Anyone iPod Their BMW?

BigO1120 · Dec 15, 2004

I got an X3 this year and I'm getting an iPod for X-mas. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has gotten the iPod adapter advertised by BMW installed and if so does it work? Has anyone installed a different adapter other then the one advertised by BMW?

If you know anyone who has done this I would greatly appreciate it if you please let me know. I want to know if it’s worth installing an adapter or if I’m better off getting the iTrip wireless transmitter.

Thanks!!

[unsure]

finally330i · Dec 15, 2004

I have a 03 330i and I ipodded it about 3 months ago. First, let me say I would do it again. It does have some drawbacks (major ones for some). You cannot see the song or artist on the head unit display. In fact, all you can see is a number from 1-99 that has been assigned to the song. You set up 5 playlists which are assigned to the 1-5 buttons on your stereo. Button 6 plays all the songs on your ipod.

It does work as advertised and it is great to have no cd cases in your car yet have thousands of songs at your finger tips. I love it. There are no outward signs that I have anything special in my car and the ipod is safely stored in my glovebox. I know there is another option available and the information on how to do that was posted on this site.

I have a friend who uses a itrip and it does work but there are some intermittent reception issues and he is looking into a hardwired solution. I hope this helps.

Average Jae · Dec 16, 2004

I just ipodded mine, i asked the dealer to have it come through the ash tray.. BAD IDEA! instead ask for them to route it to center storage bin, if you don't like your pod sitting in the glove box.

i like the fact that i can actually hardwire the ipod into the audio system, but i don't like the limitations much. i rationalized and got over the no track listing thing, but now i hate it more, since i can't pick out what song i'm listening to. (i just dump in whatever songs into one of the BMW lists, and play them, and i'd like to know what song i like, so i can further edit my playlist.) more than anything, even more than the song name etc, what i really want is to be able to select through my playlists, instead of being limited to just 5 BMW specific playlists. i don't think i'm even asking all that much.. and option 6 of playing all the songs? are you kidding me? 20 gig pod holds 5000 songs! mine has albums in them, not just select picks of my favs.. that's what the playlists are for!

there is the icelink, and some say is a better solution, because of using ipod to select the songs.

in the end tho, it sounds good, and i dont' have to charge the pod to use it, and changing the playlists is almost like changing the CDs in your changer i suppose.. not perfect, but if you got a pod, i suggest it.

BigO1120 · Dec 16, 2004

Thanks for the input and advise on the iPod. I did hear about the restrictions of view what's playing on the radio but I guess like everything else there are some disadvantages and advantages on having this. I do plan on getting the iPod adapter installed regardless though.

Does anyone else with any advice iPod?

[driving2]

flashinthepan · Dec 16, 2004

The iPod/BMW factory install kits were on backorder a couple months ago.

Are they becoming available now ??

[idea]

BigO1120 · Dec 16, 2004

From my understanding they have been available since I got my X3 back in June. I remember the dealer asking me if I had an iPod at the time I was purchasing my X3 because they told me that there is an adapter that they can install in the X3. So I’m assuming it’s been available since the summer.

Average Jae · Dec 20, 2004

what size are you looking to get? and how do you plan on using your ipod: meaning, whether you'd just keep it in the car, or would take it w/ you on a trip, or something lasting over 6-8 hrs..

reason being, there is a 40 gig version of the 3rd gen ipod over at apple store, clearance section that is a really good deal. $350? or so. vs $400+ more for other accessories that came w/ the 3rd gen 40gig. but they have lesser battery life than the 4th gens, and does not have the click wheel. of course, if you must have the big ole 60giger, w/ all the bells and whistles, you can get the new ipod photo, which is pretty cool, if you can afford the $600 tag..

or you can get the mini which only has 4 gigs and is slower than the full size pods when trasferring songs. (due to much slower mini hd) if yer student, you can use the apple student discount.

BigO1120 · Dec 20, 2004

I'm thinking of getting the 4th Generation 40 GB iPod (I don't need the photo). The iPod wouldn't just stay in my car...it would be in my office (both home and work) and it would be with me when I have to take the train or bus into NYC. I wouldn't use the iPod when I work out (that's why I have a Nike/Phillips MP3 player for that).

I know battery life would not be a problem on big trips because the adapter the BMW/Apple are promoting charges the iPod while in use so it never runs out of batteries. I don’t want to get the mini because I’m just one of those guys that likes to carry around the 32GB worth of music that I have stored on my PC.

