iPod/usb issue
 

I am a first time BMW owner with a 2010 X5. I've had it a few weeks and it's equiped with the ipod/usb y-cable adaptor/connector. I've been using my new-ish ipod nano with it and while it is compatible, the idrive system randomly drops communication with the nano even when it is in the middle of playing a song and then the screen says nothing is connected. I have to remove and reconnect the y-cable to the usb plug before it will recognize the nano again - unplugging and replugging just the nano to the connector does nothing. I've noticed it is more likely to happen after I've placed or taken calls thru bluetooth or jumped around on the radio or thru my nano using idrive. Has anyone else experienced this?

I am taking the car in for service next week, but I am concerned they will not be able to replicate the problem since it happens so randomly. I don't want to go in and have them tell me they couldn't see the problem and then do nothing. I thought maybe I should ask for a new y-cable but could it be the wiring from the usb to idrive? Thanks for any help.

I wouldn't be surprised if the issue was the cable. Ask the service guy to swap a new one in and see if it fixes it. A few of us have had cables replaced.

+1 updated Y-cables can solve a multitude of issues. Or not. :cool:

I had the same issues following calls and so I have all my music loaded on a flash drive plugged into the usb port and do not use my Ipod any longer. This is a much better option as I can leave the flash drive plugged in the car all the time and use my Ipod for other things and the blue tooth works much better this way.

Yep 6FL. Huge waste of money IMO.

Load every thing on the hard drive or use a portable USB HDD or USB drive in the 6FL port.

You'll get better sound and a lot frustration.
That is after you get over the fact that you spent $400.00 on a all but useless cable.

So as expected, during service, they couldn't replicate the problem and did nothing. I asked if they would be willing to swap out my y-cable but they didn't, instead would see if there was a bulletin on the issue and call me.

My husband is interested in the USB option for music - anyone know how big is the hard drive is? I looked in the manual but didn't see the capacity. Online it said 80gb for nav incl 15gb for music. If you don't have nav, is it just 15gb? Thanks.

I have loaded my music on a 8 gig flash drive and just insert in in the USB slot. In the entertainment setting select aux and your music will display on the screen. You can sort the music by artist, album, songs, ect. Easy!

Don't bother with the hard drive for playback. Only holds ~12GB and is a PITA to edit, once loaded up. Play from your USB flashdrive, much easier to make changes to your music collection. You might consider cleaning the contacts on your Nano; that can be a prime source of intermittent issues. Doubtful the (new?) Y-cable contacts are the culprit.