What would be the best way to listen to my ipod in my 03 mini cooper s? As far as sound quality. I dont want to spend too much......

auxiliary input, wired fm modulator, rca port, do those wireless fm transmitters work?

I would also like to know how much it is to install them. Thanks.

 

If its available a wired input like the aux input is the way to go.

 

some sort of Aux in is of course ideal, I don't know what's available on the 03s. Other than that some kind of FM modulator is really your only choice.

 

Id like to know more about this as well. Right now I'm using an FM transmitter. It works ok, but of course theres static and interruption. I havent put a lot of research into anything else though.

 

factory aux input is a piece of cake to install for anything 03 and up (GEN1 .... GEN2 already has it installed)

For an 02 you'd need to upgrade to a later head unit but they can be found on e-bay

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...pod_mp3_hookup

 

i dont have the aux input, i would have to get the kit.....is that the best way to go? i see on this website http://www.popularmechanics.com/tech...o/4307160.html that RCA port is the best and you could get one that plugs into the bottom of the ipod where the charger goes (im not sure if it charges it too) .....the rca port looks like the thing mini has where you put the ipod in the glovebox.

 

thanks....im not very handy with cars so i think i would need to get it installed by the mini dealer...how much do you think they would charge me?

 

Not sure if DICE's device works on the '03, but I had its Dension predecessor on my '06 and it offered full functionality through the factory head unit and steering wheel controls. It was a wiring loom that connects between your head unit and the factory wiring loom with a tail that comes out for your Ipod. I've had the factory Ipod/BT in my current and '08 MINI's. I think cost is about $169 and it's easy to install yourself.

 

Almost anything is 1+ hrs labor.....that will easily double the cost of the part since most dealers charge 125+ per hour....
It should not be too hard to DIY an AUX jack....many have done it....but I bet most non dealer garages could do it very quickly....especially if they are a MINI specialist.
Next I would look at most any radio installer (the independent shops are most likely to be willing to install an outside part..just bring the printed PDF of the instructions)...the AUX jack...they will likely be able to install it for less than the dealer.
What is the production date of your '03?
If it is a late 03' I think you are fine....but early 03's MAY not be compatible with the I-pod controls on the kits...and I'm not sure about the AUX jack....I'm sure there is a cutoff date, and all cars after a certain build date will work.....the dealer or 1-800-ASK-MINI might able to help!!

 

I have the stock BMW ipod adapter in my 06 MCS I don't recommend it.
Sound quality is good
you can use the radio to select tracks & playlists
Does not charge my ipod touch
Tricks the radio into thinking it's a CD changer. You can only have 5 playlist
Does not display song information on the radio
Block's the Ipod's screen
Don't know if it actually "works" with my new 2nd ipod touch. I tried charging my ipod with it and was one of many ipod accessories I found that won't charge my ipod. I think it will still comunicate but haven't tried it. (no problems with my old 3rd gen ipod circa 2003)
It is nice to listen to podcast or audiobooks on long trips and I enjoyed downloading BBC world news Podcast for my commute for a while but 90% of the time I don't use it.

I recommend not locking locking yourself into something that only works with ipods...

 

does the 2003 mini cooper s have the rca port on the back? that sounds like it would be easy if it does. And it also has the best sound quality. All you would have to do is take out the radio and plug it in the back

 

or would it be easier just to do the aux kit?

 

Here's my set up with the iPod Adapter, a GoMiniGo Glovebox Tidy, and an iPod dock I bought from MiniMania.

iPod dock is on the far left, and all I do is slid the pod straight in. The plug is in the back end. The dock is bolted to the Tidy.

 

It is possible you are getting a little confused so let me provide a longer answer

MINI offered two different solutions to the issue of listening to an iPOD/MP3, and in many cases either can be installed still today for an 03 and later GEN1

The least cost option is a simple AUX port that can be added to the stock head unit (I'm not addressing HK units here) as long as the 6 CD changer or tape unit (did anyone buy that?) isn't there (the AUX will connect to the same port and only 1 or the 3 can be used). This simply allows an output from any portable device to go thru the radio to the speakers (iPOD, MP3, portable sat' radio). You can adjust vol' and tone but control everything else via the portable device which is connected via a simple cable.

There is also the factory iPOD interface that works specifically with the iPOD and allows control of the iPOD via the multifunction steering wheel. This is considerably more expensive at around $200 and you see above some comments about the performance at that price. It is a bit more complicated to install.

the aux kit is very simple to install and instructions should come with the kit or can be downloaded from MiniMania.com
http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/NMI7647_INSTR.pdf

altho these actually make it a bit harder then it need be.

