I installed the Xcarlink multimedia interface for my 2006 525i (no nav or aux input but I do have an iPod interface) yesterday and I have lost my Bluetooth capabilities and IPod interface. The install went smooth and I am able to watch video on my idrive screen. All the features work as they should on the multimedia and idrive except for the Bluetooth not allowing me to enable and the iPod interface being grayed out (not allowing me to select CD with the iPod being plugged in) in my idrive. I triple checked all connections, could it be possible that I got a bad harness? Let me know what you guys think. I hope I do not need coding, it seems like idrive does not recognize the Bluetooth and the interface anymore.

Thanks,
Alex

 

Check your MOST connection(s) ... it seems to be fiber link problem.

 

I think I missed this step...

 

How do you like it? I am considering this setup as well.

 

I only had working for a few hours but the video quality from netflix and youtube are ok and I suppose a dvd player would give you the best resolution. The main reason I got the multimedia player was so I can run my tomtom app from my iphone but it does not look that great. I am using AV composite cables from the iphone for now until I find a better solution.

I am using TVOut2 Mirror Tvout, anyone try any different apps that display better quality (does not have to be free)?

 

i installed the xcarlink as well last week. i use tvout2 to mirror my iphone and i use motionX navigation to be the best one. it actually mirrors the maps on the idrive screen and you can use the menus on the iphone, pretty cool. i have the 6.5 screen so the quality isnt that great but not too bad either.

 

Thanks BlaSTiWi that did the trick...everything is working now!

 

Get the OEM ccc and update you car. After spending a few hundred dollars on an idrive multimedia kit, and "living" with it for an year or so, I went ahead and bought the ccc parts through various auctions. In the end, the price difference wasn't that much and now I feel stupid going down the multimedia kit (I only use it for the rear view camera now).

You can ask me about all the iphone navigation apps - I have been there and tried them all.

 

I am using the tomtom app and I am pretty happy with it so far. I can play music (pandora too) from the app and the music fades in and out when driving instructions are given. I have had the car for almost 4 years without any Nav so this is a big upgrade. I like the fact that I can use Netflix and other movie apps. The video quality is not the greatest but then again I am using composite cables. I am planning on installing a reverse camera soon. You are right there is nothing like oem but this is not bad. To be honest with you just the fact that it charges my phone while running all these apps is sweet. I also like how the multimedia operates smoothly with my menu button.

 

i dont know how someone can compare a iphone nav to the stock navi. iphones navi are always up to date, and much much much easier to navigate thru than using the control knob. how could someone even compare is besides me.