This last weekend I just bought an 04 Dk.Silver MCS and I am in love. Seriously. With everything except the stereo... so...

What I have:
2004 MCS (6 spd)
HK Stereo Package
Navigation

What I want to put in: (in order)
1) XM Radio
2) iPod Integration
3) Bluetooth
4) Backup Camera

Ideally, everything will work through the built-in head unit and nav screen. (If I have to replace the HU with a newer one to enable this, I'll do it.) I just want to keep everything running through the "stock" system and display as much as possible on the nav. (Song info, address book, etc.)

What are my best options?

Thanks and sure glad to be driving a Mini!

-Scott

(I've already realized that the software in my nav is a few releases back, so I'm going to update that as well... of course.)

 

The HK system is a total package and it is almost impossible to swap speakers, amp or HU without an outside solution. For instance, you can swap the HU, but you will need and HK enabler sold by www.newministuff.com to get the radio working. Plus, if you have NAV, you would lose the voice.

Ipod integration can be done with Dice or and Icelink Plus (or via a new HU solution that supports Ipod). There is no solution that will show you song title on your stock display with NAV. The problem is that they use the phone channel to push the text which will override your NAV covering your map continuously with text. I think that you would have to choose between XM and the Ipod. I know of no dual solution at this time.

Bluetooth could be done with either the Parrot EVO kit (newministuff) or the BMW version. The BMW version $500 + is the only way to get address book on the NAV display. Both versions allow MFSW to be used.

Backup camera kit is pretty easy as well.

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the Parrot will handle my bluetooth requirements.

As for "replacing the HU", I didn't mean with some other type, I merely mean with a newer HK stock unit. (I'd read somewhere that song display, etc. was possible on the HK+Nav with 2005 and newer HUs...) I really like the Nav functionality and don't want to lose the voice prompting.

So it's either iPod OR XM?!? Ouch. That bites indeed.

-Scott

 

If you stay stock on the HU, you can't have song on the display if you have OEM NAV. The problem stems from how the vendor gets the text on the radio display. They use the phone channel and we have not been able to figure out how to stop it from interfering with the NAV display. It hides the map and won't allow it to pop up as the NAV thinks you have an incomming call. My point is that if you have NAV, forget text for now.

I am going to be install a Parrot EVO solution today (came in last night) and doing a small review. I'll keep you posted.

 

No text is dooable.

Once I give that up, can I cleanly interface an iPod AND XM unit to my 04 HK + Nav?

 

FYI, I don't know if the DICE solution will allow XM and Ipod together. You might research that. The vendor here (Tom with EAS) would have answers for that.

 

So... Tom... any commets? Can I do XM and iPod both? If so, what do I need to make it happen?

Thanks agian,
-Scott