I believe both the USB port in the glovebox and the AUX-IN in the armrest come standard in an x5 e70.

The glovebox USB port is only for importing songs onto the hard drive from a USB stick - it's not for an iPod or iPhone.

The AUX-IN in the armrest is for connecting an external audio source e.g. an MP3 player.

Adding the 6FL option gives you a second USB port in the armrest next to the AUX-IN. This is for connecting a USB stick or iPod/iPhone, and gives you the ability to control the device via iDrive. A special BMW iPod "Y" cable is required for an iPod/iPhone to be recognised as a supported device.

I agree and that explains why you have to have 6FL with the full iPhone kit even if you are never going to connect the iPhone to the USB socket.

I think what Pas is reaching for is (hard factual confirmation) if a glovebox USB will come if 6FL is not ordered. Pas is getting ready to order a new X and wants music on HD. There has been much confusion about whether or not the glovebox USB port is standard on all X5 regardless of 6FL. We know the center console USB is part of 6FL and the AUX is standard. One very knowledgeable poster suspects the glovebox USB is an undocumented part of the TEch package. So far, all we have found is "I think" but the answer is not in the BMW X5 brochure and the dealers do not seem to know either.

As we all know, the ordering process can include a bit of info overload. Pas is unclear about the USB and another poster was confused not realizing that Nav can be ordered as a stand alone or as part of Tech pkg.

I think (not certain) the X's user-recordable HD only comes if you get Nav (either stand alone or w/Tech pkg). We know music files can be loaded to HD via CD player. But, clearly, USB is faster and easier. So, back to point, Pas is looking for factual and reliable confirmation that a USB port will come in the glovebox if 6FL is NOT ordered.

Pas, given that this has been discussed several times in the forums and no one seems to know for certain (although I have confidence in Penguin's speculation -> undoc'd incl in Tech), I suspect your best bet is to call BMWUSA and ask. If you get an "I think" or other uncertain/vague answer, ask for a manager. Escalate as necessary until you DO get a 100% answer. You'll get it - albeit eventually. You can do the same at your dealer but as we all know, relying on anything a dealer says (without factual confirmation) is doing so at your own risk.

Let us know what you find - cause as you can see, we don't know for sure either! :)

EDIT: I am beginning to suspect (even more) that Penguin's speculation is correct. While apparently undocumented, it makes perfect sense (even when a bunch of BMW decisions do not - no auto day/night nav display, no day/night with traffic notifications turned on...). If the HD is part of Nav, then a USB port would make sense for loading to it. But, because Nav can be ordered as a stand alone, we do not see documentation about the glovebox USB under "tech package" details. While Penguin speculates the glovebox USB is part of TEch, I am beginning to suspect the glove USB comes with NAV (stand alone or tech).

There would seem to be no point in having the front glove-box USB socket if you have no hard drive.

spent time on the phone with BMWNA and they are basically clueless...

Obviously, but this does not address Pas's issue. If you think about it, putting the USB in the glovebox makes no sense at all. The one in the center console (that comes with 6FL) DOES permit HD loading (mine does). So, why ever put one in the glovebox? it makes no sense to put one there, never need two, and it could come in the center console regardless. But, as we can clearly see - no one knows the what/why.

I faced this very issue and assumed USB only came with 6FL because of the "iPod/USB description. So I ordered 6FL. I later began to kick myself when I realized I probably could have passed on 6FL and still had a USB port to HD load. So I completely appreciate Pas's efforts.

As it was explained to me. If you have Nav you get the USB connection in the glovebox which will allow you to load audio files (eg. mp3) onto the iDrive hard disk. You can then play them using the iDrive controls in the same way that you can make a copy of a music CD on the iDrive.

I you select the 6FL option you can also control your IPod/IPhone from the arm rest and use it to directly play music through the stereo. In this case the files are not copied to the iDrive. I have not tried it but believe with this option you can control your IPod from the USB in the glove box. However, there is no earphone jack in the glovebox so there is no way to hear the IPod music through the stereo when connected in the glovebox. I believe the 6FL option updates the iDrive to enable control of the IPod and gives you a second USB connection next to the earphone jack.

Having the USB port in the glove box does allow you to play music from there even if you dont want to put them onto the hard drive (or can't if you dont have the hard drive) so to that extent there is a point in having it.

Peter T

Thanks j11398. We know the 6FL provides iDrive iPod control. However, we are just focusing on the first part about the USB in the glovebox for loading the HD. Some have posted they did not get a glovebox USB but did not clarify if they got nav (either stand alone or in Tech). This is what we are hoping to definitively flush out. It is looking more and more like the glovebox USB port does come (albeit undocumented) with nav.

I got the 6FL and I have a thumbdrive stick connected to center console USB port (easier to reach than the glove box), to keep that music separate from my HD. Every time I access that drive to listen to that music, iDrive gives me the option to download it. So, while that center console USB IS part of 6FL and can be used for iPods, it can also play additional thumbdrive sticks and appears to have HD download capabilities. My dealer told me to download from glovebox USB but it does appear either can be used to HD download.

So, we are still focused on getting a DEFINITIVE (not speculative) answer for Paspar2 about the glovebox USB if not ordering the 6FL. Yes, we all are speculating it comes with the Nav but we still do not know with 100% certainty.

I agree you can play music froma USB stick connected in the glovebox or the arm rest.

I did notice that on page 118 of the x5/x6 manual it references the USB connection in the glove box. There is no * on the title which means it is not an option (assuming the manual is correct).

On page 183 where the reference the USB connection in the arm rest you will see the * indicating it is an option.

I don't know if the manual for the car is definitive but this with what I was told by the dealer.