AUX install-need your suggestion
 

I was planning on buying the parts to install the AUX input in my 2006 X5 3.0. I noticed there is a sticky on a step by step procedure for the install, but exactly how hard is this to do?

I am not much of a do-it-yourself type but if this is fairly easy I may just try it out

Thanks in advance!

Very easy.

Steved has a great step by step guide here http://www.xoutpost.com/bsws-mobile-e...-input-x5.html

I've done this twice with no problems :thumbup:

working on gathering up enough guts to try this out myself...just ordered the auxiliary kit.

i think i will try putting the jack in the ashtray route.

I just did this mod over the holiday and it was very easy. I was a little nervous as it was my first mod and it went realy well.

How easy this mod is depends on your radio model. On some, it is as easy as plugging in a connector to the back of the CD player. On mine, however, requires you to transfer the pins (4 of them) to the existing connector on the back of the CD player.

Can someone tell me if the aux input charges the ipod or at least lets it run off the car and not it's own battery power?

all the auxiliary input (3.5mm stereo) does is transfer audio. it will not charge the mp3 player. you can opt for the intelligent ipod adapter or a dice

The Aux input if installed in the glovebox can be charged from the switched flashlight plug in the glove box. There's an avaliable cable that converts that charger for the flashlight into a cigarette lighter plug. Just plug an ipod charger cable into that. http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...&client=safari Works great.

Thanks for the great info guys. The flashlight power adapter with the ipod using the Belkin cable is a great idea. I had originally considered installing the Aux input in the center console area (where the coin storage stuff is located) but given that I'll need another cable for power a better option is the glovebox install.

I have to say the most disappointing aspect of the aux adapter is not that it doesn't charge the ipod or run from car power, but that it plugs into the headphone jack which is not a true line-out output and thus, for audiophile reasons, it's not the ideal solution, which is a shame.

I may be wrong but the link describes it this way.

Auto Kit for iPod w/ Dock Connector

Part # F8V7058-APL

The Auto Kit connects your iPod device to your car's power source and includes an exclusive Belkin cable that charges your iPod from your car's cigarette lighter.

Further information shows that the dock connector also provides the feed to the output
on the auto kit which eliminates the need to use the headphone output. :thumbup:

Right, but you have to use either the TuneCase Mobile FM Transmitter or Cassette Adapter, neither of which I want to use.

I guess what would be ideal would be a connector to plug into the bottom of an iPod with either 2 wires coming out of it or two sockets. One wire(or socket) would connect to the 3.5mm jack of the Aux Audio Input. The other wire (or socket) would connect to a cigarette lighter socket. That way the iPod would be charged and provide line-level output to the source amplifier.

that is a very ingenius idea. although if you opt for an FM transmitter, the iRiver AFT is the best one.

are you specifically using an iPod only? or do you have other MP3s that use the eighth inch stereo? because you can always invest in the DICE unit which is an extremely good value for the money. then you can have both 3.5mm input and intelligent iPod

No you don't. Output is output regardless of what the input is. Just eliminate all the other stuff and get a male to male cord plug it into your aux input and your good to go. The output signal dosen't know what your feeding. It's just looking for somewhere to go. Why not the aux input?

Barry, that's actually a very good point. I think I might just try that.

Although I'd love full car control and on screen ipod info, I really want to keep my CD changer and so am not interested in the DICE option. I've heard mixed reviews about the new unit with HD radio, plus that kills the CD changer as well. I have Sirius, though it really isn't worth the money. AM/FM/Cassette/Sirius/CD Changer/ipod is plenty for me and if I can just get high quality sound out of the ipod with auto-charging then I'd be plenty happy.

Not true...the Headphone output of most devices is NOT the same as the Line Out. The headphone output is meant to drive low impedance loads (headphones, duh) and the Line Out is meant to drive high impedance loads (aux input). Though, the headphone output will work if you connect it into an aux input, but just not optimal.

Read the link. http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...&client=safari We're not talkin headphone output. The Auto Kit (which is what we're talkin about) also provides an adjustable amplifier and 3.5mm audio-out jack that lets you play your iPod through your car stereo. :nanana:

Ahhhhhhh...Got it :thumbup: