interface), but I'd be very surprised if the Dice unit didn't at least duplicate this functionality of the OEM interface, if not improve on it somehow. It's too easy of a feature to implement for them not to do it.

 

The OEM adapter allows for six playlists. You create playlists in your iTunes called MINI1, MINI2 and so forth to MINI6, and sync them to your iPod. When connected via OEM iPod adapter the 1 through 6 buttons on your radio switch the iPod directly to those respective playlists.

The DICE interface is more complex but more powerful. The numbers 1 through 6 on the radio switch the DICE's navigation mode: song name, playlist name, artist name, album name. (5 and 6 provide some utility/config functions.) To navigate playlists, for example, you press 2 to enter playlist mode, then the skip up/down buttons (on radio or steering wheel) to jump playlists.

This enables you to access *any* playlist on your iPod ... although if, like my 60 GB iPod Video, your iPod has a hundred+ playlists, it might take a while!

That said, the DICE control unit is a bit flakey. Sometimes it stops working properly and I have to turn the radio off and on to get it to change playlists. Really odd. I can't give it a full thumbs up, but it beats nothing.

Normally when you plug an iPod into an iPod-compatible radio interface, the iPod disables its buttons. The DICE unit has a mode where it doesn't disable the front panel. In this mode, it can't change playlists/artists/albums, but it it can still skip songs with the steering wheel controls. The iPod, meanwhile, is fully available for its faster menu system. It's useful if you have a convenient dash mount and prefer the iPod's interface to using the radio head unit. If you have a newer iPod with features like Genius Playlists, it's the only effective way to use them while still piping audio to your car and still having forward/back buttons on your steering wheel to work with the iPod.

I hope this helps!

 

Thanks a lot guys! Do you know if the new Dice Silverline has addressed any of the malfunctions? I'd rather have a dependable interface than a flaky one.

 

I have the DICE Silverline Pro. Still flakey. Beats nothing, though, and it charges all the latest iPods, including my iPhone 3GS.

 

I just purchased the iSimple (because it's available at bestbuy and I didn't feel like waiting for something to ship). The hook up on my '06 MCS was super simple and after a few minutes it recognized the interface. Initially after using the steeringwheel controls it failed and I had to plug and unplug the unit. Now after three days it hasn't had a single issue. I thought it would display the artist info, but unfortunately it doesn't. I thought about getting the dice instead, but i felt a little more secure getting something I could bring back to Best buy if it crapped out. It's not really a big deal to just look down at the iPhone and see what's playing anyways. The reviews of the dice on amazon also steered me away.

Now i need to tear the interior apart to hid the wires. I have it hid pretty well, but I want it undetectable. I'm waiting for my bentley manual so I don't break any tabs or clips. I plan to construct a nice cupholder adapter like I saw on another post.

 

j-gregs,

glad to hear your iSimple unit is working. I have shipped back my 1st 2 units for defects. The first one worked well except I couldn't skip tracks with either the steering wheel or the radio controls. The second didn't work at all - I got a -DISABLED- message on the radio. The airbag warning light came on after I reconnected the battery after removing it. Am a little hesitant to continue the experiment, but I guess it's worth asking for a 3rd unit knowing yours works...

 

Whats the difference between the trunk and radio interface? The main thing im concerned with is being able to navigate through my ipod WITHOUT using the radio. Does the radio interface from DICE do that?