iPod and AUX IN jack. I carry all of my cd's with me when I go motoring and have no storage issue.

 

I usually have a half dozen or so CDs rattling in the door. XM Direct connect through the AUX port is the bulk of my music listening.

H/K system really makes it all sound grrrrrrrreat!

 

Hi all,

I'm new to the Mini world, and I'm curious about the trade-off between using the aux input and the (glovebox) iPod connector.

As I understand it:

• Aux input - must do all controlling from the iPod itself.
• glovebox connector - allows control through the head unit and the MFSW, but the functionality is relatively limited. I.e. only can switch between playlists, not from song to song. And no display of current track or playlist on headunit's display.

Is this correct?

Also, the online Mini configurator indicates you can't do both the hands-free Bluetooth phone kit and the iPod controller. Seems like a tough decision to me...how did you all choose between them?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Plus you're only limited to 5 playlists (or is it 6) that must be named a specific way.


Sound quality on the iPod adapter is better than the Aux input, but the Aux input is more flexible.


Do you have Nav or HK? If you have HK you should be ok with both despite what MINI says, if you have Nav and HK you may need to choose one or the other.


Going aftermarket with either the adapter or bluetooth kit gives you more options (and is cheaper too!)


Take a bluetooth kit from Motorola, Sony-Ericcson, or Parrot, pair it with the wiring harness from newministuff.com and you can have both bluetooth and MINI ipod adapter. This will still pipe your audio through the car stereo and mute the stereo when making or receiving a call.


Take the Dension ICELInk and you can get a version that connects to the CD Changer wiring in the boot, thereby still allowing you to get the bluetooth. The ICELink is more capable than the MINI solution it doesn't restrict you to preset playlists but allows access to ALL of the content on your iPod, and it does display ID3 tag data on Jan 05 builds and later... However, the interface is restricted by the limitations of the buttons on the front of the HU, which means it's a little kludgy to navigate. Even with the MFSW controls it takes WAY too much concentration to operate the ICELink while driving...


My opinion as an owner of an HK, SIRIUS, ICELink, AUX, Bluetooth MINI... Go with aftermarket bluetooth and an Aux Jack. Yes you'll take a hit on the sound quality with the Aux Jack, but neither the ICELink or the MINI iPod adapter are really great from a usability standpoint... The iPod alone is more intuitive than either of those two... I also don't believe that the MINI bluetooth kit is worth the price premium for what you get...

 

We use the official MINI CD visor. Although, got to admit, once XM was installed, my wife has never played a CD again. Too much is on XM.

 

I am happy with the mini ipod adapter. I already have over 28 hours of music on my ipod. No CDs are in Dixie.

 

I have a one stack case(one of the small square shaped ones) and it fits in the storage bin in the side panelling behind the driver's seat. I also have the CD changer, but I'm starting to give real consideration to getting the adaptor and buying a Dell mp3 player, since it's much cheaper and holds a lot more than the Ipods do.

 

Thanks mbabischkin, for the detailed reply. I actually don't have a Mini yet (I'm looking to buy in the next year or so.) In the meantime, I'm trying to learn as much as I can from you all on NAM.

Thanks again...

 

Np... That's why the board's here!

 

I just took a 4-day road trip to break in my '05 MC, and kept my CD jewel cases in the door pocket. I use the 4-in-1 jewel cases that allow storage of 4 CD's in the space of one normal jewel case. Five jewel cases fit in the door pocket, and with approximately 10 hours of music on each, I had around 200 hours of music at my easy reach.

I have an iPod and will eventually install an aux input for the stock stereo, but since the stock headunit plays CD/MP3's, I'm in no hurry. There is always the risk of theft if I keep my iPod in the Mini, and I'd rather have $1 worth of CDR blanks stolen than my 40G iPod.

-Keith

 

Oh, I would never leave my iPod in my car. It'd get thrown in the bag when I get into work, and then into the house when I get home!

 

I'm a little old school still, but I have a 24 CD case (vertical) that fits perfectly in the pocket on the back of the passenger seat.

I tried to fit it in the driver's door, and it would go IN, but getting it OUT took way too much attention/effort for even a red-light CD change.

 

I recently got a MP3 player and put about 150 tracks in it. plus additional 150tracks per CDR in the Alpine 6CD changer....so i have a pretty good
virtual storage (?)