CD Players and iPods?

[ultralinear]

What kinds of CD player do some of you use? I have the factory cassette and would like to add a trunk mounted changer. Are any of the after-market changers compatible with the factory head unit or is it best to go with BMW's?

Also, do any of you use Apple iPods in your tis? If you do, how do you integrate them into the car's system?

Thanks...

[mharrigan]

I just installed the Blaupunk Acapulco MD54 which plays CDs, CR-R, CR-RW and MP3s. I also installled the aux port wiring for the iPOD and it works very well. The total cost was about $200 and it was a fairly easy DIY install. Make sure to get the vehicle specific wiring harnass so you don't have to cut/splice wires. I ran the aux input out below the HVAC controls into the little storage area there. You just plug in the IPOD and select AUX on the radio and away you go. For a little tighter iPod integration Alpine makes a model that allows you to control the iPod from the radio buttons which sounded pretty cool but more expensive.

[aceyx]

i have the peripheral (division of stinger wires) adaptor to a pioneer 6-disc no frills (no mp3, but will play cd-r/rw) changer. it ran about $250 four years ago.

they also make an adaptor for alpine units, and the adaptors themselves have RCA inputs if you can figure out how to switch sources. however, you'll be running a line from the trunk to the cabin, which is a PITA in itself.


most ipod adaptors i've seen replace the changer, which i'd kind of like to keep connected since i take my ipod out of the car, and don't always put it back for short drives.

i have a belkin auto kit (power, amplified line out, dock connector) that will soon get hardwired with a switch under the dash. the line out from that is a cassette adaptor, whose wire has been routed through the radio itself, down past the hvac controls and out near the lighter outlet.

it has that noticeable clicking of the tape adaptor, but i usually have my music turned up past that. and it's just a dock connector to plug in each time.

[gadgetphreak]

I am ordering an Alpine 9855 to replace my stock deck and will have an Alpine 6 disk cd/mp3 changer with harness and aux inputs for sale once I get the new deck and get it installed.

It is currently connected to my stock Cassete deck and works great. The only reason I am getting rid of it is to be able to integrate my Ipod in seamlessly with the head unit.

With MP3 Cd's you can get 150-ish songs on each disk times 6 disks which is pretty tight. The only drawback is it takes a couple seconds longer to determine what type of disk it is and actually start playing. I have never had a disk not play...

Let me know if you are interested and I will post some pics in the gallery.

Gadget.

[ultralinear]

phreak

Thanks...please post some pictures when you can.

Thanks for your help.

[prd318ownr]

tell me how to upload images and i will post em. i have my ipod hooked up to an external aum input that is right of my shifter.. where the heated seats switch would have been

[ZeroG]

I was able to hook up my Ipod and SIRIUS.

Take a look at my gallery for pic's. It is a CD player and GPS in one, and better yet it is OEM.

-Chad