Alpine CDA-9855R

[neilsafc]

Right just picked up my Cooper with a CD player that Victoria BMW fitted for me as only had a cassette in. Unfortunately it must be one of the worst looking Kenwood CD players (KDC-3027A) Ive ever seen and not in the current Kenwood range I would think. This has made my mind up to get a new Headunit in and tie it into my Ipod. I had my eye on this unit last year to put in my A3 but held back as the Bose speakers in the A3 and headunit were fine. Now it seems to have changed a bit since last year and looks like just what I want.

To hide the ipod in my glovebox and play it through the headunit while still being able to read text and what songs are playing on there. Now couple of things really. In Halfords its £399 plus another £60 for the Ipod adaptor box thing which is a bit dear. Hunted around and found it a lot cheaper elsewhere especially ebay where a lot are on there brand new in box. Would people say this is a good idea? What are peoples thoughts on this and is this the best way to go for my needs. Is it easy to find places to fit them? IE in the North East of England

Cheers for all the advice as always.

[mikeythemini]

That 3027 was the cheapest natiest thing they have ever made & I remember them being very embarressed about it at a dealer meet
Can't help you on the Alpine, its an easy DIY though

[danb]

Try www.newministuff.com - plenty of Ipod stuff and headunits

edit: mikey got there 1st, his sigs says it all

[neilsafc]

Its an awful headunit, just cheapens my Mini so much and want it out as soon as I can. Its truely terrible, cheap nasty looking and horrible!! Anyone want to buy it??? ha ha.

Im not sure about buying something so expensive on E-bay, still will hunt around as think its the one that I want to go for.

[mikeythemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

Try www.newministuff.com - plenty of Ipod stuff and headunits

edit: mikey got there 1st, his sigs says it all

Check out some of the higher kenwoods - very nice ipod control

[neilsafc]

Is it along the same idea as the Alpine ones, is it possible to hide my ipod in the glove compartment and control using HU?

[mikeythemini]

Yes
If you want something really good how about the kenwood 627 or 707 motorised screens with touch screen control of the ipod, you can even pull up lists of artists, albums etc & touch the one you want
https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=216
or 707 it is shown as a pack with nav but I can split them
https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=235
If you fancy a drive out I can demo them for you

[neilsafc]

Would love a screen with an Ipod adaptor but just out of my bedget im affraid unless I do a bit saving before xmas, had budget of around £400 with Ipod adaptor but the screen does look tempting.

[mikeythemini]

Could do the 707 with kenwood ipod link for £450 inc vat, but you would need to be a Mini2 priv member to qualify for that bargain
The 707 gives you radio, ipod interface. You could then add when funds allow, Playstation, TV, DVD, camera
Got 2 of these left

[neilsafc]

How much can you do the 627 with Ipod adaptor for? And also how much extra are the DVD, TV etc etc on the 707 when I want them? Sorry for all the questions but you do seem a fountain of knowledge and guessing by that not a blue nose!!!! ha ha.

[cooper7]

I would go for the Alpine as it's a fantastic head unit. Personally speaking i would go for Alpine every time over Kenwood and the 9855 is a good choice. Ebay would be your best bet where there are many shops now so you can get a brand new one for a knock down price (and get a kca 420i included), fitting is a quick trip to a local headunit dealer. That headunit is also purpose built with the ipod in mind with the scroll bar. It's up to you, everyone speaks incredibly highly of Mikey so you won't lose if you go for that option.

[venox22]

Got my Alpine 9831 R and Alpine KCA 420 ipod adaptor, from the link below, cheapest in the U.K and great service. The alpine ipod interface is the best IMHO, plus the alpine HU is colour changable to suit the mini interior illumination. Got my adaptors from Mikey and fitted it DIY very easy

http://www.cel-direct.com/shop.asp

[bimini]

I got a CDA-9847R and a KCA420i for £210 delivered from caraudiosecurity.com

might be worth a look.

more than happy with the ipod connect, only one niggle is the screen doesnt update as fast as the ipod which means scolling is slower.

[johnnyv]

Quote: Originally Posted by venox22

Got my Alpine 9831 R and Alpine KCA 420 ipod adaptor, from the link below, cheapest in the U.K and great service. The alpine ipod interface is the best IMHO, plus the alpine HU is colour changable to suit the mini interior illumination. Got my adaptors from Mikey and fitted it DIY very easy

http://www.cel-direct.com/shop.asp

I would also agree that http://www.cel-direct.com/shop.asp are very good prices. I got mine from there about a year ago. I have always had Alpine and had an RB series in my previous BMW Cooper and it looked really good, RB designates it's Silver. i would suggest CDA-9812RB & KCA-420i for £259.99 Quality product. It will play a CDR full of MP3's too!

Also a good place to put the KCA 420i is behind the carpet in the footwell (the right hand side) and put the iPOD in the glove box there is plenty of wire to do that!!

[cooper7]

didn't really mention before but i have got the 9815rb head unit which i have had for a couple of years now. I had the KCA put behind the dash and the wire fed through to the shelf beneath the steering wheel, that way you can easily take it out with you when you are on the move. No need for a cradle with the KCA as the ipod effectively locks down and all functions are only operational through the headunit.