Greetings,

I purchased an iPod integration unit for my MINI that I think is going to work great (once I confirm how it's going to install ).

It's made by PAc Audio and was a $39 kit (#iC-RCA found at http://www.pac-audio.com/products/pr...%20Integration). The set up will plug into either RCA jacks or the AUX input plug. Nice, heavy weight cables look to be solid enough, too. There are power and ground wires to connect in order to charge the iPod when plugged in.

Now all contolls and music information will be done through the iPod itself... and there won't be track information displayed on the stereo display... but for a fraction of the cost of the MINI unit, I'll live.

So I have a few questions:

-First... can someone confirm or deny the presence of additional RCA jacks in the rear of the HI-Fi upgrade stereo unit? If it's not there, I'll jut have to use the AUX imput plug instead... but I'd prefer the RCA jacks if they're there.

-Second... can someone give me a minimum of dash disassembaly instructions for the stereo/dach? At least enough to get to the back of the head unit, RCA jacks (if availible) and wiring harness?

-Lastly... Can someone recommend a hot wire to tap into? I can probe around with the test light and figure it out... but it would be nice to know exactly what I'm going after once I start the job. Ya' know?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling naked without my iPod in the car right now!

 

OK, after talking this over a bit with my dad... I've come to the conclusion that I might as well plug the unit into the AUX port adaptor and route the wiring behind the lowest portion of the center console and between the lower tray (where the cupholders and 12V plug are located). This way, if I ever want to plug in another device and use the AUX port, I can quickley and easily unlpug the iPod harness.

I'll have the lead poke out so that I'll let the iPod rest under the parking brake when not in use (I have a rubber sleve on mine, so it doesn't slide around). I'll then use the 12V power wire to power/charge the iPod when plugged in. The fused wire will then be somewhere accessible as well, sould it ever pop.

So now, really, my question has become much more simple:

How can I dimantle the lowest portion of the center console in front of the cup holders... and the tray that encorperates the cup holders and 12V socket (pertty much everything under the parking brake, it seems).

 

There are some pictures of this in the sticky thread at the top, where the guy replaces the speakers. Looks like he gets The cupholders and stuff away from the shifter and brake. Take a look.

 

Very cool. Thanks. Combined with the pics on realoem.com, I'm pretty confident about the center console removal... now I just need to figure out how to get the little kick plate out from behind the little tray (where the AUX plug is mounted)... and possibly one of the side paneld from the center console.

 

does the AUX port works with the male to male cables? did someone try it out in fact, before doing all these things?

 

AUX works with a male-to-male cable.

 

If you mean male-to-male stereo cable to the iPod headphone jack, it works. However, you can get better sound by connecting directly to the iPod dock connector, using a cable like this: http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=257