Stereo remodel

[billschusteriv]

nice and pissed!!!

Just finished installing the Dice 1500 BMW kit and it is a complete piece of shit.

a. The interface sucks, you can only do stuff within the first 5 seconds on turning the radio on.

b. I am having the worst static problems. The ipod interference sounds like I am listing to AM radio. No depth and lots of static. Probably due to the horrible non wrapped cable and a design with make you wire the Dice to the CD changer in the trunk. The cable is thus running under the seats, under the carpet up through the center console. This concealed wiring took forever and I am rewarded with crappy AM radio sound . Seriously the FM radio sounds better. Messed with it for a good 7 hours and I am tired of it. Really dont want to remove this thing again. I will probably listen to CD for the next week or so and just buy the dynavin. I am tired of ripping up the car!!


CF: Rant about crappy DICE static.

Are you running the line next to any power wires?

Before you pull up the carpet, can you install a ground loop isolator on the line to see if this solves the problem?


I feel your pain on ripping up the car. I had my Cavalier apart more times than I want to remember. Although I got quite good at tear down and reassembly. Maybe consider it a learning experience in case you want to do a mod that requires you to take out your seats or lift carpet or trim.

[UdubBadger]

Thinking more and more about Dynavin. The parrot also doesn't show who is calling, which is a must for me.

Here are the options I have come across so car.

Parrot 3000 Evolution: Need connect2 adaptor to work with steering wheel controls. This is a cheap option under $200 but NO CALLER ID
Dension Gateway 500: Bluetooth and Ipod, costs around $400 on ebay. Looks awesome, but not compatible w/ E46
Dynavin: Nice, has OEM look, Expensive! But UI looks like crap and seem to have quality control issues.
BMW OEM ULF Since I have BMW assit I only really need the ULF box, which is expensive even used goes for $400. I also need to confirm I have all the wiring necessary.

Let me know if you come across any other options. Hopefully this post will help the next person like me out!

Hmmm, my old Parrot had caller ID, not even sure if this one does, as I have my phone mounted near the dash, so I just look at the phone when a call comes in. Don't really do that many calls from my car... so I'll take your word for it but I'll check it out too.

I know its late but FYI the Parrot CK3100 Evo was the one with the LCD screen and Caller ID. Needed 2 adapters for it, 1 for back of radio and 1 for steering wheel controls. All found here: http://www.hfvt.com/

[ryrules1]

DICE said pretty much I am shit out of luck and I have a difficult car. Should go with a Radio Harness to eliminate noise (read: re-wiring PITA). I turned off scrolling text, which helped with the "clicking" sound. Still I feel this is a very unpolished product and would not recommend.

[ryrules1]

I know its late but FYI the Parrot CK3100 Evo was the one with the LCD screen and Caller ID. Needed 2 adapters for it, 1 for back of radio and 1 for steering wheel controls. All found here: http://www.hfvt.com/

Yeah, I could have gone with this, but the options sounded better on the DICE unit now I know better. Tired of messing with it, maybe in 6 months I will switch.

[UdubBadger]

Oh I would advise you to also. The oem functions are so much better than a clunky LCD screen mounted in the middle of your dashboard, I hated it for so long on my 328, wish I would've just ponied up for the $750 integrated system from the factory.

TBH, I have no respect for BMW for making that an option you have to pay for. Thats one of those things that is standard on 99% of the cars out there now. Oh and the $475 for split folding rear seats... my blood is boiling just thinking about the nickle and diming.

[acontzhp]

Oh I would advise you to also. The oem functions are so much better than a clunky LCD screen mounted in the middle of your dashboard, I hated it for so long on my 328, wish I would've just ponied up for the $750 integrated system from the factory.

TBH, I have no respect for BMW for making that an option you have to pay for. Thats one of those things that is standard on 99% of the cars out there now. Oh and the $475 for split folding rear seats... my blood is boiling just thinking about the nickle and diming.

My blood boils with yours as well

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[Washburn]

Get a USA Spec - solid build, function and no problems. works right the 1st time, and forever - no need to reset, reboot, whatever, it just works, and SQ is MUCH better than DICE.

[Hermes]

The more I read about Dynavin (Android not Windows version) the more I want it... Another thing for the list I guess