Xoutpost.com - Alternatives for interfacing an iPod

Contributed by: X5world

Option 1 - AUX input. BMW's Aux input is available on 2003 and newer X5's. Aftermarket AUX inputs may also be available from vendors such as Soundgate or Blitzsafe. The Aux input is the most economical choice, running about $35 for the kit, plus an hour or two of labor if you aren't a DIY'er. You can do it yourself if you can remove the radio unit. No
steering wheel controls available other than volume.

Option 2 - The IPod Your BMW kit gives you steering wheel controls for volume and
change track +/-, but no text display. It doesn't work with some
combinations of premium sound and/or Nav. There are 5 playlists that
use the radio buttons 1-5. Button 6 plays all.

Options 3 - The Dension IceLink Plus gives you steering wheel controls for volume
and change track +/-, text display for title/artist, and has optional
modules available for premium sound/DSP. Text display can be on the OBC
display, the head unit, or on the Nav unit, your choice after purchase
(they are different files to run). There are 5 playlists in the Dension
user interface (buttons 1-5 on the radio). Button 6 takes you to the
Dension setup screen, from which you can go back to the standard IPod
UI if you wish. It will play fine, it will charge, but you will have no
steering wheel controls, no text display. You will have the ability to
use all the standard IPod functions to find a specific song. Prices for the IceLink Plus are on the DensionUSA website. Install is a local issue, or do it yourself.