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

[London Lad]

Originally Posted by j11398

As it was explained to me. If you have Nav you get the USB connection in the glovebox which will allow you to load audio files (eg. mp3) onto the iDrive hard disk. You can then play them using the iDrive controls in the same way that you can make a copy of a music CD on the iDrive.

I you select the 6FL option you can also control your IPod/IPhone from the arm rest and use it to directly play music through the stereo. In this case the files are not copied to the iDrive. I have not tried it but believe with this option you can control your IPod from the USB in the glove box. However, there is no earphone jack in the glovebox so there is no way to hear the IPod music through the stereo when connected in the glovebox. I believe the 6FL option updates the iDrive to enable control of the IPod and gives you a second USB connection next to the earphone jack.

+ if you then add the 'full' iphone kit you get the cradel in the arm rest which gives you the addition of inductive outside antenna connection and better quality music straight out of the iphone bottom socket. In addition you don't have to mess with leads and you have a phone holder.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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)

[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.

[RedRockin]

Originally Posted by 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)

Well congrats again and hope you love your new ride! I have about 4.5 GB loaded and it takes about 25 minutes to fully download so I would think an 8GB stick (holds just under that amount) would take about 45 minutes. The dealer told me if you shut the vehicle off during download it will automatically resume the download when next you start the vehicle. I have re-loaded and shut down during download, it did not resume so I had to delete the first partial and start over - this is how I have such a clear focus on the download time. I have added more music so I have to re-do it again. This is one more little glitch in the system; you cannot add music to an existing download folder as a subsequent download will create another (new) folder and there is no way to combine the two. I don't plan to add more any time soon so I should be good after this next delete and download. If I wanted to continually add/edit my collection, I would not bother with the download and just leave the files on the USB stick plugged in and play directly off that. The stick is easily editable on a computer but to change the car's HD file, you have to delate and re-download. Unless, of course, you don't mind having multiple files (can be a good thing for keeping different music collections separate).

[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.