Group Buy: CD43 In Dash BMW CD Player

[gale]

Is there a IE unit that is plug and play with the CD43?I dont mind if i have to run a new cable through,cos i have to anyway,as i have a 89 car,with equally old sony head unit/cd stacker,which is Mbus

The PAC iPac-BMW iPod adapter is plug-n-play with the CD43, but you would have to abandon the stacker. Going price is $110 on ebay for the PAC adapter, which plugs directly into the back of the head unit without messing with the stacker cable. www.logjamelectronics.com electronics has other brands which will let the stacker work in conjuntion with an iPod, but then it would need the newer CD cable routed to the trunk.

[95///M3]

Right, but these connectors do not allow the read out of on the display and many dont allow for change of songs from the headunit.

I have all but 1 of the parts here to make a custom cable that will plug into the DICE link and plug into the Headunit. There is no cutting, splicing, or any of that. The harness I am putting together is made from all BMW Parts and are of high quality. The 1 part I am waiting for will be here tomorrow AM. I will have the first plug made tomorrow and tested on my vehicle and then will make more and ship the orders placed earlier this week if all goes well by tomorrow afternoon.

I was unaware that the DICE unit did not plug directly into the CD43 and this all came up yesterday when I finally had one in hand. Hopefully by tomorrow this will be a non-issue!

If anyone has any questions please post up.

Jimmy

[PScalfano]

Let me make sure I understand correctly. You have got the DICE and the CD43s, and you are making an adapter that will go from the back of the CD43 to the DICE unit without using the CD Changer cable? So I will just have to run a wire from the CD43 to the glovebox (or wherever the IPOD will go) instead of having to wire from the trunk all the way up? I like that idea a lot, and I also like that you are following through with the group buy to make sure we get set up nicely. Let me know if this is correct.

[95///M3]

Let me make sure I understand correctly. You have got the DICE and the CD43s, and you are making an adapter that will go from the back of the CD43 to the DICE unit without using the CD Changer cable? So I will just have to run a wire from the CD43 to the glovebox (or wherever the IPOD will go) instead of having to wire from the trunk all the way up? I like that idea a lot, and I also like that you are following through with the group buy to make sure we get set up nicely. Let me know if this is correct.

Absolutely.

Let me explain why I chose the DICE unit. First off, it is the only IPOD hookup that I know of that allows the headunit to display the artists, names of songs, etc. The DICE also allows the headunit to change the song and search your IPOD all while having the IPOD concealed in say the glovebox or center console. If you choose to change the song on the ipod that works as well. Cool stuff. Also, an AUX 3.5MM jack is supplied on the DICE box so you can run and additional input, also pretty cool!

Now, I was under the impression that the DICE unit plugs into the rectangular CD Changer input in the headunit. This is incorrect. I figured this out just yesterday when they got here.... nice. So, I called DICE and tried to figure out what the deal is. Apparantly they never have supplied a cable for this application but somehow have something that will work for a mere $30 extra ... not cool. What I have done is go through BMW's parts bin and had all of the connectors on the DICE side as well as the CD headunits side overnighted to me so I can make a simple plug and play harness. I am currently waiting on 30 female pins to make everything connect and the pin-out from DICE. The pins will be here tomorrow, and I have the plastic clip in connectors here already. Essentially tomorrow, I will build the first harness and test in my vehicle over lunch. If all is well, I will ship the orders with the DICE unit. If you have already paid for the DICE unit there is no charge for the plug and play harness. If you are still contemplating ordering, there will be a small fee ~ $6-$8 for the harness. I have not tabulated the costs, but this is my cost. No one is making money on this harness. Also, it is not necessary to run the harness. You can still connect the DICE unit to the CD Changer connectors in the trunk if you wish. For me this was not an option especially on my Lightweight since it was obviously not prewired for a CD Changer, hence the added effort of making a harness. Also, I didnt want to rip my interior apart to hide cables simply for an IPOD hookup. This just doesn's seem practical. I will update this tomorrow.

Now, for those of you who have PayPal'd and did not get the DICE unit, your orders have shipped!

Hopefully this clears a lot up. Im really excited to have this installed in my car!

[PScalfano]

That sounds great, Jimmy! I hope it doesn't cost you too much time and effort to build the harnesses. To be honest I was not looking forward to running the wire, either. To me, running the wire means the difference between installing the radio in my apartment complex parking lot or having to wait until I can install it elsewhere. It's really decent of you to toss that in.

Does this radio come with the removal tool that fits the screws connecting my original stereo? Or will I have to find another way to get the old radio out?

Lastly, if you have time, I'd like to see some pictures of the CD43 + DICE in your car once you have it set up, preferably the M3 because mine is also an E36. And I'm sure the 5-er folks would love to see the setup in your M5 too. This is time permitting of course; don't feel like you must take pictures during your lunch break while you build the harness etc.

Thanks again!

[95///M3]

Building the harnesses is not a big deal at all. I get so fed up with car stereo guys that it makes me sick. I want a clean install without having to dismantle the whole car and most importantly, not having to hack into the stock harness. The last thing I am going to do is cut a wire on my LTW or even for that matter my M5. Plus, install will be so much easier. Going the extra mile for car installations is what I do next. Hopefully if I ever sell my car the next owner will appreciate when I make specific harness from everything such as Fog Lights to this radio adapter.

As far the tool. Yes, the radio removal tool is included with each CD Player.

I will snap a photo tonight of the CD43 in the E36.

Jimmy

[Paul in NZ]

the whole point of getting the DICE for me is to eliminate the cd stacker with its mechanical /optical interfaces.In the past i have had eventual problems with cd,s in cars relating to these interfaces.

[califblue]

look at this Alpine...has it all and same foot print and way better than the factory
http://www.epinions.com/Alpine_CDA_9...3_WMA_Receiver

[Rusty]

I want to start a group buy on the factory CD43 indash Business CD Player. I have talked to some people and it looks like pricing would be around $305 shipped if we can get about 10 people on board with this. This unit should be mostly plug and play and is a really nice upgrade to the older tape decks. CD Players will carry a 1 year warranty and have not been used or installed. Post here if you are interested.






EDIT: This group buy is official. CD Players will be ready to ship starting Tuesday the 15th of May and will end at 11:59PM on May 31st.

Official price is $305 shipped to the lower 48 for the CD43 head unit. The DICE Electronics ICE Link will be available for $140 shipped.

I will provide an address for money orders if you PM me. Also, if you paypal please provide 2.5% extra to cover the fees. Thank you.

Please PayPal $305 to jwherrold@gmail.com for the CD43 and additional $140 if you would like the DICE Link.

The DICE Link will not ship until Thursday the 17th.


1.)Me - DICE - (PAID)
2.)pscalfano - DICE - (PAID)
3.)Steven G
4.)RobinBrown - DICE

6.)BuckNaked
7.)pgrindstaff - (PAID)
8.)SwenPro - DICE
9.)GTOpaul (PAID)
10.)PaulinNZ - DICE - (PAID)

UPDATE: The DICE unit contains an AUX input for Satellite radios or anyother input!

Jimmy

Are these things still for sale? If so, put me down for a copy.

[95///M3]

Are these things still for sale? If so, put me down for a copy.

Yep, Payment information is on the first page. I can ship both units tomorrow but if you are looking for the DICE custom harness it may be have to wait until later tomorrow or even Monday, depending how much time I can get away from work tomorrow.

Jimmy