Hi all.
I just wanted to let anyone thinking about adding an ipod to their E46 that it is a walk in the park...mostly.
I bought the Dension Ice>Link and a 20GB ipod for the set up. I had heard good things about the ice>link compared to the the BMW cable.
The hardest part was just trying to get everything to fit behind the stock radio so I could put it back in. Mine is setup in the glove box so I can keep the stock look of the interior. The ice>link scrolls the artist and song name on my head unit so I don't need to look at the ipod. Awesome!
Total install time for my 2002 330i was about 1.5 hours. I could do it again in 20-30 minutes now that I have figured out some little tricks to get things to fit behind the head unit. Running the wire to the glove box took less than 5 min. Connecting the wiring to the radio took less than 2 min. Taking the trim and radio off/out took about 10 min (I was really careful with the trim and could do it again in 2-5 min). Trying to find a way to fit the harness behind the radio took about an hour and some skinned up knuckles.
Even if you want to just add the stock BMW cable then I would recommend doing it yourself and save the $180. The only tools I used was a philips head screw driver, a flat head screw driver with a rag for taking off the trim. Thats it.
If anyone has any questions just ask and I will try to help out.
Mike![[clap]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
I just wanted to let anyone thinking about adding an ipod to their E46 that it is a walk in the park...mostly.
I bought the Dension Ice>Link and a 20GB ipod for the set up. I had heard good things about the ice>link compared to the the BMW cable.
The hardest part was just trying to get everything to fit behind the stock radio so I could put it back in. Mine is setup in the glove box so I can keep the stock look of the interior. The ice>link scrolls the artist and song name on my head unit so I don't need to look at the ipod. Awesome!
Total install time for my 2002 330i was about 1.5 hours. I could do it again in 20-30 minutes now that I have figured out some little tricks to get things to fit behind the head unit. Running the wire to the glove box took less than 5 min. Connecting the wiring to the radio took less than 2 min. Taking the trim and radio off/out took about 10 min (I was really careful with the trim and could do it again in 2-5 min). Trying to find a way to fit the harness behind the radio took about an hour and some skinned up knuckles.
Even if you want to just add the stock BMW cable then I would recommend doing it yourself and save the $180. The only tools I used was a philips head screw driver, a flat head screw driver with a rag for taking off the trim. Thats it.
If anyone has any questions just ask and I will try to help out.
Mike
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