My Mini is on its way to the US and I am trying to figure out if I should have the dealer install the Ipod adapter or find some other solution.
I called our local stereo place and they said they would do some research for me but have been MIA for several days now.
I am getting the Harmon Kardon stereo.
My dealer quoted 190 to install the ipod adapter. I thought for 339.00 there might be a better solution?
Thanks a bunch!
Maryanne

 

I installed my own last week. Took me awhile, but only because I had to keep leaving it to go do stuff (drive son to friend's house, meet with the pool guy, greet clients dropping off a dog, ya know) I also installed the AUX input at the same time, to that added to the install time. But overall, it wasn't a big deal and I saved some $$$. See my thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=70898
Annette

 

Get the OEM adaptor. It works great with none of the issues that have been identified on the aftermarket interfaces. (Unfortunately, it doesn't have all of the functionality of some of them). I installed it myself with the factory to dealer instructions that made it quite easy (about 3 hours). The dealer will be happy to print out these instructions for you if they are not already in the box. Double check with the dealer though, as I have heard that it may be more difficult to get behind the headunit in the newer models.

 

There are so many different options when it comes to iPod integration, and everyone has their own opinion of what's best.

There are plenty of threads on this, just do a search for "iPod".

If you want to keep the stock look then the OEM adapter is probably your best bet. Don't spend $340 on it though! You can get it for $150 from OutMotoring and just install it yourself... they have a How-To guide and everything.

 

3 hours! Dension Icelink (HU version) took me about 20 min... DICE is now out and currently has more features than the old icelink. Might be worth looking at.

 

DICE vs OEM: DICE allows access to all playlists, not just 5 special playlists, shows song title, artist, album on the head unit, has an extra aux audio input, and the iPod controls can be used at any time (not sure about the OEM on that one).

 

I installed my ice>Link+ in 20 minutes. Of course, I've got the one that plugs straight into the headunit, so I didn't need to run wires to the boot. I think it's great. Much better than the MINI adapter.

 

The DICE seems to be a pretty nice unit, functionality-wise. However, there have been some issues - definitely read this thread before ordering one.

 

Yep, I had my DICE firmware upgraded. No problems since.

 

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I bought the Aux adapter from my dealer for 40.00 and installed it myself.
Gaining access to the unit and plugging it in took all of 15 seconds.

I haven't mounted it yet, I haven't decided on a location. (any suggestions ?? )

Here's the link where I found the instructions that I liked best:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/interior-ice/43671-aux-cable-install-panel-below-toggle-switches-pics.html?highlight=aux+installation

Keep in mind that the aux jack is just a no frills jack. For my uses ( portable DVD, an MP3 player, and a sony playstation portable) it does the trick.

Good luck.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

First time through took me 3 hours to figure out how the dash trim fit together, remove head unit and glove box from the dash, drill the hole in the glove and reassemble. Subsequent forays into the dash (eg. to hookup Ian's circuits) have also been in the 20 minute range.

There is indeed no control from the iPod with the OEM adaptor (other interfaces can provide that), but I was looking for a remote/out of sight solution which is provided very well with the OEM interface allowing full control from the steering wheel. I use mine every day, but haven't seen my iPod in several months (has a perfect space in the glove glovebox organizer).

 

The OEM adapter is plugged into the back of the head unit, not to the CD changer wiring in the boot.

 

Patience.

DICE still looking Buggy.


http://ipodyourbmw.com/ipodPop.html


Watch the movie, hopefully BMWUSA won't turn its back on us mini owners.



Still waiting for proper implementation.


Paul

 

I hope the new ipod adapter will be available for the MINI real soon. If so then I'm getting it ASAP. I really like the idea of full access of your playlists, unlike the current one where you can only access 5 MINI playlists. Also it lets you access tracks by artists, genre and albums. If the new adapter is availble for the non-idrive BMWs then I don't see why it can't be available for the MINI.

 

Having full access to playlists as well as artists, genre and albums would be a reason to trade in the present iPod adapter for the new one....

 

We have the OEM unit (dealer installed into a H/K system). Frankly, we almost never use it. If you are a person who constantly connects your iPod to its host computer and really like messing with your playlists, then it is probably a great solution for you. We don't, so it basically acts as a replacement for a CD changer because the same stuff is in the playlists until we remember to change it. Also, it provides no information about what is being played!

Read up on the threads for the aftermarket units, and then decide. You can probably do better for less money.