So as you can see I’m going to be using my iPod for a lot more then just in my X3 but I wanted to know if the adapter is worth it or not.

Thanks!!!

Kirby · Dec 20, 2004

flashinthepan said:

I just ordered one last week from a Dealer down in Maryland, showed up the very next day via UPS. Got a 20% discount with my BMWCCA membership. If all goes well I will be installing it by the end of the year. Hehe, the 330 is garaged now for the winter, so I guess there's actually no rush.....

BigO1120 · Dec 20, 2004

Hey Kirby...when you get the adapter installed let me know how your iPod runs.

Average Jae · Dec 20, 2004

oh the battery life i mentioned is for long plane trips and such, not in your car. either way apple.com no longer has refreshed 3rd gens..

one thing i wish the ipod integration did was allow you to use all the playlists in your ipod.. [:(]

flash i t Pan:edit: (i don't know how readily available they are. and i think it's dealer dependent, but i think the part is getting stocked much better now) i got mine from circle bmw, and i was on the list for about a month.. not bad on saving on tax and 20% off.. (savings on tax is usually offset by the shipping, but not bad.

Kirby · Dec 21, 2004

I got mine from Tischer BMW in Silver Spring, MD. I saw their ad in the BMWCCA Roundel magazine. They had it in stock. 800-288-6982. They give 20% of for BMWCCA members, they did ask for my number.

Jones330i · Jan 11, 2005

IPOD BMW 330i '02

Can anyone help me out? I want to IPOD my BMW, but my dealer service center says its only supported on 03 or higher. The official "IPOD Your BMW" (http://www.ipodyourbmw.com) website, states that model years 2002+ are supported, but then at the bottom there is a disclaimer that states "Not available for model year 2002 3 Series, M3 and X5 with cassette". Does that mean its not available for 2002 3 series or that its not available for 2002 3 series with cassette? I'm confused! Can anyone clear this up for me? Is my dealer smoking crack? [?|]

Kirby · Jan 11, 2005

BigO1120 said:

I looked at doing the install, specifically at the pin extraction tool. None of the extraction tools I have fit the pin, and the clearances are extremely tight, so using a screwdriver, etc. like I have done with other connectors is not an option. I have one more idea to try. If that doesn't work, I'll quit wasting my time and buy the tool.

Kirby · Jan 11, 2005

Jones330i said:

On the BMW Tech installation sheet it says:

3 Series - Select vehicle production 9/01 - on
Not compatible with optional NAV, 6 Disc CD Changer or Sirius Satellite Radio.
Compatible with in-dash cassette radio only for production 09/02 - on

So, my interpretation:
If you have a 2002 with CD, you are OK.
If you have a cassette and a vehicle manufacture date of 09/02 or later, you are OK. Note that if the car was built 09/02 or later, it *might* be referred to as a 2003 model year.

I think I would ask the dealer parts man to bring up the latest INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS sheet (not marketing advertisements, brochures, web sites, etc.) on his computer and see what it says.

Jones330i · Jan 11, 2005

Thanks Kirby...I'll ask him!

Average Jae · Jan 11, 2005

you can also try calling BMW NA@800-831-1117 have the last 7 of your VIN and have them check into it. their info seemed most reliable when i was first venturing into the whole ipod deal.

i have a question for those that have it installed.
does your ipod work all the time? silly question, but mine craped out on me a few times. i have to hold on to the reset key for a long time, 10-15 secs to get it to boot. other times it just stays dead for hours, if not a whole day.. [:(]

LaZy · Jan 12, 2005

has any one gotten the 3.5mm input jack adapter for their cars yet? its kind of like the adapter you can stick in a tape deck and plug into a discman (yea i know thats old school), but i want the new one thats like the ipod adapter. i just got a "Creative Zen Micro" and i want to plug it into my car. maybe ill let bmw do it for me, my user name kind of explains it all.

Average Jae · Jan 12, 2005

what you need is the aux adapter. they'll install a port in the glovebox for you to plug into. there's no restriction on the installation of that part that i know of. only thing is w/ the aux input, there is some loss in sound quality. much better than the fm modulator tho. that way you can plug anything in to your business cd unit, and cycle through using the mode btn.

LaZy · Jan 12, 2005

when i was at the bmw dealership inquiring about the auxilary input jack they said you can only control the media through the unit itself and NOT the bmw radio. unless its the actual ipod kit then yea you can control it through the bmw radio.

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