MitchBMW

OK, I'm a little pissed right now. I'm trying to get my in dash cd player programmed to play mp3s. I called my dealer here in Hartford Ct (New Country BMW) and asked if this could be done. They first told me no. Then I called back and told them I had an SIB stating that it can be done, and my SA said that he would have to call me back. He later called me back and said that they can do it, but it would cost $300. WHAT??? Did anyone one of you who have had this done, with your car still under the factory BMW warranty have to pay for this? I thought that I've read several people state that all they had to do is show the dealer the SIB, and it was done with no charge. Am I missing something?

I have an 05 545 with cd changer, and no nav.

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Mitch

MitchBMW

Ok, I just got off the phone with Garry from Newport RI BMW, and he told me that it takes about an hour to program, and they should charge me the hourly rate, depending on where I live, and here in CT the rate is about $120 an hour. So at the most, I should be charged $120 for the the update. He said it sounds like they are charging me for 3 hours for whatever reason.

I do feel a little better. I've always hated dealers and their antics, and this is just another reason for me to dislike them. For some reason, I thought BMW would be different. I guess not.

jagbagri

This same thing is being discussed in this thread.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=66090

I have taken the attached CIP to the dealer and they just did the retro to enable the mp3 functionality for FREE. It did take them about couple of hours of actual work, I don't know why but they were able to make my mp3 cds work under the factory warranty.
If you are still under warranty they should be able to do this for free. I guess it depends updon dealer to dealer although it shouldn't.

Hope this helps..

EBMCS03

What month build is your car? I have a feeling it wont work on yours...

uheenada

+1
I'm afraid it might not work on non-nav.

As for the price, I've got it done for free. They should NEVER charge as it clearly says on the SIB
the work is done UNDER warranty.

Since your car is under warranty, never settle down till they do it for free.

jagbagri

Another thread kind of turned into mp3 retro discussion...

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=65921

MitchBMW

Thanks, I don't know if it will help or not. I'm going to call another dealership, and see what they say.

Thanks for the info.

MitchBMW

My build is 11/04. Why wouldn't it work? Does when the car was built make a difference?

kscarrol

Read the MP3 bulliten included in the link that jagbagri provided. Any car built before Sept 2005 must have Navigation to get the MP3 working. It is a hardware issue where Nav equipped cars used different computers which will allow MP3 playback after a software update. With the November 2004 build date and no Nav, your dealer is correct about no can do on the MP3 playback. Clarify what they are charging you for. Per the SIB, they would charge you $300 for nothing and you would be even more upset.

It is not perfect, but since you can't so the MP3 without some serious $$$ for hardware, try the iPod adapter. BMW offers one as do third party vendors. They replace the 6-disc changer in the glove box but there are some limits on the number of songs they can handle. But that number is far superior to 6 CD's with 10-12 songs each... Do some searches, there are many threads on this.

IceyTys

If you dont have Nav then the update wont work. From what I understand it only works on NAV based cars. However, if the dealership says they can do it, then it doesnt hurt to try. If you read the service bulletin careful, it clearly states the work should be charged under the bmw factory warranty, so don let them give you any crap about charging you. Thats bullcrap, my dealer did it for free AND gave me a loaner.

GL