Help w/iDrive and iPhone 4 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

ejj · 10-12-2011, 08:39 PM

Hi all -

New member here, just picked up a 2011 335i with iDrive. I've searched, but I'm getting conflicting information from this site, other sites, and the dealer.

My car has the "USB/iPod" option, and a USB and 3.5mm jack in the armrest. I'd like to hook up my iPhone and play my music off that. According to my dealer, I just need to use the USB cable that my phone came with. When I do that, the iDrive system says "Unsupported Device", or something like that.

Looking on line, it looks like BMW has an adapter cable that is required...has USB and 3.5mm connectors on it.

Which is correct?

If I need the adapter, is it reasonable to expect that it would have been provided with the car?

Thanks!

dday · 10-12-2011, 09:05 PM

No adapter needed, all you do is use your standard iphone cable and plug it into the usb port in the center console. The port in the glovebox won't work to play music.

ejj · 10-12-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dday

No adapter needed, all you do is use your standard iphone cable and plug it into the usb port in the center console. The port in the glovebox won't work to play music.

So when I do that, using an honest-to-goodness Apple iPhone cable, it says my device is unsupported. Any reason why? Anything I need to do in the iDrive system to get it "setup" for the iPhone?

hsleiman · 10-12-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dday

No adapter needed, all you do is use your standard iphone cable and plug it into the usb port in the center console. The port in the glovebox won't work to play music.

Is this a recent change? In my 2010 I was told I had to have the BMW adapter. TBH I never tried it with the apple usb. They gave it to me for free but what's the point of the adapter if any usb cable will work?

jmaville · 10-12-2011, 11:02 PM

I just bought a pre-owned 2008 and they told me the same thing as you ejj....I think they just didn't want to give em the $72 cable!

I am sure the "y" cable is needed....it has a microchip in it or something.... and plugs in both headphone jack and usb jack.....and goes to apple 30 pin connector or whatever the standard iPod/iphone connector is....I'd call your salesman and tell him you want the cable for free!

ejj · 10-12-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmaville

I just bought a pre-owned 2008 and they told me the same thing as you ejj....I think they just didn't want to give em the $72 cable!

I am sure the "y" cable is needed....it has a microchip in it or something.... and plugs in both headphone jack and usb jack.....and goes to apple 30 pin connector or whatever the standard iPod/iphone connector is....I'd call your salesman and tell him you want the cable for free!

He insists that if I stop by (which I'll do on Friday) he can show me how it works without the adapter...I'm skeptical...but willing to give him a shot.

jzj · 10-12-2011, 11:26 PM

I have a 2011 328i coupe and use only the cable that came with my iPhone. No Y-cable required. Something must be wrong with your car or iPhone, because the standard iPhone cable it is supposed to be the only one needed in 2011. The statement below is from the BMW bulletin regarding 2011 model year production that began in September, 2010:

"iPod/USB Adapter (6FL)
This option has also been enhanced with many exciting features.
iPod One-wire integration: No longer will an iPod connection require the “Y-cable”. The original iPod USB cable is all that is required to connect the device to the vehicle. This simplifies the connection by not requiring the aux-input. The music is transferred directly from the iPod digitally to the HiFi system via USB. Therefore as of September, the Y-Cable will no longer be included with iPod/USB Adapter (6FL)."

Ask your dealer why yours isn't working.

dryicerx · 10-12-2011, 11:28 PM

It depends if you car has iDrive with Combox or not. All MY2011 models built after Sept 2010 will have combox.

If you have Combox, then you can use a normal iPhone usb cable.
If you don't have Combox, you will need to use the USB+Audio Y cable.

ejj · 10-12-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dryicerx

It depends if you car has iDrive with Combox or not. All MY2011 models built after Sept 2010 will have combox.

If you have Combox, then you can use a normal iPhone usb cable.
If you don't have Combox, you will need to use the USB+Audio Y cable.

How would I know if I have a Combox?

jzj · 10-12-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejj

How would I know if I have a Combox?

Was your car built after Sept. 2010?

ejj · 10-12-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzj

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejj

How would I know if I have a Combox?

Was your car built after Sept. 2010?

Nope...I assume that means I need the adapter?

wrickem · 10-13-2011, 03:43 AM

Like everybody else said, if it's built before the middle of Sept 2010, you need the Y cable.

ejj · 10-13-2011, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrickem

Like everybody else said, if it's built before the middle of Sept 2010, you need the Y cable.

