>Does anyone have an E60/61 preferably around 2004 that can

>a) Play mp3's
>b) Has 'only' the business Headunit.

Yes...I have a UK 530D delivered new in December 2004 that I had the BMW IPOD Interface fitted to around a year ago. It required new software on the car and then of course the addition of the I-Pod interface itself and the removal of my factory CD changer.

I would have much prefered the Dension and hung out for almost 2 years waiting for it but as far as I know they never could get the Gateway 500 to work on a non nav equipped E60/E61. The BMW I-pod interface is ok but is really only half an I-POD interface if you have an 80GB IPOD. Due somehow to (I suspect) memory limitations in the car the 255 song limit forces you to use playlists and then I've hit bugs with the playlist feature that limits the playlists themselves. In effect this means you can't reach all your songs/albums. I gave up on my dealer/BWM ever fixing this and I tried hard!

 

BUSINESS HEAD UNIT > SW UPDATE> iPod Interface = MP3 YES
BUSINESS HEAD UNIT> SW UPDATE > SINGLE CD SLOT = MP3 PLAYBACK NO

 

I know for the 2004 build cars MP3 can not be enabled. Does anyone know if I swapped out the single cd player/ dvd player from a 2005 e60 would the mp3 work if i have it enabled at the dealer. I would love to purchase a Dension if this was possible.

 

Same here - I have 530 from 2005/04 - but have only standart CD player, without CD changer. Will Dension 500 work for me? What exactly do I need to purchase except Dension unit itself??

 

For those of you in need of a software update to operate your i-pod integration kit, it should be done for free by the dealer!

Try taking the attached BMW technical bulletin to your dealer - (they will be able to actually claim the work against the factory, as they ran an upgrade campaign to upgrade the software). I have attached a .pdf of the actual bulletin below.

After the software upgrade, your system should be able to see MP3 files & operate an i-pod.

I have also included the instructions from the "spec.dock" system that I installed. The i-pod actually rests into a really cool holder that replaces the ashtray. The ashtray lid closes down when not in use & looks perfectly stock!

Spec-Dock is made by 2point5.com, their email is info@2point5.com, telephone 770-414-6038