JamieH

Hello,
After searching this forum and others and a call to my local dealer and car audio specialist I am still none the wiser. I have a 2007 registered 530d with the business CD radio. It is set up for a CD changer, but cannot read Mp3's in the single slot CD. As I understand it there are two main options:
(1) BMW retrofit install which is going to cost about ?400 or so, however I have heard lots of people complain about the way it interfaces with the IPod in that play lists have to be set up which sounds rather clumsy for that much cash. This option does fully integrate with the IDrive system and has text output.
(2) Dension Gateway 500 - this sounds great except that I am not sure whether I will get full text display through iDrive. Some people say it can't be done without the satnav ccc system and others say that BMW dealer can switch on an option or upgrade software. This is my preferred option as I used to have a Dension system in my 3 series which worked a treat and I'd also like to add the bluetooth module for my mobile.

The Alpine Hub Pro system has also been mentioned but on searching here it looks like an over the top system in order to just get iPod connectivity and a bit beyond my capabilities for installation.

Would appreciate any advice on how to best proceed.

Thanks

JamieH

Ok have spoken to someone at BMW who sounds as if they speak with some knowledge and authority.
I am told that as I have the non-nav business CD it CANNOT have MP3 functionality programmed in. To get this I would need to update to a retrofit Nav system ????? BTW Anyone with NAV or professional non-nav systems can definitely get MP3 providing car is after 2005.

Therefore as this will mean that I cannot get track text display through the iDrive I have ruled out the Dension Gateway and the Mobridge solutions.

The best of the rest seems to be the Parrot MKi 9200 system. All sounds good and pretty good reviews and it's about half the price of the other systems. Only question is that there is an add on module for this for steering wheel control functionality - just struggling to find how compatible this is for me - main reason that I cannot find this is that when you check on Parrot website it is impossible to read the text in one of the drop down option boxes.

Any opinions from anyone else on this system?

custom60

You might want to take a peek at this thread: https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=70723

I have recently acquired an iPod integration kit myself, and have completed installation, but now need the BMW programming, so I can't confirm nor deny that this will or will not work, but there seem to be a number of people who have vehicles as far back as 2004 that have gotten this to work perfectly without the MP3 CD capability.