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

[RedRockin]

While searching the forum for more info on 6FL, I stumbled upon a fun and educational thread. I posted a reply to bump the thread back into action and after submitting realized it was posting in the X///M sub-forum. Decided the M'ers shouldn't have this all to themselves and decided to post a link to the thread here: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tml#post715632
The thread is currently about 4 pages long. If you don't want to read thru it, I'll post/quote the OP and my reply:

Originally Posted by B-Line

Like I was, I'm sure a lot of you are probably wondering about the Smartphone Integration. Thought I would take a minute to tell you all about it.

1) It only takes up 1/2 the center console
2) Besides the purchase of the option for $150, you only have to buy another additional piece from BMW for the cost of $136.

So your probably wondering, for $286 dollars, what does this fantastic invention do?

Well, it gives you Bluetooth. Wait a minute, wait a minute you're probably asking, don't I have Bluetooth without the module? This I will answer later in the post.

Its also is a charging station. Wait a minute, wait a minute, you're probably asking, don't I have a charging station that comes with the Ipod and USB adaptor as part of the premium sound package? This I will also answer shortly.

But lets summarize, it gives you a charging station, gives you Bluetooth functionality and reportedly even gives you access to your music library.

So the next logical question is, doesn't the USB cable do all that already? The short answer is, Yes, it does, but it's not "integrated"..

Which leads to, what does "integrated" really mean? What integrated really means is, it's hard, fixed, and in your storage area. More importantly though, it's perfectly sized for your iphone.
- But wait, what if my iphone has a case on it? Sorry, you have to take the case off before installing your phone in your center console. Even if it's a small case that is form fitted and fits in every other iphone charging station like clock radios or home stereo base stations.

Then your next question is most likely, how does the Iphone music access work? Unfortunately I can't answer this question for you as mine still hasn't worked through the integrated module even though it works amazingly well through the USB ipod cable.

By now your probably scratching your head thinking.. This piece of garbage costs $286, does the same thing as the USB cable which is included for free in the premium sound package, (though the USB cable gives immediate access to music library, also charges the phone and does not require you to take off your iphone case.) And the Smartphone Integration takes up half the center console ???!!!???

But what you would be forgetting to equate in all this is, BMW gives you the word "integration" so by definition it must be better. And it's expensive.

More importantly, the real reason to get this option is simple. If I paid for it, so should you. I mean really, I've been a member of this forum for like 27 years, have 19,000 posts and am on my sixth BMW X5. And if my stuck with this piece of garbage, then so too should you. And I don't want to hear any whining, "I don't need it, the USB cable is better" or "I don't want to lose half my storage compartment" or "I don't want to have to take my case off every time I get in and out of the car." or "My music access doesn't work and the Bluetooth gets confused if I don't immediately snap it in or take it out."

Cause those are all complaints that only a sissy whines about. Man up. It's only $286

Thought I'd this thread as it really IS entertaining - and educational too. BMW nor the dealers really provide any REAL information on these various features/what's included or what they really do for the money. I am starting to get a clue (now that I have my X5 for a few weeks and after following forums for 2 months!!). Still, even after all this some issues remain unclear. I'll write what I think I understand and hope someone with more FACTUAL information will correct any errors.

It now seems, and no-one will tell us when ordering (nor is it in the BMW X5 brochure), the vehicle seems to come - as standard equipment (no extra charges) with an AUX plug in the center console and a USB port in the glove box for downloading music to the vehicle's HD.

$400 6FL (iPod/USB) seems to add one additional USB port next to the AUX plug in the center console and some internal programming that allows the iDrive to "see" and navigate the iPod thru the iDrive and steering wheel controls. However, if you don't mind navigating your iPod songs on the iPod, you can plug it in with just the AUX plug and use the 12v for power/charging. Sound quality should be just as good. Alternatively, you can use your computer to drag and drop all of your music onto USB thumb drive sticks (cheap ~$20 4GBs, <$30 8Gbs and and not too much more for 16GBs) and use the USB port in the glove box to download to the vehicles HD. Additionally, if you have a very large music collection you can fill the HD and still have virtually UNLIMITED music capacity by just having additional USB thumb drive sticks (each 16 GB should hold at least 3500 to 4000 songs at 128 rip rate - so with about 3000 songs on the HD and a single 16GB stick you should be able to have over 7,000 songs connected thru your iDrive at all times with ability to swap out sticks as often as you may choose).

No one tells you any of this. I ordered the 6FL thinking that would be the only way to have the USB port (don't have or want an iPod) - now finding I spent $400 for nothing. I have also read you can store very large amounts of music onto a DVD and the primary CD slot will read and/or store those too (again, another standard option that provides us with virtually unlimited music capacity that is not mentioned anywhere and the dealers don't tell you either - of course, if they did, they might actually generate some customer goodwill but we certainly can't have THAT at a BMW dealership now can we?!

Finally, to concur with B-Line's OP, the smartphone integration, I believe, is phone specific. So, if you change phones the feature will no longer work - even the 4G iPhone is speculated to have a new shape! All features are basically duplicating what is already available thru standard equipment. HOWEVER, the one non-duplicated feature seems to be the connection to the vehicle's antenna and if you use an IPHONE - YOU ARE GOING TO NEED THIS FEATURE!!!! You will likely still drop multiple calls each day but isn't that part of the iPhone (on AT&T) experience??!! The external car antenna might help you drop one or two less so isn't that worth the extra $$??!

No need for or This is a fun, entertaining and educational thread so let's try to keep it that way.