We definitely need another BMW dealership in my state because the 1 that is in my state charges crazy prices due to the lack of competition. Does $200 to program the car after Ipod Interface install sound right?

They told me I have two choices:

1) Install it myself, but they would have to program the car BEFORE and AFTER my install (due to the model year of my car), or

2) Have them install it, but the programming is free (since I'm still under warranty).

In either case, the cost is $200. What have you guys been paying for this?

Sounds about right tho I;ve heard of quotes in teh 150 range as well. Programming is necessary but I've seen DIYs that talk about working around the programming issue also, depending on the year/build of your car....

Use the search pane and good luck. I love my iPOD interface and don't know how I managed without it. Well worth the moolah!

That is actually really cheap!

The dealers around me are charging between $280 and $300. This is why my iPod adapter has been sitting lifeless in my glovebox. It's extortion.

Did you take out a 6 disc cd changer?

To get the programming free, you need to go back to the dealership and tell them that the mp3 function of your car does not work. There is an SIB that you need to tell them about: SI B65 30 05. Tell them that you are not happy that you cant listen to mp3's and under the complaint scenario, they are supposed to do this under warranty.

Once this is programmed, the Ipod for MOST is also programmed. Reinstall ipod interface and you should be good to go.

Read all about it here: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=59271

If you don't have navigation + mp3 play capability in the car cd player then from what I have read you are going to have to have the car programmed, irrespective of the presence of a cd-changer, or not. $200 for programming sounds cheap. Your alternative is to call around to some independent shops that have the right software & hardware (I think it is called Autologic) for programming the iDrive and ask them what the fee is going to be. An independent shop here in Houston charges $100, and the dealership charges $300. Guess where I am going?

Alternatively, as someone else suggested you can bring the car in under warranty with some other complaint that requires a software upgrade and have them do the programming while they are doing the other work. (You'll need to install the iPod adapter.) The iPod initialization takes very little time compared with a complete software update and you should be able to negotiate a smaller fee since the rest of the programming is being done under warranty. I had the dealership activate a CD-changer for me because I needed a software update to correct a SRS indicator and the fact that my FM pre-sets were not staying memorized. They were going to charge me $100 to activate the changer but then forgot to bill me for the "extra service." Lucky me! :)

Good luck.

Makes you miss the days of plug this into this and that into this and turn it on. All done. :D

But really you know in 2004 Ipods where out MP3 players where out and it was all blowing up. We are buying 50K plus cars you'd think they could have an Aux port at a minimum from the factory. Ford Focus did.

LOL! So did most other cars...I don't even have folding back-seats in my car! Welcome to BMW- make it an option and charge out the ying-yang for it!

Does anyone have a good spot for programming in socal? I've been out of the loop to long and don't know anyone anymore.

yea mine was 280 so thats a good price... sucks but nothing we can do about it :(

$200 is not bad but thats in Utah