Smart phone integration

[DWill]

I'm thinking of adding the snap in adaptor for iPhone to my new car.
I should have ordered it with it, but I didn't.

I have the iPod "kit" which just doesn't work well as far as charging goes. Even with the new wire, it's difficult to get the iPhone to charge.

Anyway the parts guy tells me that smart phone interation may already be in my car X5 but can't seem to; or maybe just won't tell me how I can tell if it is.

Is there a way I can tell if it's already installed;?or I'd the wiring is there for a DIY project?

[tcfila]

You will have a "blank" cradle already in the center console. It is impossible to miss. You take out the "blank" and put in a phone specific.

[DWill]

Originally Posted by tcfila

You will have a "blank" cradle already in the center console. It is impossible to miss. You take out the "blank" and put in a phone specific.

Thanks. I don't have that.

I wonder is the wiring I need already in the car?

There seems to be two pieces I need to buy, the "integration kit" and the phone cradle.

So, I'm wondering if I get those two parts is it simply "plug-n-play"?

[EdwardL]

To get the smart phone integration working you need the following factory options:

644 - amongst other things, gives you the base plate in the centre console/armrest
6NF - enables music play from iPhone while it is docked in cradle
6FL - gives you USB slot in armrest, and iPod interface in iDrive

Then on top of these, you have to buy the right cradle (or USB snap-in adapter as BMW calls it) for your iPhone. In Australia, this accessory is not included with any of the options above, and must be purchased separately or worked into the car deal.

To find out whether you have these options, you can ask your BMW dealer to run a VIN check for you, which will list out all the options you have on your car. I believe there also VIN decoders available online - Google it.

I don't know if these 3 options can be retrofit - my options were put in at the factory.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by DWill

I'm thinking of adding the snap in adaptor for iPhone to my new car.
I should have ordered it with it, but I didn't.

I have the iPod "kit" which just doesn't work well as far as charging goes. Even with the new wire, it's difficult to get the iPhone to charge.

Anyway the parts guy tells me that smart phone interation may already be in my car X5 but can't seem to; or maybe just won't tell me how I can tell if it is.

Is there a way I can tell if it's already installed;?or I'd the wiring is there for a DIY project?

"Even with the new wire its difficult to get the phone to charge"

What do you mean exactly. If you have the updated y-cable it will charge ... Always.. unless the cable or iPhone is either faultly?

As for the cradle accessory, you can add the base plate and cradle after the fact but it will only allow the phone to charge and allow it to use the external antenna. No iPod functionality since you don't have option 6NF

[DWill]

Originally Posted by apw2607

"Even with the new wire its difficult to get the phone to charge"

What do you mean exactly. If you have the updated y-cable it will charge ... Always.. unless the cable or iPhone is either faultly?

As for the cradle accessory, you can add the base plate and cradle after the fact but it will only allow the phone to charge and allow it to use the external antenna. No iPod functionality since you don't have option 6NF

Getting the phone to charge and using the external antenna is really all I'm after. I put my music on the hard drive.

So you're saying if I get the base ans the snap in adapter that's all I need for my phone to work as just a phone? That would be great.

The deal is I finally got the "right" Y cable. Thanks to someone here getting me the part number. Sometimes I plug the phone in and it charges eight off, other times I have to plug an unplug then replug the phone several times then it will charge and still other times it just won't charge at all.

I ways get the "this device is not compatable" message; always. This message is followed by the charging not supported message when the car decides not charge the phone.

It's not just one iPhone; I've tried several. A couple 3G's and a couple other 3G S's (my phone is a 3GS). At this point I've given up on the 6FL and written it off as a waste of money and I've gone back to just using a cig lighter plug. That wors 100% of the time.

So, if I can add the base and the adapter and get access to the external antenna and reliable charging I'd be very happy.

BTW, playing music from the hard drive seems to me to sound better than coming through the 6FL as well. But it could just be my perception.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by DWill

I'm thinking of adding the snap in adaptor for iPhone to my new car. ....
Is there a way I can tell if it's already installed;?or I'd the wiring is there for a DIY project?

Have a look at post #18 in this Bluetooth Forum thread for pics of what you would need for a DIY.

IMO the whole 'smart phone integration' thing is way too complicated and way over priced, for the minimal increase in functionality over a simple Bluetooth connection and 12v adapter that works just fine for us.

Funf Dreisig

[OlyS4]

Originally Posted by DWill

I put my music on the hard drive.

BTW, playing music from the hard drive seems to me to sound better than coming through the 6FL as well. But it could just be my perception.

I have an '08 and had no issues plugging an iPhone 4S in and charging/accessing music but just got an iPhone 6 and bought the corresponding Y adaptor and now the car doesn't seem to recognize/integrate with the new phone.

Anyone else experience this?

Also I like the idea of putting music directly on the hard drive, how is that accomplished?

Thanks!

[Tazojla]

I wouldn't recommend the cradle as it does use a lot of space in your centre console and it just used to p*ss me off so I got rid of it. If you don't use the centre console much then go for it but it may annoy you with having to lift it up EVERY time you want to get something under it