e46 iPod Integration - DICE

[Progressive]

I want to get hold of a DICE so I can use my iPod in my car.

I have:

2002 318i Coupe
Business Head Unit (Tape Slot)
6 CD Changer in the boot

What kit do I need to buy and will I have full / limited functionality, based on the age of car and the equipment I already have.

Ideally I would have full control of the iPod via the multi function wheel, with related text displayed on the head unit. If this is not possible, what is the next best outcome?

[Jobbo]

I have a DICE Silverline currently in my E46. Since I have the 16:9 nav head unit, I have discovered that there is only a very small amount of text displayed; with the normal business head unit it's probably not an issue, but on the nav screen it's annoying.

Got it about 3 years ago for £90; it was in my E39 beforehand. It plugs into the CD changer leads, which means you lose the CD changer. There is, so far as I am aware, no way of retaining CD changer functionality with the DICE. There is with the Intravee (which I've ordered and am waiting for) but at a ridiculous cost including buying a new CD Alpine changer because the BMW one won't interface with it. So whatever route you choose, you're going to lose the CD changer, basically.

The DICE is a small box (about the size of a packet of cigarettes) with a cable to run from the boot to the front of the car and another cable to plug in your iPod. Older DICE iPod cables don't charge the newer USB-charging iPods (iPhone 3G era onwards), and a new cable is about £35; otherwise they're fully functional though. When you're ordering, make sure you get the one with the long cable, otherwise you'll have to leave your iPod in the boot.

You get control through the steering wheel but to be frank, you're best off setting the iPod to play a playlist before plugging it in and then only using the forward/back buttons. Navigating is a right old pain if you have more than a few artists or albums.

[skoff]

I have a DICE Silverline in my E39, and I have found it really buggy, and a bit of a pain to use. It does integrate with the display (though text scrolling rarely works), and you can do basic functions with the steering wheel controls, it plugs into the CD changer socket, so bear in mind you won't be able to use the CD changer as well. It seems to require regular resets and they say in the manual that if you change a configuration setting that you should disconnect your car battery(!)

The real down side with it is that you need to set up playlists in advance, as if you have lots of tracks or artists scrolling through the list can be unbelievably tedious.

They might have improved it now, as my unit is about a year old now, and some people like them, so all IMHO...

I also found after sales support to be pretty useless. I think the Intravee option gets better reviews, but it costs more...

[Progressive]

So can you guys can confirm that the text from the iPod will be displayed on my current business CASSETTE head unit? I was thinking it may only be the case on the business CD SLOT head units?

Thanks for your input. Ironically, the complaints you report aren't major for me (compliling playlists, leaving iPod in the boot, losing the CD changer).

Did anybody ever confirm or deny the battery query? IE. When the car is locked the iPod isn't charging (possibly for a couple of weeks while the car is in a carpark at the airport etc.)

Cheers,

[Jobbo]

I have no idea about it drawing charge when locked, I'm afraid. I always plug my iPhone into it when I get in the car and take it out with me.

My E39 business cassette head unit displayed the text, but no idea if the E46 one will; can't see why not but surely googling it will bring up an answer? ETA: ah, DICE's own info says text supported on text-capable radios. Well, if it shows the station name when the radio's on, surely that's text-capable? Don't rely on me, here!

Oh, one further Silverline flaw; it makes a tick-tick noise sometimes when the text is scrolling. Mine scrolls quite happily, but that means there's often a background ticking noise.

Edited by Jobbo on Wednesday 10th November 14:55

[skoff]

Sorry can't help on any of your questions as my DICE stopped charging my iPod a log time ago... Oddly the iPhone seems a bit happier.
I also have business CD, so dunno about text display on cassette player. logic does suggest if you have RDS it should work.

[Progressive]

Jobbo & Skoff - I internet searched the text display query and it came back with 'if your head unit displays text it will work'. I for the life of my could not recall ever seeing text (just numbers) on the uni. Didn't even think about the RDS display!

Jobbo - Can you set the text not to scroll to get rid of the ticking? Just thinking out aloud really. Seems a strange issue to occur.

I think I am going to go ahead and order one of these. Found it for under £100. Will be a good solution if it works. If I can't get live with it, I can eBay it I suppose.

Thanks,

[Jobbo]

I find the scrolling useful but I think you can set it to turn off; there are some switches on the side. Not sure though!

After googling a bit myself, I found this site: http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product/514/282/...

If you go to Installation Info and download the pdf. Towards the end it says: "If your 3 Series is a late ’00 model or newer, your radio is capable of supporting the text information from your iPod. To enable text, simply press button #6 on your radio and wait approximately 45 seconds."

Should answer the question.

[Progressive]

Thanks for the advice Jobbo. I'm going to print the info off and have a read through tonight before I decide on getting it or not. Thanks again.