My Temp USA spec Ipod interface install in the BMW

[97tbird]

So i installed it today...
We need to make a longish trip soon, so I just wanted to have it functional and didn't worry about a perfect install, and I will improve upon the cabling in the cabin at a later point. In any case I wanted the USA Spec "brick" accessible at all costs, to change settings, etc. We almost never/hardly have backseat passengers when we drive the Bimmer or my Tbird, so keep in mind that the cabling is very ghetto, BUT I just wanted to have the thing working, main thing. I am planning to do some more "hiding" of cables around the back seat in the near future...

Here's how my quick/trial/temp/ghetto install went:

I opened up the trunk trim (pried off the black tabs with a screw driver and pulled them out)
(sorry forgot to take pics, but many pics available of this online)

then i located the cd changer wiring and connected the USA spec interconnect and routed the wire out of this little door:

I bent the bottom corner of the flap a little bit to accommodate the cable, and can comfortably close the flap, without putting much pressure on the cable at all..it's quite loose at the bottom, and the wire comes out easily.

Then I located this little "gap" by folding the passenger side rear seat, and easily put the cable into the cabin.

This is where it comes into the cabin (yeah I need to work on this part), this is the best place the cable can come out and the seat can be locked without pinching the cable. The cable is pretty thick and sturdy, btw. I have the excess length of cable snugly hidden under the rear passenger side floor mat (which keeps it in pretty good, as the floor mat is held firm by velcro to begin with)

This is where the USA spec dongle rests (temp) - between the side of the passenger seat and the flat side of the middle console i Just pushed it here for now, and it fits very snugly without scraping anything. I plan to mount it later to the side of the rear ashtray area (console side), or just here, OR the flat area below the rear ashtray door later.(double sided velcro will help)

Artist name and song title displayed correctly, and the SOUND QUALITY IS QUITE BRILLIANT - I have full steering wheel control, and direct ipod method also works correctly - All in all I am VERY happy changing of songs is VERY quick. All of this took about 30 Min.

Now I have to create some playlists...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Nice!

I did the DICE iPod integration kit in mine, but I haven't used it since my iPod took a dump about a year ago.

 

[97tbird]

From what I read, (might be different in your case, for the better), DICE is plagued with glitches and problems. (the threads on forums are full of posts about it not working, text getting stuck, engine noises bleeding through, and ticking noises, etc and a million other problems, ) so I went with USA spec- which sounds great, and works flawlessly so far. the DICE SQ also lacking, comp. to the USA from all the reviews I read from people who had both.
the USA Spec sounds absolutely great.

still, i have seen s few posts where the people who had DICE were also happy.

2 comparing threads with videos:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=701077&highlight=
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1394693

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yes, my DICE does suffer from engine whine. Alas, back in 2006.. early 2007, that was the best that was available out there.

 

[97tbird]

I understand - if it was the only choice, I would have also gone with it.
That said, the USA Spec cost me only $120 shipped. (new from an authorized dealer) - it's well worth having a problem free, great sounding ipod interface+AUX jack, IMO. and the USA spec is 100% metal, built like a tank.

you can easily sell the DICE online, I bet. due to the juge marketing hype, there are lots of people who buy them used. Then you'll only have to pay a bit for the USA Spec.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Wow, that's cheap. I think DICE cost me about $250 when new.

For now, I'll stick with it (I usually just hook up my phone to it nowadays to listen to recently downloaded music). I've got to save money for a brake job coming up shortly.

 

[Jim 5]

I had the DICE. I had no problems with it with my older Ipod 4G.

You can lift the rear seat of this car out completely to run the cable underneath. The rear carpet's underlay is closed-cell foam. There are "fold points" at the tops of the transmission tunnel where you can feed a cable through to the center console.

I did this job myself on my 330ci and my friends e46 M3 a few years ago. It's not too bad at all, don't be afraid to take it apart a little further. You won't be doing anything that can't easily be reversed. I sold the DICE with the car because I didn't want to take apart the interior to take it out. It's takes a bit of time, but it is an easy job and worth the effort.