I know this topic of In-Dash CD player installation or DICE installation has been covered in different forums but specific info is scattered, also no write-up for DICE in-dash install so I will try to do a write-up here for newbies.
Car is 1998 528i: Stock M.I.D., and Stock cassette player.
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My needs are:
1. In-dash CD Player
2. DICE Unit for Ipod (However, you might want to argue that if you have DICE for Ipod then why need a CD player? Well there are moments that you just grab a CD and want to listen in the car (i.e. no time to transfer to Ipod etc.), just want the ***8216;best***8217; of both worlds***8230;.
3. Most write-ups refer to trunk installation, involving running wires to console, then the risk of theft as the Ipod sits in the console. I will show the ***8220;Glovebox***8221; installation with DICE Unit hidden behind the M.I.D. Glovebox installation is nice because the Ipod is hidden in the Glovebox, away from thieves***8217; eyes.
-------
1. I got my CD Player from:
www.midwestelectronics.com
(They are US authorized Blaupunkt dealer as well for repair for Blaupunkt Electronics). Although you can buy a Business CD Player from ebay etc. with risks, the service at Midwest Electronics is unbeatable:
- I have known them for 10 years (West suburb of Chicago)
- $259 + shipping (they dropped the price recently), so although this was listed on their website as a ***8220;refurbished***8221; item, when I received it, the CD player looks brand new without a scratch, exactly as the salesman told me! So for the price and service, it is unbeatable, much better than ebay etc., IMHO.
- warranty for one year.
2. The DICE Unit came from Tom from european auto source; excellent service:
(Tom, btw, if you want to download some of these pics for your website***8217;s tutorial, and since there is no info on 1998 528i yet on your website, go ahead to upload them to your website!!!)
www.europeanautosource.com
Tel 866.669.0705 | Calif: 714.369.8524 | Fax: 714.369.8546
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PROCEDURES:
a. Copy the FM channels on a piece of paper because you will lose the FM memories.
b. Use a Towel to protect the gear knob etc.
c. In addition to the Ipod Cable that you order with the DICE kit, it is also useful to use an ***8220;Aux***8221; Cable ($5.95 from Radio Shack) for MP3 Player etc.
d. Remove the M.I.D.: Pull the Volume knob, Torx #10 counter-clockwise
e. Remove the Cassette Player: held by 2 Torx #10 screws.
f. The connector in the back of the Cassette Player (or CD Player is held by a plastic clip, lift it UP and gently pry it out).
g. The DICE Unit goes ***8220;in between***8221; the CD Player and the OEM Connector (see diagram).
h. NOTE regarding the small connector at the bottom of the CD player: the ***8220;Yellow***8221; tab faces UP. Pull the Blue Tab, insert the small rectangular connector COMPLETELY inside so it is flushed with the large connector, re-insert the blue tab and make sure you cannot remove the small connector after the Blue Tab is in.
i. Read the DICE installation instructions, and set the tabs according to your need (Ipod vs MP3 Player).
j. The Business CD player: secure it in place using 2.5mm Hex wrench (not Torx #10).
k. NOTE: ***8220;Hide***8221; the DICE Unit in such as a way that it sits JUST BELOW the M.I.D. This is because let***8217;s say you initially set the tabs for Ipod. Let***8217;s say later if you have an MP3 Player, all you have to do is slide out the M.I.D. using Torx #10, flip the DICE switches to MP3 Player and re-install the M.I.D. (a process that should take less than 60 seconds).
l. Make sure the Ground and Antenna cables are attached properly to the back of the CD Player.
Enjoy the Music***8230;***8230;***8230;.
Car is 1998 528i: Stock M.I.D., and Stock cassette player.
-------
My needs are:
1. In-dash CD Player
2. DICE Unit for Ipod (However, you might want to argue that if you have DICE for Ipod then why need a CD player? Well there are moments that you just grab a CD and want to listen in the car (i.e. no time to transfer to Ipod etc.), just want the ***8216;best***8217; of both worlds***8230;.
3. Most write-ups refer to trunk installation, involving running wires to console, then the risk of theft as the Ipod sits in the console. I will show the ***8220;Glovebox***8221; installation with DICE Unit hidden behind the M.I.D. Glovebox installation is nice because the Ipod is hidden in the Glovebox, away from thieves***8217; eyes.
-------
1. I got my CD Player from:
www.midwestelectronics.com
(They are US authorized Blaupunkt dealer as well for repair for Blaupunkt Electronics). Although you can buy a Business CD Player from ebay etc. with risks, the service at Midwest Electronics is unbeatable:
- I have known them for 10 years (West suburb of Chicago)
- $259 + shipping (they dropped the price recently), so although this was listed on their website as a ***8220;refurbished***8221; item, when I received it, the CD player looks brand new without a scratch, exactly as the salesman told me! So for the price and service, it is unbeatable, much better than ebay etc., IMHO.
- warranty for one year.
2. The DICE Unit came from Tom from european auto source; excellent service:
(Tom, btw, if you want to download some of these pics for your website***8217;s tutorial, and since there is no info on 1998 528i yet on your website, go ahead to upload them to your website!!!)
www.europeanautosource.com
Tel 866.669.0705 | Calif: 714.369.8524 | Fax: 714.369.8546
--------
PROCEDURES:
a. Copy the FM channels on a piece of paper because you will lose the FM memories.
b. Use a Towel to protect the gear knob etc.
c. In addition to the Ipod Cable that you order with the DICE kit, it is also useful to use an ***8220;Aux***8221; Cable ($5.95 from Radio Shack) for MP3 Player etc.
d. Remove the M.I.D.: Pull the Volume knob, Torx #10 counter-clockwise
e. Remove the Cassette Player: held by 2 Torx #10 screws.
f. The connector in the back of the Cassette Player (or CD Player is held by a plastic clip, lift it UP and gently pry it out).
g. The DICE Unit goes ***8220;in between***8221; the CD Player and the OEM Connector (see diagram).
h. NOTE regarding the small connector at the bottom of the CD player: the ***8220;Yellow***8221; tab faces UP. Pull the Blue Tab, insert the small rectangular connector COMPLETELY inside so it is flushed with the large connector, re-insert the blue tab and make sure you cannot remove the small connector after the Blue Tab is in.
i. Read the DICE installation instructions, and set the tabs according to your need (Ipod vs MP3 Player).
j. The Business CD player: secure it in place using 2.5mm Hex wrench (not Torx #10).
k. NOTE: ***8220;Hide***8221; the DICE Unit in such as a way that it sits JUST BELOW the M.I.D. This is because let***8217;s say you initially set the tabs for Ipod. Let***8217;s say later if you have an MP3 Player, all you have to do is slide out the M.I.D. using Torx #10, flip the DICE switches to MP3 Player and re-install the M.I.D. (a process that should take less than 60 seconds).
l. Make sure the Ground and Antenna cables are attached properly to the back of the CD Player.
Enjoy the Music***8230;***8230;***8230;.