You're joking right? That's not a lot of money for by far the best ipod solution for a car with nav. Forget the options provided by BMW and Dension, the Intravee is far better and easy to fit even if you're less than technically minded. Go on, get it done. You won't regret it.
I hope it charges the iPod at the same time for that much.
So, the Intravee is an interface that both converts the MP3 information that it receives from the Alpine unit to display on the built-in unit, and lets you control the iPod from the head-unit/steering wheel?
The CD changer plays MP3s anyway and I don't have to worry about leaving an expensive iPod in the car (just as bad as leaving a TomTom in there).
If you change the OEM Alpine CD changer to the Alpine CH-S634 changer that works with the Intravee then you will be able to play MP3 CD's. I replaced the OEM changer for the CH-634 when I fitted the Intravee but to be honest it was an awkward job and I have hardly ever used the CD changer. If I was doing it again I'd just install the ipod with the Intravee.
The Intravee will charge most ipods but as Apple have moved away from Firewire charging with some of the most recent ipod devices then some will will not charge without the addition of a charge converter. See this link for more details on which ipods will charge with or without the converter.
The Intravee is also great when friends get in your car and can just plug in their iPod. They are always hugely impressed by the features of the Intravee on the navigation screen.
Also note that the Intravee software is user updateable, so screen layouts etc can be changed if you fancy that.
I think I must be the only person in the world that doesn't own an Ipod, which makes this cost prohibitive for me... would be about £400 from scratch + time fitting?
I'm very happy with MP3 CDs, but use my phone with 4gb stick through the Aux and the sound is great. £20 installed.
1. Messy cables and ipod on display, with Dension or Intravee all hidden in either Glovebox or Centre Console. (OK I suppose you could run the Aux to Glovebox)
2. No control through steering wheels, I couldnt live without that feature.