This is ridiculous. It's 2011 oustide and I still have to burn CD's from my mp3' and shuffle them in my 2004 530i. Not only the thing doesn't have an auxilary port, but the cd player doesn't play mp3 cd's, where I could easily pack over 100 mp3's. No..I have to sit and burn them into 80 minute audio CD's.

Was anyone successful in installing an AUX port? is there a DIY on the forum? I've searched a bit but came across nothing useful.

What sux is that I'm planning to keep this car for another 5 years, I don't feel like burning CD's for 5 years.

thanx

 

it might be 2011 but your car was made in 2004 lol sorry i cant help you with your problem but there are alot of threads on this topic "search"

also i think its cheap just go to the dealer and tell them to retrofit one i dont think it would cost more then 200. i might be wrong but give em a shot....

 

A lot of us have done it.....do a search. PM sent.

 

Things to note. A general dealer retrofit will disconnect the CDC. The base would also suffer. Search for the thread that mentions how to splice the aux into the CDC IR loop. This is essential to have the top quality aux and CDC sound. Also, coding is required.

If all else fails, then retrofit a gateway. I am investigating this now as the dealer FAILED to actually connect a aux after taking it in 3 times. I am also looking for another texhnician to install it too

 

You have an '04... my '04 545i is fiber optic and no one, not even the good specialty shops would touch it - not sure if the 530 is as well. They all said due to the fiber optics, its a dealer retro-fit only. So thats what I did. It requires coding or programming... its in my glove box and I run a 3 ft aux cable and keep my Zune in the slot below my climate controls - fits perfectly, allows me control over whats being played and is virtually invisible. People on the forum have complained about the sound quality of their aux inputs, but I can honestly say the Logic7 I have sounds amazing through it... no complaints here! Worth every dime as well... cd's are annoying and my Zune is 120 gigs!

 

I did it on my 05 530, cost me $60 for the cable from Tischer and about another $50 to have a local shop (Solely Bimmer) install and code it. I actually prefer the Aux cable to the iPod connection, because I can either connect my iPod and hear my playlists OR I can connect my phone and listen to Pandora - perfect Also, it's waaaaaay cheaper than the iPod connection

 

Hey Pjinca, I would like to get this done this weekend, I have an 04 530, is there anything else I need to know, how's the sound quality?

 

Sound quality from my iPod or cell phone is great, no worries there. Sounds better than CD's to me.

 

that sounds just what iam looking for but how is hooked to the radio and how do you route the wire into the arm rest, some one said Tischer what is it and ere do u find them. thanks

 

They can be found at getbmwparts.com, contact them if you can't find it (I can't remember the part number). Yes, the OEM cable needs to have it's pins connected into the plug on the back of the radio, then you can route it anywhere you want it. I put mine in the glove box.