Brad Kane

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the info on the board it made this project super simple, also thanks to Roger at Aftermarketbulbshop.com for the goodies.

I'm about as electronically inclined as a caveman, the sheer mention of fiber-optic blinds me with expensive repair fears, but this was truly a simple job.

Based on Schulrog/Roger's DIY instructions and several other threads on the board, I thought I would add my own photos and experiences from today.

I have an 06 e61 with CDC prep, non-mp3 capability (until monday anyway). I order my ipod unit from aftermarketbulbshop.com.

My biggest problem was finding the wires and overcoming my fear about disconnecting a fiber optic cable. I located the power plug and the fiber optic connector after removing the glove box and the fuse plate:


From there I took two flat head screwdrivers and opened up the rectangular fiber optic connector, revealing the two green cables:



The cables plug directly into the adaptor plug that was included in the OEM BMW iPod kit, making sure I had the cable with the red light going in the right direction, I snapped the wires into place so it looked like this:



Then easily plugged the new adaptor into the power plug:


The last part was to plug the power/fiberoptic cord into the back of the ipod unit and the ipod cable and zip tie into place. I didn't have the CDC bracket in there so I had to use the zip ties as pictured which I will likely clean up at another time.


So after putting everything in place I turned on the key not sure what I would find and viola, the BMW logo appeared on the ipod screen!





I assumed that everything was all good if the logo appears. My car is not coded for MP3's/ CDC so my i-drive did not see the ipod there, my appointment on Monday at BMW should solve that issue.

For anyone concerned about doing this job, don't be it's ridiculously easy. Literally, the hardest part was figuring out how to zip tie the unit into the dash without the changer bracket. The threads on the board really helped out with visualizing how to do this. The only thing that I wasn't able to really see was how the fiber optic cable re-routing worked, there were mentions of it but no pics of the red light etc (at least from what I found). Most of the threads on here, people already had the fiber optic adaptor attached to the power plug.

Hopefully this post helps a few still on the fence about adding an ipod to your e60/61.

B.

schulrog

Looks good buddy Glad I could help out!

skeeter

Good job...Nice write up.... to the forum

chris f

If I had the spare cash I would definitely do this, the cd changer is pretty crap really.

Nice write-up

wasupdu

Very nice write-up......If you don't mind, can you share what your TOTAL cost is one this (cable, programming, etc...)?

Sagar

Well done on your install, I hope the coding went as planned today and its up & running.

Also, thanks for the informative write up & pictures

Brad Kane

Updated

Hi everyone,

Well, I got my car back from BMW today after a couple days of hassle and I'm very pleased to say that my ipod is working perfectly.

For some reason I can't seem to post the pictures?? "no dynamic pages [img] tags allowed??

The iPod units, works great the sound quality is absolutely fantastic, a VERY worthwhile mod.

Now here's the point of discussion and the source of an almost very costly mistake. According to BMW, pre-05 production head units/CD players were NOT mp3 capable, not even to enable. Schulrog get on the blower with them to sort it out as he says he's dealt with alot of cars like mine and it hasn't been an issue. The BMW bulletin about mp3 retrofitting only applies to cars that have CCC according to the dealership, schulrog assumed that I had CCC.

Regardless, what BMW had to do was replace the CD drive in my car due to a "skipping problem" . After that, encoding went flawlessly and the iPod is working like a charm. The charged me 2 hours labour to reprogram the car, which I expected and warrantied the CD drive for me.

So, I do caution those with an 05 production 5-series with MASK units, be sure you can get MP3 enabled before doing this mod. I happened to get to work with a great BMW tech/manager there and they looked after me.

Total cost of project:
iPod controller: 279.99
iPod programming: 260.00

So, an expensive little mod but well worth it IMHO, my thanks again to the board for all the tips and to schulrog for CRAZY good customer service.

B.

schulrog

Thx Brad.. I do what I can! lol

People with MASK have done it before as well but it definitely is a hastle getting some BMW guys to make it happen. Although it says it won't work it definitely does The CD-Player won't play mp3's that is correct but only the computer needs to be enabled which is possible. Either way you got a new CD-Player out of it altought they didn't need to replace it for this to work

higher

Schulrog I would love to buy this ipod unit from you but your sitei is showing out of stock. Can you PM me where else I can get this. for example can I buy direct from a BMW dealer or do you supply a different kit with differing connectors etc ?

I burned an MP3 cd and put in my 6 CD changer in the glovebox. It played the MP3's without fault, so I guess my car in MP3 coded (2008 model).

Thanks

kduff70

I have and 06 e60 and I seem to have all the wiring in the picture now if I install the most interface ipod adapter will have to go to the dealer to have my ipod program or will is work after everything is connected?