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The iPod/MINI Connector Reviewed.

I've owned an iPod for two and a half years and owned my MINI for just under that. I've grown to appreciate both the longer I own them. Both illustrate how great design, engineering and marketing can create an iconic product. However, it would seem that neither had much in common beyond great design and rabid fans.

Finally in mid-June BMW/MINI and Apple announced that they had secretly been developing a new device that integrates the iPod into the stereo of BMWs and MINIs. While MotoringFile had mentioned an official product like this in the past we were never able to officially confirm anything.

Before BMW and MINI released it's iPod connector kit there were four ways to connect the iPod to the MINI. The first, the dreaded tape adapter, isn't applicable in 99% of MINIs due to the lack of tape players specced in the cars. The second are portable FM modulators like the iTrip. The major drawbacks to devices like these are less-than-good sound quality and significant interference within cities.

The other BMW approved connector is the dealer installed AUX port. The upside on the AUX port is a direct sound input give the listening good quality for the relatively low price of $45 plus installation. However there are drawbacks. For one, the audio many times has to be adjusted on the iPod not to mention the stereo itself. Secondly, you still can't skip to the next track or for that matter control the player at all from the car itself. And finally, there is no ability to charge from the car itself - one had to rely on an after-market option, and yet another device, in the car.

The fourth, and most flexible, way to connect the iPod up to this point is the ICE-Link from Dension. I won't go into details here on the ICE-Link since I reviewed it in depth six months ago. But the conclusion is that, while pricey, it gives you the most flexible solution out there - especially the new ICE-Link 1.1, which features digital sound and a handy cradle.

A quick note - this review is of the BMW/iPod connector. However the BMW and the MINI units are 99% identical and operate with exactly the same functionality. An actual MINI units won't be available until September.

The new BMW/Apple device goes about things a little differently than the ICE-Link, however..The idea behind this new unit, as opposed to the ICE-Link, is that you have no interaction with the iPod itself while in use. Instead, you control the iPod using the existing controls on the radio. While this limits the overall functionality of the iPod, it also reduces the chances of driver distraction - increasingly something that our society won't tolerate.

The BMW/MINI iPod connector retails for $149. Installation should take one to two hours at your local dealer. The process is rather simple for those that are do-it-yourselfers. Just remove the head unit and plug in one end of the connector. From there you just run the other end into the glove box where you'll you're iPod will stored while in use. Not as easy as it sounds, but not rocket science either.

Knauz MINI were nice enough to hand over a Jet Black 2004 325ci with the Apple/BMW connector already installed for MotoringFile testing. The device is incredibly easy to hook-up to an iPod once installed. You simply plug your iPod into the glove box connect and turn your radio on. From there you just select mode and on the second click you'll get to what would be the CD changer - now the iPod. Once that is selected, you can choose one through five on the stereo presets which select playlists BMW1-BMW5 on the iPod as well as the ability to play the entire library.

Initially there was some disappointment in the functionality of the unit. However the way the system works makes sense once you're behind the wheel. The overall effect is very slick. Where you'd have to manually select playlists on the iPod with the ICE-Link, this one allows you to operate the iPod (only 5 playlists mind you) completely through the head unit or the multi-function steering wheel. It makes for a clean and clutter-free solution while sacrificing some usability.

The digital sound of the connection is also first rate. I tested 128kbps AAC files, 160kbps AAC files, and 192kbps MP3 files (all encoded with iTunes). All had depth and clarity that sounded close enough to CD audio that most will never know the difference. .

There is room for improvement, however. First off, the ability for the head unit to display song names would be welcome. Secondly, while it will play CDs with over 99 tracks, the head unit doesn't display any track numbers over 99 - something fairly common with MP3 cds. Finally the kit isn't available for cars with a navigation system, satellite radio, or a CD changer.

However it's my opinion that the ease of use and clean installation overcome these drawbacks. Further, you just can't underestimate how nice it is to be able to use the interface of the radio or multifunction steering wheel to control the iPod. It allows you concentrate on driving instead of selecting what song out of conceivably 12,000 you want to hear. And what you hear is perfect digital bliss.

