Ipod Interface
 

The Ipod option is finally available on new orders:
http://jon.bimmerfest.com/bulletins/...sb_adapter.pdf

According to www.bmwcca.org, we will not be able to order this option as a retrofit install. Is anyone else offering an Ipod interface that works on the E70 and integrates with the idrive screen?

Only in Canada you say???
 

BMW Canada has it listed on their website as a dealer installed accessory - part number 65410412881

Here is what they say:

"The BMW iPod Interface Adapter kit includes 2 wiring harnesses and an interface box. The interface is connected to the back of the radio and a cable runs into the glove box of the vehicle. The connector located in the glove box connects to the iPod and charges the unit while connected if the vehicle is running" http://www.bmw.ca/global/images/spacer.gif


http://www.bmw.ca/accessories/images...81_full_01.jpg

I think thats the old part...are you sure thats for the E70?

Unless the pic has been Photoshopped, it looks like an iPod in a E70 glovebox. Might need to get some work done on my roadtrip to Toronto.

Having looked through the links the factory install only refers to the USB connection, this allows the use of memory sticks and other MP3 players.

The iPod connection will still be available as a retro fit in the glove box but only for the iPod not the USB as well, which would if factory fitted (6FL) be located in the centre console next to the Aux socket.

So does this "ipod only option " allow complete function of the ipod via idrive
(scrolling through artists , albums, songs etc.) or does it just allow selected playlists? If this is the case I'd just as soon keep my ipod in the center console, use the AUX input and pick the songs I want without stopping the car to get the ipod out of the glove box !I'm disappointed the 6FL will not be available. My X5 is "at the preparation center" so I should receive it this week! Too late to reorder-plus I've already waited 6 weeks!

surely someone has a package that will give us complete control...I cant live w/o my ipod. Currently I have it hooked to the center console aux input...but I want control from the steering wheel and idrive screen before I get in a wreck looking at the ipod display.

I have the BMW iPod interface in my 650i. It is by far better than just an "aux' interface. it "emulates" the CD Changer in the iDrive. Full test displays (2 line is an option)

CD1 = Playlists
CD2 = Artists
CD3 = Albums
CD4 = ?
CD5 = ?
CD6 = Podcasts

I'm not 100% sure of the order, I rarely use anything other than the playlists.

by far the best iPod interface available. I have the DICE in my E53 and IMHO it's a pile of crap. This is the #1 thing I dislike about my X5 and is pushing me to upgrade to the E70.

I ordered the Ipod interface with my new X5 4.8i.
I am still waiting for delivery though. I'll let you know how it works out. The list price was $499. I talked them down to $350, but on my contract is says $0 so I think they are mistakenly throwing it in!

My first post BTW, nice to be here! This will be my first BMW, upgrading from a 2001 Pathfinder LE. Can't wait!

I was told that it was a factory installed accessory this morning when we officially ordered my car in DCS

Mine was installed by the dealer when it arrived. I can control playlists, artists, etc. full control through Idrive. Not cheap though.

400 USD is what I was quoted

Does it show album art?

Now that'd be nice :)

Since apple finally got off their bum and lets you download the applicable albm art for songs that are in their music store

granted....it doesn't cover ALL my music...so I had to go find the albm art files myself...but they are there

one of my greatest achievements

lol

dont get greedy

here is some more info:

very interesting.....so can I use my synch cable for my iPod nano to plug in?

Or am I missing something?

This a different product than the dedicated Ipod cable. The Ipod cable is after market and can handle more songs and playlists. (at least from what I have been told).

The retail price on BMWs website for other models (3 Series, etc.) is $400. I delayed my order specifically for this option as I was specifically told by BMW Customer Relations that it CANNOT be retrofitted.

Of course we may still cancel the order all together and wait for 08's if they can't get their act together on the interior. We originally had hoped to get it in March- now May or June. Wait one more month and it's 08 time.

Praetorian - Are you saying that the 6FL USB option was added to your 2007 X5 by the dealer after delivery? Or was it the BMW Ipod Interface that goes in the glove compartment (didn't think this was available)? What was the cost? Thanks for any help you can provide.

really? i know it is expensive but if it can be controled thru iDrive i want one..does any BMW dealer has it? im located in seattle area..

