That solution is the same as the OEM MINI iPod adaptor minus the ability to display songs in the stereo display.

 

Wow I just checked out that link u posted and I might have to get this system with the ipod video I will hopefully get this Christmas. I would love to see if someone has installed this system in their MINI yet, and if so could post some pictures and comments please. Thanks

 

What mount is that NCDave?? Looks nice and clean, does it work with other iPods???

Could everybody please post their setups along with pictures.......

 

Hey C4,

You headed out the normal G2G this Thursday? I would love to see how that setup works with the standard MINI adapter.

 

Here is my. I made the holder myself. I fit the Belkin connector into the holder that I only need to use one hand to remove my iPod.

 

Thameth, I plan to be there (Best Buy) at around 8PM.

 

I have a Belkin Car Mount. It fits in the cupholder. I'm running Alpine's iPod interface with the 9855.


Sorry for the glare on the iPod but you get the idea.
-G

 

The HK's solution looks great. I placed an order for MCS JCW and HK Drive+Play, but canceled both orders, will wait for '07 MINI.
The customers' ratings are pretty high and I thing this is the best solution at this point. You can read reviews here

The image below shows how I was going to install it. It's done in Photoshop.

 

I'm surprised people are concerned about theft as it relates to having an iPod mount in their car. One click and it's out. As easy to remove as a stereo faceplate.

Plus, if you leave it in your car, you can't use it at work!

JR

 

Yeah, but if I'm going shopping or something, I don't want to have to remember to take it out and put it back in everytime I get into and out of the car.

 

Same question: which grip is that?

It's clearly the Panavise mount (see installation instructions here), which attaches to the right side of the radio via the same mounting screws.

But which grip is your iPod Mini in?

--dwf

 

You win. Forget it. I forgot about forgetting.

 

Here's mine. I bought a Belkin charge and play cable that has the dock connector. I installed the AUX adapter from MINI/BMW, which gives you a single 3.5m input. I plugged a single to double "Y" adapter into that to give me two 2 3.5mm inputs. I then cut off the lighter plug on the Belkin cable according to instructions I found for this hack on either ipodhacks.com or hackaday.com (can't remember which) and soldered on the male 3.5mm jack, + and ground hookups, and a ground loop. Power hookups went straight to the fusebox courtesy of a homemade "add a fuse" kit. The iPod slides right down onto the dock connector, which runs up underneath the left cup holder and is attached with about 3" of metal strapping tape which is fixed with the screw at the bottom of the cup holder. The strapping tape was just bent until it was the right angle.

All wiring is hidden under the console and behind the flip-down panel below the steering wheel. I've also got the bluetooth GPS receiver there with power and it works fine.

Into the spare 3.mm jack goes the PDA output for navigation voice. I was very happy to find that the PDA audio output temporarily overrides the iPod audio output through the AUX on the stock radio, so when directions are spoken, the music mutes for a few seconds.

Ipod has constant power so there's never any worry about it dying. Ditto for the Axim x50v DPA, which sits in it's cradle rigged up in the cup holder bracket. The audio for the PDA is delivered via the extra 3.5mm cable and runs up under the steering column rubber guard.

Don
2006 MCSC
Heidelberg, Germany

 

I just received my iPod MINI and I am glad we have this thread. I attached my phone using the Pro-clip attachment, and I think I will do the same on the other column for the iPod. Take a look at the proclipusa website for details.

You need to buy a mount (made specifically for the MINI) and an iPod attachment. It works great for my phone, which I have on the far column, i.e. on the passenger side. Now that I have the iPod, I will probably attach that to the near column.

Sorry no pics yet.

 

I've been seeing print ads for the new Harman Kardon - Drive And Play and now I'm convinced that it's a great solution for my situation.

I love the idea of having a big, lighted screen in front of my face so I'm not taking my eyes off the road. I also like the lighted control **** with the similar interface as the iPod. Now it's just a matter of figuring out where it all goes.

 

Hey DD - Do they have a wired version or only the FM Mod style??

And Don - You did save the built in voltage drop that the plug in portion of the Belkin had, didn't you? I only ask so that others won't just hack and direct wire to a 12vdc connection.

 

Hey Don, I don't see MINI on your iPod display. Were you able to override BMW/MINI interface, so you don't have to use playlists titled MINI1, MINI2 and so on?

 

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys, I guess the auto-email function doesn't always work...

MINIyegor, no, there's no MINI on the iPod display. I didn't use the BMW interface, just the plain vanilla AUX cable. All control is strictly through the iPod. I don't have the MFSW either...

Smokey4, you're dead on. Yes, I did save that tiny transistor, about 1mmx2.5mm... I just used the dremel cutting disc and cut it out of the PCB since the +12v in and white exit wire were there on the same corner. Covered it up with shrink wrap and kept on trucking! :-)

dd

 

I've got an Alpine IVA-D310 Touch-Screen DVD player with the Alpine iPod adapter. The cable comes out of the vents below the toggle switches (about where the OEM aux connector usually goes). The iPod sits neatly in the little cradle (that I think is designed for sun-glasses) that's standard in the 05's...

It dosent' slide around and it's out of sight. All controls are via the touch screen. Alpines don't require you to make play-lists. You can browse the folders like a normal iPod. You can also do it with mp3 cd's and DVD's....

Apart from the menu being a bit slow and chunky, it works nicely. I can also control the tracks through the MFSW...

 

Does the Aux cable have to come from MINI/BMW? Is it a special cable or just a mini plug that goes into the headphone jack?

I might just go with the aux cable for a while until after xmas when i can figure out which iPod adapter to get.

If it does have to be from MINI/BMW does anybody know the part #?

 

Heres mine:


The dock is not permanent, I found a PVC pipe end that was very close in size to a pop can and about the height of the cupholder, I then glued the base of the ipod dock to the PVC pipe. It works very well and allows you to go through even major twisties with no movement of the ipod or the dock.

One of these days i'll paint the pipe (you can see some of the white below the dock) so it matches better. The dock i painted so it matched the interior better. The camera's flash makes it look way off but its very close. The audio out goes to the factory AUX input and the power is via the apple firewire cable which is connected to an ipod firewire charger which is located underneath the dash, assessable from the knee bolster. (whoa long sentence) The charger is powered by a new 12v power socket which is connected by an "add-a-circuit" adapter. It is switched so when the car isn't running its not drawing power.

 

Thameth:

Does the Aux cable have to come from MINI/BMW? Is it a special cable or just a mini plug that goes into the headphone jack?

Yeah, it's a special cable from BMW/MINI. It plugs into the Aux jack on the back of the stock radio and has some special goodies on the cable between the radio and the 3.5mm aux plug itself, so you're really supposed to use it. At $40 it's not a terrible price.

I might just go with the aux cable for a while until after xmas when i can figure out which iPod adapter to get.

Good idea. At that price it's the cheapest way to go until you figure out a system with compromises you can live with.

If it does have to be from MINI/BMW does anybody know the part #?

I sure don't. I think a search will turn it up, though, I've seen it posted before.

Don in Heidelberg

 

What do you all recommend for ipod integration. I'm looking at the denson Ice link or the blitzsafe... help! I current have the aux input and that was a waste of money. It's not very effective for the IPOD.

 

Alpine HU and the alpine adapter - SOOOOO much better than anything the factory could ever offer!

 

Not so red- I'm not going to change the factory HU. What's the best adapter with the factory HU. I need to submit my order to Santa ASAP if it's going to arrive on xmas day.