Need help choosing iPod adapter

[wangster]

Does anyone here have this OEM iPod adapter:

http://bmw.autowebaccessories.com/st...1389_15629.php

A friend of mine who's a service advisor at a BMW dealer told me that the OEM adapters won't work on a 2001 model because 2001s don't have ibus. Is that correct?

I'm asking because I already got burned on the Bav Auto USA-Spec adapter, and I've found posts on other forums that the DICE adapter has a similar problem. The problem I had was that often the USA-Spec adapter would stop working, and I'd have to unplug and reconnect the adapter to the CD changer cable to get it to work again. This happened with two units I received. It was more of a hassle than it was worth.

Luckily Bav Auto let me return the second unit for a full refund.

Thanks for any insights.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by wangster

Does anyone here have this OEM iPod adapter:

http://bmw.autowebaccessories.com/st...1389_15629.php

A friend of mine who's a service advisor at a BMW dealer told me that the OEM adapters won't work on a 2001 model because 2001s don't have ibus. Is that correct?

I'm asking because I already got burned on the Bav Auto USA-Spec adapter, and I've found posts on other forums that the DICE adapter has a similar problem. The problem I had was that often the USA-Spec adapter would stop working, and I'd have to unplug and reconnect the adapter to the CD changer cable to get it to work again. This happened with two units I received. It was more of a hassle than it was worth.

Luckily Bav Auto let me return the second unit for a full refund.

Thanks for any insights.

Not true. All MY00-06 X5s have ibus, the BMW kit only works with MY03+ vehicles.

The DICE will work on all X5s, this is the kit you would need:

DICE iPod Integration Kit for BMW
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=268

If you have DSP, you will need an additional module. Can you explain what you mean by "burned" with the USA spec kit?

[Hal88]

What he said.......I have it on my 01, very nice toy to have.

[wangster]

Tom @ EAS:

As I said in my post, the problem I had with the USA Spec kit was that sometimes the unit would stop working altogether. The headunit wouldn't recognize the unit as the CD changer, no matter how many times I disconnected the iPod or reset it.

I had to go to the CD-changer connection, disconnect it, and reconnect to make it work. This happened on two units I received. Too much trouble for me.

I found that this has been a problem on the DICE units as well:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showt...0&#entry523084

I also had some of these problems with the USA Spec kit, as described in this post about your DICE kit:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=6747739

I don't have the time to constantly troubleshoot and exchange items that don't work as advertised...

[nietodp]

I purchased a GROM off of Ebay and have been extremely happy. I have not had one single problem after several moths of usage. Refer to my comparison of the GROM vs the DICE on the following lnk.

One note. I talked about splicing/extending the adaptor cable for mine. I did find out that you can purcahse a longer cable that will allow you to place the IPOD connector in the console without splicing like I did.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...highlight=grom

Regardless of which adaptor you purchase, the most important thing for the best sound quality is to purchase one that hooks up directly to your head unit as opposed to the CD changer cable.

David

Originally Posted by wangster

Does anyone here have this OEM iPod adapter:

http://bmw.autowebaccessories.com/st...1389_15629.php

A friend of mine who's a service advisor at a BMW dealer told me that the OEM adapters won't work on a 2001 model because 2001s don't have ibus. Is that correct?

I'm asking because I already got burned on the Bav Auto USA-Spec adapter, and I've found posts on other forums that the DICE adapter has a similar problem. The problem I had was that often the USA-Spec adapter would stop working, and I'd have to unplug and reconnect the adapter to the CD changer cable to get it to work again. This happened with two units I received. It was more of a hassle than it was worth.

Luckily Bav Auto let me return the second unit for a full refund.

Thanks for any insights.

[Jezzieg]

I don't know about this particular adaptor, although I did read somewhere a while ago that OEM adaptors were not designed to work with cars as early as 2001 - I also have a 2001 4.4i Sport.

I recently joined the Intravee Beta test group - see www.intravention.co.uk for more details. In my opinion this is a fantastic interface, but you will also need the Alpine KCA 420i adaptor (I have one of these spare if you were interested). It even gives you the option, if you want it, of keeping your BMW CD changer and an ipod as well (although a further alpine box is required - the KCA 410c I think).

The Intravee unit gives full text support for either the MID unit, or Nav screen, and allows full search and control from the steering wheel controls. It is in a fairly advanced Beta test phase I believe, so although not commercially available, it has served me very well, and I liked the look of it more than other aftermarket alternatives. Let me know if you want to see any pictures of my install.

All the best with whichever route you decide to go.

Jeremy.

[wangster]

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the tip, but I don't have a CD-changer, nor do I intend on getting one, so I don't really need that feature...

Originally Posted by Jezzieg

I don't know about this particular adaptor, although I did read somewhere a while ago that OEM adaptors were not designed to work with cars as early as 2001 - I also have a 2001 4.4i Sport.

I recently joined the Intravee Beta test group - see www.intravention.co.uk for more details. In my opinion this is a fantastic interface, but you will also need the Alpine KCA 420i adaptor (I have one of these spare if you were interested). It even gives you the option, if you want it, of keeping your BMW CD changer and an ipod as well (although a further alpine box is required - the KCA 410c I think).

The Intravee unit gives full text support for either the MID unit, or Nav screen, and allows full search and control from the steering wheel controls. It is in a fairly advanced Beta test phase I believe, so although not commercially available, it has served me very well, and I liked the look of it more than other aftermarket alternatives. Let me know if you want to see any pictures of my install.

All the best with whichever route you decide to go.

Jeremy.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by wangster

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the tip, but I don't have a CD-changer, nor do I intend on getting one, so I don't really need that feature...

Exactly the reason for the DICE. With a large capacity iPod, you can have your entire music collection with you on the road and leave the CDs at home - safe and sound.