Hooking up an ipod to my Z4??
- Thread starter wasupdu
- Start date
Pretty sure they do a 'trunk mount' kit, for locating the iPod where the CD changer normally goes. Would be a piece of cake to then run the cable through to the inter-seat cubby hole, like sixspeed has with his DICE.
I've just checked and it's worse than that -- the stereo thinks that the telephone is connected all the time the iPod is playing (has TEL, and SEND and stuff written on the display). I know it doesn't have to do that, because the wife's 3-series has the same stereo, icelink and bluetooth and that doesn't happen.
I've just checked and it's worse than that -- the stereo thinks that the telephone is connected all the time the iPod is playing (has TEL, and SEND and stuff written on the display). I know it doesn't have to do that, because the wife's 3-series has the same stereo, icelink and bluetooth and that doesn't happen.
I did a ton of exploration into this option as I’ve completely stopped using CD’s and only use mp3’s. The option that made the most sense for me was the DICE ipod integration for these reasons. (I have an Ipod video.)
1. It’s a direct link so it offers superior sound quality to one that uses an FM tuner.
2. It charges the unit while playing
3. it can remain hidden, out of the way (in my center console), not cluttering my interior for a very clean look
4. It integrates with my normal radio controls. So I don’t need to fuss with the Ipod while driving to select my tunes.
5. It displays song information on my radio’s display. This was the feature that sold me above all other options. As I always transfers my CDs to MP3 as soon as I get them, I never have the case with me. So I never know the names of any songs. I have that! So the display of the song titles solves that problem for me.
I'll post some pics of my installation later today as my car is in the shop :-(
So now to the drawbacks of the DICE unit:
1. First some technical features that I don’t like. You still have to have your songs in playlists. But you can have as many playlists as you want or make them as big as you want. Then you can navigate by playlist, album, or song. Unfortunately, only the song title is displayed. You don’t get a readout of the album title or playlist title on the readout. I didn’t know this was the case and wasn’t happy about it, but it’s still the best Ipod integration out there in my opinion.
2. It’s expensive...particularly if include the installation. It took my mechanic almost 3 hours to install.
3. It’s hard to install. My mechanic had the entire car apart! (Thus explaining the 3 hours of labor.) Keep in mind that the installation instructions that DICE included didn’t match up with my 2003 Z4 2.5i radio configuration! The trunk installation they gave instructions for wasn’t an option. So it’s much more difficult than you’d think from the instructions as the entire center console and front console had to be removed for installation. But as you can see from the setup, it’s an extremely professional and tidy setup.
4. I’ve been having trouble with the unit from the start. I’m still trying to determine if it’s a defective unit or not. Sometimes when I start the car, the system doesn’t initialize properly. So the controls don’t work properly, the song isn’t displayed, or a combination of the both occurs. Fortunately, I found the fix. Unplug the unit, turn off the radio, and soft reboot the ipod. Plug it back in and it’s good to go. I have to do this about 30-50% of the time. This just doesn’t seem right. I actually put in a support call to DICE the other day and will let you know their response to this.
All-in-all, I’d surely do this option again despite the hassles. Hope that helps!...and pics to come...
1. It’s a direct link so it offers superior sound quality to one that uses an FM tuner.
2. It charges the unit while playing
3. it can remain hidden, out of the way (in my center console), not cluttering my interior for a very clean look
4. It integrates with my normal radio controls. So I don’t need to fuss with the Ipod while driving to select my tunes.
5. It displays song information on my radio’s display. This was the feature that sold me above all other options. As I always transfers my CDs to MP3 as soon as I get them, I never have the case with me. So I never know the names of any songs. I have that! So the display of the song titles solves that problem for me.
I'll post some pics of my installation later today as my car is in the shop :-(
So now to the drawbacks of the DICE unit:
1. First some technical features that I don’t like. You still have to have your songs in playlists. But you can have as many playlists as you want or make them as big as you want. Then you can navigate by playlist, album, or song. Unfortunately, only the song title is displayed. You don’t get a readout of the album title or playlist title on the readout. I didn’t know this was the case and wasn’t happy about it, but it’s still the best Ipod integration out there in my opinion.
2. It’s expensive...particularly if include the installation. It took my mechanic almost 3 hours to install.
3. It’s hard to install. My mechanic had the entire car apart! (Thus explaining the 3 hours of labor.) Keep in mind that the installation instructions that DICE included didn’t match up with my 2003 Z4 2.5i radio configuration! The trunk installation they gave instructions for wasn’t an option. So it’s much more difficult than you’d think from the instructions as the entire center console and front console had to be removed for installation. But as you can see from the setup, it’s an extremely professional and tidy setup.
4. I’ve been having trouble with the unit from the start. I’m still trying to determine if it’s a defective unit or not. Sometimes when I start the car, the system doesn’t initialize properly. So the controls don’t work properly, the song isn’t displayed, or a combination of the both occurs. Fortunately, I found the fix. Unplug the unit, turn off the radio, and soft reboot the ipod. Plug it back in and it’s good to go. I have to do this about 30-50% of the time. This just doesn’t seem right. I actually put in a support call to DICE the other day and will let you know their response to this.
All-in-all, I’d surely do this option again despite the hassles. Hope that helps!...and pics to come...
