6FL iPod/USB & Smartphone Integration - Best option EVER..

[London Lad]

Originally Posted by RedRockin

Thanks j11398. We know the 6FL provides iDrive iPod control. However, we are just focusing on the first part about the USB in the glovebox for loading the HD. Some have posted they did not get a glovebox USB but did not clarify if they got nav (either stand alone or in Tech). This is what we are hoping to definitively flush out. It is looking more and more like the glovebox USB port does come (albeit undocumented) with nav.

I got the 6FL and I have a thumbdrive stick connected to center console USB port (easier to reach than the glove box), to keep that music separate from my HD. Every time I access that drive to listen to that music, iDrive gives me the option to download it. So, while that center console USB IS part of 6FL and can be used for iPods, it can also play additional thumbdrive sticks and appears to have HD download capabilities. My dealer told me to download from glovebox USB but it does appear either can be used to HD download.

So, we are still focused on getting a DEFINITIVE (not speculative) answer for Paspar2 about the glovebox USB if not ordering the 6FL. Yes, we all are speculating it comes with the Nav but we still do not know with 100% certainty.

So maybe he should start a thread titled 'has anyone got an e70 without navigation' to get straight to the point

[stimulate]

I have 09 x35d with 6FL and Premium Sound. I have DVD Nav. There is no USB port in the glove box. I thought that was only for 2010 since you have HD Nav system.

I use an external, USB powered HD for my music and it works great. I have a 120GB Western Digital Passport drive. It is formatted in FAT32 and I have a mix of mp3 files at 320kbps and WMA Lossless files. The X5 handles this beautifully.

I create the WMA Lossless using Foobar2000 and my library of flac files.

I can hear a difference between the compressed and lossless files. You will too.

[j11398]

I agree you can play music froma USB stick connected in the glovebox or the arm rest.

I did notice that on page 118 of the x5/x6 manual it references the USB connection in the glove box. There is no * on the title which means it is not an option (assuming the manual is correct).

On page 183 where the reference the USB connection in the arm rest you will see the * indicating it is an option.

I don't know if the manual for the car is definitive but this with what I was told by the dealer.

[PasPar2]

for whom ever stumbles upon this old thread: just took delivery on my my2011 50 with tech and no 6fl and I DO have a usb in the glove....

[RedRockin]

Congrats on your new ride! What else did you get in it? color combo? Post some pics? Are you happy? Any issues?

As for the 6FL, it is looking more and more like the glove USB is an undocumented part of Nav (which, in your case - and mine too, is part of Tech Pkg.). Kind of pathetic it is not listed anywhere (not in vehicle brochure, web site or in any literature whatsoever) and the dealers do not know this to tell to customers. or, perhaps they don't mention it on purpose as 6FL has "USB" as part of the description so if they don't mention the glove USB they have a better chance of selling the 6FL add-on. More than likely tho, I suspect they just don't know.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by RedRockin

Congrats on your new ride! What else did you get in it? color combo? Post some pics? Are you happy? Any issues?

As for the 6FL, it is looking more and more like the glove USB is an undocumented part of Nav (which, in your case - and mine too, is part of Tech Pkg.). Kind of pathetic it is not listed anywhere (not in vehicle brochure, web site or in any literature whatsoever) and the dealers do not know this to tell to customers. or, perhaps they don't mention it on purpose as 6FL has "USB" as part of the description so if they don't mention the glove USB they have a better chance of selling the 6FL add-on. More than likely tho, I suspect they just don't know.

Why do you say it's undocumented. The feature is described in the owners manual. Only the USB port in the glovebox can be used for storing music on the idrive hard drive.

[RedRockin]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Why do you say it's undocumented. The feature is described in the owners manual. Only the USB port in the glovebox can be used for storing music on the idrive hard drive.

Undocumented in that there is no information that definitively informs the shopping buyer for determining what components come with options. Read an X5 brochure, look on-line at BMWUSA, ask any dealer and none will tell you. I wanted a USB port for the simple purpose of downloading music the the car's HD. had I known it would come with my Tech package, I never would have ordered 6FL (have no use for it). I even told my salesman I wanted a USB to download music and he told me I needed 6FL (which we NOW know was incorrect). Is it possible he lied to sell me a $400 feature I did not need? yes, but given the extensive discussion and absence of any "documentation" informing buyers about these features, we are concluding that no one knows - definitively. We have at least 4 or 5 threads, since I joined the BMW forums in January, discussing these points and no one has 100% concrete factual information. So far, it has been speculation and process of elimination (with posts like PasPar2's just above). Paspar2, others and I have been bouncing this around for months.

This is why PasPar2 posted: "for whom ever stumbles upon this old thread: just took delivery on my my 2011 50 with tech and no 6fl and I DO have a usb in the glove...."

The manual may cover the features but it does not tell you which features come standard, which are stand alone options and which features come with other features. For example, no forum members seem to have seen anything that says the glove box USB is a feature component of the navigation system - either Nav stand alone or as part of the Tech package. After much forum bantering around, we are down to posting what we get in our vehicles (relative to these features) based on the options we ordered. Thus --> undocumented

[bimmer_buachaill]

Ah, I missed that. So you only get a center console USB with the smart phone option?
Otherwise it's just in the glovebox? Is there a power outlet inside the glovebox?

[RedRockin]

Originally Posted by bimmer_buachaill

Ah, I missed that. So you only get a center console USB with the smart phone option?
Otherwise it's just in the glovebox? Is there a power outlet inside the glovebox?

Actually, no. I "think" the glove box power outlet may come regardless. It is all very unclear as there is no documentation supporting any of our conclusions. And, we have a few different threads trying to hone in on the exact facts. So far, it looks like the glove box USB (used for importing music into the vehicle's hard drive) comes as part of the Navigation option (regardless of stand alone Nav or part of the Tech Package). The 6FL iPod/USB option provides another USB port in the center console (which can be used to listen to additional USB music collection or for iPhone/iPad connection) along with the iPod/iPhone cable to connect an iPod or iPhone, and the factory programming that will permit you to operate the device thru the iDrive and steering wheel controls. The Integrated phone option is a separate option and may require 6FL as a prerequisite. That option provides a cradle for the phone and, I believe, also can improve your reception as I think that option also connects the phone to the roof antenna (AT&T iPhone users say it is a noticeable improvement in reception and dropped call reduction). EDIT: The cradle, I believe, is phone model specific so if you change phones you will probably have to replace the cradle. if you use iPhone, Apple is getting ready to release a new model and all points to a new body. If you are planning to order this, keep that part in mind.

If you are planning to buy an X5, I suggest you try to verify this but so far, no-one has been 100% successful at obtaining a 100% factual response from any dealer. Most dealer responses seem to be at least a bit vague or at least leave room for a bit of uncertainty. This is why PasPar2 posted about what came in his X5. We have been discussing these uncertainties without ever getting a 100% concrete factual answer from anyone at BMW.

[PasPar2]

Red, got a white on black 50 with prem/tech/sport etc but no usb option... unplugged the 8gb usb stick from the 07, plugged it into the 2011 and imported. Took a bit to import but let me set up my bt phone in the meantime. I then removed the usb stick and put it in the car junk drawer for backup

I still have a my old usb<-> ipod adapter from bmw from the 07... I never used it bc the sounds quality was crap and I dont like to ipod anyhow (unlike my wife)