Smartphone integration
 

New to the forum and could use some help. Just picked up my brand new '09 X5, which, among other things, has the smartphone integration option. I knew that I would need to purchase the cradle to use it and for my iphone to hook into idrive. But the dealer's telling me that I also need to pay for 2 hours of labor for the install (something with the software), which is going to run me $250.

Can anyone tell me if that's for real? Do I really need to pay an additional $250 for the labor or can I just plug the cradle in and go?

Absolutely not ... the cradle takes 2 seconds to pop in, and then you will be up and running. You do not need any software update done in the car. Thats rubbish.

Which iPhone do you own. The 2G or the 3G or 3Gs. I have a spare smartphone iPhone cradle for the original iPhone 2G if you're interested !
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Thanks for the response. I thought that was the case. Otherwise, not sure what I was paying for for the smartphone integration in the first place.

I have 3G S, but thanks for the offer. Given that there's no 3G S cradle yet, I'm hoping that the 3G cradle works.

The 3G and the 3GS are the same phone form and the same adapter.

What BMW dealer told you it was a two hour install? The first dealer I went to had no idea what parts I needed and wanted to ordered something completely unnecessary doubling the cost.

The dealer I ended up buying it from got it right the first try and it literally takes longer to open the box then it does to install.

Chip-

I've got the 3gs, but use the regular 3g cradle. No issues.

Not to hijack this thread but...

What exactly does the $150 "Smart Phone Integration" do that the prerequisite $400 "iPod and USB Adapter" does not do?

FWIW I'm planning to commit to a build-to-order X5 35d tomorrow and hence trying to nail down the exact options ASAP :)

Funf Dreisig

I'm told -- but not sure if it's true -- that you need the ipod/usb adapter for the smartphone integration to work (in other words, you need to get both). So, I did.

Pretty unbelievable the absolute lack of dealership knowledge on smartphone integration -- but that they're more than happy to charge an additional several hundred dollars for totally unnecessary service.

No place to hold the phone.
Cannot use the car external sharkfin as handset antenna for "better" reception.

Thanks for the clear and concise answer :)

FWIW my salesman has an iPhone & iPod and really knows a lot about these options, since he recently bought a BMW for himself. He explained all the nuisances in great detail. I opted not to get the "smart phone integration" option because...
1 - It significantly restricts access in the console (passenger side).
2 - I rarely use my phone while driving.
3 - I can't imagine taking the time to plug in/out every time I got in/out of the X5 except when on long trips.
4 - I don't own an iPhone (yet).

Funf Dreisig

Which dealer?

Just my few cents ...

1 - It significantly restricts access in the console (passenger side).

Not really, the cradle lifts up and you can get access to the console store area.

3 - I can't imagine taking the time to plug in/out every time I got in/out of the X5 except when on long trips.

The new 3G cradle is really nice, its really well engineered and makes it very easy to put the phone in and out the cradle.

4 - I don't own an iPhone (yet).

Hahaha .... sounds like you might buy one though ;-)

Thanks for the comments.

FWIW my wife keeps pens, note pads, sun screen, etc in the center console. Which means that when we're in the car together (I'm usually driving) she is frequently opening/closing the console. One of the things I like about the E70 design is the split console 'doors' so she can get stuff without opening the whole thing. I had the impression that it would be difficult to access items in the console from the passenger's side without opening both 'doors'. Is that not true?

Funf Dreisig

No not really. Even with the smartphone integration and cradle, you can still open that side of the center console and then lift up the entire cradle. Its designed to open up. I'll take some snaps later. Its hard to explain.

The only thing you would loose is, a bit of real estate and one extra thing to do, in order to access the center console (from the passenger side).

Turns out that I got the cradle, plugged it in and was immediately ready to go. No service/labor required. Thanks to all.

Any followup with respect to the person who wanted to charge you 2 hrs of labor? Seems wrong for them to do stuff like this. Thank God for the internet and the wealth of information we can arm ourselves with now.

When I opened into my center console, I was unable to locate the wiring harness that I needed to plug mine into, I'm not sure if its inaccessible in my case (requiring some disassembly of the console area) or what. Would love to get this working without paying 2 hrs labor.

Just a heads up here because I got ... "done" by my dealer who didn't know enough about the iPhone thing.
If you own an iPhone you need to get:
1) the bluetooth connection kit
2) the 6LF option which gives you an Aux socket with a USB socket next to it
AND (this is the bit my dealer forgot/did not know)
3) the smartphone connection kit, which allows you to use both the ipod and iphone features of your iPhone 3G or 3Gs.
If you don't order the 6NF option YOU CANNOT HAVE IT RETROFITTED!!!
4) the snap in adaptor with USB connection for your iPhone 3G
AAAHHH the beauty of technology!!!

iPhone Cradle Question
 

I have a 2008 E70 built in 4/2008. It has every option 6LF, Bluetooth, BMW Assist, etc.

Should there have been a cradle in my car, which would have only required me to purchase a snap-in adapter?

Thanks.

Smartphone is a separate option, 6NF, the it should be there if you ordered 6NF, otherwise, not. I believe that option was added in 2009 models and not available on the 2008:

BMW Adds Smartphone Integration - BMW CCA

I am not sure what you should have had with the 4/2008 E70. I got the bluetooth integration which cam with a cradle that was situated in the central compartment between the driver and passenger seats. This can be loaded with the appropriate adaptor for your phone (provided it is one of the phones that they have made an adaptor for). This gives you the ability to charge your phone, while it is in the cradle, to use a rooftop aerial in the sharkfin, and to handle the phone opeartion via the idrive controls/screen. BUT it does not give you the possibility to use the ipod part of your iphone :-(
For that you need to have got the options i listed above.

Hope this helps.

Where do you get the iphone cradle?

From your BMW dealer... But you must have the setup required so that it can be fitted. Do you have a bluetooth phone setup in the compartment between the 2 front seats? If yes than you can fit the cradle. If not you have to ask your dealer if it can be retrofitted. There are 2 different set ups for the iphone and 2 different cradles. If you have the smartphone integration already (which cannot be retrofitted) then you can ask for the iPhone caradle that doubles your phone up as an iPod.

FYI there are different cradle for various phones. Meaning that for someone that is interested and doesn't know, you could easily fit a Nokia or any other phone with the appropriate cradle. I am just saying this because this hall smartphone inegration thread sounds like this is only for iphone.....

Correct. Different smartphones have different cradles. I had to deal with the iPhone problem and that is what I am sharing. BMW does not provide 2 different cradles for any other phone. So in a way you are correct.

Can someone post a few pictures of these Iphone 3g (s) cradles please??

George,

I have all of the correct options (Bluetooth and BMW Assist) but I do not have the cradle for the adapters to snap into.:dunno:

Does anyone know when (model month/year) the cradle was include w/X5 orders that have Bluetooth and BMW Assist?

Thanks.

I apologize if I missed a post, but does anyone know if I can use my Blackberry Tour with the Smartphone Integration?

I ordered 6FL, 6NF, etc.

Love the iPhone, but not AT&T reception is non-existent where I live, and I have BES server anyway. So, no iPhone for me.

Thanks...

Currently Available Compatible Phones

BMW Accessories - 2009 X5 xDrive 48i SAV

Looks like I also found a solution for my missing cradle. BMW Accessories - 2009 X5 xDrive 48i SAV:Retrofit Phone Docking Cradle

Thanks. Unhappy to see that my Tour is not listed. I wonder if there is a way to see if it is compatible with the Bold or Curve cradle without buying it and returning it...