Ice>Link: Plus -- '05 MC HK

[beetle]

Hi,

Recently ordered a new Cooper with HK speaker-system (delivery 15 July ). I have a couple of questions relating to to Ice>Link: Plus kit:

1. Is there any guarentee that the standard head-unit in a brand new (UK) Mini will display ID3 tags?
2. Is there a way to install the kit without any visable cables, etc, with the iPod stored in the glove-compartment, and have all songs accessible through the standard head-unit (without touching the iPod)?

Thanks!

Alex

[Bugged]

Quote: Originally Posted by beetle

1. Is there any guarentee that the standard head-unit in a brand new (UK) Mini will display ID3 tags?

I doubt you'll get a full on guarantee, but you can sleep easy knowing that there's at least a 95% chance that you'll get the ID3 tags on your new car.

Quote:

2. Is there a way to install the kit without any visable cables, etc, with the iPod stored in the glove-compartment, and have all songs accessible through the standard head-unit (without touching the iPod)?

Yes, any flavor of the ICELink will allow this, however some will require more work to do this than others. Connect it to the back of the head unit and it's an easy shot into the glovebox, connect it to the CD Changer wiring in the boot, and it can still be done, but it's a little more work running and hiding the cables...

[beetle]

Thanks Bugged. Fingers crossed on the ID3 tags then, eh!

How does the interface work through the standard head-unit? Is it possible to browse the whole of the iPods catalogue?

[Bugged]

Quote: Originally Posted by beetle

How does the interface work through the standard head-unit? Is it possible to browse the whole of the iPods catalogue?

Yes, by playlist, album, or artist. More than any other device in your car.... don't try it while driving!. Navigating the IceLINK takes a surprising amount of concentration, more than probably any other device you may have our use in your car, including your cell phone. Part of it is due to the design of the HU which restricts the navigation of the menus to really only about 3 buttons, and the other is that there is a little bit of a delay between the time you press a button to navigate and you see the response from the iPod on your HU display.

[LagunaSol]

I ran my cable up through the pop-out plastic plug in the glove box. Then I cut a small notch in the side of the plastic plug with a Dremel large enough for the width of the cable, then popped the plug back in with the cable running through the notch. I added the glovebox organizer and the iPod goes into the top corner slot. Perfect! I love a stealth install.

By the way, I also get text on my head unit. Mine was a Feb. build, H/K.

[beetle]

Got my IceLink Plus today from NewMINIStuff.com.

Here's a summary of the install to my '05 (July production) HK (I hope this may help other people during install):

I used the steps in the DIY section of the NewMINIStuff.com website (very useful!).

Starting with the removal of the stereo:

https://www.newministuff.com/new/ind...ion=13&diyid=6

Step 1: Removal of the knee bolster is scary but fairly easy. Trying to get your hand in as far as possible probably helps to limit the flex when tugging on the plastic. I doubt it's possible to break anything tbh. There was no issue with the bolster scraping the dash pillar -- there's enough of a gap for this not to be a problem.

Step 2: I popped out to the local DIY store to stock up on a Torx set before starting...the T20 and T40 are a must.

Step 4: Probably the hardest bit of the install! A flat-head driver is not suitable in starting to prise the mirror switch panel imo. I used a scapel to get underneath the thing and then used an electician's flat-head driver to prise it up before making use of a full-size driver. Note in the photo the shape of the panel -- there's a lower section which needs to come up with the flat top panel. I found the two sections can come apart (easily snapped together again) but the whole thing must come together to get the switch out.

Step 6: Bit of a headache. I have the coin tray, but this doesn't pose the biggest problem. There's a tray in front of the centre console which partially sits on top of the console. It's a case of levering the console to come away from this to fully shift the console back. It's even more fun when it needs to go back! Note that steps 6 & 7 go hand-in-hand.

Step 7: I just brought the pillars back with the centre console and rested them away from the head unit in order to remove it.

Step 8: After this I referred to:

https://www.newministuff.com/new/ind...ion=13&diyid=8

Step 1: Once the head unit is removed, unscrew the rubber bung (it's on a thread) to release the cable-tidy and simplify installation.

Step 2/3: I only have experience of the BOOST/HK connector: simple latch to unlock.

Step 4: Push the plugs firmly together to ensure they are flush.

Step 5: No experience of this.

Step 6: Again, push firmly to ensure a snug connection and then lock with the pivot latch.

I did Step 8 and Step 7 in reverse:

Step 8: First screw the rubber bung back on. (I didn't "plug" the cable-tidy back on as I couldn't put the head unit back in with both plugs in such close proximity.) Putting the head unit back with the extra cable, the IceLink loom and the IceLink itself is a bit of a trick. Feeding the IceLink unit in and out the back of where the cables go was the first step -- I left this dangling out the glove box side during the rest of the installation. I found the factory radio plug had to be placed in an area under the stereo at the same height as the A/C controls since both this and the IceLink plug took up too much space and couldn't both sit behind the head unit. It was then a case of sliding the unit back in and hoping that the cables and plugs were not compromising anything!

I only had problems getting the centre console to sit back where it originally was. Getting the console under the plastic in front is tricky and requires the "feet" of the plastic in front to be forced upwards (no damage caused) to get the centre console sitting flush underneath. I don't know if this has been a problem for anyone else.

The whole install took about 1.5 hours.

I managed to lose one of the six gold-plated metal clips on the mirror switch panel (see the photo for step 4 of the "Changing the Stereo" instructions). I don't think these do anything other than help secure the panel (it still snaps in well with just 5 clips). I just hope this didn't get lost down where the gearstick is and gets into the gearbox!! :/

I was after a stealthy install with the iPod hidden in the glove box. This is easily acheivable by popping out the rectangular plastic bung and feeding the cable through. The IceLink unit itself is hidden by feeding it back up the hole to the side of the glove box.

Going through the IceLink setup enabled me to switch on text display of the interface and ID3 tags. I'm glad this works!!

The IceLink Plus works well -- just wish the interface wasn't so slow! Would be better if the volume control could be used to scroll through songs (like the iPod wheel) too! Beggars can't be choosers, eh?

[Captain Caveman]

Good news that the display on the HU should show menu's form Ipod. I had the original Ice-Link and the dension cradle with no-holes mount. Nice install by NewMiniStuff but being able to hide it in the glove box will be even better on the new MCS when it arrives. Has anyone out there got the centre arm rest? Any idea if it would fit the ipod inside ??