Harman Kardon Drive + Play - BMW Forum

jcap · 08-30-2006, 10:41 AM

Has anyone had experience with the Drive + Play?

I am weighing this and IceLink and DICE for my iPod. It seems they all have some disadvantages. The prominent one here would be the extra screen. But I am looking for funtion as the most important factor.

superdeadman · 08-30-2006, 05:54 PM

i really do'nt know the beauty of ipod.
i use creative players and like them far more for their functionality.
the buttons are all on the side, so i place it in between my shifter and handbreak, and can easily change songs

Eric S. · 08-30-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcap

Has anyone had experience with the Drive + Play?

I am weighing this and IceLink and DICE for my iPod. It seems they all have some disadvantages. The prominent one here would be the extra screen. But I am looking for funtion as the most important factor.

I used to think the Dice unit would be the best b/c it offers all playlist access from your steering wheel controls AND displays artist/track info on your dash display.

However, a poster to the Roadfly E39 forum says the Dice unit "sucks". When I asked why, he replied that the signal to noise ratio of the Dice unit was bad, and that he preferred the old Dension unit, which he'd apparently also owned. So apparently the old Dension iceLink was the "one".

See this link: Here's what sucks - The BMW 5 Series (E39) Message Forum

Another poster said he has the USASpec unit from BavAuto and likes it very much.

I have no personal experience except with an "iTrip" unit, which I quickly discovered sucks horribly.

If I wasn't selling my 540, I'd prob try to buy an older Dension unit or else get the USASpec unit from Crutchfield (if you don't like it, you can return it within 30 days, with them paying the return shipping).

winters97E39 · 09-01-2006, 02:19 PM

I have the HK drive+play hooked into an aftermarket Pioneer head unit and it rocks. The only bug I have found in it is that sometimes it resets the main menu options (like what i want to show and dont want to show - genre, composer, etc) but that's not a big deal. I found one on ebay complete with a FM modulator (which sucks, like most FM modulators do - go with a direct cable input) for $130. The design of the screen and control knob are very sleek, looks well at home in the bimmer. One tough thing is getting the main unit behind the dash - its a little cramped back there. Running the wires so they are hidden well is a daunting task, but it can be done with patience. With the stock head unit, the only real option is the FM modulator - that is why I went ahead and installed my old head unit. Sad to say I lost the controls on my steering wheel, but it made up for it in awesome sound. I have some pics of the installation that I will post later.

Another ipod interface I used was the NeoIon. It was pretty cool too, but there wasnt any way to see what song you were playing, you pretty much had to use the first 5 playlists, or go to an all song playlist. and with 4000+ songs on my ipod, that was too much of a pain in the a$$. It was very easy to install, however, hooks right into the CD changer controller. You do lose the ability to use your cd changer with that unit. I ended up selling it on ebay for just a little less than what I payed for it.

If you have any specific questions about ipod interfaces, let me know, I researched a bunch of them and am very happy with the drive+play.

oh BTW - the NeoIon I had is basically the same unit as the USASpec one from crutchfield. Neo has come out with some newer models you can check out at Mp3YourCar.com - Connect your iPod to your factory car stereo with one easy adapter connection kit

winters97E39 · 09-01-2006, 02:28 PM

sweet! the guy i bought my head unit installation adapter from posted a pic of my stereo for his ebay auctions.. (i told him he could use it if he wanted)

so, here is a pic of my head unit and drive+play installed:

I plan on hiding those wires a little better when I get some time. When you have 4 kids under the age of 9, time to yourself comes at a premium!!

johnjamesuk · 09-08-2006, 01:21 PM

did you have to damage your console by screwing in the control panel

:

winters97E39 · 09-08-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjamesuk

did you have to damage your console by screwing in the control panel

:

No, they attach via doublesided tape and alcohol prep pads which are included with the unit. The tape is pretty solid - feels like it is screwed in there.