Which I pod cable for this head unit (2003 model)?

[Frimley111R]

My daugher has this head unit and I am pretty sure there are adaptor cables for her ipod. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[E31Shrew]

I dont think there is an ipod connector for that radio. Later models have a small box under the head unit with a USB and 3.5mm input for aux.
My daughter just uses a cheapie FM transmitter type which seems to work pretty well
Or you could go through the hassle of fitting something like this!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-E39-E38-Mini-Z8-...

Edited by E31Shrew on Tuesday 15th May 09:11

[MX-5 Lazza]

I swapped mine out for a cheap head unit that plays iPod/iPhone, USB and SD cards. Looks much better sounds a hell of a lot better and not much more expensive than an iPod adaptor.

[Frimley111R]

Hmmm, seems like the cheapest option is a new head unit.

[sarahpest]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I swapped mine out for a cheap head unit that plays iPod/iPhone, USB and SD cards. Looks much better sounds a hell of a lot better and not much more expensive than an iPod adaptor.

which head unit did u go for. My original is playing up and i want a new one. Was worried it would ruin the look and sound by not getting a mini original one. Ps have u got the bog standard speakers or harmon kardon as iv just got the ones that come as standard - thanks

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mine is a Pioneer MVH-8300BT stereo that also has Bluetooth with hands-free.



I bought it on eBay. There is a link to one below but the one I bought was 2nd hand and I paid under £100 for it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-MVH-8300BT-/3209...

Speakers are the standard Mini speakers (6 speakers), not HK. I thought I might need to upgrade them as the old Mini stereo sounded rubbish but they sounds surprisingly good with a decent HU so I'll save my money and use it on fuel instead

[MX-5 Lazza]

And here it is in my car:

Only having a front USB is a bit of a pain but to be honest I hardly ever use the USB, only when I'm using satnav on my iPhone. The music I listen to is all on a 32Gb SDHC card.

[sarahpest]

MX-5 Lazza said:

And here it is in my car:

Only having a front USB is a bit of a pain but to be honest I hardly ever use the USB, only when I'm using satnav on my iPhone. The music I listen to is all on a 32Gb SDHC card.

love love love it - think you have convinced me to get one is it easy to fit ill get somone to do it for me. Sorry to seem dumb but just to check i can plug my iphone in?? is there a lead ill need to buy??

[MX-5 Lazza]

Well it's not difficult. Needs a facia adapter and a wiring adapter. The wiring adapter is plug & play. To fit the fascia adapter you need to first remove the down tubes and to do that you have to remove the glove box but it's all simple enough if you have any mechanical know-how.
The stereo I have just uses a standard iPhone USB cable which you can see plugged in at the front of the stereo. I bought a black cable from eBay to make it less obvious.

If I was to do it again I'd get a head unit that could connect to the phone via Bluetooth and could play music & control it without having to plug it in (mine control phone funtions via Bluetooth but not music) but most of those are a fair bit more expensive than this one.

[sarahpest]

[quote=MX-5 Lazza]Well it's not difficult. Needs a facia adapter and a wiring adapter. The wiring adapter is plug & play. To fit the fascia adapter you need to first remove the down tubes and to do that you have to remove the glove box but it's all simple enough if you have any mechanical know-how.
The stereo I have just uses a standard iPhone USB cable which you can see plugged in at the front of the stereo. I bought a black cable from eBay to make it less obvious.

If I was to do it again I'd get a head unit that could connect to the phone via Bluetooth and could play music & control it without having to plug it in (mine control phone funtions via Bluetooth but not music) but most of those are a fair bit more expensive than this one. [/quot

thats great thanks for your advice x

[Frimley111R]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Well it's not difficult. Needs a facia adapter and a wiring adapter. The wiring adapter is plug & play. To fit the fascia adapter you need to first remove the down tubes and to do that you have to remove the glove box but it's all simple enough if you have any mechanical know-how.
The stereo I have just uses a standard iPhone USB cable which you can see plugged in at the front of the stereo. I bought a black cable from eBay to make it less obvious.

If I was to do it again I'd get a head unit that could connect to the phone via Bluetooth and could play music & control it without having to plug it in (mine control phone funtions via Bluetooth but not music) but most of those are a fair bit more expensive than this one.

Can you use the steering wheel controls with it?

[MX-5 Lazza]

My Mini doesn't have steering wheel controls but I believe it has input for steering wheel controls and output for dash displays if you have them. To be fair, most modern quality head units seem to have those.