iPod: NO SAT NAV, pre-facelift roadster

B

bras0782

Member
Hi guys,

I've seen a few iPod connectivity threads around and been to the manufacturer sites, but I'm quite confused about what I need to get for my car. :?

Most of the info I've seen relates to the post-facelift (2006+) model and for those with the navigation kit - but this is overkill for me.

I have the standard hi-fi with Business CD, no steering wheel controls, no cd-changer, no satnav. I would like something that lets me put the iPod in the glove compartment and control the songs via the Business-CD head unit (1-5 for playlist, etc. if I recall correctly) and have it display the current track name. If it charges the iPod too that's a bonus. I've heard the BMW setup is expensive and not very good.

With all this in mind I have a few questions, please only responsd where relevant to my setup (Business-CD, no satnav) - otherwise I'll be confused all over again :lol: :

1. What are my options - Dension, Intravee or Dice? Is Intravee better for me? (I've read Dice has issues with satnav which I don't have anyway)

2. Can anyone tell me which specific kit I need to by for each. The websites have lots of extras and it's not clear what I need for my more humble requirements.

3. Will the sound quality be the same with all of them?

4. Can I install myself or need to take it to a specialist?

Please help a very confused guy :lol: :P

Thanks in advance.
 
I just put in the factory one it cost me 150USD and it works well. It lets you control your ipod from the head unit and steering wheel controls. But it doesn't display the current track. Also charges your ipod. it was pretty easy to install about a 45 min job depending on how good you are at taking out your air vents! If you want i have the directions to install in pdf format.
 
Hi

This is as always a debatable point, but I would go with the Dension gateway 300, it would plug in the back of your head unit where the CD changer would go, it displays song or artists on your display, and as you say 1 -5 is your playlists, artist or albums,

The sound quality is as good as any compressed mp3 player, (thats me being an audio phile :D ) but yes the quality is good,

Volume as with all MP3 players can be slightly lower than CD/radio, but dension will send you updates if you require, to increase the volume,

It is a very easy unit to fit,( installers will only charge you £80 to fit) the ipod can either go on one of their mounts or in the glovebox, both charge the ipod, it also comes with USB which also goes in the glovebox.

have a look at this link, might help.

http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/Dension_ice%3ELink_Gateway_300


Rusty
 
I had the Dice kit on my old E46...and will move that over to my Z4 once I ever find the CD changer cable (I can't find it for the life of me).

I like the Dice kit because it allows you to have unlimited playlists and displays the artist and song title. One thing to note though is that the iPhone and iPod Touch screens are disabled once plugged into the Dice kit. I'm going to assume this is true for most adaptor kits. This is not a problem for the older generation iPods.

It uses the CD changer controls where Disc 1 represents the play list and Disc 2 represents the song. (the other Discs can be used...but I never touch them). Basically you would press Disc 1 and the forward button until you find the play list you want.....and then you press Disc 2 and the forward button to find the song that you want.
 
I have a Dension Icleink which has playlists 1-5 as you state, but unlimited through another menu. You cant buy these anymore but would guess the Dension Gateway 100 should offer the same features.

Would only go the the 300 if you require the additional features

more info http://www.dension.com/icelinkgateway500.php
 
The only thing I would mention about the Dension is that on both my wife's E46 and my Z4MC the head unit controls won't work the track selection on the latest generation iPods (tested with current fat-Nano, 80GB Classic and Touch). Steering wheel controls work fine, but you say that you don't have steering wheel controls...
 
Thanks for all the replies :)

RustyZ4 said:
This is as always a debatable point, but I would go with the Dension gateway 300, it would plug in the back of your head unit where the CD changer would go, it displays song or artists on your display, and as you say 1 -5 is your playlists, artist or albums,
Click to expand...
srhutch said:
I have a Dension Icleink which has playlists 1-5 as you state, but unlimited through another menu. You cant buy these anymore but would guess the Dension Gateway 100 should offer the same features.

Would only go the the 300 if you require the additional features
Click to expand...

Is the only difference between the Gateway 100 and 300 that the latter supports extra USB devices and memory cards? Does anyone know if it works the same with songs from a memory stick (i.e. same faetures like track names, head unit control, etc.)? I can see it being useful in that I can leave the USB stick in the car all the time (the other half uses the iPod).

RustyZ4 said:
It is a very easy unit to fit,( installers will only charge you £80 to fit) the ipod can either go on one of their mounts or in the glovebox, both charge the ipod, it also comes with USB which also goes in the glovebox.
Rusty
Click to expand...

Do I have to buy the iPod connecting cable seperately? I saw a site which sold the Gateway unit and then you had to choose cable or dock at an extra cost.

magik537 said:
I had the Dice kit on my old E46...and will move that over to my Z4 once I ever find the CD changer cable (I can't find it for the life of me).

I like the Dice kit because it allows you to have unlimited playlists and displays the artist and song title.
Click to expand...

Ooh, a vote for Dice. Does anyone have experience with a couple of different brands - is there really much of a difference (considering I don't have satnav/cd-changer)?

carl said:
The only thing I would mention about the Dension is that on both my wife's E46 and my Z4MC the head unit controls won't work the track selection on the latest generation iPods (tested with current fat-Nano, 80GB Classic and Touch). Steering wheel controls work fine, but you say that you don't have steering wheel controls...
Click to expand...

I was wondering about compaitibility with the 3rd gen "fat" nano, because the Dension website only mention the 2nd gen model. This link might be of use:

http://www.dension.com/dension_apple_matrix.html
 
bras0782 said:
This link might be of use:

http://www.dension.com/dension_apple_matrix.html
Click to expand...
Hmm, that is of use. I wonder how I can get the firmware update? I think we have a v2 and a v4 ice>link plus.
 
srhutch said:
3G Nano is listed, and if you want usb looks like Gateway 300 would be required
Click to expand...

Strangely it is not listed on the products page where it only says 1/2G nano, perhaps it's not upto date:

http://www.dension.com/GW100.php

and here:

http://support.dension.com/support-center/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=123

I'll contact them to find out for sure.
 
Reply from Dension:
The new active cradle package (IPO3DC9) is available from now. This package includes the new sleeves also for currently released iPods (nano 3G, classic, touch and iPhone). Please get in contact with your distributor.
Click to expand...

Having read around a fair bit I get the impression that for my spec there is little difference between a Dension Gateway 100 and Dice Silverline, whereas the Intravee 2 is complete overkill. However, they are very different for those who have the navigation setup (not me :( ).

Have I got that right?

Thanks
 
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