The MINI headunit and Nav system have barely changed since the car's introduction, and they are essentially 4-year old designs with very minor updates. It will be interesting to see whether any electronics get updated in the convertible, which continues production in its current form for another two years. By the time production ends, the current headunit and Nav will have become positively ancient technology. If the convertible does receive any updated electronics during the next couple of years, they can probably be retrofitted into our current cars.

 

I just placed my order for an 06 MCS yesterday. With the HK Audio, Ipod adapter, and SAT Radio. If I am reading this thread right, I'm going to have limited functionality with this setup? What's going to get displayed? What am I able to do with my Ipod?

 

I think the same as what people are saying now.....

Only track # displayed and 6 playlists (one being the entire ipod) to choose from, that is it. You will still have the ability to control the ipod via the MFSW. Some say you can hold down the menu button after you plug it in, and gain control of the ipod itself...I have not tried that yet.

 

rkw does bring up a good point. The convertible will remain the same for some time, so any upgrade to the stereo will have to fit in older cars.....hopefully.

 

the new gizmo won't work on older cars... But the DICE is a step up from the Mini/BMW offering.... While one display mode does overtake the map on the Nav, at least displaying tags is an OPTION, whereas you can't do anything with the Mini unit. With the DICE, you can turn the display mode off, and just see what's on the iPod screen, if you need to display the map....

Anyway, no complete answer yet. But the aftermarket offerings are more complete that what Mini is offering directly.

Matt

 

It's official that the new interface is for the R56/'07 and newer.

I clicked to check out DICE (denisonusa.com) and got this message:

Dension Audio Systems, Ltd. and Dension USA, Inc. have terminated
their relationship, whereby Dension USA distributed Dension Audio
Systems products in North America. Effective immediately,
Dension USA is no longer selling, servicing or supporting
Dension Audio Systems products.



This sounds like an awesome option/product but where would I get it? Also, does DICE stand for something?

 

Check out the sponsor of the Navigation and Audio forum here on NAM. They are very knowledgeable about the DICE and are authorized resellers for it. There is also a crazy long thread in the Navigation & Audio forum (550+ replies) about the DICE.

Cheers-
Randy

 

Thanks Randy. Actually I ended up calling Tom at EAS because my mind was boggled by the "crazy long thread". So, I've ordered the Radio Interface and it should be here by Monday.

I'm not sure if the instructions come with the unit or there is a DIY here somewhere. I wouldn't mind studying a bit before I do the install.