Hey NAM,

I decided that I'm going to go with the ice link plus instead of the iPod adapter available for the Mini. But just one question:

On the DensionUsa website they state that the item is compatible with the mini from 01-04...but I have an 05, or will have one soon , yet on their product list it states that the icelink plus is compatible with the cooper 01-05. Which one is true? Will the icelink plus work with the 05 radio? Also, will there be any effect on the Navigation system?

Thanks!
-Nick

 

Yes, the IceLink Plus works with the '05 model (I have both). Not sure how it affects Nav as I don't have that option.

 

Thanks Laguna!

Anyone with navigation also have the Icelink>plus? I just don't want anything screwy to happen to the nav if it gets installed.

-Nick

 

I went to Densions website to see what item I would be ordering. Although, I'm not too sure as to where I would be making the connection. I don't have a cd changer in the trunk, but that is where the tech told me to make the connection.

I was under the impression that the ice link would connect directly to the back of the radio with a DCIN plug (or whatever they call it). I hardly feel like running wires from my trunk, under the carpets and seats to the front. Even though it's only about 6-7ft of wire.

Is there a connection I can buy to have it hook directly into the radio itself instead of a connection in the trunk?

Is there even a connection in the trunk?

Thanks!
-Nick

 

There are two options from Dension. One is to hook it up directly to your headunit, and the other is to hook it up thru the trunk. I went with the trunk, as I feel that makes a much more secure hook up.

 

So you're saying that there is just a free floating plug in the trunk of the mini, "just in case" I want to add a cd changer?

 

Yes there is.

However, I think the connection to the back of the headunit is much more secure and easier. Just my $0.02.

 

I have a 2005 (Feb build) MCSa with H/K and NAV. You can get your ice>Link two ways. From Dension you can choose the harness that connects directly to the rear of the radio or that connects to the CD changer harness that is floating (as long as you didn't buy the changer) behind the passenger side access panel in the boot (mine was doubled back to the rest of the wiring and held in place with a little paper tape). I believe they are functionally equivalent as the signal ends up in the same place on the radio (if you get the radio end connection, I believe you unplug the boot harness anyway). One might think that the boot harness may be more susceptable to noise (as essentially the signal travels from the iPod to the boot and back to the headunit) but I didn't find any noticable degradation with my install. Please note that there is a grounding issue that requires swapping a pin (or at least making sure its in the right place) and that is detailed elsewhere on NAM.

You can also buy the unit at Best Buy (which I did) but to my knowledge Best Buy only carries the boot kit. I was a bit dissapointed when I discovered this (after I got home) but it wasn't difficult at all to run the cable up the passenger side trim in the boot, under the rear seat, and under the trim along the passenger door frame up to the dash.

It actually worked out well that I did get the boot kit, since I was able to plug in the iPod easily and play with it a bit, ensuring it did what I wanted, before I took apart the dash to install. I've taken out the radio a few times and running the cable was much easier.

As far as the NAV is concerned, apparantly if you have a Jan+ 05 build (maybe earlier), Dension has a firmware upgrade that supports text display on the headunit. They caution that this firmware (which is still listed as beta, btw, so use at your own risk) will NOT work with the NAV system. I would hope (expect?) that they will eventually get it to work at some point, but out of the box, the iceLink works as expected with my H/K NAV system.

Steve

 

Thanks Supergimp! I'll probably go with the boot kit as well, but I have one question... is there any tension on the line you run from the boot to the passenger side? Do they give you enough wire so that you can snake it around the passenger foot space so the passenger isn't always stepping on the line when they get in and out of the car?

Only reason I ask is that I put a custom sound system into my current truck and I had a hell of a time running the lines around/under all the plastic moldings, just so that no one would snag the line under the carpet or give extra wear and tear on the wire.

Thanks!
-Nick

 

There's plenty of cable. I left the excess coiled under the rear seat. I didn't take pictures, but there's no reason anyone should even see the cable. I made the connection inside the passenger side access panel in the boot. Removed the three screws that held that side interior piece on, which afforded me enough room to snake the cable inside the panel and under the rear seatback (about 1" of cable shows between the trim and the seat, but it's not noticable at all as the whole harness is wrapped in cotton loom). Then I removed my rear seat (easy, just yank up HARD on the front edge, lift up and out) and ran the cable under it over to the interior trim next to the rear seat. Estimating my cable run I left the excess coiled under the rear seat in an area clear of wear. Then I removed the passenger front seat belt anchor (you'll need a T50 socket) to afford enough flex in the side panel and tucked the cable up the side where the carpet meets the trim. Then it tucks under the kickpanel, up under the dash and behind the footwell carpet over behind the radio. Completely concealed.

There are torque specs on replacing the seatbelt anchor. I don't remember what they were but there's a faq either here or on NAM (I think regarding auto-x harnesses) that outlines the proper torque.

Steve