Now I have a new car and a new iPod setup.
Go to THIS page and scroll down to my post..

Hey, guys I thought it will be interesting to see how we install iPods in our MINIs. I personally tested more than 5 solutions, but ended up custom building an iPod holder for my MCSa.

I love my 60GB iPod Photo and bought one of the best cases in the market, Vaja case from Argentina. It protects the screen and the wheel as well, so I don't have to take out my iPod from the case in order to use it. I kept looking around to find an adjustable in-car iPod solution that fits to Vaja case – couldn't find any. There are one or two holders that will fit, but you have to connect the cable and then place the iPod or vice versa, plus non of the holders come with built in dock connector. So my goal was to simplify it. I mean just snap the iPod in and play, without taking it out from its case.

Here what I did. I used the cup holder came with my MINI and a cell phone/iPod holder for this purpose (unfortunately don't remember the brand, but you might recognize it in the photo).

To make it short, I spent more than 8 hours designing and building a completely new holder with built in iPod dock. Its placement is perfect for me, since I am using MINI iPod adapter and don't need to see its display (not so happy though). I just snap it in and that's it. I can disassemble the holder and free the connector cable in 30 seconds if I need. There is only one bolt that holds it. In general this could be installed in any car and be adjustable to any size of iPod or case. Check it out, guys!

 

Make me one and I'll buy it. I serious.

 

I like how its down out of the way so no one can hit it and i can get to it at stop lights for changes

 

Here's mine.

 

Here is what mine looks like. We mounted the iPod on the left hand down tube since I wanted to keep my cup holder for the Decaf, Venti, Non-Fat, No Whip Mochas I love so much!

 

BTW, that's a custom bracket I had made out of aluminum. Attaches using tach bolts.

 

I'd like to, but I can't manufacture this yet, so it'll be too expensive if I custom build another one.

 

They look really cool guys. Thanks for posting!!!

 

Bump!

I'm picking up a 5G Ipod very soon and really need to see alot of the availible mounting solutions.

I'm trying to get a very clean and stable mount which shows as little wire as possible.

Jayar whats your look like when the Ipod isn't mounted?

This would also be a great sticky post since Ipods are so popular with MINI's

 

Here's mine w/ the Panavise mount (technically for a mobile phone).

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/showg...0/ppuser/11982

Just updated it to show my 5G 60GB video iPod (black) working fine.

Those Vaja cases sure are sweet (but $$$), I just got one for my Blackberry 7100g....waiting to see what the 5G case looks like

 

I finally took some pictures of my iPod install (original 40G iPod Photo). Please see my gallery.

The install is based off of the following components:

- Belkin TuneDock cradle
- Sakar iConcepts iPod Car Charger (FireWire)
- PocketDock FireWire/Line Out adapter
- Aux Input adapter
- Apple FireWire cable (for charging)
- A bunch of nylon cable ties

 

What is that dock? How can I get one?

 

AFAIK, that "dock" is the IceLink Plus dock. Looks very much like ours.

I actually did not mount our Ice Link. I have planned on, but my wife & I both like it loose....we tuck it under the radio between teh downtubes. Makes it easy for pass or driver to pick it up & change songs..

 

Alpine iPod adapter being used, hooked thru the CD changer port on the CDA9851

 

Right now I have just the aux port in my glovebox. I just won a bid on the belkin piece from ebay $12 shipped, should be here in a few days. Oh, and I plan on getting rednwhites passenger side parcel shelf along...cuz its so cool :P

 

keeps the cup holder away from my iPod

 

what's the strip between your iPod and the bank of toggle switches?

 

I'll get a pic of it without the iPod mounted, but here's another shot that shows it a bit closer. You can pretty much imagine what it looks like without the iPod in it...just an empty aluminum box...very clean. The new iPod Video would be pretty cool there too, but it's a little wider than my Gen3.

The cord is not attached in the pic because I didn't have the iPod/MINI adapter at the time. But the holder is notched so it fits just right.

JR

 

Defi Gauge Controller

 

I prefer to keep my iPod where no one can see it so I don't have to worry about it when I get out of the car and I don't want it cluttering up the passenger cabin. But I also wanted it where I could get to it very easily, so I have the cable coming to my Euro Parcel Shelf and I just have it sitting on the shelf along with my sunglasses. You can't see it at all from outside the car and with the rubber mat that comes with the parcel shelf, it doesn't move at all. I even forgot to take it out at an auto-x once and it still didn't move

 

I have the OEM MINI iPod adaptor, so my black 4GB Nano tucks away neatly inside the glovebox compartment. Since the iPod is set automatically to external control mode once it is hooked up to the adaptor, there is no need for me to keep it outside. Also the adaptor charges the Nano, eliminating the need to have additional power cables. I like it. Nice and clean

I never leave my iPod inside the car because Apple warns that high interior temperatures may damage the iPod. Since the Nano is so small and lightweight, I just put it in my shirt pocket.

I personally don't like to have the iPod in plain view. It is an invitation for thiefs to smash your window. No thanks.

PS: My only caveat with this setup is that the song/artist/album info is not displayed in the stereo. However, there is the likehood MINI will release a firmware update that will allow to display these tags in the future.

 

Alpine CDA-9853
Alpine KCA-420i
iPod 60GB Color

 

anyone seen the drive + play from harmon kardon yet? It looks like it might be a nice way to keep the ipod out of sight, display song info, choose by artist/playlist/whatever, plus charge the ipod, etc.

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default.aspx

I'm thinking that you could mount the display on the steering column and the control **** somewhere a little out of sight that you could control by feel.

anyone seen/tried this yet. i still have another 3 weeks to wait for the mini so i'm still contemplating what is the best option for me for integration.

 

that thing is cool, man. I will search it more

 

Here's mine.:smile: