2006 X3 iPod/Bluetooth/phone questions

[PeterNYC]

hello all....I'm a newbie here, so forgive me if these are very basic questions....Am about to pull the trigger on an '06 X3 (wife wants it now...i'd like to wait for the '07, guess who won).

I have a few queries re the electronics/audio:

-ipod: the x3's come with a pre-installed iPod adopter...is this the same version they introduced in '04? If so, any opinions? I've read that while it integrates into the stereo, there are no displays of songs, albums, etc...I suppose it's still a good thing to have, and, if i'm reading the BMW site correctly, it's only a $40 charge


-bluetooth: Not really sure what this means/does...if a phone is already blueetooth, what does this actually do? Ideally, i'd like to be able to slip my phone into a cradle and have it be hands free, through the stereo (I think the 7 series does this), but from what I've read, one has to buy and install an aftermarket cradle....can anybody clarify for me?

-Finally, we are going to get Sirius....two questions: Where do they install the box/receiver....and does the sirius integrate right into the stereo system?

Many thanks...I'm enjoying this forum, and again, sorry if I seem green.

[Juanted]

Peter,

You read right: the BMW iPod connection does not display song titles. You can control volume and skip from song to song using the controls on your steering wheel, but no song titles. You can buy the ICELink solution, which does show songs. Do a search on the board; this has been discussed before.

Yes, the bluetooth module allows you to integrate your bluetooth phone with the stereo. Calls come in through the speakers; there is a microphone up on the ceiling by the mirror. You have to pair your phone with the BMW module. It should be in your owner's manual. You don't need a cradle, unless you just want it for aesthetic reasons. You can simply plug in your phone to the DC power outlet.

Ditto for Sirius, which is integrated into your stereo.

Welcome to the board, by the way! I'm sure you'll ike it here.

Juan

[PeterNYC]

thanks Juan for the info

I've seen the icelink...i assume that is just an after market add on that the BMW dealer can add? I'll look at the coverage on here...may make sense to skip what BMW offers and just go for the icelink

So on the phone....is there a DC plug in someplace in the armrest?

and if anybody knows were the Sirius box is mounted, i'm curious

thanks

[xx3]

- $40? Try $400, maybe $300 if your lucky for the iPod kit... It is quite limited. And from what it seems the new 2nd kit only works with the new-gen iDrive cars. A lot of people recommend Icelink - I have no experience with it, but there is a lot of experience on the board here with Icelink...

- Bluetooth just means that your car can communicate wirelessly with your cell phone. Bluetooth is just like Infrared or any other communications protocol except for the fact that it does not require a direct line of sight (as long as your in range your ok, unlike infrared when you have to hold both devices so that their 'eye's see each other).

If you want to go the cradle route, don't order bluetooth, you'll just be wasting money - the cradle charges and allows you to use the sharkfin antenna on the roof for better reception. You don't need bluetooth to use the cradle.

Either way, make sure you check that your cell phone model is supported. In principle, Bluetooth should work with any phone, provided it supports the right profiles (the way bluetooth was designed) - however BMW bluetooth kits are VERY picky on what phones they will talk to. You might get limited success on an unsupported phone, but most likely you won't be able to transfer the phone book... BMW also doesn't make cradles for all phones... Post the phone model here or your carrier and someone should be able to help you...

- Sirius from what I hear does integrate well into the stereo system. I'd highly recommend you get the navigation option, so you can use the Sirius radio with the bigger screen. The Nav isn't half bad either..!

--- reply to 2nd post ---

- Both are going to have to be done after-market. The iPod adapter would be installed into your car upon delivery. Not sure if a dealer would do Ice-link, but many of the board have done it themselves...

- No DC plug in the arm-rest, however BMW cradles do charge. So if your thinking of something to plug in a charger no, but if you buy the cradle and snap your phone in - yes.

- No idea on the sirius box.

--- Final say ---

Sure you can't wait for an 07'? You'll get the new better mileage engine, supposedly a slightly revised interior and a refreshed exterior.

Well thats what I've heard so far... I'd wait at least a couple months and find out what BMW is doing for the 07 model year before you pull the trigger... BMW might go with a late 07 model year starting in march 07' versus september 06'...

Noone really knows at this point what they are going to do...

[PeterNYC]

thanks xx3...very helpful

when i "build my own" on the bwm site, there is a$40 add on that says it supports MP3 players etc (looks like a wire in the glove box)....I guess teh ipod set up is more complicated than that

With icelink....does your ipOD stay on the exterior, or does it work through the glovebox but display via the stereo and/or nav screen?

Also...can you use icelink if you have DSP and sirius?

thanks for all the help.....sorry to be such a pain

[Juanted]

BMW's iPod set up is not $400. Yes, the wire comes into your glovebox, where you hook up your iPod. The iPod stays in your glovebox, and you control everything from the steering wheel controls. Go to iPod Your BMW.com for more details.

I don't have ICELink, so I can't answer your other question. Do a search on this site for ICELink, and you should get some good responses.

Juan

[RastaGurl]

Originally Posted by PeterNYC

thanks xx3...very helpful

when i "build my own" on the bwm site, there is a$40 add on that says it supports MP3 players etc (looks like a wire in the glove box)....I guess teh ipod set up is more complicated than that

With icelink....does your ipOD stay on the exterior, or does it work through the glovebox but display via the stereo and/or nav screen?

Also...can you use icelink if you have DSP and sirius?

thanks for all the help.....sorry to be such a pain

The Ice>link plus replaces the CD changer, for which the wires are beneath the centre console. I, and other members here, have installed it witihn the centre console, and it displays song titles, etc, and also allows one to control the ipod using the steering wheel controls (i.e. ALL your playlists, etc.). The only option with the BMW aux input thus far, as far as the steering wheel controls are concerned, are volume control, and five playlists.

Yes, you can use Ice>link with DSP and Sirius.

BTW, the sirius receiver is installed in the trunk on the left side just inferior to the Nav. It's very simple and takes approx. 30 mins., if I can do it, you can! It's basically plug 'n' play, so it's pointless to pay your stealer to do it.

And: WELCOME!!!! It's good to have you aboard!

[pionex]

The $40 wire you are talking about is most likely just an auxillary input. That is what I have. You just plug anything with an 1/8" jack into it and it plays, but you have to control your ipod normally, there is no integration with the stereo. If you go this route with an Ipod especially, I highly recommend that you get a line out adapter for your ipod, something like the sendstation pocket dock. I've had some issues with the stereo not liking the amplified signal from the headphone jack and deciding to switch over to the radio or cd player. I'm pretty sure there is a cable that gives you both a line out from your ipod and gets power from your cigarette lighter plug. I have a sendstation firewire myself plus a belkin power adapter that lets me use a standard 6pin to 6pin firewire cable from the adapter to to my ipod. This will not work with the new USB only Ipods, so I recommend finding the ipod cable with line out and power connector.

[pionex]

The cable I mentioned is a belkin dc power cable with line out

[PeterNYC]

thanks for all the input guy...In emailing with Tom G, it seems icelink is a far superior choice....esp since i plan to go the premium/sirius route

rasta-- when you say icelink "replaces" the cd changer....does that mean i need to order the six cd changer in order to use icelink?

Also...i'm not clear where the sirius or nav are installed...when you say "trunk" side...do you mean rear compartment? My hope would be that they'd be hidden completely....Are there options for where this and the nav box can get installed?

thanks again