Hi all. I dont even have an IPOD but I would really like to get the IPOD integration. (Of course i would get one at the time)

$320 for the part + at least 2 hours labor.....
+ the risk of the dash not being put back together as solid....

OUCH!
I know my dealer wont budge on the price.

Suddenly, holding an MP3 player in the hand, playing through the AUX jack, doesnt seem too bad.

 

My thought exactly, also who knows if Apple may change the connector one day.

 

Here's the link to DICE at EAS. I bought mine from them for two reasons:

1. They totally rock here at NAM. They field questions and serve up good, useful answers.

2. They'll ship to APO addresses. Their website won't, but when I asked about it, we did it through Paypal. Very, very cool.

You can read up on the DICE, here. Don't bother having the dealer do the install. I kid you not -- my 8 year could have done this install. Lotz of photos here.

Literally, it is:

1. 2 x Torx 40 screws on the drivers side;
2. 2 x Torx 25 screws on the passenger side;
3. 4 x philips head screws on the radio itself;
4. unscrewing the nut holding the wire harness in place;
5. flipping a lever and removing the wire harness;
6. moving one clip to the new wiring harness (Nav);
7. connecting the original wiring harness to the new new one;
8. connecting the new wire harness to the radio;
9. connecting the DICE box;
10. running the wire that connects the iPod;
11. (optional) running the wire for an AUX audio-in port;
12. closing up the dash

I probably spent more time closing up the dash than I did anything else. The problem only is in getting all of the wires settled down below where the radio needs to go in, and there's no way to get your hand in there.

Oh, and Torx. I bought a screw driver set (one handle, lots of bits) from my local ACE Hardware / Yardbirds / Home Depot type place, for all of about $10. Had all of the Torx sizes included. Used it on the Mini, used them to follow other DIY instuctions from the web to replace a failing hard drive on a computer (Mac laptop). Was a very tiny investment, but has paid off huge -- I've been in and out of the Mini radio probably 3 or 4 times now, instead of having to pay someone else to do it.

If you don't believe me that you can do this instead of having your BMW guy do it, I'll do it again and send photos of every step along the way. It's waaaaaay too easy to do yourself.

Oh, and if you have NAV, this little yellow wire is important.



Fail to connect it, and you car won't talk to you any more.

You can do this. Really.

 

The DICE is for gen 1 new MINIs (2002-2006).
I think the original poster is referring to the 2007 MINI

 

Bought a Garmin nuvi 660 (360 is fine too).

The decision was made because:
- they wanted to charge me 300-some dollars for the iPod adapter + 1.5 hr x 96$ workmanship - i.e. close to 500$ - as mentioned above;
- the bluetooth kit is around 1000$ (500-600$ + workmanship too + optional arm rest etc)
- the navigation is 1200$ addon (factory-installed) and the mapping upgrade (from the past BMW experience) is 199$ every other year;
- the new 2007 comes with Aux input in the dashboard;

So... for 700$ (550$ if Garmin 360 is used) you have all these and then some. Just select the Aux input and all the functions are there - navigation, bluetooth hands-free, mp3 player and so one.

A 3 ft cable (3.5mm jacks) is all you need - 2$ at Fry's. It does work like a charm - I wouls strongly advise for it.

Now... the CD player plays great MP3 CDs. So - with 10 nicely-burned MP3 CDs - you can "compensate" for a 6 GB iPod. Just a thought. I'll probably use a combination of nuvi and MP3 CDs - and will not regret the iPod fancy-schmancy.

MMM

 

Yeah, that's tue. My bad.

 

Still a great review - thanks for the feedback!

 

If the MINI iPod kit is a bit much, I would recommend using the following cable with your AUX:



iPod 3.5mm to Dock Connector Cable
http://www.europeanautosource.com/product_info.php?products_id=885

This allows a low level signal from the dock connector to reach the AUX and not create distortion.