Hardest parts are getting your finger to the back of the radio to find the place it plugs in..then you just 'plug it in' on that end...then mounting the other end which is really really easy. Instruc' says pull the radio then put the plug in the glove box but I know plenty who've gotten it in w/out pulling the radio out (small hands help) and then mount the outlet where they do for the GEN2, below the heater controls and above the cup holders. They then place the Ipod in a cup holder to use. (technically it is wise to mount the plug first...drilling the holes et al ... and the last part is plugging the end in but SO much detail now ugggg)

A pretty easy job . . It is a great way to gain some confidence about doing your own work! Gotta start somewhere....soon you'll be doing your own oil changes...brake pads and rotors...who knows!

or let us know where you are cuz a local MINIite could probably do this for you in about 15 minutes. A friend of mine who usually asks me to help put in his mods did his own in that amount of time. If local, bring it by I'll put it in for ya.

I'd guess a dealer will charge you a minimum of 1 hour labor but it never hurts to ask.

As best I know the stock radio head does not have any RCA outlets....

here's the fancy stuff including that iPOD dock

http://new.minimania.com/Search_Inve...ipod+interface

 

MINI AUXILIARY AUDIO INPUT KIT - MINI COOPER AND S
Provides a direct audio input into the radio for MP3 Player, portable CD-Player or any other audio device which has an audio output. Only available on 2003 or later models. This item fits 09/2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and 09/2002-2006 R53 MINI Cooper S

List Price: $63.95

On SALE: $59.95
http://new.minimania.com/web/item/NMI7647/InvDetail.cfm

The cheaper way out....and an easy install......Should sound much better than using a FM modulator (which by the very definition reduces sound quality to FM radio level )....which can be static prone, and in some urban areas, impossible to find a free station.
So now you have the choice....$59.95 for the universal no thrills method, or $195 for the "luxury" do it all one!!

 

I'm a fan of the GROM audio iPod adapter. It costs less ($80) than the DICE unit and offers a bit less integration, but the interface is more elegant n my opinion. No special play lists or anything. You do your track selection mainly from the iPhone (iPod), but can skip tracks with the steering wheel buttons. It charges the phone as it plays, keeps the phone from sleeping when I am using it as a satnav, and sounds great. Installation is not hard, though it does involve pulling the head unit and tapping into a couple of wires. I imagine that a car audio shop would do it for an hours labor if you don't feel comfortable pulling things apart.

 

I ended up with a unit from USA SPEC. After talking with the guys at the local car stereo shop, I went with it because it allows complete manual control of the iPod which I believe the others do not. So, I can label four of my playlists so they show up on the head unit on buttons 1 thru 4, button 5 is used for something else, I forget, and button 6 puts you in total manual control of the iPod so you can access any song, album, playlist, etc. I like having that feature.

 

I installed the factory iPod adapter in my car...build date 03/2003...works/sounds great with the H/K system. I love being able to scroll through it with the steering wheel buttons...and it does charge my 1st Gen iPod Touch.

 

Holy missing man formation Batman ! That devilish Partsman is back !

 

Auxiliary input, (The best, if keeping the stock HU Solution)
Dice interface ( Better since you can use the CD Changer wires in your mini and controls of your stock HU) * I had this and loved it.
Wired FM modulator ( these are not good direct audio imput is better than a FM antenna wire feed...static)
RCA port ( RCA to where? your stock HU does not have RCA imputs)
Do those wireless fm transmitters work? (Yes BUT,they completely suck for what they cost. * see wired FM modulator comments above.)

If you replace your HU (about $200 if you shop around) with an Alpine iDA-X305 Radio / digital player you will have no CD player, (which is so 80's) but you will have full control of your iPod plus 3 RCA outputs (Front, Rear, and Sub) for Amps if you go that route later. You may say you will go that way but in the end you will someday.

The sound quality of our stock Mini / BMW/ made by Alpine HU's is ok but very cheap. Our stock HU have a very noisy signal esp when you convert Speaker level output to Low level (RCA) and amp then it is horrable.

 

I suggest the DICE Ipod adapter. I sell and install them all the time. It works great and gives you use of the steering wheel controls or the Ipod itself. Also it will charge your Ipod or even Iphone.

 

I bought the BlitzSafe BMW/M-Link1 from enfig.com for $49.99 (it's $59.99 now). Connects to the cd changer plug. Charges my 5g ipod video and has much better sound than aux input.

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...MLINK1_V1.html

Doesn't have stereo or steering wheel controls, but I prefer to control everything through the ipod anyways so its not an issue. Here is the install:



I ran the cable through the side panel, under the passenger seat, and it plugs into my ipod which rests in a custom make bracket directly in front of my handbrake (you can't tell in the picture but the ipod screen has a CF background)

 

^ wow that looks great. so it plays as well as charges the ipod? glad to know of another option.

 

Does the DICE give you complete manual control of your iPod?

 

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=13323

that sounds like you could control it from your steering wheel plus it charges. Am i correct? its only $89


and how hard would that be to install? the only thing im confused about is, i dont have a cd CHANGER i just have a regular cd player so would it work? and what is dsp radio?

http://indashpc.org/new/aux_adapters/grom-aux-bmw.html
that is only $59 and it sounds like it does the same thing