iPod interface installation DIY
Members
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: New York
My Ride: 2004 545i
This is amazing, I can get anything to play out to my car speakers including virtual piano, Internet radio, Ustream anything that uses audio!!!! 
I have an iPhone 3GS, so here is what you have to do...
1-Plug the iPhone to the iPod adapter in your car
2-In iDrive, select a song from your iPhone playlist and play it, this opens the channel between the iDrive and iPhone
3-Now you can open any app that plays audio and it will play it back to your speakers!
I tried an internet radio app, Ustream for live podcasts and Fingerlite virtual piano. You can't launch iPod app because it's already connected.
So I am a happy little camper!!!!!!!!!!
I have an iPhone 3GS, so here is what you have to do...
1-Plug the iPhone to the iPod adapter in your car
2-In iDrive, select a song from your iPhone playlist and play it, this opens the channel between the iDrive and iPhone
3-Now you can open any app that plays audio and it will play it back to your speakers!
I tried an internet radio app, Ustream for live podcasts and Fingerlite virtual piano. You can't launch iPod app because it's already connected.
So I am a happy little camper!!!!!!!!!!
Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Hi,
If you do't mind, can you throw some light on some basic queries please:
- can you post the part # of the ipod interface please? (I was going by an old bulletin and believe that it is outdated)
- was it a plug-and-play process that followed the same steps as detailed in the OP?
- did you have to take it to the dealer for some programming? (That's what my dealer says even though my 06 make has a 6 cd changer and can play mp3s)
- finally, what is this adapter that charges the phone? Is it part of the interface or do you have to buy a separate cable?
thanks!
If you do't mind, can you throw some light on some basic queries please:
- can you post the part # of the ipod interface please? (I was going by an old bulletin and believe that it is outdated)
- was it a plug-and-play process that followed the same steps as detailed in the OP?
- did you have to take it to the dealer for some programming? (That's what my dealer says even though my 06 make has a 6 cd changer and can play mp3s)
- finally, what is this adapter that charges the phone? Is it part of the interface or do you have to buy a separate cable?
thanks!
Members
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: U.K
My Ride: BMW 530D E60
Hi,
If you do't mind, can you throw some light on some basic queries please:
- can you post the part # of the ipod interface please? (I was going by an old bulletin and believe that it is outdated)
- was it a plug-and-play process that followed the same steps as detailed in the OP?
- did you have to take it to the dealer for some programming? (That's what my dealer says even though my 06 make has a 6 cd changer and can play mp3s)
- finally, what is this adapter that charges the phone? Is it part of the interface or do you have to buy a separate cable?
thanks!
If you do't mind, can you throw some light on some basic queries please:
- can you post the part # of the ipod interface please? (I was going by an old bulletin and believe that it is outdated)
- was it a plug-and-play process that followed the same steps as detailed in the OP?
- did you have to take it to the dealer for some programming? (That's what my dealer says even though my 06 make has a 6 cd changer and can play mp3s)
- finally, what is this adapter that charges the phone? Is it part of the interface or do you have to buy a separate cable?
thanks!
- Yes, plug and play like original OP
- No, i was the same as you (6 disc changer and already playing mp3), fit it and it will work. I made some changes to my V.O tho, so if bmw ever do a software update on my car, the software will 'see' that an ipod interface has been retrofitted and not flag an error. You don't really need to do this tho...
- The interface charges your iphone/ipad. Be aware, this interface does not work with an Itouch!
Gav
Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
- The part number for the latest version is 65412160344
- Yes, plug and play like original OP
- No, i was the same as you (6 disc changer and already playing mp3), fit it and it will work. I made some changes to my V.O tho, so if bmw ever do a software update on my car, the software will 'see' that an ipod interface has been retrofitted and not flag an error. You don't really need to do this tho...
- The interface charges your iphone/ipad. Be aware, this interface does not work with an Itouch!
Gav
- Yes, plug and play like original OP
- No, i was the same as you (6 disc changer and already playing mp3), fit it and it will work. I made some changes to my V.O tho, so if bmw ever do a software update on my car, the software will 'see' that an ipod interface has been retrofitted and not flag an error. You don't really need to do this tho...
- The interface charges your iphone/ipad. Be aware, this interface does not work with an Itouch!
Gav
Thanks a lot Gav! Appreciate it.
Do you also have an 06 e60?
The part # is different from the one specified in BMW USA's website - 6511 04 39425. I presume you are located in UK and hence the difference in the #.
But that makes me wonder if that's the reason my car needs to be programmed because this part # is also different from the part #s in use more than a year ago. Would appreciate any feedback from the guys in the US who recently installed this.
Thanks again,
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
My Ride: 545i
There are a few ways..
http://www.specdock.com/
They have a good cheap solution
Also there is the Dension Gateway 500
http://www.dension.com/product/iPod-...ts/gateway-500
And the dealer iPod retrofit kit, now some say the Dension is really good, but not sure about the cost. I installed the factory unit and it's great, but costly.
Good luck, there are tons of threads including this one regarding iPod retrofits. Check them out
http://www.specdock.com/
They have a good cheap solution
Also there is the Dension Gateway 500
http://www.dension.com/product/iPod-...ts/gateway-500
And the dealer iPod retrofit kit, now some say the Dension is really good, but not sure about the cost. I installed the factory unit and it's great, but costly.
Good luck, there are tons of threads including this one regarding iPod retrofits. Check them out
