[MINImum11]

i would really appreciate some advice on ipod use in my MINI. i have already have an aux cable fitted (at some cost), but was so disapppointed that there is no functionality from the cd / radio boost controls (other than volume). MINI vanilli is going in for a service tomorrow, and i want to discuss my options with the service guys such that i can improve the situation.

the sound quality at present is quite poor in my opinion, and i would like that improved to such that it gets close to playing an actual cd.

would the BMW link or the Ice link be better in terms of sound quality, cost, and ease of playing music from the console rather than the ipod, and what appears on the boost display?

[Minty]

the official iPod link should cost around £200 fitted. the sound quality is very good...depending on the bit rate of your mp3 of course.

you can use your MFSW to skip tracks and MINI playlists. there is no support for track names though, the iPod screen shows a MINI logo, so no track names on that either.

[12lee]

what year is your car?

[MINImum11]

july 1994 - nearly one year old!

[12lee]

LOL at bad maths

Although ice>Link Plus won't show track names on a pre-2005 car, it will better utilise the iPod display than the official Mini product.

[everythingsablur]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINImum11

the sound quality at present is quite poor in my opinion, and i would like that improved to such that it gets close to playing an actual cd.

Sound quality out of the AUX largely depends on how you are getting it from the iPod into the HU. If you are going from the headphone jack, then there's a problem right there. Sound is being processed in the iPod's headphone amp, then head through the HU. If you were to pull the audio out of the unfiltered line out via the dock connector (using either a SendStation PocketDock or imp DIN), the audio feed is much cleaner as there is no on-iPod processing done. Granted, you still don't have any control from the MFSW other than volume. Both the iceLink and official iPod adapter would be pulling the audio out via the same dock connector pins, which is essentially as clean as it could get. They just do it in a much more complex and elegant fashion.

[SteveVC]

Hi,

I ordered my cooper with multi function wheel and "ipod connector" in April "05 and when I took delivery early June, I was shocked to see just an aux jack fitted next to the handbrake. I immediately told my dealer that one, they have fitted the wrong device and two, it should have been in the glove box as requested.

It has taken four weeks to resolve this issue, first the parts dept kept insisting that I can't have an ipod connector and then when I submitted proof that I can, they insist that it will not work with multi function wheel.

Eventually, they have fittted the correct ipod connector in the glove box, but failed to connect it at the head unit, when returned a few days later they finally got it right. However, the ipod still charges when the engine is switched off which concerns me that it may drain the battery of the car if I leave the ipod in the car.

I'm not that convinced with the official ipod connector and may consider an ice-link or something similar in the near future.

However, the sound quality is much better than using the aux connector from the headphone jack.

[rentagas]

The mini ipod connector provides power to the ipod for some time (?a few minutes) after the ignition is turned off but this does not continue
Mini ipod link vs ice lik plus is a difficult but if you intend to put your ipoid in the glovebox on all but the latest cars it makes no difference. If you wish to control the ipod directly, buy the ice link (the ipod controls and display is functionless with the MINI link). The ice link SHOULD display ID3 tag info on the sat nav display and audio display but in fact does so variably on the latest models
Buy the mini connector if you worry about warranty buy the ice link if you want functions which may or not work/be useful.
However I do not believe you can sroll through 10,000 tracks AND drive.

[12lee]

Quote:

The ice link SHOULD display ID3 tag info on the sat nav display and audio display but in fact does so variably on the latest models

The ice>Link will display ID3 tag info on 2005 models featuring mp3 and phone-compatible Boost head units.

[SteveVC]

[quote=rentagas]The mini ipod connector provides power to the ipod for some time (?a few minutes) after the ignition is turned off but this does not continue

That's interesting, I assumed that the ipod would stay on until it was fully charged, they always see to have poor battery life anyway.

Does anyone know whether I can have bluetooth and ipod through the multi function wheel at the same time. ie both plugged into the back of the head unit?

Thanks in anticipation.

[12lee]

100%

[Leyton]

I bought the Dension iLink from iPodmycar.com. It cost £99. Got it fitted by Sextons for £30 plus vat. Was orignially quoted a price of £240 + vat by an 'ICE specialist' to have it supplied and fitted - so shop around.

As for the kit itself I found controlling the ipod through the head unit a bit of a pain. The menu's aren't as quick or user friendly as on the iPod itself. There is a mode that allows you to use the ipod to control what you want to play. Although some may think this defeats the purpose of getting the iLink you are still able to skip forward and back. I choose what playlist I want before I set off. Another bonus is the iPod is powered so you don't have to have an in car charger. Furthermore the quality is perfect too (to me it is cd quality).

I'm pretty sure mine stops charging when iPod is fully charged but as I live in London I don't leave my iPod in the car.


LP

[Magictux]

I have an Ipod mini connected via the auxilliary cable and IMO it sounds great. Not much different from a CD actually (if different at all!) I have a 'Belkin' power adapter connected and the aux plug connects to that.

I bought a 'Griffin Air Click' which is a remote control device which gives the functions of 'Play/pause', 'next/previous', 'ffwd/frwd and volume controls. The remote is attached via a velcro strap to anywhere it will fit. I have the three spoke steering wheel and I've attached it to the bottom spoke. It could look better but I'm happy with it and it actually works. There is still no track name display other than the Ipod itself though..

The pic shows the remote attached to the wheel..

Mick

[snoopy.haynes]

I have just fitted the AUX input and it works great, just as good sound as CD. I have a Boost single CD and placed the input socket in the headlight adjuster switch blanking plate (i have HID xenons so dont have a switch)

Fitting took about 45 mins, it's harder to fit in a right hand drive car as you have to remove the head unit. I unscrewed the side pillars, pulled them aside enough to get the redio bolts out, from then on it was plain sailing.

My ipod sits in a holder attached by a sucker to the bottom right windscreen corner, bought the holder from Halfords for £15

[lillapoyka]

I installed the aux input and I think it sounds great. Occasionally I have to adjust the volume on the ipod but this is very rare. You can't beat 10000+ songs.

[everythingsablur]

Quote: Originally Posted by lillapoyka

I installed the aux input and I think it sounds great. Occasionally I have to adjust the volume on the ipod but this is very rare. You can't beat 10000+ songs.

If you were to go from the iPod to the AUX through the line-out (via the dock connector), audio levels on the iPod and sound clarity will improve dramatically. Going throught he headphone juack means all of your audio is going to be processed by the iPod on-board headphone amp, then again by the HU. Skip that step and it will be real clean, real loud.

Granted, you will need a device to give you a line-out jack from the dock connector, but those only run $20-30. Some of the better ones are the SiK imp, SendStation PocketDock+lineout, and I believe Belkin has a car charger with a line-out.

[Cadfael_Tex]

Quote: Originally Posted by Minty

the official iPod link should cost around £200 fitted. the sound quality is very good...depending on the bit rate of your mp3 of course.

you can use your MFSW to skip tracks and MINI playlists. there is no support for track names though, the iPod screen shows a MINI logo, so no track names on that either.

Aside from the purchased stuff from Itunes Music Store - which I don't think you can get in better quality - what bit rate AAC sounds good over the stereo?

[StevePSB]

I always go with 160 when making MP3's. They sound fine, 128 is a little low and I don't feel it necessary to go as far as 192.