iPhone integration with OEM head unit? Dice? Grom?

[m3f_ggabriele3]

I'm picking up my '97 next week. I have been looking for a way to integrate my iPhone, but it's weirdly difficult to find the right answer.


I was looking at the Soundplicity, but shipping on that is 6-8 weeks.


What are you using? GROM? DICE?


EDIT: I notice that the aftermarket HU is 4-channel, but the car has 6 speakers...will an aftermarket head unit work with the factory amp, or do I have to bypass the amp?

[m3f_mickeyreeves]

Mines got a tape deck... I listen to tapes man!!:halm: haha I'm gonna be switching it up to eventually so I'm interested as well

[m3f_hencini_38d4e99411]

I swapped in a DICE module in place of the CD changer when I first got the car and left an old iPod in the trunk for entertainment. Eventually I upgraded to a CD43 and anymore, I now I can listen to my old CDs again, but I almost never listen to music anymore unless I'm on a road trip. :clueless:


And incidentally I don't recommend the DICE module. I'm sure they've improved upon it some since I bought mine, but it just doesn't work all that great. Quirky, and not in a good way. :twocents:

[m3f_ggabriele3]

Looking more into DICE and GROM, they have spotty reviews all over the place.


I really wanted to keep the stock radio, but these things actually cost more than aftermarket head units.


I'm considering this one: Pioneer MVH X560BT

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X560BT/Pioneer-MVH-X560BT.html


Definitely not OEM but at least it has color selection that might match.


Maybe it could still talk to the car's CD changer. I haven't used a CD in years, but it would be cool to have the functionality.

[m3f_M3_Tiag_2785d1aad3]

Get a Kenwood head unit and match the amber color. Works with 6 speakers. Really easy install.


I tried the GROM on cd33/43 and it always messed up. The DICE is the same concept.


Nothing is better than Bluetooth calling/streaming audio while driving manual. It's one of the best upgrades I've done in my car in terms of DD safety and enjoyment. No fumbling with my phone at all.

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

I noticed in one of the BavAuto catalogues I've got lying around that BavAuto has started selling Blaupunkt (sp?) radios specifically for older cars. They used to be OEM supplier to BMW, so the radios look stockish but offer advanced functionality.



Might be worth a look. Both my cars have DICE courtesy of POs, great when they work but WAY too issue prone.

[m3f_aa240sx_17c857d975]

Just picked up a DICE(audiovox) unit this past month. Integrates everything from the stock bmw radio for music and include bluetooth. But, you should know that if you're not in the cd mode, then you won't get incoming calls through the stereo until you switch to that mode, kind of annoying if you're listening to the radio for example and you get a call. You'll hear the phone ringer and will have to frantically switch modes on the stereo to use bluetooth.


otherwise, I would recommend DICE.

[m3f_Tock172_79ea4947dd]

I'm using the tape deck and I really don't mind it.


I had a DICE in my 330i and in my S4. Yes, the unit had a lot of capabilities, but it never worked 100% right and sound quality always suffered. They have way too many bugs and more than once, I had to reseat the connections on mine to ensure it worked. Bluetooth streaming via A2DP is like listening to a low quality MP3 and the moving text on the screen introduced a 1hz chirp noise throughout the system. I wouldn't buy another.


My plan is to buy the Clarion head unit that seems to match our factor interior lighting, pair this with some Hertz speakers. I'm not interested in having to refuse another charge with BavSound again.


Both my cars have DICE courtesy of POs, great when they work but WAY too issue prone.


Exactly how I feel.

[m3f_ggabriele3]

OK, I did a lot of research. Looked up everything I could find about the GROM, DICE, and Soundplicity. All have spotty reviews, there is barely anything recent about them, and the BavSound/BSW Soundplicity is delayed 6-8 weeks. None of these are good signs. Even worse, they all cost more than a decent modern head unit, and have far fewer features.


My goal was to simply add functionality to the car, but not change the stock look.


I looked at the CD43, the Traffic Pro, and Becker units. All are very overpriced, and the Becker site looks like it was made in the late 90s. No info about the radios themselves.

http://www.beckerautosound.com/Aftermarket%20line/Becker_index.html


So I'm abandoning my hopes of going with an OEM head unit. I decided to go with the Pioneer MVH-X560BT. It's not OEM, but it does have the ability to completely customize the color of the buttons & display, so I should be able to match the BMW's illumination.


http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/PUSA/Images/Product%20Images/Car/FY14/MVH-X560BT_angle1.jpg


I briefly investigated installing a Double-DIN unit in the lower part of the console, and relocating the OBC to the stock head unit's spot. I couldn't find any info on this install, and i'm not looking to hack up my dash at this point, so I'll leave it.


I also ordered this USB/AUX extension cable:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41nvCn-szmL.jpg


I'm considering mounting this in place of the cigarette lighter, thought it may work better hidden somewhere else.

[m3f_ramnazeri_9499e8c372]

I've got one of those AUX/Cassettes in the BMW Business tape deck, but the wire is routed backwards behind the control unit and pops up as an Aux input right next to the ACS and HiFi buttons

[m3f_cloudm3]

I just ordered this for $25, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/gogroove-smartmini-aux-bluetooth-car-kit-with-handsfree-calling-wireless-music-streaming-for-smartphones/1305742961.p

[m3f_M3_Tiag_2785d1aad3]

Just picked up a DICE(audiovox) unit this past month. Integrates everything from the stock bmw radio for music and include bluetooth. But, you should know that if you're not in the cd mode, then you won't get incoming calls through the stereo until you switch to that mode, kind of annoying if you're listening to the radio for example and you get a call. You'll hear the phone ringer and will have to frantically switch modes on the stereo to use bluetooth.


otherwise, I would recommend DICE.


This is why it's not worth it. It's so shoddy and always has caveats that prevent flawless functionality.


im telling you. You will be so much happier with a new headunit from crutchfield. Install kit is free. Installs in an hour or 2 depending on how good you are. Wire the mic to the a pillar and done. (This is much easier than you think to get the wire to the a pillar)

[m3f_M_Parallel_6524444761]

Been using a Dension GW300 (apple connector/USB/3.5 minijack) for years in combination with either my CD43 or BE2455 (BMW RDS Professional).



First 1.5 year experience was bad, mainly of a horrific alternator whine, which in the end turned out to be caused by the design of the GW300 itself. Dension replaced it with a v2.0 version free of charge.

That in the meantime has been years ago as well, and it's been a very good experience since then.



When ID3 tags/Text is activated, as most (older) units, you have to do the double-press on a key for its function, as the first press will deactivate the text display, then the normal function.



But as it turns out, when you retrofit multifunction wheel controls, this behavior doesn't apply, which is very sweet.

[m3f_roarE36M3_c861262699]

I'm in the market for a new HU... I just don't really like anything new that I see.

[m3f_hencini_38d4e99411]

I'm in the market for a new HU... I just don't really like anything new that I see.

Yeah, there's no aftermarket radio that I think properly fits in with the understated feel of the E36 interior. Most any new head unit looks like a cheap circus compared to the rest of the gauges and displays.