yeah i think you would notice if it was coded for a 6 disk because in the idrive for cd there would be options for 6 disks to choose from and this is where the gw500 comes into play and displays artists names songs playlists and so on..this is the ultimate set up right here

 

Oh, I know its not coded, because I don't have the harness in the glovebox

 

"v_therussian - Oh, I know its not coded, because I don't have the harness in the glove box "

are you sure? because it should be there regardless cdc or not i don't have a cdc and yours should look just like mine just an empty plug then behind is the green fiber optic cable right behind it still in closed loop. check out this install only difference for me and you with non cdc is there will be no cdc to pull out once the glove box is removed. should be right there in picture 4 of below attachment

https://5series.net/forums/topic/487...n-gateway-500/

 

Honestly, I've read this thread several times, but I'm still confused sorry - I'm beyond rusty on mobile electronics installs and the fact that I've got to break the fiber optic loop to install this unit really scares the crap out of me. I've never done anything with fiber optics, outside of connecting some audio components on my home audio system with fiber optic cables.

Anyway, thanks for that link - it is actually really useful. As for myself, I guess I've just got to buy the Dension and get to it.

BTW do you recommend to do the dealer programming before or after I buy the unit?

 

yeah i know what you are saying with the fiber optics but all you really are doing is adding the dension into the loop,disconnect the terminal plug one side of fiber in to dension "in" arrow and the other one goes to densions "out" arrow and that's it besides simple break away wire taps for power and ground. i was told to have it programmed after because their programmer has to identify the unit in the idrive,some also say that some bmw dealers frowns upon aftermarket systems like this and will not code the car for you..? so some people have to buy a cdc off ebay for 20-80$ used, install it -have it coded-remove it if they want-resell it, and put their dension back in ,but as blastiwi had this confrontation with his dealer he wrote "If they don't make a big deal 'bout aftermarket stuff just tell them to treat is as OEM iPod module for the coding" and that should work.hope this helps

 

I know someone who (I hope) can code it for me outside the dealership. But even if he can't, there are so many dealers in the tri-state area, I'm not even gonna talk to any assholes trying to tell me they won't code it

 

yeah i hear ya i have one dealer next to me and its an hour 20 away from me and im not looking forward talking to them about this coding at all.but then again before i bought the dension i went in there and asked for the aux input retrofit,and hes all oh ok for an ipod?im like yeah all i want it the aux retrofit.because reading from past experience from people asking for it at bmw they used to give you a hassle i guess, and hes all 2.5 or 3 hours with coding " he quoted me the correct time" and was all we can install the ipod retrofit if you would like its about the same time and it will charge your ipod also" so that was good news to me at the time also so maybe my issue with coding wont be that bad

 

I posted this in a thread in the mods section but didn't have any luck and am getting anxious to finish this.

I have the CDC prep and am currently installing the Gateway 500. I have what is potentially a stupid question.

I have the fiber optic cable out of the pass through. I now have both ends with just the white caps on. Now how in the hell do I get that connected to the "car side" cable that came with the gateway? I feel like a retard, but after spending hours fidgeting and losing gallons of sweet in the Texas heat, feel like I've exhausted all options. Please be kind, I searched all the DIY threads on this forum and others. I know I will be doing this once someone answers.

Thanks!