So I've decided to tackle this one one my own. Thank you so much for the informitive illustrations on how to do this. I have a 2004 545 sport with NAV, L7, and MP3 enabled. I recently had software upgraded to 28 for the Bluetooth retrofit and it works great. Here are my questions - I know they have been answered in other forums, but I wanted to get a little clarification first. From what I've read with my current settup, I can merely remove the CD Changer and plug in the interface without any reprogramming and it should work. I am a bit confused though on what will happen if my car is reprogrammed in the future. Must I put the CD Changer back every time? Or will they just reprogram the car and identify the IPOD apapter? Thank you very much. I was a member of an E39 board before and the information saved me hours of fustration and thousands of $$$$ - keep up the good work.

 

With original BMW retrofits once its in, its in. You never have to take anything out just to do a software upgrade. Since you have a 2004 car I would first check if the iPOD kit works on your car before buying it.

 

Ok the E60 is a different beast. Yes you can buy and install the IPOD in the glove box yourself but it will not do any good because you will have to have the Progman upgrades. This is NOT a plug and play DIY like it was on the E39. If your car is under warranty then you could save like 100-200 by doing it yourself if you can convince BMW to update your progman and see if they update it. If they do not turn on the IPOD then you could bring it back and tell them they didn't do it.

 

I'm about to go into the dealer to get this software upgrade in order to install my ipod kit and bluetooth compatibility. I don't have the nav though. Mine's a late production 2004. What did it cost you to get this software update done? Any advice before I go in there? Thanks.

 

how can you tell if you have the Progman?

 

Wha tdo you mean "if you have the Progman". Progman is like "OS" and all bmw cars have it.