Help needed *updated*

Z

Zed

Member
 Scotland, Renfreshire
Hi guys,

I've done much reading here and on other forums for the best iPod setup for my car and to be honest I'm more confused than when I started :oops: , probably reading too much into it but here's what I think and PLEASE feel free to correct or advise where appropriate....

Car details

UK 04 registered 3.0 SE with Carver HiFi.
No Satnav (not until next year or can buy the bits cheap enough, just splashed out x thousands on the car)

Now, the head unit has some DSP functions like Jazz, Concert and there is an Amp in the boot mounted with the battery. Car is with BMW this morning to investigate why the cd-changer is producing no sound but works ok (scans disks and progresses through tracks etc), in dash CD works fine as does the BT. Looks to me like a coaxial cable is missing at the Amp as there is only one harness attached, the rear of the changer has 6 and 3 pin connectors attached (cant see where they go though) and a connection for Coax which is not connected. Sorry, I'm blabbling on a bit but unsure what should be connected and what shouldn't until I get the car back.

I want to keep the CD Change functionality if possible.

Setups that most (appear) to prefer....

Intravee II
DICE Silverline
Denison Gateway 300
AUX

Out of these, which is best for my setup and changer retention? I'm OK to purchase additional boxes to retain the CD changer and I THINK I would also need something to convert DSP too? Obviously I'd like as much information up to the single line display as pos and if the info available increases when I go Satnav then all the better.

Thoughts?
 
Here's a simple summary for you, search for my old posts for much more info.

Intravee - not worth it because you do not have sat nav
Dension Gateway 300 - not compatible with DSP
DICE Silverline - can buy one with a cable to work with DSP. Make sure you buy one which is DSP compatible (it will say so).
AUX - the easiest, cheapest and least hassle solution. Not as good as the rest but not bad at all.

I went for the AUX after having grief with the Dension. I have DSP but the Dension site didn't mention the incompatibility when I bought the kit!

The above applies to the pre-facelift digital DSP. The newer ones are analogue - I don't know about those.
 
Be right in saying then that all pre facelift cars with DSP use digital?

Intravee - no point because of no satnav, because of the level of information to the display which I wont see? If it's a better system than DICE and i'm thinking about retro fitting satnav, is there another reason for not choosing it i.e. limited display on the business cd radio?

Dension, gotcha, no DSP compatability but would retain cd changer, screwed anyway?

DICE Silverline, I would need an additional cable/covertor for DSP and would loose cd changer.

AUX, being fussy about quality and having some control on the HU means this is out.

So, Intravee costs the most (?) and would be no use without the satnav display or some other restriction? Dension is out as it has no DSP compat, DICE ok but loose the CD changer and AUX lets me keep everything but no display for MFSW intergration.

Boy, they didn't make it easy eh?
 
I have the same stereo setup as you, carver with amp, concert, church etc etc. I decided to go down the AUX route and bought the cable from BMW for £40. I have no previous exeprience in car electronics and completed the job in about 20 minutes (once i got the vents out that is).

I was also worried about the sound quality, but rest assured the sound quality on mine is very, very good and i also got to keep my 6CD changer! .....it may also be the same on yours, but i had a spare socket to plug the cable into so didnt have to merge cables with the changer that i know some people have had to do.

Good luck with whatever option you go for.
 
Someone needs to determine the DSP the system has: digital or analog. BMW changed out a few years ago some systems to analog. It may change the type of convertor and installation will obviously be different.
 
20ducks said:
Someone needs to determine the DSP the system has: digital or analog. BMW changed out a few years ago some systems to analog. It may change the type of convertor and installation will obviously be different.
Click to expand...

Yep, this is the problem I'm having and until I have a working cd-changer back from BMW (still not phoned, car is in today) I can't tell? Did some of my own snooping around in the boot, pulled the carpet down at the rear and found the gap where you can see the rear of the cd-changer, could only see two connections made, 3-pin and 6-pin, the round connection which I presume is coax wasn't connected and is thought to be the reason why there's no sound.

Or am I being stupid here, is there another way of checking?
 
Zed said:
20ducks, car was 1st registered in the UK, March 2004.
Click to expand...

So build will be a month or so before that - build date is on a plaque under the bonnet on one of the wheel arches...
 
okies, build date was Jan '04.

Just picked the car up from BMW, issue with the cd-changer is, as suspected, a missing coaxial cable back to the amp. Part is on order and will be FOC (inc fitting). Sweet!

Do the connections/build date help you guys decide between analog/digital?

Cheers,
-Chris.
 
Think once I'm sorted ( :evil: ) I'll produce some sort of matrix and sticky it showing what's available for iPod connectivity, what you get V's what you loose etc. Think it might help newbees like me and reduce the repetative posts.

Anyway, back to me......
 
OK, there is now a working CD changer which BMW resolved by fitting the missing coaxial cable and removing the 6-pin (usless for my setup anyway). Obviously the numpty at the original BMW garage forgot how to put things together, had a spare cable at the end of his shift and thought och, no one will miss it....WRONG :headbang: :voodoo:

Anyway, I'm just happy it's resolved so I can refer by to the original question.

Full spec - March '04 built Z4 3.0i with business CD, CD changer & digital DSP.

I would like to retain the Changer if at all possible

Intravee II, well I don't have Satnav but may retrofit it next year, to retain the changer I would have to rip out the OEM changer and replace with Alpine? I also now need a DAC, would the one DICE or Dension work? In fact, do Dension do one?

Dension Gateway 400 (or 300 with the CD retainer module), need a DAC for this also but heard the Dension is not a great option with digital DSP??

DICE Silverline, does the job but no changer retention....unless the Dension unit would fit??

I'm not interested in the modulation kits or AUX (want as much info on the head unit and be able to use MFSW), would like the iPod on a cradle and be able to operate the iPod control's if wanted. I'm not going to penny pinch either for the best setup and if that means Intravee II (even without the satnav retrofit) all the way then so be it. It's been a heck of a job getting the changer working, hopefully with some help I can get cracking on a bit of DIY :thumbsup:

-Zed
 
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