Icelink and Best Buy

[ds0709]

Has anyone had Best Buy do the Icelink install? Good results? Bad? I do not have the ability to do it my self and they are the only dealer located in my area (Philly) that shows on the website. I am a bit scared to let these guys chop up my dash. So what results have you guys had if you needed it installed for you?

[saloveku]

I had Best Buy do my install on my X3. Although they needed to consult with Tom a couple of times (and Tom G. was gracious enough to assist them), they were gentle with the vehicle.

When I bought the Ice>link Best Buy had a promotion with free installation included. I was uneasy about using them so I first took it to one of our premier car installers in Toronto to check on the connections that I have (the X3 needs a special adapter sometimes!). They couldn't even find the connections buried under the console even though I told them to look there. My car was in at the BMW dealer who confirmed where the connections were. And I decided, if the best stereo installers in town can't even find the connections, they don't have special installation skills on this product.

[el_duderino]

Hey, if Tom hadn't told me where the connectors were, I wouldn't have cut the carpet under the console and rammed my hand underneath to grab those connectors.

You're confusing skills and knowledge. They have the skills... but Best Buy seems to have gotten the coaching.

[lanbrown]

I wouldn't trust them. I would look at more of a high-end install place. if the people at Worst Buy were any good, they wouldn't be there.

[Tom G.]

It really depends on your particular installer.

You can get the guy who has dreams of opening up his own installation facility, a true auto enthusiast, and spends hours looking up data on BMWs (as well as other vehicles). Or, you can get someone who was sweeping floors or selling washing machines the night before - covering a shift for someone that called in sick (disclaimer: I don't know this is true, but you know what I mean).

My point in all this is its best to speak with your particular installer (not his supervisor or manager) before you hand them the keys. If seems to know what he's talking about - go for it!

My opinion? I think you would find better luck in the independent audio shops. Also, feel free to give them my contact information in case they run into trouble halfway.

[statdoc]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

feel free to give them my contact information in case they run into trouble halfway.

This is incredibly generous of you, Tom. You, and el duderino (who has done the same) deserve all the success you can get.

[ds0709]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

It really depends on your particular installer.

You can get the guy who has dreams of opening up his own installation facility, a true auto enthusiast, and spends hours looking up data on BMWs (as well as other vehicles). Or, you can get someone who was sweeping floors or selling washing machines the night before - covering a shift for someone that called in sick (disclaimer: I don't know this is true, but you know what I mean).

My point in all this is its best to speak with your particular installer (not his supervisor or manager) before you hand them the keys. If seems to know what he's talking about - go for it!

My opinion? I think you would find better luck in the independent audio shops. Also, feel free to give them my contact information in case they run into trouble halfway.

Thanks for the offer! I appreciate it and this is what makes x5world great!!

[bscarlett]

Originally Posted by saloveku

I had Best Buy do my install on my X3. Although they needed to consult with Tom a couple of times (and Tom G. was gracious enough to assist them), they were gentle with the vehicle.

When I bought the Ice>link Best Buy had a promotion with free installation included. I was uneasy about using them so I first took it to one of our premier car installers in Toronto to check on the connections that I have (the X3 needs a special adapter sometimes!). They couldn't even find the connections buried under the console even though I told them to look there. My car was in at the BMW dealer who confirmed where the connections were. And I decided, if the best stereo installers in town can't even find the connections, they don't have special installation skills on this product.

I'm also in Toronto. I installed my iceLink in both my 530 and X5 but am curious where you took your X3 in Toronto that didn't know how to install such a simple mod.

[ds0709]

Originally Posted by bscarlett

I'm also in Toronto. I installed my iceLink in both my 530 and X5 but am curious where you took your X3 in Toronto that didn't know how to install such a simple mod.

Now your just making me feel like a dope!

[E61Silver]

Is it hard to install an Icelink system in a 2005 X5 without Nav but with bluetooth?