lospice1

I want to install it in my new 2005 545i. I know i need the mp3 retrofit(hopefully it's being done as a type). I was ondering the pros and cons. Here is what I have gleemed so far...The Dension is around $500 and the BMW is $300, dension has usb and aux input and you can keep your cd changer.

The big question is: Does the ipod interface for a 2005 545i really have a 1000 song limitation?

The interface for the dension looks much better than the bmw as you can pick a specific letter for the artist. Can the bmw interface do that?

thanks for any and all info,
will

kekkos

Do you have Nav, and if yes which one (business or professional)? According to Dension you will not get the nice interface (no text) you mentioned above if you do not have professional nav. I'm planning to retrofit ipod functionality as well. My first choice is Gateway 500 if I can get text, else I'm going with BMW's ipod solution.

TopSekret

so if i dont have navi and professional, dension is not good? Will it work?

AlexFW

I have with the dension (and I'm happy with it), but remember to pay attention during the driving!

kekkos

It is not clear. According to a user GW500, who has connections with Desnsion, M-ASK unit is not capable of displaying text information. On the other hand bmw's ipod interface can display text information on a M-ASK unit (business). Hopefully, I will be able to answer this question next week since I going to upgrade my Business unit to Business Nav. which provides Professional radio, therefore, mp3 capability.

Insane Devil

Hey there,

I am having similar dilema...

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=60827

I have basic business audio system, - a CD slot under the Climate control buttons, - PLAYS MP3! and i have a 6cd changer in the dash (doesnot play mp3). Planning for Dension Gateway 500, so wondering what kind of display will i have in my iDrive with using USB drive along with dension.
Will i be able to see the File names of the songs in my usb drive? will i be able to change folders, and select file to play from my iDrive?

My car doesnt have navigation at all. and iDrive is 6.5" screen.

MitchBMW

I have the same setup, but I'm not sure if I can play mp3s through my single cd under the Climate control buttons. I'll have to check that, but I was also trying to decide between the two. I hope someone can chime in and answer this.

I also did a google search on the Dension Gateway 500 and E60, and I came across some articles where people with our cars have installed this unit, and it worked great, but then they started having issues playing anything through CD2 - CD4. Also, their iDrive's would freeze up, and they had to stop, turn the car off, and restart it again. So I also wonder if anyone here who has this setup has these kind of problems. The problems didn't exist before the install of the Dension unit.

Very curious to know what you guys think.

kali4nia58

im also looking for ipod integration...denison or BMW. im not as concerned about price as I am about functionality. i do not have nav. not sure about playing mp3 as my CD player is broken and under warranty so a replacement has been ordered. i do have the CD changer in the glove box though i dont play cds so i dont care if it stays or goes. any updates on either unit? good/ bad experiences or preferences?

i did like what i saw in this post http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=61070 if i can use y iphone 3G and charge it that would be great. curious about what the interface looks like.

kekkos

If money is not an issue go for the Gateway 500 then. Is much better than BMW's i-pod interface and updates (firmware) are free . As far as the i-phone 3G is concern can't help you since i have 1st generation i-phone.

lospice1

I ordered my dension from fantastic 5...it will get here on friday. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
will