I currently have a cheap Belkin aux adapter for my iphone. It works fine, but I want a new interface that provides me the following:

1) Cleaner (true line out from iphone) sound

2) Less mess (fewer cables/tangles/etc) and/or cup/dock installation

3) Quick track next/prev control from the steering wheel

4) Full control of the iphone from the iphone interface (not locked)

5) Be able to easily switch between my iphone and my wife's iphone while in the car

bonus:

6) currently playing song displayed on the radio

extra bonus:

7) (smooth!) navigation of artist/album/playlist

Obviously, the DICE kit comes to mind, specifically the Silverline PRO with its "smart" mode - but after days of reading these and other BMW forums I've seen so many bugs and problems, especially now with the 3.0 software update that I'm a bit skeptical of this solution. I'm wondering what people's experience or recommendation is on this?

Another option is the OEM ipod adapter - no text display and limited navigation, and I'm not sure whether I can still use the iPhone interface with it while in use? Also, will it charge 3G iphones?

Finally, i'm looking at higher-end aux port adapters, like Kensington's LiquidAUX adapter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88_Nl...layer_embedded

http://us.kensington.com/html/14493.html

it's less messy, has a dock cradle, and would take seconds to install (rather than an hour) and you can control it via the remote. I just wish i could use the steering wheel controls already in my car rather than the ghetto looking tack-on remote.

I'm going on a road trip at the end of the month and want the best solution installed by then.

thoughts??

 

Look at the eas DICE Adaptor by the sponsors of this section of NAM. I have it for my Iphone and my wife's Iphone, we can can do all of the thing you were looking. Just shoot Tom at eas a line if you need anything specfic. Tom has great customer service and has always anwsered my questions fast, he is truly a great person to do business with. I can't tell you enough to just ask him about the things you are reading in the forums, he will tell truthfully.
Fell free to drop me a PM if you have any ? regarding the playing features of this DICE.
Todd

 

I have a dice setup in my car and do not really have any issues. I can pretty much do what you are asking without any issues.

The dice gets flakey every once in a great while and will no longer display anything on the headunit other than info. Just disconnect the battery for a few minutes and when back up the issue is resolved. Have only had it happen twice in the last 2 and a half years.

I have since gone all out and added a Harmon Kardon Drive + Play to the mix. The first generation ones are going for cheap on ebay brand new in the box. I got mine for $20 plus shipping. I am making a place for it between the mic location and sunroof switch.

With this setup I can have a larger ipod to hold my collection if I want or use my iPhone. Once the Tom Tom unit comes out I will be making a slight change and will use that to charge the phone and the GPS interface I have already to have the unit mute the stereo when it is speaking. New Mini Stuff has that device and uses the headphone jack from the iphone.