I have posted this question before without luck, So I will try again.

Can my car be retrofitted to play MP3 CD's in the in dash CD player?

I have a 2004 545i (Production date of 01/04) with the following options:
-Navigation
-Premium Sound (Logic 7)
-CD Changer
-Sport Pkg
Other options that are not related. (Rear seat heaters, Confort seats, Cold weather package)
-No Sat Radio
-No Aux input

The dealership seems to be clueless on this. They said no 545's can Play MP3's cd's, but I see that there are several posts of people who can.

Any suggestions on how to find out for sure and how to get it done if it is possible?

Thanks!!

 

Here is the list of service notices (SIB's) from another part of the forum. On page three is the SIB for MP3 compatibility. Print it out and take it the dealer to have them look up the proper bulliten.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=attach...st&id=31382

Also have them look at the March 2006 SI B65 30 05 which indicates compatibility for SOP (start of production) for NAV equipped cars. Dealing with an incompetent dealre can be frustrating...

 

have you tried creating a simple disk with just one mp3 in the root directory?

If it doesnt read this, your answer will be no.......

To be sure, search for other posts on creating mp3 disks for the E60 - Nero seems to be the preferred method, and someone here posted detailed info on how to create a disk. I would suggest the single mp3 might reduce the risk of errors.

cheers

steve

 

Yes, I have tried to create several Mp3 CDs using Nero and following the suggested format posted here. No luck.

I have read several posts stating that with the correct software update and enabling MP3 it should work. The problem is the dealer says it's not possible on any 545. They say playing MP3's is only possible on the new 3 and 7 series. I have a hard time beleiving that after all the posts I have read here.

Anyways, thanks again.

 

I, like you, went through this struggle on my new this month car. The std cd in the UK is the business one, unless you get other options (professional). So, to date, no E60 UK spec car has MP3 capability on the business unit.

Seems that curent USA cars get Professional by default, but perhaps your 2004 doesnt.

My car has bang up to date programming, and it still doesnt MP3. Its a $500 upgrade in the UK, so even if it can be enabled, it doesnt come for free.....


cheers

steve


ps - i can recommend the ipod interface tho.....

 

Well I can't speak for your car but clearly there are many of us here with MP3 capability on a 545. Mine is a 3/2004 build and I had the software retrofit done to my car about a year ago. Tell the dealer to read this forum or just find a more competent dealership to do business with...

 

He has nav, so he has radio pro.
He only needs the newest CIP/PROGMAN release and the coding from his dealer.

 

Good News! After calling several dealers in the SF Bay Area, One of the shop forman called me to confirm that it could be done and is covered by warranty.

I have an appoitment to bring it in on Wednesday for the MP3 retrofit. I will let you know if it actualy works on Thursday.


Thanks again. Seeing all the posts here about this topic helped me call BS on the dealers and made them do there job and look up the information.

 

That is good news. I've been trying to get mp3 for the longest time now. Which bmw are you going to?

 

BMW of Fremont. The shop foreman is Burt French. He is the most informed guy I have talked to in the SF Bay Area and I called most of the dealers.
I drop the car off tomorrow morning. I'm crossing my fingers that it works without breaking anything else.

I will let you you know how it works out.