BMW E53 X5 iPhone 3G integration Part 2 - the installation

Part 1 overview

First off; I want to thank all of the BMW enthusiasts out there for all the information they post on the forums, especially x5world. Without the information and responses on these sites I would never have attempted the upgrades to my X5.

For this project I used the instructions provided with the spec dock and this installation post on xoutpost. As with any project I adapted the information to meet my needs. I will document the changes I made to fit my needs.

I tested the configuration before performing any installation. I found two issues with the Intravee II:

1. There was excessive noise while playing the audio
2. The screen display was not stable

After searching the Intravee forum and emailing support (I received a response within the day) two fixes solved the problems:

1. Since I have a BMW Sirius receiver, the Intravee II requires a jumper to be reset. There are four screws to remove and the jumper block in question is closest to the audio connector. With the audio connector towards the top of the unit, move the jumper from the pins on the right to the pins on the left of the 4 pin 'block'.
2. I needed to upgrade the Intravee firmware to  version 5.40-323. The upgrade process is a bit convoluted but if you follow the instructions carefully you should not have any issues.

With those issues behind me, I was ready to move on to the physical installation. The first step was to install the spec dock by following the included instructions. My only comment on the instructions is that with the auto transmission I did not need to lift the shifter trim out of the way. I was able to thread the cable through to the side from the ashtray compartment.

 

View from the passenger side.

 

Cable coming from the ashtray compartment. I plugged the Ridax charge converter into spec dock cable and the CableJive 6 foot extension cable into the other end of the charge converter. I then ran the cable assembly in a gap under the console. The x5forum instructions are for a Dension install, but they are invaluable in order to pass the cables through the cabin. The hardest part of the install is running the cable under the molded carpet in front of the rear seat.

I only pushed the carpet out of the way on the driver's side. After removing the carpet trim on the center console and slitting the carpet with a utility knife, I was able to thread the end of the CableJive extension under the carpet. I was able to pass several inches of the cables, I then fashioned a wire with a hook out of a hanger, and by sliding my hand under the molded carpet from the door, I was able to hook the cable and pull it towards me (it took several attempts). I then connected that end of the cable to the Alpine KCA-420i iPod cable.

 

I mounted the Alpine KCA-420i and the Intravee II upside down above the Navigation computer. I used double sided heavy duty tape. I made sure the Intravee II serial port was exposed so that I could easily perform firmware upgrades.

 

The iPhone 3G charging in the spec dock. Without the Apple inserts, the iPhone fits easily with its silicone jacket which is great.

 

The iPhone 3G and the Intravee II display on the Navigation system.

 

The spec dock with my iPod 5G.

The whole process took about 2 and 1/2 hours which is not bad and as a disclaimer when you perform these upgrades you do it on your own and assume any risks.

If anyone is interested in my Dension Icelink unit for $50 please email me at steve (at) mydigitallife (.) us. It works fine and I would especially recommend it for a non NAV installation. Before you email me, you should be comfortable with installing electronics. Since Dension is out of business support will be an issue and I am selling it as is.

Comments

[NetAddict]

Hi, I was looking for reviews of the Ridax charge converter as I was thinking of trying it in my car (works with the iPhone 3G but no charging) and in my search I happened upon your blog.

First I just want to say, good job on the blog and the installation info, very nice :)

Secondly I was wondering how it has been going with the Ridax, does it work well? Their no returns policy, lack of any real use info and durability or warranty makes me a bit hesitant.

Thanks in advance for your feedback, cheers

[Stephen Skarlatos]

Thanks, The Ridax charge converter works well. It is a simple step down circuit which takes the Firewire 12 volt charge signal and steps it down to the USB 5 volt charge signal (Apple new charge standard). I ordered other iPod connector parts from Ridax and I have always found the quality to be excellent. They also are responsive to emails, so I never even thought twice about ordering from them, even if their prices are on the steep side...

[NetAddict]

Great, thanks for the info!

[Shantu]

Do you use Pandora or other streaming apps with your intravee+kca-420i setup? If so how well does it work?

[Stephen Skarlatos]

I have not tried using a streaming app but I will try it. However, I doubt it will work because the KCA-420i starts the iPod application on the iPhone automatically when you plug it in.

[Retrofreak]

Hi,

I'm about to do the same installation on an 02 BMW X5.

I have an old build in Motorola car-kit.
Is there away of wiring the iPhone 3G so it works with the built in handsfree system?.

Thanks and you done a great job on your car.

[Mike]

Hello, I to have an e53 and the iPhone spec doc combo make the perfect car computer, with ability to use navigation, play music, and bluetooth phone with a headset.
My questions are, what spec.doc do you have?I have the FireWire version and dice link pre apple swap to USB charging. My 3g stopped charging as documented. I need an easy way to make this work without having to replace the expensive spec.doc. Dice offers a new cable for $39 but I would loose the spec.doc, unless there is a way to replace the cable inside the dock (looks glued in to me). If you have the original spec.doc, where is your voltage converter plugged into? I always wondered why Dice didn't modify just the the unit between the spec.doc cable and the dice unit, instead of requiring an entire new cable. Seems like a more logical approach to make further modifications if necessary

[Stephen Skarlatos]

I use the Ridax charge converter which has female and male 30 pin Apple dock connectors. the cable coming out of my SpecDock terminates as a female 30 pin Apple doc connector, so that is where I attached the charge converter, I then use an extension 30 pin dock cable from CableJive to connect the Alpine AI unit.