[nike61]

Hi All in Perth, WA

It was good to meet some of you this morning on the Rally. I noticed there was some interest in iPod connections rather than the standard iTrip.

Well this site has interface connections into Boost/HK sound Systems. It may be worth someone chasing up via AC or Mini.

https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=140

Nike61

[Rampant Lion]

I have the IPod adapter from BMW/MINI. It is the best IPod accesory I have bought!!!

Some go for the ICE link, because you can't navigate via the IPod with the BMW/MINI adapter, but it is so easy to to navigate the playlist using the controls on the steering wheel and why would you want to fiddle with IPod whilst plough the MINI's nose into corners?

I just put the playlists in song alphabetical order, for the songs I want to listen to I just forward through or if I want to listen to the whole playlist you just hit random on the head unit and it is sweet... The ITrip is ok but in built up areas or long trips you are constantly taking our eyes of the road to tune a new frequency

Which ever way you go for, it will bring a new apreciation for your IPod....

[nike61]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rampant Lion

I have the IPod adapter from BMW/MINI. It is the best IPod accesory I have bought!!!

Some go for the ICE link, because you can't navigate via the IPod with the BMW/MINI adapter, but it is so easy to to navigate the playlist using the controls on the steering wheel and why would you want to fiddle with IPod whilst plough the MINI's nose into corners?

I just put the playlists in song alphabetical order, for the songs I want to listen to I just forward through or if I want to listen to the whole playlist you just hit random on the head unit and it is sweet... The ITrip is ok but in built up areas or long trips you are constantly taking our eyes of the road to tune a new frequency

Which ever way you go for, it will bring a new apreciation for your IPod....

Lion

Can u get from BMW/Mini

The link I included is the Ice one, so must be the same.

I will look into it.

Any idea how much??? and Does it only get connected to the MP/CD STacker option?

Nike 61

[Mini 7]

Where did you get your BMW iPod connector - here in Australia? How much did it cost by the time it was all fitted?

There has been much ongoing discussion about the "ice-link plus" in the ICE forum here on mini2 as there have been some problems but these seem to be cleared up now but it's worth reading the thread.

The ice-link is made by dension www.dension.com and they suggest that for MY2005 or later cars they may be even adding functionality to display the track titles on your mini head unit. Much suspicion as to whether this display update will ever make it to production though.

Checkout this very long ICE Link post - http://www.mini2.com/forum/interior-ice/77777-ice-link-plus.html

I definitely want to add some ipod connection to my mini but can't decide which one to go with?

Cheers,

Mini 7

[Rampant Lion]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini 7

Where did you get your BMW iPod connector - here in Australia? How much did it cost by the time it was all fitted?

By the end it was $285 from Outmotoring then an hours labour, Which was $80 but I got my dealer to do it so it was a bit more. So all up $365, which isn't exactly cheap on top of the IPod but good compared to a stacker.

It plugs into the stacker conection on the head unit so therefore not compatible with a stacker... Some reckon it won't work with the SatNav but I have heard it does...

I tried to get it through the dealer, they knew what I was talking about but it wasn't yet offered (In Feb 05)

I have no idea how the ICE Link works but from what I have read the benefit is that you can navigate via the IPod and thus aren't limited only having 5 playlists.

But this has never been a problem for me. You just need to organise your playlists a bit better...

[Baker]

Get the Icelink. I know of a few people here in AU with one (including me - I'm running a icelink plus. Its SO much better than the BMW adapter its not funny.

[Mini 7]

Baker,

Where did you get your icelink plus from? somewhere in Australia?

Did you fit it yourself? If so how long and difficult was the job if not how much did it cost to get done?

Which bracket did you get for the ipod and now you have lived with it for a while is there anything you would change?

I've read some horror stories about the ice link and the ibus but admit its the one I would go for but ........ I'm still a bit dubious as to whether all of the problems are fixed. What year is your mini and what head unit / HK?

Thanks,

Mini 7

[play fife]

I rang up Strathfield Car Radios this afternoon asking about iPod connectors.

They told me that the only connectors they have are for Pioneer or Kenwood head units or your car stereo must have CD Control (so it can plug into - where a stacker would go).

Does the MINI have CD control ?

Ive got a iTrip but IMO its is pretty poor, okay at times.

Daniel

[Baker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini 7

Baker,

Where did you get your icelink plus from? somewhere in Australia?

Did you fit it yourself? If so how long and difficult was the job if not how much did it cost to get done?

Which bracket did you get for the ipod and now you have lived with it for a while is there anything you would change?