The Ipod cable is an after market product so specialty car audio shops will carry and install it as well.

this is why i hate to buy the car as soon as it launches....=(

Quick review of my Ipod experience:
I have had my E70 4.8 for 3 weeks now, and had the dealer install the dedicated Ipod cable in the glove box. I was told at the time of purchase that there were two options, a BMW labeled product and an after market one. I was told that the after market cable could handle more information than the BMW one (I'm not so sure about that as it seems logical to me that any information limitation would be controlled by I Drive. I chose the after market product but ended up with the BMW one, as they said that they couldn't get the other one to work and it was crashing the system!
This is a black cable that sits in the glove box. My G4 60Gb Ipod connects to it, and the BMW logo immediately comes up on the ipod screen and all controls on it are locked. It is controlled in the CD changer. CD 1 brings up your playlists, CD2 has the artist folder, CD3 I think holds Podcasts. Not sure what the rest hold. Here are some limitations. It will only hold something like 255 folders or playlists, and 1000 songs per folder. That required a big adjustment for me as I prefer to just throw it on an 8000 song shuffle! I can no longer do that. I could set up 8 playlist and alternate between them. There is a "random" option but it doesn't seem to work that well and if you skip to the next track in random mode it goes to the next song in the directory which is a pain. The sound quality is good but there is sometimes distortion at high volumes. Any Ipod EQ settings are disabled as well. Each directory takes from 5-20 seconds to open. All in all it is an OK makeshift option, but a bit disappointing that they didn't build it from the ground up to properly interface with Idrive. This ended up being a no chargeoption for me so I guess I can't complain! FWIW they were trying to sell it to me for CAD$500 and I talked them down to $350. In the end they forgot to charge me for it!

FYI- This is not the new 6FL option which is far superior. This is the older option.

Maybe the 6FL is the one they tried to install but failed. If it is that much better, maybe I should push for it instead.

6FL is not a dealer install option...its factory install only. I think they were blowing smoke.

Probably. Thanks for clarifying that.

IPod interface via AUX
 

Excuse my ignorance on the subject but as I understand you can connect iPod through AUX interface in the armrest. Would this be an inferior way to do things regarding signal quality, possibility to control iPod from iDrive etc. My dealer in Canada offered me iPod connection when I was ordering the car but I opted out since they wanted ~$400, which I thought was ridiculous.

Through the Aux interface, signal quality is optimal, and exactly the same with the other connection possibilities. But with the Aux connection, you cannot command the iPod via the iDrive and you have no information on the screen.

With the connection in the glove box (retrofit), you can command the iPod with the sterring wheel, but not with the iDrive and always no information on the screen.

Only with the USB connector 6FL, you have all the possibilities to command with the iDrive and see the information on the screen (need a special cable).

Not sure about the sound quality difference. The $500 6FL factory installed I-Pod option allows you to control the I-Pod through the I-Drive and song info. is displayed on the I-Drive screen and it charges the I-Pod as well. The AUX. armrest input does none of the above, it is just a simple input, all I-Pod functions must be controlled through the I-Pod.
Whether or not the added functionality is worth $500 is a matter of personal preference.

There is no sound difference : Even with the USB connector, the sound signal is transmitted through the Aux interface. The USB port is only for the display and the iDrive command.

See the special cable you need :

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...mage%20453.jpg

Another option is to get an iPOD dock to 3.5mm jack cable (improves quality over that on the earpiece) and just let your iPod shuffle the songs.

Cleary not as good as full integration but an acceptable interim position for me until my dealer's techs work out how to install it on other folks cars before touching mine!

As far as sound quality is concerned. Anytime you plug an ipod (as the source) into another component using the headphone jack on the ipod you will have inferior sound quality than if you plugged the ipod in using the connector at the bottom, which then gives you true line-out output. My understanding of the new BMW ipod/USB interface is that it does connect to the bottom of the ipod (and thus give a superior sound quality over the previous simple glovebox aux input solution) and the other end plugs into the new connector which has a 3.5mm jack for audio and a USB jack for power/data.

I don't disagree, but what I'm saying is that there is a half-way solution out there which gives a bit of an improvement without getting the BMW kit.

any idea when will the dealers get it for installation

UK dealers already have them and the E70 isn't even launched yet!

I am using the Belkin adapter with built in amp which helps me equilize the volume so there is no jump in volume while connected. IT also allows one connector to the iPOD for power and sound and splits it out in the center console.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=193794

for more info.

According to X5FX I don't have the 6FL, but I do have control through the Idrive and steering wheel. If this is the case, there must be another option installed by the dealer. Mine works the same as what Genearch mentions on page one.

You said earlier your Ipod is controlled via CD Changer, this is the older option (which is still available as an add-on by the dealer).

6FL is controlled thru the AUX input and has better options (but it is only available w/ new car order).

I think the easier way to tell is the looocation of the connection. The 6FL is located in the armrest, the accessory option gets fitted in the glovebox.

I'm using the same adapter, and it works fine. I'm also using a remote control to command the iPod during driving. So, i don't miss the installation in the glovebox.

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/228078/DSC30.jpg


http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02089.jpg

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02094.jpg

Where did you get the phone cradle?
 

I haven't seen any for the e70.

