iPod integration dealer install cost...need opinions
 

I have all the hardware that I pulled out from my E60 550. Checked with BMW and it's the exact same kit as the E70 X5.

Called my dealer and they quoted 3 hours of labour to install this kit at $130 per hour. That's a total of $390 + taxes to simply install this.

I had done it myself in my 550. All I had to do was remove some tape from a wiring harness that was located in my glove box and insert the optical cables in the iPod kit and fix it with a bracket in the glove box. It took me around 15 minutes.

This time around, when I removed the plastic backing in the X5 glove box, I didn't see this wiring harness. Not sure if it's sitting somewhere inside the dash or the harness hasn't been factory fitted to the head unit.

Any opinions or advice?

Thanks

The 5-series models are very easy to install, the X5 must have the radio removed to bridge into the Fiber loop if a CD Changer was not preinstalled.

Since there is not a pre-existing CD Changer, this will also require coding.

hey tom, what if the x5 is "prewired" for cd changer?
I'm having the same trouble I bought a mobridge kit and I don't know how to install it :(

Still 3 hours is a rip off.

OP, install it yourself then pay them the hr to code, if necessary

I would but haven't been able to find any info on how to do it....there's a few articles on this forum but they're for the E53 not E70....not to mention it sounds like the dashboard needs to be removed and the head unit taken out as well. If that's the case...it may be a little too involved to attempt without a DIY and prior experience in removing the dash.

Keep looking. Here are my thoughts: Electrically/optically it will be the same as the 5 series... so you are probably just faced with altered mechancals. I am assuming the radio comes out and the glovebox... once those are out, you have access to all the connections you need.

I usually start poking around incrementally with a new car- pretty soon you've cracked the nut...

Good luck
A

Hi, any luck with this project? I bought the mobridge too and the concept seems so simple and yet they do not give a hint as to how to start the install. I too have been quoted $450 for this install. and the nearest place to do it is 2 hours away. Mobridge claims they do not offer any help to customers who want to do it themselves. what gives?

sure man.
On the bottom panel (under glovebos) there are the cables "bridged" just disconect them swap the pins with the ones supplied from mobridge get a positive and negative from somewhere and thats it.
PM me if you have some trouble :)