Confused with iPod options.

[Ziggy4]

Hi all,

In the next month I intend to get the old iphone/pod touch hooked up to the stereo.

The problem is I'm a bit confused with all the info offered on here and require clarification if poss?

I'm after the best setup as poss with full access to control and browse all tracks on the ipod via the head unit not just a number of playlists.

I believe the Intravee does this but the price seems a little steep and I can only find one supplier.

Does the cheaper dice, denison and connects 2 units offer this and has anyone tried the grom unit?

I have the navigation professional system with 6 cd changer (i presume I'll lose this) and hi fi speaker system that has 10 speakers not sure if it has that equaliser thingy or not and if this even matters?

The z already has B.T so this is not required.

I have bought these type of adaptors for my previous cars and have either ended up returning them as they're advitised for the wrong spec of car or they only play playlists and don’t want to make the same mistakes again so help would be appreciated.

 

[ZedFourM]

I went through something similar recently - these are my personal notes from my research on the various options - not sure how helpful they will be? I ended up with the Audiovox MediaBridge, but haven't had a chance to fit it yet.

Currently have: E85, Professional Radio in dash. 6 speaker. Pre-wired for CD Changer. MFSW. 116,926 MP3 files in 95,357 dirs, total size 610Gb.
Currently do NOT have: Sat nav, speaker/stereo upgrade, CD changer, DSP.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=35919
My requirements: (1) Be able to play MP3s (from either iPod or hard disk) and display ID3 tags on the Professional display and (2) Be able to pair my Android phone and use controls on MFSW to control. (3) Keep the CD changer? (4) No separate displays.

INTRAVEE II (£151)
Needs Alpine KCA-420i interface
Can't use CD changer
No Bluetooth
Interface is not especially intuitive?
Really needs satnav screen to make full use of functionality

AUDIOVOX MEDIABRIDGE 1500 (£185)
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/dice-mediabridge-mb-1500-bmw-series-ipod-usb-bluetooth-adaptor-p-34373.html
http://www.amazon.com/DICE-MBR-1500-BMW-MediaBridge-Bluetooth-Black/dp/B003INF6BE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1335035934&sr=1-1
http://www.diceelectronics.com/
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35477
http://www.ubermpower.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=2974
iPod only - no extra inputs for USB memory, etc? One or the other.
Steering wheel buttons
iPod cable / Bluetooth / microphone included
Can't dial out (other than from handset)
CD changer disabled
Have to run cable to back of car
Very tedious to go through all Artists/Albums
Voice control??? No (unless handset offers it)
Needs adaptor if you have DSP
Use the Random feature on radio to shuffle all songs on the flash drive. This may take a long time to complete if the flash drive is more than 4GB.
None of it works if you're not on the CD input (e.g. listening to radio)

DICE SILVERLINE
Poor support?
Poor quality?

DENSION GATEWAY 300
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14004&p=210051#p207647
Velcro's to top of glovebox
iPod in glovebox
No Bluetooth

DENSION GATEWAY 500 (£300. £400 with BT)
(Not listed as compatible with E85 on Dension site)
Bluetooth (with optional BTA 1500 module)
CD Changer Retention Module available

DENSION GBL2BM4 (£110)
Gateway Lite BT (listed for Z4 on Dension site).
Bluetooth
Does not display ID3 tags

DENSION ICE>>LINK PLUS
Old technology
No Bluetooth

PARROT MK19200
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21810
BT and iPod
Many audio inputs
Connect to back of head unit
Separate screen and control unit (not MFSW?)
Can still use CD changer

MOBRIDGE
E89 only

CARPOD 111-BF (£61.43)
Special cable for iPod (£16.40)
Can keep CD changer (with adapter - not yet available)
No reviews anywhere

REPLACE HEADUNIT
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=13296
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9498&p=143664#p143664
MFSW integration?
Will DAB work with our aerial?
Is the amp built in to the Business head unit?
Fusion CP150 / Dension DMP3
Fascia adaptor: Part 65900398746 (Radio Frame) £12.30 65900301349 £12.36 Frame 65900301533 £153.10 Full kit
http://incarmusic.co.uk/product/4423-810/BMW-Z4-Car-Stereo-Fitting-Kit
Sony DSX-S300BT
Pioneer 8100BT
Parrot Asteroid RKi8400
Alpine CDE-113BT (£130) iDA X-305
JVC KD-AVX77
Kenwood KDC-BT742U (£260 Halfords) BT8041 (£85 s/h, work with external HDD) KIV-700 (No CD, OK for large media libraries, 15k files max, BT optional)
KIV-BT900 (max 15k files, 500 directories) KIV-BT901 KDC-BT92SD (£200 max 64k files, 255 dirs, 255 files per dir, CD, BT)
Clarion FB275BTB (Poor radio? no RDS? Dark brown trim?) FZ709E

 

[jimbo1958]

As you've got the NAV the Intravee is the way to go IMO.
Had mine a year and never regretted it.............lovely bit of kit. Does everything as advertised + more with the recent firmware updates.

 

[pungo]

Hands down, if you have NAV get the Intravee II. I even connected a HD radio to it as well. Beta s/w shows accelerometer, history log for trips, set 3 blink turn signals, auto door locks on drive off and many other OBD car info. Great customer support. Upgrade via Laptop and serial cable.

 

[LukeMace]

Just been through the same dilema over the last few weeks and after alot of research and time spent trailing youtube and forums i went with this...

PARROT MK19200
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21810
BT and iPod
Many audio inputs
Connect to back of head unit
Separate screen and control unit (not MFSW?)
Can still use CD changer

I got a lead to also integrate with the MFSW which is GREAT!! works fantastic. Very very happy with it.
BT for phone. Additional iPod lead. USB lead. Headphone jack lead. SD card slot. All the bells and whistles. Bit of a pain to fit and had a couple of 'bedding in' issues but all is sorted now and would highly recommend it.

 

[Ziggy4]

Thanks for all top info sorry for late reply the laptops been on the blink.

I've decided to go for the intravee ii Is it easy to install, i have read posts on here about it but was wondering if my cd changer connections are the correct ones. Anyone point me in the direction of some pics for clarity?