adapters, specifically 2004 BMW 325Ci

[bobkornz]

Hey all,

I was looking for anyone who has done any iPod installs on a 2004 325Ci. The FM transmitter is useless to me so I am looking for a hard wired install for a clear(er) sound and a clean install.
I have decided to go with the Belkin Auto kit as it seems the only way to go.

I am leaning toward the Arkon CM 625 Universal Flexible Gooseneck PDA Mount as my mount. Seems very stable and adjustable, out of the way.

My car has CD changer capabilities. I understand, third party thru BMW North America, that this vehicle is equipped with the RCA inputs that can be used with an adapter of some sort. This is where I'm confused. I have read few different things.

1) Order direct from BMW an auxiliary audio input (I read in an e-mail post from BMW that this is available for approx $40)

2) Order an RCA Adapter made specifically for 2004 BMW 325Ci (can't locate one yet, maybe too new?? or maybe can use same as '03??)

3) MONSTER Interlink? Portable 400 MkII Bandwidth Balanced Stereo RCA to 1/8" Mini

4) Blitzsafe Adapter (is this universal?)

Any other help would be greatly appreciated. I'd prefer to go and have this done rather than butcher my car myself (sure, I'll pay someone else to do that.....). I would just like have a set idea on how this should be done. So far I have yet to come across an Audio guy who has faintest idea on how to do an iPod install.

Thanks for any help.

[iamaustin]

1

[schamper]

did you read the little blurb about the denison product?

Dension announces ice>Link for iPod
Dension, the leading manufacturer of hard disk-based car audio, announces ice>Link for iPod - the *ultimate* iPod car kit. iPod audio is routed through the CD changer port on over 80% of European market cars including Audi, BMW, Ford, Mini, Peugeot, Renault and VW as well as aftermarket Alpine, Blaupunkt, Kenwood and Sony. The killer feature is that FF/RW radio controls (and steering wheel buttons on suitably equipped vehicles) are mapped onto iPod allowing track navigation from the vehicle controls. ice>Link for iPod also charges the iPod when in the car.

a bit more pricey than the BMW issued piece ($40 vs. $160)

let me know what you did and how it worked.

thanks!
amyScrew Bill Gates.

[bobkornz]

I have not seen or heard anything about the Denison product. Sounds like the perfect solution. I know BMW has the $40 adapter, but that's all it is, no charger, just adapter (still haven't gone to dealer, but confirmed on phone). I'd much rather an all in one designed specifically for iPod. Is this product on the market?? Any info appreciated.

[schamper]

i just happened to be on the main ipodlounge page and found that mini blurb. they have a site: http://icelink.densionusa.com/ says that it is coming in october, but no specific date.

i called my dealer too to inquire about the aux adapter, they really didn't know much either. i was hoping to have mine all set up for when my 40G arrives this week but it doesn't look like it. i'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff.

i've been told that we need a DIN connector to link to a RCA cable to link to the ipod. should be accessible through the back of the radio, but i had aniticapted snaking a wire through the trunk b/c i thought that was where the aux. port was.

anything you find out is appreciated.

I did find this online though: http://homepage.mac.com/bmw_m3/.Public/Installation_Instructions/AUX_Connector_Retrofit.pdf

we'll get it one of these days.

amyScrew Bill Gates.

[bobkornz]

I saw that Dension Ice-Link for my car, they are saying November. I'm on their e-mail list now too so hopefully they keep me up to date and it actually comes out in November. I have no patience but I'm trying as I wanna install this once and only once. If it's $140-$160 (plus installation?) it's more than I wanted to spend, but then again, so was the iPod (and worth every penny!).

Not planning on going to BMW till I hear more about this Dension product, hopefully I won't need the BMW adapter.

I guess we'll keep eachother up on this.