[Mor7s]

Hi All

Firstly apologies if the answers to my questions below have been posted elsewhere, I'm not having a great deal of luck establishing that what I have been reading is for the kind of thing I am after.

I'd like to connect my 30gb video iPod to my 03 MCS with CD boost standard stereo and MFSW, ideally so iPod sits in glovebox out of sight and charges too.

My first question is how easy is it to install one of the conection kits? Is it just of case of getting round the back of the HU and plugging in the right end of connection or is there a great deal more to it? I am no monkey but will admit am not the most technically minded so simple suits me fine - I certainly don't wanna be altering connections or soldering wires together

Is any kit better than the rest or are they all much of a muchness? I seen reference to an icelink connection, is all this interface and wiring necessary?

Then how easy is it to control your iPod through MFSW, is it a nightmare without the display on HU showing track names etc?

I've heard that the connections 'trick' the HU into thinking the iPod is the CD changer so you can have six playlists pretending to be CDs in the multichanger and cycle through like you would an album but with much more music to hand. Guess the trick is to set up 6 playlists and flick between them.

Sorry for so many questions, am keen to connect the iPod and would like to do it myself for the achievement as much as anything, but would like a set up that is usable and sounds good.

If it is a case that changing the HU gives better sound quality, shows tracks etc in display and makes connectivity easier so be it.

Thanks all in advance

mor7s

[mikeythemini]

The gateway 100 is your best bet with the factory stereo - NewMINIStuff.com
The installation is easy & plug & play- see the diy section at NewMINIStuff.com for icelink install (its the same)
With the gateway you get more than just the 6 playlists - you can flick through playlists, albums etc. As you say its not so easy without titles but after a few days you get used to what all the buttons do
OR
Change the stereo - again easy to do, plug & play. You will get better sound plus titles etc. I am adding new models to the range on our site at the moment - these all include everything you need to fit the stereo to a Mini

[Mor7s]

Cheers Mikey

Looks fairly straightforward (famous last words eh). Presumably all the extra cabling from the interface still all tucks neatly behind HU?

Can I run the cable from the gateway interface to iPod through into glovebox? i notice there is a very small (10p kinda size) bung in corner, would the cable run through there then into interface - that way keeps iPod outta sight in case I ever forget to unplug

Mor7s