Should the cable have come with the car then? I'm not going to pay them for it...but I'm curious if they'll ask me to...

ejj · 10-14-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrickem

Like everybody else said, if it's built before the middle of Sept 2010, you need the Y cable.

With the y cable, can I control the iPhone through the idrive system?

anerbe · 10-14-2011, 01:03 PM

If you car requires it, then yes - the Y cable will have your iPhone show up in entertainment as an iPod (similar setup to a CD changer). There will be menu options to sort/play music by Playlist, Genre, Artist, etc... on your iDrive.

ejj · 10-14-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anerbe

If you car requires it, then yes - the Y cable will have your iPhone show up in entertainment as an iPod (similar setup to a CD changer). There will be menu options to sort/play music by Playlist, Genre, Artist, etc... on your iDrive.

Found that out...the sales guy didn't think so, which is why I ask.

Dealer gave me the cable, and I'm all set! Thanks for the help!

10-12-2011, 08:39 PM	#1
ejj Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MD Posts: 43 iTrader: (0)	Help w/iDrive and iPhone 4 Hi all - New member here, just picked up a 2011 335i with iDrive. I've searched, but I'm getting conflicting information from this site, other sites, and the dealer. My car has the "USB/iPod" option, and a USB and 3.5mm jack in the armrest. I'd like to hook up my iPhone and play my music off that. According to my dealer, I just need to use the USB cable that my phone came with. When I do that, the iDrive system says "Unsupported Device", or something like that. Looking on line, it looks like BMW has an adapter cable that is required...has USB and 3.5mm connectors on it. Which is correct? If I need the adapter, is it reasonable to expect that it would have been provided with the car? Thanks!
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10-13-2011, 03:43 AM	#12
wrickem doesn't really care Drives: what he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville nj Posts: 2,159 iTrader: (0)	Like everybody else said, if it's built before the middle of Sept 2010, you need the Y cable. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ '11 e92 335-xi m-sport - daily driver/winter beater, '06 Boxster - for fun, '07 M6- for even more fun.

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10-12-2011, 09:05 PM	#2
dday Captain Drives: 2011 Deep Sea Blue e90 335xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: MA Posts: 834 iTrader: (1)	No adapter needed, all you do is use your standard iphone cable and plug it into the usb port in the center console. The port in the glovebox won't work to play music.

10-12-2011, 11:02 PM	#5
jmaville Private First Class Drives: 335xi Sedan Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: CT Posts: 141 iTrader: (-1) Garage List 2005 VW Touareg V8 [5.00] 2008 BMW 335xi Sedan [4.50]	I just bought a pre-owned 2008 and they told me the same thing as you ejj....I think they just didn't want to give em the $72 cable! I am sure the "y" cable is needed....it has a microchip in it or something.... and plugs in both headphone jack and usb jack.....and goes to apple 30 pin connector or whatever the standard iPod/iphone connector is....I'd call your salesman and tell him you want the cable for free!

10-12-2011, 11:26 PM	#7
jzj New Member Drives: 2011 328i E92 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	I have a 2011 328i coupe and use only the cable that came with my iPhone. No Y-cable required. Something must be wrong with your car or iPhone, because the standard iPhone cable it is supposed to be the only one needed in 2011. The statement below is from the BMW bulletin regarding 2011 model year production that began in September, 2010: "iPod/USB Adapter (6FL) This option has also been enhanced with many exciting features. iPod One-wire integration: No longer will an iPod connection require the “Y-cable”. The original iPod USB cable is all that is required to connect the device to the vehicle. This simplifies the connection by not requiring the aux-input. The music is transferred directly from the iPod digitally to the HiFi system via USB. Therefore as of September, the Y-Cable will no longer be included with iPod/USB Adapter (6FL)." Ask your dealer why yours isn't working.

10-12-2011, 11:28 PM	#8
dryicerx First Lieutenant Drives: 335is Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 381 iTrader: (1)	It depends if you car has iDrive with Combox or not. All MY2011 models built after Sept 2010 will have combox. If you have Combox, then you can use a normal iPhone usb cable. If you don't have Combox, you will need to use the USB+Audio Y cable.

10-14-2011, 01:03 PM	#15
anerbe Major Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: RO, MI Posts: 1,231 iTrader: (1)	If you car requires it, then yes - the Y cable will have your iPhone show up in entertainment as an iPod (similar setup to a CD changer). There will be menu options to sort/play music by Playlist, Genre, Artist, etc... on your iDrive.