Why not just get the iPod with the FM tranceiver and play it through your stereo? The quality is great and it's alot simpler to set up. PLUS...you can take it anywhere. BELKIN makes a few of them for $79

 

You're joking, right? FM modulators are horrible.
will

 

I have a 2004 non nav car and I had the ipod adapter installed. I did not have the cd changer, so the dealer had to program my car to recognize the ipod adapter. What it does is actually recognize the ipod adapter as if it was a cd changer. If you already have the cd changer, it is my understanding that you can install the ipod adapter and it will work without a trip to the dealer. Do a search on this board. A lot of posts dealt with this exact situation.

Just for a reference, my install cost was $575, which included the cost of the ipod adapter. I did get some lower quotes, as low as $450, but since my car was already at the dealer and I wanted to get it done, I had them go ahead.

Hopes this helps. Good luck.

 

That is the thing. I took the sib that I found on here and they said that the mp3 could be done. Maybe I took the wrong one because they said the one I provided was for cars with nav. Do you happen to know what SIB you took to them? I am sure I can install it myself, I am thinking about calling Gary from Newport and seeing how much he will charge for the actual hardware.

 

It can be done I have a first run 530 8/03 production and I have intergrated bluetooth which they said could not be done I also have the ipod intergration done no nav no cd changer was even there, I did have cd prewire though cost me 75 bucks for the tech to install the unit and program it.

It only cost that because he wanted me to write up a ticket in case he had to open a puma case and could warrenty the work if something went wrong

It can be done and now by the way I can play mp3's in the dash cd slot

 

Will, how long have you had your Dension installed, and have you had any problems with the unit?

I want to get my iPod connected to my car, but undecided on which one to get. I know that you get a lot more options with the Dension, but I also read where people have had issues with their IDrive systems locking up. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Mitch

 

Will the dension gateway 500 work with a 2005 545i non nav with a changer? It is not listed in the compatibility chart on the denison website. It says year 2004 -2004 and it also says non text compatible ( whatever that means)

http://www.dension.com/oem1.php

 

I've had it for about a month with no problems. The install is straight forward and it has unlimited potential..ipod or usb hard drive. It is a little more expensive than bmw's but there is no song limitation and the access is just like theipod...even better actually, b/c there is a function where you can search by alphabet. eme if you have any q's.
Will

 

It will work as long as you have a CD changer. There are two dip switch settings, one for CD text one for non text. By the way there are more than one software programs available for download thru the usb. I am using about a year old version. I believe it is version 2.03 It does not allow searching for songs thru the idrive but it does allow iPod control and track up and down. Also it is more reliable than version 2.02 which did allow some limited searching in gateway mode vs manual mode but that mode caused non recognition errors and battery drain errors ( sometimes ) My car is an E60 545 01/04

 

In case you are still interested, 'non-text' means you will just see 'track 1, track 2', rather than the actual track names, as you would see on your iPod screen.