iPod Car Adapter?

[ibill32]

Has anyone tried this i-BMW-t by DICE electronics? I am considering purchasing one from www.icarkits.com who claim that this will not only work with my 2003 3.28i, but that it will also display iPod text on my factory display. Can anyone verify this? Perhaps someone is already using this piece? It looks absolutely amazing. Can anyone vouch for the sound quality?

iBill

 

[Boston325Ci]

That looks like the best answer to all the IPOD questions...I'm buying it now!

 

[Ngekelly]

Has anyone tried this yet? Is it difficult to navigate with the steering wheel and radio controls?

 

[Dutch]

I have the icelink installed. It does give the information (artist and song are displayed while a track plays; first artist for a couple of seconds, then song name; if the text is too large for the display, it will slowly scroll from left to right). Sound quality is pretty good, considering that IPOD songs are 128kbit mostly (and much better than with FM transmitters). Navigation is easy (I got BMW business cd player, no NAV). Use the MODE button to go to the CD changer/IPOD, then buttons 1-5 are used as a shortcut to the first 5 playlists of your IPOD. Nr. 6 is the IPOD menu. With the PREVIOUS/NEXT buttons (the ones on your steering wheel also work) you can go through the IPOD menu (artists, albums etc). You can select by pressing the NEXT button for a couple of seconds. You can also disconnect the IPOD, select a song, press PLAY on the IPOD and connect it to your BMW again. So its not that hard. I'm pretty happy with it.

BUT BE AWARE: the IPOD link BMW sells (well, at least the dealers in the Netherlands do) does not display the song info on the radio display. You will need the ICE-link.

Hope I was able to help a little bit,

greetz

 

[nmaves]

This product looks great! They will even give you a $20 credit if you send your FM modulator in to them.

Upgrade from your old FM transmitter and receive $20 off any of our CD Quality Direct Connection iPod Kits valued at $129.99 or higher. Our Direct Connection Kits provide the crystal clear audio quality you have been looking for, as well as additional features you can only find with a Direct Connection adapter.
Send us your old FM transmitter within 60 days after purchasing one of our Direct Connection Kits and we'll rebate $20 dollars off your purchase! This offer applies to ALL FM transmitters. Don't wait ... Purchase your Direct Connection today!

 

[Boston325Ci]

I installed the dice last week and its great. I ordered it from CA and live in MA, and it came in 3 days. I have an 01 325Ci, and it was easy to setup, all you do is connect the dice adapter wire to the cd changer harness in the trunk, run the wire up to the front of the car, and thats it! All the controls work through the radio and steering wheel controls, you can browse your playlists, artists, or songs. It takes a little getting used to, I had to keep referring to the dice manual to make sure what all the factory buttons did - mainly you use 1 - 6 on the factory radio. All the information displays on your factory radio and the ipod itself. You can also use the ipod to control songs if you want to, works just like it would with headphones. The sound quality is mint. I had a previous mount from my old car that I mounted next to the storage compartment and it looks like a nice, clean, tight fit. Overall I would say this is the best product and well worth it. If you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask. One of these days ill post a picture of how it looks.

 

[Average Jae]

i have the bmw factory adaptor installed, and while i'm satisified with it, i have some gripes.

sound quality is pretty good, since it is hard wired.

but the lack of track info, and more importantly, limitation of having only 5 playlists for your car. BMW1-BMW5 (they have to be named that way) which corresponds to 1-5 btns on the business CD player. btn 6 is for play all the tracks in your ipod. (they are arranged by artists i believe..)

i'd check out the icelink, while i don't regret my decision, i wish i waited a bit before installing that option.. oh well. no point crying over spilt milk right? ^^;

 

[nmaves]

I just ordered mine based on your experience Boston325Ci. Have you had any issues with large amounts of files on your ipod. I had read a few rumors that the navigation of your playlists could slow to a crawl with a large number of files on the ipod. Just want to know if you had any issues.

 

[Boston325Ci]

I have the 30Gig ipod, with about 1500 tracks on it. The directions for the dice say that you're better off organizing all your tracks into playlists, which is what I did. I will admit it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact song through the factory unit, which in that case I usually just go right to the ipod and control it through that. I usually just browse through my playlists at random, skipping through to tracks i want to hear. But again, I've only had the dice now for about a week or so, so I am still getting used to browsing through the business cd player. Im sure you'll be happy with the purchase!

 

[ealzar]

Has anyone tried this i-BMW-t by DICE electronics? I am considering purchasing one from www.icarkits.com who claim that this will not only work with my 2003 3.28i, but that it will also display iPod text on my factory display. Can anyone verify this? Perhaps someone is already using this piece? It looks absolutely amazing. Can anyone vouch for the sound quality?

iBill

that is what i have in my 03 with OEM nav. It has the ID3 tag built-in and the song title and artist does show and scrolls on the screen. However, you have to access different CD #s to access the playlists and activare text displays though. But if you dont have nav unit and not into text display, i would recommend the OEM BMW adapter, i had it before i upgraded to nav, its not compatible, but when i had it, it seem to respond quicker when you browse and touch any controls. Sound quality wise, its pretty much the same.

 

[RichardP]

If you think the DICE is good then you should have a look at the Intravee

On the Nav screen you get a display like this :

You can use the Nav screen and right hand control to search for PlayList/Album/Artist, no need to remember which CD button does what, and you can see what's playing and what you are looking for at the same time :

On Bussines head units the display is obviously more limited, but similar functionality exists.

 

[Detrich]

damn, that's sweet. wish i had gotten a navi on mine...

 

[Daniellewhip8374]

the dice is good, but i'm using the neo ipod adaptor, exact same thing. works perfectly. love it! the site: www.neocaraudio.com

most of these adaptors are all pretty much dice, just re-branded. either way, if you find one that's cheaper, i say buy it. otherwise, sound quality is wundebaar! text is shown bla bla bla bla...

 

[nickt]

Do you have to disconnect the cd changer to use these devices?

 

[lilindienplaya]

yes you have to disconect the cd changer because the dice unit acts as the cd changer so radio read the dice units as a cd changer unit

 

[nickt]

I would appreciate advice from anyone who either has experience of comparing these different units or had positive/negative experience. I'm looking for a system which offers easy access/control of ipod menus from the satnav headunit. I'm based in the UK so it may come down to availability when I make my choice. Thanks for any help!

Nick

 

[daveisaracecardriver]

I would appreciate advice from anyone who either has experience of comparing these different units or had positive/negative experience. I'm looking for a system which offers easy access/control of ipod menus from the satnav headunit. I'm based in the UK so it may come down to availability when I make my choice. Thanks for any help!

Nick

You want a Neo for sure. I got mine at www.mp3yourcar.com and have been very happy

Dave

 

[direfan]

If I want to have the IPOD next to me, what is the best way to snake the wire to the front of the car and is it easy to do? Is there a step-by-step guide with pictures. Thanks.

Ryan