CD Changer in glovebox
 

Hi all. My car's CD changer has become almost unusable (often jams disks half in/half out when loading or ejecting - sometimes requires me having to remove disks manually by stripping the unit).
Long story short; Are there any aftermarket units available that plug directly into the harness and interface with the iDrive and steering mounted controls?..other than this product manufactured by Alpine - Genuine BMW Ipod/iphone Interface Adapter - E60 E63 E65 E70 E71 - Turner Motorsport
I ask because If possible I would rather not pigeonhole myself by installing a manufacture specific device (in this case iPod). USB, possibly with SIM/microSIM compatibility seems to make more practical sense, or at least it does to me.

Thanks in advance

so you would be replacing the entire CD/DVD changer in the glovebox with this ipod adapter? then you plug your ipod in with this cable and leave your ipod in the glovebox? Am i understanding this correctly? What happens when all the new apple devices start using the lightning cable?

Exactly correct...and also the reason for my question. As stated above, I am reluctant to tie myself into purchasing a product specific to ipod/iphone integration as it does seriously limit my options. I have however discovered a few other options which are better at achieving the result I am after, namely the use of USB which then provides me with the option of connecting a hard drive. As a bonus I still get to use the iDrive and steering mounted controls to navigate the hard drive as if the CDC were still connected (which is all I'm looking for).

what is this new option you found? I'm interested

Dension 500 but it's quite expensive and even used on ebay the sellers are more than a little optimistic...but I suppose that's all relative to what people are willing to fork over. Another brand is Grom and they have the MST4 but you have to pay for each type of interface cable separately which once again pushes the price well north of what I would consider to be money well spent but once again the unit is worth as much as people are willing to pay...paying in South African Rands does admittedly contribute to my remarks about cost thereof.