Which DICE do I need?

[BMWI6]

Hi there, I have a 2007 M coupe with Navigation and Premium Package. I do not have a cd changer installed. Does anyone know which Ipod kit I need for it? There are so many versions out there and I don't know which one to get. Thanks

[wildag]

You do not want a DICE, especially if you have navigation. They are terrible products. Search this forum or any other BMW forum for "DICE Official", and you'll find threads filled with ridiculous problems and general frustration.

Here's the relatively short support thread on this forum (only 14 pages):

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...=106082&page=4

Here's the bimmerfest support thread, at 24 pages:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...l+dice&page=24

And here's the monster bimmerforums support thread at 51 pages:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...634582&page=51



Problems with the DICE for a Z4 with Navigation include:

- Must use the trunk interface, which uses an ultra long cable that induces a crazy amount of noise into the audio

- You can either have the song-title & artist text showing (one line scrolling) or use your navigation. Not both. When title & artist text is scrolling, it takes over your nav screen such that you can move away from it, so you can't view nav, or any other oem function.

- The DICE will crash at least once a month, if not once a week. The "fix" is to unplug it or the battery in your car for five minutes. Search "battery reset" in the dice support threads.

- You'll have to remember that radio button 1 is for playlist, 2 is for artist, 3 is for song, etc. Then you scroll through those by repeatedly pressing the next button. Its a terrible interface.

- You can't leave an iPod attached to the DICE when you park the car. Otherwise it will go into "deep sleep" mode, and the dice has no ability to wake it up. Other adapters do not have this issue.

- You'll hate DIP switches by the time you're done with the DICE. No other product requires configuring it to work. They just work.

Here's what I did with my DICE:

Instead, I highly recommend that you look into a Intravee II. Here's my video review.

The nice part about the Intravee II is that it just works. There's no dip switches, it never crashes and its got a very easy to understand user interface. It does cost more, but every part of the product is better than a DICE.

There are other adapters out there that work well too, I'm just not familiar with them. Basically... anything but a DICE.

[BMWI6]

Thanks! I tried looking for Intravee but I cannot find where to buy it, and I also needed this alpine thing that I have to buy separate right? Let me know if you know where I can buy them. Thanks again

[wildag]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

Thanks! I tried looking for Intravee but I cannot find where to buy it, and I also needed this alpine thing that I have to buy separate right? Let me know if you know where I can buy them. Thanks again

Intravee II can be purchased from BimmerNav.com in the US:

http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...-item-166.html

The Alpine KCA-420i iPod adapter is no longer in production, but it can be purchased on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpine-KCA-420i-...1#ht_797wt_924

You'll also need the cable for the KCA-420i:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IPOD-TO-ALPINE-A...ht_1278wt_1150

I also recommend the "Spec Dock" iPod ashtray dock for the Z4. Its a great place to put your iPhone/iPod while traveling. Be sure to get the "Charge Converter" if you have a newer iPod (2008 and beyond).

http://stores.homestead.com/2point5/...OCK/Detail.bok

[Spaceman Spiff]

+1 on Intravee. Dice should be the last option on your list.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

+1 on Intravee. Dice should be the last option on your list.

+2 for the intravee II plus add an alpine HD radio tuner to the intravee

[BMW Maniac]

Where does this install? So all I need to play my iPod are the intraveeII, the Apline adapter, and the cable?

[chickdr]

You could also go with the OEM BMW iPod adapter. With Nav you can have the artist/song displayed on your screen. It may be easier to attach. iPod stays in the glovebox.

[wildag]

Originally Posted by BMW Maniac

Where does this install? So all I need to play my iPod are the intraveeII, the Apline adapter, and the cable?

Correct.

The intravee plugins directly into the stock cd changer interface; which is behind the navigation unit in the rear console. The alpine iPod adapter plugs directly into the intravee.

Search this and other forums for the z4 alarm install instructions. The first half of that shows you how to disassemble the rear console to gain access to the cd changer interface. Or you could remove the backwall carpet in the trunk.

[wildag]

Originally Posted by chickdr

You could also go with the OEM BMW iPod adapter. With Nav you can have the artist/song displayed on your screen. It may be easier to attach. iPod stays in the glovebox.

The intravee and the stock adapter plugin to the same wires. They require the exact same install steps.

[BMWI6]

I think im just gonna go for the OEM settup, it just seems like the best choice. the intravee will be just as expensive.