By my BMW dealer. They are the same ones as for the other BMW series.

My one is for a Sony Ericsson K800i

Thanks for the info...
 

Nice. Does it charge the phone through the cig lighter in the console?
Thanks

No, the phone is charged directly in the cradle, and connect to the external antenna.

This is interesting
 

I have a U.S. spec E70 and there's nothing in the center console except the cig lighter. Anybody with a U.S. spec have something different that would allow the phone cradle installation?

Wow. Can you upload some detailed photos of this install (the ones you sent are a little dark in that area). I'm sure others are interested in it too.

I am surprised. Do you not have the BMW-Bluetooth system in the US ?
With the Bluetooth installation, you command your phone with the iDrive and the car-screen, or the steering wheel. You can leave your phone in the pocket or put in the cradle ("Snap in", to connect it to the external antenna and to charge it)

If you want, i will put some photos later...

It's not that we don't have Bluetooth - it's that there has been no information on the cradles for the U.S. E70 yet. Pictures would be very much appreciated.

Here are some one

The cradle out of the car
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02101.jpg

Here installed in its place
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02096.jpg

The antenna connector
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02097.jpg


The charger connector
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02098.jpg

The phone in the cradle
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02100.jpg

Thanks. Could you please elaborate on how the cradle attaches inside the console compartment? It's not obvious on my X5 how that would work. I understand how the snap-in adapter goes into the cradle but not how the cradle attaches to the inside of the console compartment. I appreciate your help.

Great detail shots. Could you also send some of the inside of the console without the snap-in adapter in place as well as a couple of shots from a foot or two away?

I guarantee there are PLENTY of people on this board who are interested in this since none of the US BMW dealers seems to know anything about it (and why should they, it's not like the car is made in the USA or anything).

Last point, wouldn't it be amazing if there was someone on this board who actually worked on the assembly line (like a final quality check person) of the X5 ?!?!

Here 2 others pictures :
This part comes with the car if you take the BMW Buetooth system in Europe :
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02103.jpg

Here the screws which attach the cradle inside the console (electrical connection are not visible:

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...8/DSC02105.jpg

Here the list about all existing snap-in adapters with their part numbers :
http://www.auto-treff.com/bmw/vb/sho...hreadid=113614


Hope it will help ;)

Thanks very much, Klawal. Very helpful.

Absolutely fantastic info and photos. Thanks again so much.

We finally got ours with the 6FL option and as mentioned above there is a USB connector and a AUX jack in the armrest. They did not get not include the cable and the dealer is checking. I am not missing it right now because I can just plug a USB memory key with MP3 files in it and Idrive shows the files and plays them. I am very happy so far.

The cable is supposed to be supplied by the dealer at no cost beyond the cost of the 6FL option. Our dealer didn't have any in stock when we took delivery of our X5 but got us one within 5 days after delivery.

Can you snap a photo and post it?

I will be out for a week so I won't have a chance to do it before then. It is very similar to the picture shown in the PDF file at the begining of the thread. It looks like jfr0317 also has the option so if he can't post pictures before I am back I'll be happy to.

How much did U guys pay in the US for the iPod cable for 6FL? It might even be included for you lucky US owners, the UK brochure lists the cable at £39.95 a cool $80....:rofl:
Thanks

C

The iPod cable for the 6FL option is included with the option (which has a price of $400 U.S.) but is supplied to the customer by the dealer. My dealer didn't have any when I took delivery but got me one within three days.

I'll try to get a picture, but in the meantime, I can describe it by saying the 1/8" mini-jack female plug and the USB female port are next to each other at the inside front of the center console compartment (the one accessed by opening the center armrest).

6-cd changer = no ipod retrofit
 

I'm worried because I have 6-cd changer...... got this quote from bmw north america.

"This device cannot be used in conjunction with the optional 6-disc CD Changer or 7 Series optional Rear Seat Package."

how true is this? i've already paid for this option and awaiting install.

I think this is only for the after market install .. the 6FL IPOD/USB factory install does not mean your cd changer is no longer usable..

You can still have the aftermarket kit and CD changer too.

can people put up some screenshots of their 6FL in use? the only shots i've ever seen are with the business nav screen, i'm interested to see how it would look with the larger proffesional nav screen.

anyone?

not the case, brought the car in for ipod install today and was told by dealer that 6-cd changer will no longer be usable.

I think he is wrong, others are reporting they have both.

Dealer here in Australia quotes a extra $130 for the cable on top of the $600 6FL option price... So that works out even more than your cost !!!

That's some cable !!!
 

Thats's unbelievable... !!! I plan to use a USB drive anyway but this cable must be gold plated or something...

The option is called a USB/Audio interface... I have USB Ipod interface written on my order so I'll be insisting on the cable for the Ipod..