IPOD AUX/USB PLUG IN E70 GLOVEBOX
 

Help please!

I just picked up my 2009 E70 X5 (used with 4K) and with the rear DVD entertainment system and Premium Sound with the DVD/CD changer in the dash glove box. The glovebox - between the front seats - has the AUX plug but no combined AUX/USB plug.

My question is - does anyone know if you can get this part retrofit? Does the truck come standard with the OEM wiring installed so that the AUX/USB port can be added and simply plugged in? Or is it a new run from the back of the head unit/radio?

The dealer(s) here in Canada are saying that they cannot even order the combined AUX/USB plug for the glovebox - between the seats. I am also hearing that I would need to unplug the DVD/CD player in the dash glovebox to have the AUX/USB plug (between the seats) activated?

All this to have the IPOD titles on the NAV screen...

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Look carefully...I am sure it is there! If you have one, you should have the other. It is two separate connectors, which is why you need the Y adapter cable. It is just a small plug which is covered with a plastic piece. I will see if I can take a pic for you later...

Thanks for the reply. I have the Y cable but do not have the USB port in the center glovebox (armrest). All I have is the AUX port (like a headphone single port).

So if I plug in my IPOD, it plays songs on the AUX option from the head unit and I can control the volume using the steering wheels - but that is it. No playlists or anything on the NAV screen...

So yours doesn't look like this?? If this is not what you have, then you can get the genuine OEM ipod retrofit kit for about US$350 or so. There's a couple of online places you can check like Bavarian Auto or even ebay...

Thanks for the picture. I only have the AUX plug and not the USB beside it. The previous owner opted for the 6 CD changer instead of the combined AUX/USB (like in your picture).

Do you need a retrofit kit and can you not just plug in the USB port in the armrest glovebox and change the adaptor from AUX to AUX/USB port? I assume the plug connects right to the back of the head unit?

Thanks in advance.

You can not just change the plug on the end from AUX to AUX/USB. At the very least, you will need the AUX/USB interface and associated cables as shown in this pic below. I assume this is what is included in the retrofit kit.

Option II would be to install an iPod only interface (not AUX/USB) which has a separate module and replaces the CD changer. I believe sits in the glovebox and also comes with specific wiring harness. This is not as versatile and costs just about the same.

I haven't done either of these retrofits, just going by what I was able to find. Maybe someone here has done it?? If I was in your shoes, I would buy the retrofit kit from roveractive on ebay. He's pretty good...

6 months ago I was told no retrofit for the USB option was available. If this changed now, please give me (us) a partnumber, since I am very interested :)

Not true. You will only see the USB socket is option 6FL was ordered.

There is a retrofit available for the 6FL option now, although apparently its expensive and dependent on your vehicle configuration. I know its available for the 3-series, not sure about the X5. I'll digg around and see if I can find something.

Here's the kit you need:

BMW Genuine X5 E70 X6 E71 2007+ iPod Retrofit Kit NEW
Item number: 170323567616 on ebay, $399.95
(I am not affiliated with the ebay seller.)

can you keep the CD Changer with this kit or not ?
Thanks !

The CDC will need to be removed if you want to install the iPOD kit.
Also, if you install the iPOD kit yourself, you might require a trip to the dealership to program the iPOD kit so that E70's MOST bus recognizes the hardware and starts using it. They might charge you for upto 2hrs of programming.

I promised to get back to you regarding your ipod kit. Here is a .pdf doc that shows how to install the ipod retrofit kit in the glovebox. You will have to lose the CD changer though. Also talked to my service rep, and he said any dealer should be able to program it. Your dealer is full of crap and probably just doesn't want to do it. You can do the install yourself and IF it needs to be coded, just hand them the instructions and ask them to program it as shown in the document...


***Admin will have to attach document as it is over the 1MB limit! ***

USB
 

Thanks King. I was told by BMW Canada and my dealer that my X5 (purchased with 4,000 miles in the US) has the wiring required to have the USB/AUX IN dual plug in the armrest.

So I could change the part in the armrest to the USB/AUX dual plug - but apparently no dealer can program it if only the single AUX IN plug came with the vehicle when it was manufactured. Apparently the programming is only available on the production line.

I would like to try to keep the CD Changer and not have to install the retrofit kit (which can be done).

Any insight into possible dealer programming for the swap of the AUX IN plug to the USB/AUX IN dual plug in the armrest?

Thanks in advance.

I would like to do the same thing as "cedhead" Don't want to loose CD Changers, but also want to see music list of my ipod on nav screen. I just wonder why
"King X's X5 has both AUX IN/ USB" His X5 is 2008 model and so as mine, but mine has only AUX IN. Or is it because he has 4.8l and mine is 3.0l ??

If anyone can post the part number for this AUX IN/USB, it would be great. Thanks in advance

My dealer once told me that 2008 X5 built after Sep'08 have USB, whereas earlier X5 just have Aux.

Was wondering what the slot to the right is for? Any chance its for an SD card?

Ha Ha.. No its where the base of the mobile phone holder clips into. BUT I have actually plugged a SD card into a reader via USB into the USB port and read music from it.

Kman

No wonder that I don't have USB cuz it's a JAN 08 production :cool:

Attention: PONGPAP
 

Hey "Pongpap",

The part number for the combined USB/AUX IN plug in the armrest for an E70 X5 is:

61 31 9 189 176

The problem is programming. Even if you replace the AUX IN plug with the combined USB/AUX IN plug in the armrest, BMW Canada tells me the USB will not work. No dealer, I am told, can program the USB after the fact (they do not have the software to do it) - the software is only available on the production line.

So bottom line - we are screwed and must do the retrofit and lose our CD changer.

If anyone can confirm that the above information is not correct, that would be great. Again, I am going from what BMW Canada is telling me.

Also, no issues having a CD Player, USB/AUX IN in armrest, and rear DVD, regardless of model (I have a 3.0 with CD, Rear DVD and AUX IN).

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hello CedHead,

Thanks for the part number. I will try to talk to my dealer here in Qatar. Maybe they have some kind of software to update it. Will give it a try and see what happen. Nothing to loose anyway. :D
Don't wanna loose my CD changers...

Take care :thumbup:

Hi,

Im really interested in this as well. I have an 07 with just the AUX input. I dont have a cd changer. What will be my best option..thanks

I don't have an X5 yet but I did take this into consideration when I was looking at 2009s. I thought I read that the interface on iDrive was similar between IPods plugged in directly and a DVD in the DVD changer that has your music collection on it. If this is the case (I can't test it) than maybe you don't need the iPod since you can just use a DVD-RW to store your music. Maybe a thought instead of doing all that to hook up an ipod.

I have tried the DVD rom for audio files before, but then the NAV doesnt work because i had to use the same drive. Im really interested in the USB portion not the ipod interface.

No, you lose the CD changer option but get control over ur iPod using steering wheel controls, etc...

I dont have a CD changer.

Mine is exactly like yours, the usb charges however on the control panel/menu when trying to select USB as an audio source it will not let me - talk about confusing. :confused::confused: