Wednesday, August 10, 12 noon

[rpgsat]

I pick up my new MCS.

Thinking about ceramic window tinting from Mother's. Anybody have it/seen it?

Anyway, can't wait.

Anyone have an HK and Ice>Link Plus?

[scuderia]

congrats:) post some pics, are you going tomorrow morning with us?

[rpgsat]

Been out of town; haven't been keeping up.

Where you going?

[Will]

Where're doing a hill country ride in the morning, you are welcome to come with.. You can ride with me. if you would like.. Check out the post in the Events section

[weezer2282]

I have the stock boost head unit with the ice link plus(I think the HK uses the same head unit). There are a bunch of different configurations of the ice-link you can get depending on the way you want to connect it. You can have it connect in the trunk through the cd changer connection or you can have it connect at the head unit. You can also have a cradle hookup or just a chord. If you buy it from a place like Bestbuy then you will get the trunck mount with a cradle, because I'm fairly certain that is all they sell.

I have the version that connects directly to the head unit with just the chord. I wanted just the chord so I could put the ipod in the little storage area below the toggle switches. That way it is somewhat out of sight, but still easily accessible.

It is very easy to install if you want to do it yourself. You have to remove the 4 screws that hold the downtubes in place(2 for each one). On the passenger side you can just open the glove box and unscrew them. On the driver side you just pull the panel down below the steering wheel and then you can get at those. You have to give it a good pull and it will pop out and rotate down like a glove box. Once those screws are out the downtubes will slide down and out to the side. Then you will be able to see the 4 screws holding the stereo in place. Remove the screws holding in the stereo and then you should be able to slide it out. (These directions are for installing the head unit version only.)

The kit comes with a new wiring harness, so you have to disconnect the stock harness and reconnect it to the new harness in the kit. The only trouble I had with the installation was fitting the stock harness to the new harness that comes with the kit. The pins on the new harness came bent or out of alignment, so I had to force the stock harness into the new harness to pop out the pins that weren't fitting properly. I did that with a pair of pliers and just squeezed the two together. Other people have had the same problem with pins not being aligned properly, but some haven't had any problems. I guess it's hit or miss. If everything fits properly it shouldn't take more than like 45 minutes to install.

I am using version 2.07 of the firmware and it works well. It allows you to use the ice-link interface or you can choose to use the ipod interface. Before my car was in for service at the dealer I was using the ipod interface most of the time, but lately I have been using the ice-link interface. I prefer to listen to my whole music library on random, so with either interface I can do that. There is an updated version of the firmware, 2B1, which will supposedly show ID3 tags on your head unit. I haven't updated to this version because I'm not sure if it supports the random function. I have read things about it in other forums and prefer to stick with 2.07.

As far as sound...it will sound as good as the quality of your mp3s or music files. If the output from the ice link is too high and you are getting a distorted sound then it will let you adjust the output level. I really like it. I know MINI has an official adapter but all I know about that is it lets you pick 5 playlists and is limited in its features. I've never had any experience with the official one or heard what it sounds like, so I wouldn't be able to tell you if there is a difference. It's great having a whole library of music for trips though. :D

I would say the only frustration I had with the ice-link was installing the harness since the pins weren't right, and getting it started. The instructions that Dension sends with it are somewhat useless. The MINI forums were actually a lot more helpful. If you decide to go with the ice-link and need any help then check the forums(mini2 or NAM) or post here. You will probably get more help quicker than with Dension.

I don't know if you have told the dealership that you are interested in an ipod adapter. When I picked up my car I told them I was probably going to go the ice-link route and they tried to talk me into letting them install it. Don't do it! It is very easy to install and their service department has been known to break something when trying to install or fix something else.

If there is anything else you want to know just ask.

[rpgsat]

Thanks so much for the infomation. Where did you buy the Ice>Link?

If you have some time later today, I would LOVE to buy you a Starbucks so I could see the install and how it all works.

Give me a call if you want (210-545-4034).

[scuderia]

How about me? Just kiddin'. If you guys come together give me a call at 210-386-0634, I might drop by.

Thanks so much for the infomation. Where did you buy the Ice>Link?

If you have some time later today, I would LOVE to buy you a Starbucks so I could see the install and how it all works.

Give me a call if you want (210-545-4034).

[rpgsat]

I'll buy you a cup of coffee too~!

[scuderia]

Let me know Randy, I am pretty flexible today, my number is 210-386-0634, how about you Greg?

[weezer2282]

I have plans for dinner with my family this afternoon but maybe after that. It would probably have to be about 7:30ish. I don't know if they close early on Sunday. The Starbucks at the Barnes and Noble at 1604 and Bandera would be good or the one we went to last time at I10 and DeZavala I think it was. I'll let you know when I get back from dinner.

I bought my ice-link through the Dension USA website. That was the only place I knew of that let you choose the type of connection(wire or craddle) and trunk or head unit kit. Bestbuy and some other retail stores sell the ice-link but they only sell the trunk kit for BMWs as far as I know. For other auto brands like Audi or Honda they might sell the head unit kit, but for some reason they don't carry the BMW one.

[weezer2282]

7:30ish is good with me. I tried calling but you weren't home Randy. We'll have to do it some other time. Maybe we can get another little group together this week for a Starbucks meeting.

[Will]

Maybe we can get another little group together this week for a Starbucks meeting.

Thats a good idea :) Maybe this time we can do the Starbucks off I-10 across the highway from Rudy's BBQ, I think the exit is Bourne stage road. We'll have more parking available for us there. Plus its not as busy as the one on De Zavala. Just a thought

[k-huevo]

That’s the one I went to by mistake last week. The mind went blank after I saw the meeting announcement and I couldn’t get on-line to verify afterwards. It is the Leon Springs exit traveling west on IH 10.

[scuderia]

k-huevo, next time we will exhange cell numbers, so we do not miss each other. It is good to see people coming together, I am really excited.

LEts meet at the one on I10 and Boerne Stage next week. When do you think guys? Wednesday or Friday?

[rpgsat]

So much you guys or meeting me at Starbucks last night!!! That was kindness and comaraderie above and beyond the call of duty. Those are a couple of sweet rides. I got a lot of really great info. Nice to know from someone who's been there before me that I can install the Ice>Link myself. Seeing your guys made me that much mor excited about picking mine up on Wednesday. Now I'll have to learn how to post pictures on the website.

[weezer2282]

So much you guys or meeting me at Starbucks last night!!! That was kindness and comaraderie above and beyond the call of duty. Those are a couple of sweet rides. I got a lot of really great info. Nice to know from someone who's been there before me that I can install the Ice>Link myself. Seeing your guys made me that much mor excited about picking mine up on Wednesday. Now I'll have to learn how to post pictures on the website.

No problem! A little Sunday evening cruise is always fun.