Best iPod/Nav/BT/Sat Radio Solution? ['04 330i]

Hi all,

I have a 2004 300i, ZHP and ZCW packages and would like to upgrade the stereo a bit. I have the "factory" iPod cable in the dash, but it doesn't seem to work; will only charge the iPod, not play through the HU. Also have the HK speakers.

Anyway, I'd like to find a replacement 2-DIN radio that has navigation, iPod, bluetooth and XM/Sirrius on it. Would be great if the steeling wheel controls worked too.

I have an older Pioneer AVIC Z2 with all of the above adapters, it came out of my old 05 Subaru STi...is there a way to fit this into the car? From first glance, it looks like I would need to re-locate some of the HVAC controls, possibly to the empty pocket below? I wouldn't mind using this same system, but also can buy a new receiver system if something works better.

I'm sure I'm not the first guy with an 04 330i that's wanted to do this - looking for any suggestions on getting this done.

Thanks!

EDIT: Forgot to say I'm fairly experienced in custom audio installs and don't mind doing this myself. But if there's local shop in the Northern San Diego area that would be able to do this, I might save myself the headaches.

Z120BT. You will need to cut the hvac- but search E46 double din in google, there will be tons of results.

Nice - I like the Z120BT unit and will pick one up this week.

What about dash kits for the car? What are my options out there?

Jeff@Dynavin solutions is your best bet unless you want to spend big bucks and run into big headaches. I LOVEEEEE my dynavin.

gps, bluetooth, back up camera, av inputs (using them for n64), and all in a wonderful package that looks right at home in the e46 dash

Hope you can see this which i linked from my fbook page

If I still had my 325Ci, Dunavin would be my route too. Definitely OEM looking with a lot of bells and whistles

Thanks for the pic and vids. I do like how OEM it looks. How's the GPS stack up against Pioneer and the like? What about XM and iPod interfaces? I see you can plug an iPod into the A/V inputs, but if it doesn't have an on-screen interface, that would be a big ding.

Does Dynavin have a vendor account setup here? Any ball park on the price for everything?

Originally Posted by InTheMtns

Thanks for the pic and vids. I do like how OEM it looks. How's the GPS stack up against Pioneer and the like? What about XM and iPod interfaces? I see you can plug an iPod into the A/V inputs, but if it doesn't have an on-screen interface, that would be a big ding.

Does Dynavin have a vendor account setup here? Any ball park on the price for everything?

Not sure about direct XM interface though it has AV inputs so you could run XM in using those... Regarding iPod, it's awesome. Displays album, artist, song, all that good stuff and you can select through playlists and other goodies. I also hooked up the apple composite cables via the av input so I can watch movies off the iphone/ipod on the screen and, because i jailbroke my iphone, I can even display the entire phone on the dynavin... not useful for regular use but if i ever need to check the net, it's nice to have it displayed up on a huge screen... same with playing games (though i never do those while driving)

Dynavin goes for something like 650-750 retail. You want to email Jeff Bechtel at DynavinSolutions. He is THE MAN jtdist@sbcglobal.net

He will hook you up and can help with installation and all that stuff. He's actually out somewhere in Cali.. maybe you're close enough that he could install it for you.



All of it works with steering wheel controls and all that other stuff. Install is a breeze... can't comment on navigation and comparisons (though i will be able to in a few weeks as I'm putting a pioneer navi in m y other car).. but i'm happy with it so far. I upgraded though from the factory installed nav (igo) to igo8.3 and igo primo. I have been sending out cards to dynavin owners with those all preformatted and ready to go so, if you get a dynavin, feel free to reach out and I can mail you a card with the latest stuff

Originally Posted by InTheMtns

Thanks for the pic and vids. I do like how OEM it looks. How's the GPS stack up against Pioneer and the like? What about XM and iPod interfaces? I see you can plug an iPod into the A/V inputs, but if it doesn't have an on-screen interface, that would be a big ding.

Does Dynavin have a vendor account setup here? Any ball park on the price for everything?

Here's the main reason you would buy a Dynavin:

- You don't want to cut your HVAC ducts
- Plug and play
- DVD Player, NAV, Bluetooth Integration, iPod Integration

Here are reasons not to buy the Dynavin:

- No built-in XM integration
- You want the "best" AV/ICE setup and you don't care about modifying your car.

The iPod does have an on-screen interface, but I don't like it. It needs a scroll wheel or a "rolodex" style interface to be useful. This is one case where an iDrive wheel would actually be useful for scrolling through Artists, Albums, or Playlists. For this reason, I typically leave my stereo on "Bluetooth" mode and stream music from my iPhone over A2DP. This way I can use the iPhone interface or I can play music without taking my phone out of my pocket.

Regarding XM, instead of using an XM receiver connected to the AUX input, you could also stream XM from a smartphone using Bluetooth. Sometimes I listen to Pandora or Last.fm through my iPhone.

Originally Posted by InTheMtns

Thanks for the pic and vids. I do like how OEM it looks. How's the GPS stack up against Pioneer and the like? What about XM and iPod interfaces? I see you can plug an iPod into the A/V inputs, but if it doesn't have an on-screen interface, that would be a big ding.

Does Dynavin have a vendor account setup here? Any ball park on the price for everything?

IMHO it's the Nav section where the Dynavin really shines.

The rest of it is great, some parts better than others, but the Nav is peerless.
Basically you have a Windows CE environment, which can run anything Win CE does, which basically means, Nav wise, TomTom, NDrive, Navigon, Primo, iGo 8.3, Destinator, etc.

I myself have several Nav programs installed, and pick whichever I fancy.
Most of the time this means Primo, but I also use TomTom and occasionally iGo 8.3.

I genuinely can't think of a better Nav solution.

Damn I like the look of the DVN E46.. Will definitely be on my list for consideration when it comes time to but a unit... Gotta fix the door locks first though lol.