For more information on functionality specifics see the BMW/iPod FAQ on Apple's site. [LINK]

Note: the review was conducted using a third-generation 40 GB iPod and a 2004 BMW 325ci.

[MotoringFile]
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Gentoo for Mac OS X Released [Slashdot:]
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Apple Rolls Out Cheaper iPods (Reuters). Reuters - Apple Computer Inc. on Monday introduced lower-priced versions of its iPod digital music player with longer battery life, positioning itself against rivals trying to use lower prices to undercut iPod sales. [Yahoo! News - Technology]
comments < 6:09:12 PM        >

Review of the MCS vs the BMW 1-Series.

While those of us in the US won't be able to even entertain this question - it does seem many elsewhere will be cross-shopping these two cars. BTW this contribution comes from David Szweda:

Here is are some excerpts of an article from CAR Magazine (August 2004), a prominent UK car magazine, with a review of a Mini Cooper S vs. the new BMW One Series. It shows a different aspect between the cars and how closely matched they really are. I have seen similiar sentiments from other magazines in Europe as well and may be a good indicator as to why BMW is not bringing the car into the States.

"You don't think the Cooper S belongs in the same car park as the 120i? Think again: comparable asking price, similar ranking on the image scale, near-identical performance, driving pleasure a clear priority over packaging.

In character, however, these two cars are fish and fowl. This is not only about fwd vs rwd. It is also about premium vs lifestyle, two-door vs four-door, normally aspirated vs supercharged, iconic vs innovative.

The Mini is a go-kart with 2+2 seats, a short and emblematic road hugger which combines great showmanship with great handling. The 1-series is a little roomier, a little more sensible and a little bigger. But it, too, puts a clear emphassis on tactility, agility and spontaneity.

Shaped by Frank Stephenson, who now works for Ferrari and Maserati, the chubby Mini's shape strikes a convincing balance between retro and modern...

Take-off is not that energetic for such a short and light car, but moments later, when the progressive Roots blower has built up the boost pressure, the nose will lift and we're off like greased lightning. Steering fight? You bet. Traction problems? Not only in the wet. Understeer? You get what you ask for. Once under way, though, the Cooper S is huge fun. Inexhaustible grip, irreproachable stability and incredible maneuverability make it virtually invincible on slow, winding roads.

But the 120i does not trail far behind. It may not be capable of quite the same dizzying cornering speeds, and it is not quite as chuckable through the hairpins, but in terms of challenge and satisfaction there is very little in it between these two in-house rivals.

The 1-series gets its biggest advantage from the lightness of its controls. It's brakes are progressive instead of wooden, its steering has a lot more depth and clarity, the pedals are right in front of the driver instead of offset, shifting gear is a two-finger job, and the throttle response is more linear.

At 163hp and 155lb ft, the 1.6-liter Mini engine produces a bit more grunt and oomph than the normally aspirated 120i. As a result, the Cooper S gains 1.3sec on the acceleration run from 0-62mph. Because of the less favourable drag coefficient, the top speed is an identical 135mph. Trouble is, it gets very thirsty when y ou nail the throttle: over the same distance and at the same velocity, the Cooper S used 15 percent more. The turbocharged four currently being developed should improve this. The replacement Cooper S will also get different brakes and gearbox.

The Cooper is cool, hip and trendy. But its appeal is not only skin-deep: in town and on your favourite C-road, the S offers all the pace you will ever need. The 1-series does not look quite as stunning to me, it does not peel tarmac quite as well, and it does not seem like a fantastically good value next to the in-demand, depreciation-busting Cooper S. But it is more practical, more functionaly, more sensual.

This is a very tough call. If the 1-series on test had been the diesel, we might have favoured it over the Mini. But up against he 120i on the same roads, the Cooper S was the better car."

You can read the entire article in this month's Car Magazine. The mag is from the UK and can generally found at finer bookstores in the US.

[MotoringFile]
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