WidgetOz

I have a 2007 E60 (530i) and had the Phone Cradle removed to give me a larger centre console compartment.
As this model doesn't have USB and the AUX in the rear of the car (!) I am curious as to what comms is/was used by the cradle and whether there is an audio link/option that could be utilised.

spandex

The phone cradle is for charging and to give an external antenna connection (for phones that support this) to the sharkfin. The comms are all done over bluetooth, even when the phone is physically docked. There are no audio connections from the dock, unfortunately.

WidgetOz

Ok and thanks very much

grateful1

Where can you plug your phone in to get it charged? All I see is the USB/ipod adapter under the phone cradle and no cigarette/power hook up for the phone.

JMurp

Good question grateful1-

I also have the USB IPOD adapter inputs at the bottom of the center console, and I want to buy the Iphone snap in adapter, but for the life of me can not find the input so the snap in adapter will charge the phone?

NEWBIE question, but can anyone help

txag_530i

The snap-in adapter has the charging connections built into it. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot use the snap-in adapter and the USB input at the same time.

spandex

As txag_530i says, if you have the phone cradle then your phone will charge once you get the correct snap-in adaptor for it. As for the USB and phone charging not working at the same time, I don't really understand why this would be the case. I don't have OEM USB, so this is just my opinion here, but the two things are connected to completely separate systems. I don't really see why you couldn't use them at the same time as they're electrically separate.

grateful1

I have the ipod/usb adapter which the USB does charge my ipod. However, there is no power outlet to charge my phone. You can't use the USB port to charge a Blackberry phone. And even if you could, then that would mean that I would need to unhook my ipod in order to charge my BB. Also, you are missing the fact that I already have a snap in phone cradle adapter. But the issue remains the same. There is no dedicated power outlet for me to plug my phone charger into.

spandex

I'm not sure what your point is. If you want to charge your phone, you can just get a snap-in adaptor for it. Why don't you just get the correct adaptor for your BB?