I installed the AUX input today and it worked FLAWLESSLY. Very easy DIY mod. My car has navigation I had to connect 2 additional wires for the NAV voice commands into the AUX radio connector behind the dash (thanks for the tip found over at the Mini Cooper board). In fact, I ended up using the AUX cable that's for a Mini Cooper for two reasons:
1. I didn't want to pay $85 for the Z4 aux kit that includes the ashtray (especially since I mounted the AUX connector behind the dash). The Z4 AUX kit retails at BMW dealers for $85.....it's not $40 anymore. BavAuto has it for $75, but still I didn't wanna pay that much for something I wasn't going to use.
2. The ONLY connector they had in stock at the dealer was for the Mini Cooper. I figured I'd give it a shot since they didn't have anything for the 3-series in stock either. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm EXTREMELY impatient and didn't want to wait until Monday when they'd have a 3-series connector in stock.
All in all, I'm very pleased with how everything turned out and really how easy everything was. Installing the connector itself took 15 minutes max, but then I spent an hour or so routing the cable back inside the center console where the nav DVD slot is and the 6-disc changer. I have it set-up so my ipod is in the door of the center console. I would've liked to install the Dice ipod kit instead, but since I have a CD changer I couldn't do it. The AUX was the next best option for me.
1. I didn't want to pay $85 for the Z4 aux kit that includes the ashtray (especially since I mounted the AUX connector behind the dash). The Z4 AUX kit retails at BMW dealers for $85.....it's not $40 anymore. BavAuto has it for $75, but still I didn't wanna pay that much for something I wasn't going to use.
2. The ONLY connector they had in stock at the dealer was for the Mini Cooper. I figured I'd give it a shot since they didn't have anything for the 3-series in stock either. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm EXTREMELY impatient and didn't want to wait until Monday when they'd have a 3-series connector in stock.
All in all, I'm very pleased with how everything turned out and really how easy everything was. Installing the connector itself took 15 minutes max, but then I spent an hour or so routing the cable back inside the center console where the nav DVD slot is and the 6-disc changer. I have it set-up so my ipod is in the door of the center console. I would've liked to install the Dice ipod kit instead, but since I have a CD changer I couldn't do it. The AUX was the next best option for me.
wasupdu said:
Nope, didn't get that impression at all :lol:
Glad that it worked out well for you, and that I did not steer you wrong
Glad to see the MINI version did not go up in price as well, and that you were able to get it working with the disc changer, which no one seemed to have in their systems. Now, go enjoy a great drive with the music blasting 
ovrkll said:Glad that it worked out well for you, and that I did not steer you wrong
WOW, I'm a bonehead! I should give credit where credit it due....no sarcasm intended. If it weren't for ovrkll I probably never would've attempted this mod. We exchanged several PM's and he actually directed me to the Mini Cooper board where the navigation wires were discussed and kinda 'pushed' me to hunt around for a better price on the AUX connector since the Z4 one was double the price as the others. I've only been on this board for about a month or two since I bought my Z4, but so far this is one fo the more helpful boards I'm stumbled across (Z4 or otherwise). Thanks again.
'05 Z4 - Black w/Dream Red Interior, Sport package, Premium sound, NAV, 6-disc changer, extended leather, heated seats, recently added AUX connection
'05 525i - White with Beige interior, Premium package, Cold Weather package, XM radio, AUX connection
pvr said:
This is the solution I'm going for as it seems to offer the most reliable solution for full integration with the nav screen display and steering wheel controls. It's been in development for some time now and in the last week bimmernav sold about 140 of them which as far as I know was the first batch that were commercially available (they are sold out at present). They are still being tested but have been available for a couple of years and all the comments I've seen by users has been very positive.
The Intravee II Beta Commercial Beta sold on Bimmernav for about £110 ($229) delivered. If you don't want to retain use of the CD changer then the only other equipment required is the
Alpine KCA-420i Ipod interface
which will cost about £50-60 if bought new. The 2 plugs from the BMW wiring harness which connect to the CD changer are instead plugged into the Intravee which is in turn connected to the KCA-420i.
If the CD changer is to be retained then it becomes more expensive. A new CD changer in the shape of an
CHA-S634 Alpine 6 CD & MP3 changer
is required. The Alpine fits directly into the space vacated by the OEM changer, all the fixings are identical. Although Alpine manufacture the OEM equipment it will not work with this solution. If you have an older car the new Alpine changer will enable you to play MP3 discs. Additionally an
Alpine KCA-410c
is needed to allow the connection of both the CD changer and the Ipod interface. These 2 items will cost you an additional £250 approx, so upwards of £400 all in.
I've yet to obtain all of the above so I'm not at the installation stage yet, however, I've been provided with the following links by Richard on the Intravee site as a pointer towards fitting.
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/6042EN.pdf
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpo ... count=1272
I have installed the icelink in my Z4 (Dice wwasn't out yet using the HU interface and running the wires behind the glove box to the fuse box and ground. It was a very easy install and plays great from the wheel. Furthermore, I have the iPod hidden under the passenger side dash (not in the glove box as originally planned) where no one will ever find it. This allows me to easily remove it, if needs be. I've put up a DIY somewheres on one of these forums.
Getting my mini aux next week, can't wait to use my MP3 - radio SUX!!