This USB/iPod thing is very confusing even to supposedly trained BMW Customer Advisers :)

BMW changed the USB stuff in 2010. IIRC there is now a USB port in the glove box whether or not you order the $400 USB/iPod integration. Maybe someone with a 2010 can explain what you can do with it.

What the $400 USB/iPod integration does is add a USB port to the console AND provide a Y adapter cable that plugs into this USB port & the Aux in sound port that is std equip in the console. IOW with the $400 USB/iPod the center console has...
1 - an analog Aux in port
2 - a 12v plug
3 - a USB port
AND the X5's sound system automatically recognizes when you plug an iPod or iPhone into the USB port and allows you to control the iPod (or iPod app on the iPhone) via the iDrive.

If you do not order the $400 USB/iPod integration the center console has......
1 - an analog Aux in port
2 - a 12v plug
and the X5's sound system simply plays whatever analog sound source is plugged into the Aux port. So with a $60 Kensington cable you can plug an iPhone into both the 12v for charging and the Aux for listening. BUT you have to control the iPod/iPhone manually or through the Kensington's baby remote control.

FWIW I mentioned this issue since your options list did not include the Technology package but did list the USB/iPod package. Hence I thought that you might be planning to use an iPhone for NAV assistance which is very difficult/dangerous when using the $400 USB/iPod integration's Y cable. The cable is too short for use outside of the console (e.g. by a passenger). And the sound from apps other than the iPod app are muted (e.g. turn by turn NAV, internet radio, etc.).

IMO BMW is having a lot of trouble keeping up with rapid changes in smart phones in general and iPhones in particular. So if I had it to do over again I'd pass on the $400 USB/iPod integration.

Funf Dreisig

that makes a whole lot of sense...and possibly saving me $400. I'll see if my SA will let me test it out first on another car.

thanks a bunch
franklin

I played around with it when I first took delivery of mine. As far as I know, it is only used to play songs from a usb drive or download music from a usb drive to the hard drive. This usb port does not recognize an iPhone as a usb device so it can't download from it or control it in any way. With the Y cable that comes with the adapter in the center console, you will get a better sound quality in addition to the ability to control the iPhone using the iDrive. My Y cable has trouble charging the iPhone 3GS now and then. If you order this option, be sure to get the cable with the new part. Somewhere on this forum there is a thread that contains the part number of the new Y cable for the new iPhone 3GS.

One suggestion (which is what I did) ... buy an iPod Classic and just dedicate it as the music player on the USB/Ipod Y cable ... and with your iPhone just setup bluetooth as that works really well i.e. as soon as you step into the car you're hooked up and running hands free ... even with your iPhone still in your bad in the boot (for example) ... this way your never plugging and unplugging etc in that god-damn awkward centre console unit

yay got my production number...now comes the long wait...i ended up ordering without the usb adapter...still have time to change my mind though.

they had a nice x50 m-sport on the lot (carbon black) it was gorgeous!!!

Have you tried active steering? I would have ordered that but forgot...