I've read some horror stories about the ice link and the ibus but admit its the one I would go for but ........ I'm still a bit dubious as to whether all of the problems are fixed. What year is your mini and what head unit / HK?

Thanks,

Mini 7

I got mine from mikeythemini (which is newministuff.com). He's an absolute champion, and he's always the best port of call for anything Mini electrical related.

I fitted it myself - I don't trust anyone with my car, let alone some greasy fooly sik moite strathfield employee It is really simple to fit, all plug and play, and takes about 30 mins if you know how to pull your headunit out already, if not it would take 1-1.5 hours while you learn how to pull it apart (you can follow instructions on here, its really simple). Great way to learn a bit more about how your car goes together too.

I've got a MY04 Cooper S, with Harmon Kardon. Just FYI - ALL of the Mini headunits in Australia are Boost, we didn't get Wave over here. So you either choose Boost or HK

I was one of the early adopters when the Icelink came out - and as such I had to pull my headunit out on the side of the freeway one day to disconnect it . It was a early firmware issue, which has been fixed for ages now - I was on the beta test program for the new firmware. I've used the icelink and the OEM connectors, and I'd never touch the OEM connector

I used the metal bracket from Mike; the Proclips are just crap. Its in a really good location! As for if there would be anything I would change, no there is not. Only thing I'm thinking about doing is maybe fiberglassing up a custom mount for the iPod, but thats only because I'm going to install a PDA mount in my Mini as well.

[Babes]

I have the belkin travel charger/amplifier connected the aux input. Cant control it via MFSW but an extremely easy set up. About $130 to get the aux input fitted at AC and about $8 for a male/male lead. Sound quality is unreal compared to the iTrip.

[Baker]

Quote: Originally Posted by play fife

I rang up Strathfield Car Radios this afternoon asking about iPod connectors.

They told me that the only connectors they have are for Pioneer or Kenwood head units or your car stereo must have CD Control (so it can plug into - where a stacker would go).

Does the MINI have CD control ?

Ive got a iTrip but IMO its is pretty poor, okay at times.

Daniel

You should never ask any shop like that for information specfic to the Mini! The fact of the matter is that we have an unusual car in Australia. These monkeys have no idea at all what is in a Mini, or any of the connections or anything. You have to do your own research through us who have done it/or mini2, and talk to someone like Mike at Newministuff.com - they're the only reliable sources of info relating to our cars.

[drlee77]

Hi All,

I'm looking at getting an ipod adapter for my MINI. I have been quoted by MINI garage:
$450 installed for the aux input option
or
$375 installed for the integrated option that allows you to use the MFSW controls.

If you ask me its a bit steep (should include an 1GB ipod shuffle for those prices ). Also I thought the aux input option was supposed to be the cheaper of the two.

Has anyone else had either of these options installed? If so how much did they cost?

Thanks.

[MickyD]

$450 installed for the Aux input?

it's less than $10 in parts, and about 1/2 an hours work to do a DIY version....

http://www.neeshil.com/nsite/miniaux.asp

[Baker]

The Aux input can be made yourself for about $5 worth of parts and 15mins of work - and its dead simple to fit yourself. Do a search here - you'll see how easy it is .

You'll also feel a lot better knowing that you've started to mod your car yourself

[drlee77]

Thanks for the info MickyD. Have you done this install yourself? Was it difficult?

I'm not really confident doing it myself. Had some bad experiences in the past with car electricals...

[Baker]

Its really easy.. but if you arn't comfortable doing it, maybe one of the clubMINI guys up there will be able to help you out (and for how much you're saving, you can buy them a bottle of spirits for their help )

[drlee77]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baker

Its really easy.. but if you arn't comfortable doing it, maybe one of the clubMINI guys up there will be able to help you out (and for how much you're saving, you can buy them a bottle of spirits for their help )

That's funny Baker I was just thinking that exact same thing

Does having the Harman Kardon option effect the installation procedure?

[Baker]

Nope, exactly the same

Kev

[Quickbrick]

Hey drlee77, I have just been planing my Ipod Install too - I am tossing up between the DIY Aux input option and the Wiz Bang Ice Link setup like Kev.

The DIY option is so cheap I am thinking i will probably just build one of those while I consider whether the Ice Link is worth the extra money. If you are interested I could probably build 2 of them instead of 1 - then I can do a trial install on your MINI first, in case it bursts into flames when you turn the ipod on for the first time

Send me a PM if you are interested

[doona]

I have the home-made aux cable.. is pretty good and cost effective, but Kev's ice-link is ver very impressive

-Dan