2006 X5 4.8is iPod Interface
 

Hi, I'm about to buy a 2006 X5 4.8is (with NAV and TV option) and would like to know my entertainment options available with this car, especially for music. Does it come with an iPod interface built-in, or do I need to buy third-party cables and drill holes and all that mess? What would I need to do here?

Are there any AV connections in the back cargo area that can be used? how and for what?

I also have the AV in/out 3.5mm jacks on the back of the center console facing the rear seats (with a Play button)... I already read some threads about that and it doesn't seem to be too useful.

So I'm curious what this car can do out of the box or with one or two simple cables. I don't want to drill any holes or have to disassemble half the car.

I have the Intravee and had a Dice. I love the Intravee but I also liked the Dice. I could not get rid of the background noise on the Dice so I had to get rid of it If you visit the Audio forum, you will find many threads discussing the Intravee and the Dice. It took me under 30minutes to install the Intravee. Yours should be easier to install since you don't have the Sirius satellite system. Mine was a little more involved because I had to get under the tire. You can plug yours in at the CD changer. Do you have a CD changer?
Best of luck!

well there is an optional ipod interface, but I don't believe it's compatible w/o deleting the CD changer, however the Intravee/Dice is a good option. I have an aux-in in the glove box, which was an option, and it works very well and has 6 different levels of amplifications + the normal volume control and it's more compatible (can use other things that the iPod)

So if I have an aux-in in the glove box that means I don't need to do anything except hook up the ipod to it, right?

I'll be seeing the car on Sunday and taking it to the dealer for an inspection (they're open on Sundays in my part of the world :-)). What should I look for to determine my entertainment options available?

I have the same connections in the back, which i actually kind of preferred (i have an intravee also in the rear), as i used those rear connections to listen to music and to watch video as well on a recent road trip we had.

i connected my 80gig ipod to it, with the appropriate video connectors/cables, and we managed to get in a couple of movies on the road trip :)

Sam,

If you do not have the OEM BMW AUX in, then the best option to integrate an iPod is the Intravee. I had Dice before but the Intravee II is 1000 times better.

I am near you in Saudi Arabia :) .. if you need any more help regarding your car please send me a note.

Cool! But I thought you can't watch video while the car is moving (???)

Thanks Essam :-) So how do I check if I have the OEM BMW AUX in? Does the AV in/out jacks on the rear console count?

Do I still need intravee? I'm trying to find out if I can connect an iPod or a generic MP3 player to the car WITHOUT using third party connectors (i definitely don't want to have to drill any holes anywhere)

yeah, those rear jacks are the ones you want. you just need the video cable for the ipod, and a connector piece to connect to the IN part of the rear console.

to get it enabled so it works on the move, is another thing ;)

The AUX is usually in the glove box.. take a look inside. The plugs at the back of the center console can be used to connect a small DVD player or iPod with video capability. You have to use the "correct" connectors.

As for the Intravee, you will not drill anything. Here is how it works:
1. You unplug your CD changer and take the two connectors (3 pin and 6 pin) directly to the intravee unit (in bus and audio). It looks like this:

http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalo...avee_II_lg.jpg


2. You connect the Intravee to Alpine KCA-420i iPod adapter and it looks like this:

http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalo...CA-420i_lg.jpg

3. You connect the iPod to the Alpine unit.


All are small items and can be installed in the same place of the CD changer and NAV computer.

4. You control the iPod from the front screen. The menu looks like this:


http://www.intravention.co.uk/files/...9_Nav_16x9.jpg