 

There is a new version of the OEM adapter coming out in July that has a lot more functions than the current version. The limitation of 5 play lists goes away. Hopefully I can upgrade the software on my 2005 MINI to allow it to work

Check out this link. The 3 series set up is identical to the MINIs.

 

Do you have a CD burner that can burn Data format? Just about all jukebox software [Ex Music Match or even Winidows Media player] will burn data CDs. The factory radio ( HK or Not) on your 05-06 MINI will play these .mp3 format Data CD's. And you can burn QUITE A FEW .pm3s onto a CD. I have over 100 mp3 files on a single disk. It can be a pain to skip from say track 37 to track 103. No you don't get the info displayed either. BUT you arent paying extra to play your files either. I tunes will do it but it converts all your tracks to its proprietary format and then makes you pay for them. Plus it takes multiple steps to convert from the prorprietary format back to .MP3 format and burn the disk. This is why I don't have an i-pod and only use iTunes to listen to White Roof Radio.

If you are like findude...

my solution may work perfectly for you.

 

No no no no no! First off, its "iPod" not "Ipod." Save your money and time! You can do it you self with no car knowledge what so eveah! In this department, the dealer should be called a stealer.


It just sooo not worth it. I'm sure theres a write up somewhere.

 

I know I am kindof new here but I feel the need to correct DrDiff's iTunes review.

First the Data Format CD is fine but if you can burn an MP3 format cd you can have it sorted into folders by album, then you can jump through albums very easily. It's like having a 10 disc changer on each disc. I'm doing this in my MCS and it's great.

Second iTunes, yes it will convert ripped music to it's own format unless you go into preferences > advanced > importing and set it to MP3 and choose the quality you want 128kbps, 160kbps etc. Also you never have to pay to convert your own music from one format to another, if you are being asked to pay for things you are probably looking at the store not your library.

Before starting to create an MP3 CD there are a few settings in iTunes that need to be changed. First in prefrences > advanced > importing set the "Import Using" to "MP3 Encoder" then select your quality (128 is ok but 160 or 192 are much better, with 160 I am averaging 130 songs per disc). Next move to Preferences > Advanced > Burning and for Disc Format select MP3 CD. Ok now iTunes will import and burn music as MP3. Don't forget to change this back to Audio CD if you want to burn a regular CD.

To convert from proprietary(AAC) format to MP3, select songs and right click, select convert selection to MP3. This will make a duplicate file, so you can delete the version you don't want, if you are changing over to all MP3 type then you can delete the AAC versions, or you can delete the MP3 versions when you are done burning the CD.

To burn, make a playlist drag songs into it and click burn. Be sure to have your playlist sorted by album or artist (click where it says artist or album and turns blue), that way it will sort them into folders.

To select the folders in your MINI press the "M" button then press the forward or back buttons to move through the albums. I believe it displays "Track 03-010" as track ten on the third album.


Hopefully this can be of some help to some of you. Not exactly an answer to the dealer installed iPod adapter question but it can be a very cheap solution until you make up your mind on the iPod adapter.

 

I'm an "audiophile-wanna-be" and really gave this some thought (did buy the HK DSP & speakers). Finally decided that the aux-input would be adequate. 90% of the time I'm either running a playlist or shuffle and don't really "navigate" the thing at all. Especially won't do too much of this while driving. I will want a long connector cord -- will probably make it myself -- and will just pick up the iPod when I need to change somehthing. And I do sometimes appear with other gear, like portable DVD for the trolls (yes, sound only in this case). Also, I seem to remember seeing somewhere <?> that the interfaces may not be fully compatible with the 5th gen (video) ipods. check that if it's relevant to you.
-tdm

 

Just to help those who are considering the Factory ipod accessory, I recently installed the ipod Adapter, Aux Input and factory driving lamps (i'll explain later).

The aux input and ipod can and should be donesince you'll have the radio and trim open. One thing that was not apparent during my install was the fact that the new iPod adapter accessory has slightly changed. I had to search online for a new set of instructions and the new kit had differnet wiring and use of quick connects. This was also true for the new Factory Driving lamps where the wire harness had extra wires that were not in the installation instructions for the prior year models.

Be certain to get the appropriate instructions when dealing with the ipod adapter install (& factory driving lamps)

 

Thanks so much. This is VERY useful info. I usually go through phases where I only listen to five or six albums at a time and this will work perfectly.

 

if you have a video ipod, you do have full access to your library, not just the MINI playlists. We're talking video and audiobooks too.