BMW Audio Options

wonder_lander · 15 Mar 2010 at 19:15

2004 X3 with the business CD and no changer.

In our MX5 I fitted a bluetooth HU that supported audio streaming so that was all good. Although the X3 has bluetooth for the phone we need to get a solution for the music streaming to work.

I would say ideally we'd like to use the UI on the ipod (either the voice control or manually selected) to choose our strarting point but then it would be great if we could skip next / previous and then adjust the volume with the steering wheel.

What are my options and their associated costs? Also the pros and cons of each!

paradigm · 15 Mar 2010 at 19:52

I'd say an Intravee II, then then I'm biased

The Intravee II is £148, and then you'd need an Alpine iPod adapter (which you can get for about £40 on ebay).

[TW]Fox · 15 Mar 2010 at 20:08

And functionality wise, it'll be terrible on his Radio

paradigm · 15 Mar 2010 at 20:11

No, functionality wise, it'll be fine.

The display will be turd however.

wonder_lander · 15 Mar 2010 at 20:11

Can I "upgrade the stereo" to make it less pants? What is the functionality draw back?

As I say currently we have a brodit proclip in the MX 5 which is near the stereo so are happy with using the display on the ipod and accept the pants BMW interface. Is the Intravee II and Alpine combo a bit OTT in terms of cost for functionality?

Irish_Tom · 16 Mar 2010 at 00:58

Does the X3 have iDrive?

If so, you can get an iPod dock connector installed with an iDrive remap. Costs about £250 but the wheel controls should control the iPod.

I recently got an AUX input installed in the E60 so I can use my iPhone with the car stereo. Doesn't let me use the wheel controls but then the iPhone sits in a dock stuck to the dash where the iDrive screen is anyway so I can control it all through there.

It's expensive but from what I read, you have to go through BMW to get the iDrive reprogrammed and that's what costs the £££.

[TW]Fox · 16 Mar 2010 at 08:06

The X3 doesnt have iDrive.

The X3 is the last BMW still being sold that has the same electronics/audio/etc systems as the E39 and E46 - it is a heavily E46 based car.

wonder_lander · 16 Mar 2010 at 08:27

So is the concencous to get anywhere near the functionality I asked about the Intravee II is the only option?

paradigm · 16 Mar 2010 at 08:34

wonder_lander said:
So is the concencous to get anywhere near the functionality I asked about the Intravee II is the only option?

You can also look at the DICE and Dension Ice Link, both of which aren't as good as the Intravee II, but can work out cheaper.

wonder_lander · 16 Mar 2010 at 08:40

paradigm said:
You can also look at the DICE and Dension Ice Link, both of which aren't as good as the Intravee II, but can work out cheaper.

With my setup how are they "Not as good"? What will I be missing if I take these cheaper options?

I've got the Denison in the Alfa and haven't really had an issue with it for the functionality I require.

paradigm · 16 Mar 2010 at 08:49

Well the densions are particularly buggy with anything beyond a Gen 4 iPod, and don't like the later iPod firmware. They are also officially out of support, so nothing will ever be done to rectify the issues or bring the product up to date with newer iPods.

The DICE is commonly regarded as the better alternative, especially for those who don't have a 16:9 boardmonitor.

wonder_lander · 16 Mar 2010 at 13:23

OK Cheers, will take a butchers at the DICE offering

RichardP1 · 17 Mar 2010 at 13:41

Intravention have posted some videos of the latest V6.02 Intravee firmware running on the Business CD head unit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNnZ4yXZJNo

paradigm · 17 Mar 2010 at 14:03

I keep meaning to upgrade the firmware on mine, but I never seem to get around to it.

OllyM · 17 Mar 2010 at 14:33

Jesus, the MID interface is a million times better than it used to be - is the firmware available to download now to do that?

EDIT: Just seen it's in Beta, posted on the forum so hopefully I'll be able to get a copy as it really is a million times better than the current firmware

wonder_lander · 17 Mar 2010 at 19:45

Cheers for the link but not sure I can justify the cost of this over the DICE

[TW]Fox · 17 Mar 2010 at 19:47

wonder_lander said:
Cheers for the link but not sure I can justify the cost of this over the DICE

The DICE is junk.

wonder_lander · 17 Mar 2010 at 19:51

[TW]Fox;16177080 said:
The DICE is junk.

Sounds like none of these are good options then!

wonder_lander · 4 May 2010 at 12:52

Went with the DICE silverline Pro and so far so good.

Took about 30 mins to fit and married it up with a brodit iphone craddle that takes the interface cable from the DICE allowing the phone to charged.