DICE MediaBridge or Dension Gateway 500 (for full iPhone integration)?

[silvatyrant]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone could help me...

I have a BMW Professional headunit and am curious on what the best way is to get full iPhone integration with the headunit & steering wheel controls (bluetooth would be an added bonus).

Apparently, there are some options out there but the two which seem to cater more to my needs are:

- Dension Gateway 500 interface
AND
- DICE MediaBridge

If there are other options which offer similar functionality (besides BMW's ridiculously priced iPod integration solution), please let me know.

Also, if anyone has one of the solutions mentioned above (non-iDrive) could you please post clips of operation and functions if possible?

[gnat]

I stumbled on the Denison unit a week or so ago. From what I read, you still have to have your BMW dealer flash your HU to include the iPod functionality. My local dealers all want $400 for that oh so difficult task even if you are buying the BMW iPod interface from them and having them install it.

Don't know about the DICE unit, but I had a bad enough experience with them at the beginning of the decade that I wouldn't consider soiling my trash can with their crap.

[silvatyrant]

Thanks, Gnat!

I've also managed to find a 3rd solution: The Mobridge unit. Apparently, this will work well with my existing setup and I've already managed to get a quote from Tom @ EAS.

You mentioned something about "programming" or coding the iPod functionality. As I understand it, if you have a CD changer installed it should be a simple matter of plug and play. As the coding they talk about is to allow for CD changer functionality. The Mobridge and Dension units sort of "piggy back" off this.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh..Forgot to mention, if it wasn't implied, I do have a CD changer installed.

[truane]

You could allways go for the parrot option?

[silvatyrant]

Parrot? The bluetooth handsfree? Do they have a product which supports full iPhone integration?

I'm looking for something which doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. It should also give me full control over my iPod library on my iPhone and allow me to browse and skip (via the OEM HU or steering wheel controls) to my hearts content.

If Parrot has a solution that matches the criteria above, please let me know!

Thanks again for your feedback guys!

[gnat]

Originally Posted by silvatyrant

As I understand it, if you have a CD changer installed it should be a simple matter of plug and play.

I thought there was still something you had to do even if you had the changer. Admittedly I didn't read too much about having a CD changer since my wife's e90 doesn't

[mineo77]

I have the dension 500 and love it. No reprograming necessary

[_dopehead_]

Mineo77> So you had a changer already ?

[mineo77]

Nope, no changer. We thought we would have to program the hu but to my surprise and the installer it was a simple plug and play

[silvatyrant]

Originally Posted by mineo77

Nope, no changer. We thought we would have to program the hu but to my surprise and the installer it was a simple plug and play

Hmmm...Interesting!! Can anyone confirm if this is the case with the Mobridge unit aswell?

BTW...Was involved in an accident with "my baby" a week back, so I'm waiting to hear back from the panelshop. The jury's still out on whether she's a write-off or not...

But if/when she comes back, I have A WHOLE LOT in store for her!