 

I think that I may have to take-back my original post. The more i drive with my current setup through an AUX port, the more frustrated i get with it.
I was thinking of waiting for an aftermarket solution (ICE) to come out that i could use the wheel controls. NOW, i am thinking that is not a good idea as i can have the ipod adapter installed before delivery, and then it will be a part of the new car warranty and any problems with the dash will be theirs (the dealers). as opposed to waiting for aftermarket, buying it at a lesser price say 250-300, then installing it myself and risk tab breakage and potential rattles that will be my problem.
i saw that someone posted that their dealer said the ipod install was in the 2-3 hundred range....i wonder if that was a mistake?

 

My dealer told me $770, parts & labor.

 

I think you can get a cradle/dock connector/charger for iPods that just plugs into the lighter like an FM transmitter. Probably $50 or less. I have a problem with paying twice the price of the iPod to listen to it in the car. You know what an optical cable costs, I pay $30 retail for mine. They charge $300 for theirs. Their has a special connector for the Mini is all.

 

770. Whoa. Mine is charging 580 for mine.

I'm pretty excited that all the usual gadgets that can distract me on the road (phone & ipod) are now totally controllable through my steering wheel. That comfort along makes the high price a little more tolerable. Plus, with the SatNav screen the ipod interface is SO easy to use, and visually appealing!

 

[This is what I have done as well. I have the NUVI 360, with a 2gb SD card, aux cable, and am ordering the Garmin external microphone. The microphone plugs into the mounting bracket and better isolates the NUVI when using it as a handsfree device. The NUVI is a decent quality mp3 player, and as mentioned, the cd plays mp3 cds. So far it is all working for me.

hmancy.

MMM[/QUOTE]
hmancy.

MMM[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=minimaximini;1387909]Bought a Garmin nuvi 660 (360 is fine too).

The decision was made because:
- they wanted to charge me 300-some dollars for the iPod adapter + 1.5 hr x 96$ workmanship - i.e. close to 500$ - as mentioned above;
- the bluetooth kit is around 1000$ (500-600$ + workmanship too + optional arm rest etc)
- the navigation is 1200$ addon (factory-installed) and the mapping upgrade (from the past BMW experience) is 199$ every other year;
- the new 2007 comes with Aux input in the dashboard;

So... for 700$ (550$ if Garmin 360 is used) you have all these and then some. Just select the Aux input and all the functions are there - navigation, bluetooth hands-free, mp3 player and so one.

A 3 ft cable (3.5mm jacks) is all you need - 2$ at Fry's. It does work like a charm - I wouls strongly advise for it.

Now... the CD player plays great MP3 CDs. So - with 10 nicely-burned MP3 CDs - you can "compensate" for a 6 GB iPod. Just a thought. I'll probably use a combination of nuvi and MP3 CDs - and will not regret the iPod fancy-schmancy.

MMM[/QUOTE]

 

Hey Tom,

I need a cable like above but only with a female end of the ipod connection rather than the aux plug. One end will plug into my 80gb ipod and the other end would plug into the cord that came with my dice (which is intended to plug into my ipod). As you know, when my dealer installed my dice etc. I only ended up with about 10 inches of cable coming out of the glove box and I'd like more than that without moving the dice unit. Do you have something or can you make something?

Thanks!
Tim

 

Dude,

I purchased Dice, XM, Blitzsafe & wire harness from Tom at EAS plus include the 160 my dealer charged to install everything and it cost me less than $500 bucks!!

 

These people have what you're looking for:

http://www.cablejive.com/

A bit pricey at $65 for 2 feet, but you can add extra feet pretty cheap. The connector bits must be the pricey/difficult part.

jay

 

I have one of these in white I'm willing to part with. After getting it, I realized I wanted one in black, as the white stood out too much with the black interior I have:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=149006

It's a combo 12V charger and amp. Run a cable from it to the aux input.

 

That's exactly what I want but not for that price! That is crazy!

Thanks; at least I know they are possible.

 

Thanks but I want to keep the cig lighter clear of wires. Appreciate it though.