X5 Ipod adapter. Do i have to pull the stereo?

[Scott Clemo]

Question:

Do i have to pull the stereo to attach a a ipod adapter. That will charge the ipod and i can control via the steering wheel.

What i want to to do is connect it to where the (cs carriage sits) im assuming this is in the rear cargo area. Is there a system that just plugs in there?

It is cool if i cant physically touch the ipod . want to keep it in the rear cargo hatch if possible...

Am i right on this?

[acitydweller]

Hi Scott,

Here's my experience with the bmw ipod systems.

on my 06 mini cooper s, the factory ipod adapter connected to the aux input of the headunit so pulling out the stereo (assuming that's what you are referring to) was a necessity. The ipod input basically used the cd-changer connection. The ipod was controlled through the use of the steering wheel and playlists on the ipod itself.

In my 05 x5 with nav, i am using the intravee ai-net adapter (the alternative would be Dice, Soundgate and a few others) which connects to the audio system via CD changer connection in the rear cargo area.

I do not know if the factory ipod adapter allows you steering wheel control of the ipod but the aftermarket adapters do with the help of the Alpine ipod interface.

I will be keeping a dedicated ipod in the trunk area and control the ipod through the steering wheel as you are hoping for. The titles will also play on my nav screen (or your business radio if you have one).

I hope this helps clarify some of it for you...

[AudiBMWSX45]

The OEM BMW iPod adapter requires you to pull the stereo and snake the cable through the glove box. The simplest solution is DICE (or equivalent) that plugs directly to the CD changer connection in the trunk. You can still snake the cable to the front if you want (as I've done).