iceLink Plus installation issue

[khitch1]

Good evening. I bought the iceLink Plus this morning from Best Buy to install and use in my X5 with my iPod nano. Later this afternoon I began what I thought would be a fairly simple DIY install. I disconnected my car battery and proceeded to search for the 3 and 6 pin socket connectors in the left rear compartment per the instructions. I was extremely disappointed to learn that I could not locate these connectors. I searched all along the side of the compartment with no success. Feeling quite frustrated and embarrassed that I could not perform this install, I tucked my tail and returned to the car installation bay at Best Buy. After being told the install would cost me $75, I accepted defeat and began to fill out the necessary paperwork. Upon completion of my paperwork, the installer and I walked to my X5 and he proceeded to do a quick browse of my vehicle. He promptly came back and told me that Best Buy could not perform the install. Confused, I asked for more clarification. As an X3 owner himself, he proceeded to explain to me that the X5s have 3 levels of stereo systems (which I was unaware of). The Base stereo system which they could do the install on and the DSP option which they could also handle, however, he said that I had the medium stereo system which had a separate amplifier (he pointed to what he thought was the amp in the rear compartment where the CD changer would be set up). He said that they could not do the install because it would require the AUX for the amp to be disconnected which in turn would prevent any sound from being produced by my stereo system. I returned home unsatisfied with this explanation and continued again to locate the socket connecters once again with no success. Can anyone vouch for what the Best Buy guy says? Can anyone offer up any suggestions (other than iPodYourBMW) ? I will take some pics tomorrow of the compartment where I should be able to install the iceLink to show you what I have. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

2005 BMW X5 3.0i non-Nav, non-DSP

[el_duderino]

1) Never listen to a Best Buy guy. Can't find ass w/both hands. His comments are completely incorrect.

2) Tom G helped me find the connector location for his X3. He's just a wussy.

3) You can perform the install. You probably just have to work harder at it, and stop thinking that you are less capable that Best Buy guy. Last week we couldn't find the connectors in an X3. Tom said, "they're always there - keep looking". He was right.

[UCrewX5]

el_duderino is correct, the connections are there. I am assuming that you don't have the CD changer, because if you do the reason you aren't finding them is because they are attached to it . Keep looking, you'll find them.

Also, the Best Buy joker is wrong about the X5 audio system for U.S. spec vehicles. There's only two versions - DSP or non-DSP. Both have a separate amp in the back.

[maj0rglitch]

And $75 for installation is a joke. It should only take you max 15 minutes. If youre hyper excited it should only take you around 2 minutes.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by khitch1

Good evening. I bought the iceLink Plus this morning from Best Buy to install and use in my X5 with my iPod nano. Later this afternoon I began what I thought would be a fairly simple DIY install. I disconnected my car battery and proceeded to search for the 3 and 6 pin socket connectors in the left rear compartment per the instructions. I was extremely disappointed to learn that I could not locate these connectors. I searched all along the side of the compartment with no success. Feeling quite frustrated and embarrassed that I could not perform this install, I tucked my tail and returned to the car installation bay at Best Buy. After being told the install would cost me $75, I accepted defeat and began to fill out the necessary paperwork. Upon completion of my paperwork, the installer and I walked to my X5 and he proceeded to do a quick browse of my vehicle. He promptly came back and told me that Best Buy could not perform the install. Confused, I asked for more clarification. As an X3 owner himself, he proceeded to explain to me that the X5s have 3 levels of stereo systems (which I was unaware of). The Base stereo system which they could do the install on and the DSP option which they could also handle, however, he said that I had the medium stereo system which had a separate amplifier (he pointed to what he thought was the amp in the rear compartment where the CD changer would be set up). He said that they could not do the install because it would require the AUX for the amp to be disconnected which in turn would prevent any sound from being produced by my stereo system. I returned home unsatisfied with this explanation and continued again to locate the socket connecters once again with no success. Can anyone vouch for what the Best Buy guy says? Can anyone offer up any suggestions (other than iPodYourBMW) ? I will take some pics tomorrow of the compartment where I should be able to install the iceLink to show you what I have. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

2005 BMW X5 3.0i non-Nav, non-DSP

It is a simple DIY install, very rare do 2003+ X5s have true digital DSP. Essentially, you can have the ice>Link connected in less than a minute:

Feel free to contact me directly, or forward my info to your installer if he should run into any trouble.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

Also, the Best Buy joker is wrong about the X5 audio system for U.S. spec vehicles. There's only two versions - DSP or non-DSP. Both have a separate amp in the back.

Well, he's correct to a point:

1) Non-DSP - 3-pin and 6-pin connector present
2) Digital DSP - 3 pin and coaxial connector present
3) Analog DSP- 3-pin and 6-pin connector present

But I'm sure the BB rep didn't even know that.

[khitch1]

Thank you to all those who helped me locate (okay gave me the persistence to locate) the socket connectors for the iceLlink. I came home after work and grabbed the digital camera to take pics of where the connectors were supposed to be and the phrase "they're always there - keep looking" would not leave my head. I pulled on every wire until I found one with some slack to it...then I got afraid that I had pulled a wire out of something that I shouldn't have and just as I was putting the cover back on the compartment a little 3 pin socket connector was peeking out from behind a cluster of wires...YEAH!!! I then reached in and pulled out his bigger 6 pin brother...the grin still has not left my face.
Will be performing the actual install tomorrow after work and I am certain all will go well. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN...you guys saved me a lot of anxiety (and $$$).

I LOVE X5 WORLD and its members...

[AutoXer]

Persistence pays off, great job

[el_duderino]

Originally Posted by maj0rglitch

And $75 for installation is a joke. It should only take you max 15 minutes. If youre hyper excited it should only take you around 2 minutes.

Uh, if you want MY shop to touch a BMW it's not going to cost you less than $75. Now, we'd run the bracket up front and make a real bracket and everything for that price. I concur that BB is a terrible place for an installation, but every time you touch a car, you risk buying a new part for it through no one's fault - stuff happens, You have to cover that.

You didn't buy an X cause it was cheap to work on, I hope.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by el_duderino

Uh, if you want MY shop to touch a BMW it's not going to cost you less than $75. Now, we'd run the bracket up front and make a real bracket and everything for that price. I concur that BB is a terrible place for an installation, but every time you touch a car, you risk buying a new part for it through no one's fault - stuff happens, You have to cover that.

You didn't buy an X cause it was cheap to work on, I hope.

Agreed. Be careful what you pay for, you might just get it. You never know if the guy working on your X5 was sweeping the floors or selling washing machines the night before - it's always a good idea to speak with your install beforehand.