BMW 'Fully Integrated DAB, £299'

[mmm-five]

Just seen this advert on the back of my BMWCCGB Straight Six magazine.

Initially it looks like a very good deal at £299, especially considering the Alpine EZi-DAB is £199 without fitting or aerial (which looks very similar to the Pure Highway 300D). But have just seen the same kit (Connects2 Auto-DAB system) on offer at Halfords for £149 - with fitting at £29.99.

Whilst I ordinarily wouldn't allow Halfords to fit anything (since a bad experience with a head unit some years back), it seems I could get it supplied & fitted for almost 50% of BMW's quoted price.

Alternatively, do I pay to get the better looking, and better reputation Alpine one fitted?

Connects2 Auto-DAB



Alpine EZi-DAB



Pure Highway 300Di

[Bing]

Knowing how tricky some of the trim in our cars can be, I wouldn't let Halfords touch it

I love the look of the Alpine one, and you have possibly tempted me - where's the best place to buy one ?

EDIT - however I like the idea of the first integrated into the head unit and MFSW controls...

[mmm-five]

Knowing how tricky some of the trim in our cars can be, I wouldn't let Halfords touch it

I love the look of the Alpine one, and you have possibly tempted me - where's the best place to buy one ?

EDIT - however I like the idea of the first integrated into the head unit and MFSW controls...

I don't think I could use the steering wheel kit on mine as it already has the MFSW.

I don't think there's much in it between the Pure and the Alpine, and wouldn't be surprised if it's just a licensing thing. BUT, I couldn't have that Pure aerial on my windscreen

I think there's only one real option, and that's the Alpine, which I'll probably buy from Car Audio Security, which is where I bought my DAB-capable head-unit for my M5 from. Although there's an Amazon seller offering it for £185 instead of £199.

[Andy]

It's here too for £149.99 delivered - halfords is online only so you couldn't reserve one.

Anyway, that said it quotes:

Compatible Vehicles
1 Series (E87) 2005>
1 Series (E81) 2006>
3 Series (E90) 2006>
5 Series (E60) 2005>
6 Series (E63) 2005>
7 Series (E64) 2005>
Mini (R56) 2006>
X6 (E71/72) 2006>

[mmm-five]

The advert on the magazine & the BMW dealer websites say "Suitable for BMW cars from 1998 production onwards with RDS text function" - but Halfords claims 2006 production year onwards.

Definitely Alpine version then as the BMW/Connects2 one doesn't have USB-in anyway.

I've also got the added complexity of having my AUX-in socket full of a CD-multichanger, so I'd have to use the FM-passthrough (though not the FM-RF option).

[ksher]

Can you have a new head unit with DAB built-in, so no separate wireless remote control required?

[mmm-five]

Can you have a new head unit with DAB built-in, so no separate wireless remote control required?

You can, but then I'd lose out on the Prof/Logic7 hi-fi that's built in.

[Wondermike]

I suppose it all depends on where you are driving, but my experience of in-car DAB is that the signal drops out all the time.

Would make me think twice about spending £300 on it.

[blueshoe5000]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but for any intravee owners out there is there a way to get the alpine dab unit as an add on?

[Jembo]

I suppose it all depends on where you are driving, but my experience of in-car DAB is that the signal drops out all the time.

Would make me think twice about spending £300 on it.

Heard quite a few people saying this & when I replaced the other motor, dealer at the time even suggested it wasn't worth the money just yet because of this very reason of dropping the signal... which is truly laughable given this is what it was hyped to prevent in the first place...

[sam1832]

I've got a dab in my other car

Ford focus - Sony dab

Its rubbish I can't really get signal anywhere I just use kt on .fm

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Taz]

is DAB worth having now?

last DAB radio i bought was rubbish, could never get a signal

edit : oops should have read the previous post - confirms my thoughts

[srhutch]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but for any intravee owners out there is there a way to get the alpine dab unit as an add on?

You need to change the KCA-420i for a slightly differnet model that has DAB built in. I can't remember the model number but I know they are like hens teeth to find.

[mrlozzer]

is DAB worth having now?

last DAB radio i bought was rubbish, could never get a signal

edit : oops should have read the previous post - confirms my thoughts

DAB reception isn't the best even at home, so god knows what it would be like on the move... Probably not too bad if you live near a transmitter...

[mmm-five]

My experience of DAB in my last two cars seems to be the opposite of everyone else's on here - i.e. I've have next to no issues with it. That's why I'm considering it for the Z4.

Maybe it's down to the fact that I always purchase the optional amplified DAB aerials?

The EZi-DAB also has the benefit of allowing me to control an iPod, as the Intravee uses the currently occupied AUX-in. It also supports DAB+/DMB-R for use in other European countries.

There's lots of rumours about DAB being switched off as it's not successful, but the only timeline I've seen mentions 2019 t the earliest, which means I've got 7 years grace