Rear seat DVD = no sat radio, ipod? Need help...

[Sarge]

I have a 'new to me' 07 X5 4.8i that I just bought my wife for Christmas, and it has the OEM rear seat 'center-mounted' DVD player setup.

While that might be nice at some point (my first child is due in May), I really need satellite radio, and would like ipod integration too. (I was told by the dealer that rear seat DVD pre-empts the ipod and satellite radio options).

Is there a way to do this and have OEM control of Sirius and iPod?

JL Audio makes a signal-switching device that could serve as a backup, but I'd really like to keep OEM control of things, particularly the sat radio (I live in Jackson, WY, so satellite radio is a MUST).

Since the rear seat entertainment is only visible from back there, I wouldn't mind not having 'control' of it from the dash (is there a way to make is display on the dash?); could I buy the OEM Sirius setup and use the JL Audio 'switch' to play the rear seat DVD signal if desired?

What about iPod control?

Lastly, how can you tell if you have the 'upgraded' sound system?

Thanks - this newbie appreciates your 'input'!

- Sarge

[bpcp10004]

We have an 07 X5 3.0si with the factory rear seat DVD. Dealer (Circle BMW in NJ) was able to install the BMW sat radio (car included factory prep for sat which I think is standard on all X5's). Cost me about $600 and required the car to be coded.

Also dealer installed a BMW iPod adapter even through we did not get the factory ipod/usb option. It gets installed via the glove compartment and hooks in the same way as the 6 disk CD changer. So long as you don't have the CD changer it will work. IPod is controlled via the iDrive, displays songs, artists, your playlists, etc. Only downside is it will not charge your IPod. Cost me about $350.

Both are BMW OEM.

[Sarge]

Thanks - that's a relief to hear. I wonder why the service tech I spoke with wouldn't have known that???

Re the iPod not charging, you may be able to charge a 4G iPod, but not a 5G. I had that problem a couple years ago. If that turns out to be the case, I'll be hitting up eBay for an older ipod... I'm assuming, that is, that the ipod controller is the type that plugs into the base (wide flat connector), and not just a 'headphone jack' connector?

[bpcp10004]

I have the 2nd Gen iPod touch and it does not charge it. The manual said it does charge some of the early ones though I don't remember off hand. I found it not to be a big deal as I take it out of the car often and just charge it at night via a plug.

The connector on the BMW iPod adapter is the flat dock connector, not the headphone jack. Below is a link for the part #'s on BMW's site.

BMW Accessories - 2007 X5 3.0i SAV:iPod® Interface Adapter