[LEDZEP]

Sorry that a couple of these are horrible with motion blurr, but you get the idea. Here is a first look at the integration of 6FL with iDrive. You are able to use the iPod just the way you would normally - going through Genre's, Artists, Albums, Playlists, and Songs. Where a selection contains child objects (i.e. Selecting Artist allows you to then select Album), those lists will be displayed as appropriate.

If you've used your iPod at all, this interface is 100% intuitive. Operate it just as you would the iPod itself. Sound quality is MUCH improved over previous AUX only connection. Data is imported very quickly. Scrolling can become tedious if like me, you have a few thousand songs. Best to use playlists or other categories like Albums, Artists, etc. to minimize the need for lots of scrolling. When you do need to scroll though, it's simply a matter of turning the iDrive controller. With no haptic feedback, it's simple.

[msimon18]

Nice - thx for sharing. I've got 26 GB of albums on my iPod that I plan to use in the 335 (if I ever get it) so I hope it really is as intuiitive and easy as you state.

I currerntly have a Phatbox in my 330cic that I will be selling after I turn in the car end of May. The Phatbox is extremely easy and since it talks to you you never really take your eyes off the road. I was quite upset when I found out it would not work in the 335.

Anyway - we should all stay healthy so we can hace fun with these cars !!

[Mr.F1 Fan]

Thanks LEDZEP.
I was hoping I could use my old G3 with it and your picture confirms such.
I have one which was replaced per the apple class action suit and I have yet to use it hoping it would work in the new car.
Are you happy with the operation of it in general ?
Appreciate the write-up and pics.

[MrWorf]

Sweet ... the only drawback as I can see is that the storage between the seats gets really messed up with the huge cable/box and what not. But compared to having the dealer version, I think I can live with it.

Now, if only my car could get delivered

[LEDZEP]

Mr.F1 Fan - I'm doing back flips! Compared to my previous car with just the AUX and Monster cable setup, this rocks. The part for me that is best is not having to touch the iPod, and being able to use steering wheel controls, etc.

I have only 15 minutes of use with it so far - but it's an instant success! Anyone who doesn't pony up $400 for this is nuts.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by MrWorf

Sweet ... the only drawback as I can see is that the storage between the seats gets really messed up with the huge cable/box and what not. But compared to having the dealer version, I think I can live with it.

Now, if only my car could get delivered

True, but takes up less room that the 500 foot Monster cable I had in my '06! I don't really use that space for anything else anyway. I also like that it leaves the power outlet available for other things - like a cell phone charger (if the clearance will allow that - haven't tried yet).

[E90Fleet]

Glad you finally have it

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Glad you finally have it

You and everyone else who has been subjected to my child-like temper tantrums over the past eight days!!

But I know you didn't mean it that way - and thanks!!

[wdogan]

It's because of your "tantrums" that I made the effort to call my dealership and make sure the parts department would have the cable for me, so THANK YOU for them. And thanks for the pics of the 6FL in action -- looks like they've finally gotten it right! Can't wait to try my own out sometime next week.

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

You and everyone else who has been subjected to my child-like temper tantrums over the past eight days!!

But I know you didn't mean it that way - and thanks!!

[Greeney]

I have to say, that looks much better than the MOST adapter that uses the "CD" deck...

[Brett]

Questions:

Can you press "Play" at any time to start that selection. IE: pressing "play" on Artist plays all for that Artist, but going one level deeper, pressing "play" on the Album plays the Album.

Also, it looks like 1/2 the screen is taken up with the top saying "Aux / Daves IPod / Genres" Does this mean you can only see 3 selections at a time? Doesn't that get frustrating? Or can you make it so more selections are displayed on the screen.

Finally, I see you have Sirius, any "music" reasons to keep it, now that you have the IPod?

Thanks,

[JackMac]

Best overall OEM iPod solution I've seen yet.

Oh, and gotta love Jimi Hendrix Blues CD. I have that one too :-)

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by wdogan

It's because of your "tantrums" that I made the effort to call my dealership and make sure the parts department would have the cable for me, so THANK YOU for them. And thanks for the pics of the 6FL in action -- looks like they've finally gotten it right! Can't wait to try my own out sometime next week.

Thanks! Truly, it was on behalf of all buyers that I was so annoyed!

Originally Posted by Brett

Questions:

Can you press "Play" at any time to start that selection. IE: pressing "play" on Artist plays all for that Artist, but going one level deeper, pressing "play" on the Album plays the Album.

Also, it looks like 1/2 the screen is taken up with the top saying "Aux / Daves IPod / Genres" Does this mean you can only see 3 selections at a time? Doesn't that get frustrating? Or can you make it so more selections are displayed on the screen.

Finally, I see you have Sirius, any "music" reasons to keep it, now that you have the IPod?

Thanks,

Damned good questions! I'll have to experiment and let you know.

I still love Sirius... lots of choices and great quality. Sometimes I don't want to have to make up my mind what to play on the iPod... let someone else decide!

Originally Posted by JackMac

Best overall OEM iPod solution I've seen yet.

Oh, and gotta love Jimi Hendrix Blues CD. I have that one too :-)

:rocks: My taste in music is all over the map. I have lots of classical too!

[oneshare325]

Yea...that is so awesome!

So is the audio still going into the sound system analog via 35mm jack, or is audio going through the USB thus having a digital connection?

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Brett

Also, it looks like 1/2 the screen is taken up with the top saying "Aux / Daves IPod / Genres" Does this mean you can only see 3 selections at a time? Doesn't that get frustrating? Or can you make it so more selections are displayed on the screen.

Actually, until you start playing something, you can see about four or five items in the list. I'll get the official count for you. When a song is playing it takes up two lines for Artist and Title. Doesn't really bother me, I use mostly playlists or albums so I just let it play through.

[Mr.F1 Fan]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

You and everyone else who has been subjected to my child-like temper tantrums over the past eight days!!

You say that, but I'm six months out and trying to figure out how to stack the system in my favor so that I have one when I take delivery. I'll have a fit if I have to wait till the car gets home to be able to use it!
I'm wondering if beewang at bimmerfest is going to start another loner program for the adapter now?! Hopefully it is just a short term supply problem. Bummer you had to be a Guinea pig. Thanks for the info. I look forward to the "added features" you always seem to be persistent enough to find when others overlook them.

Cheers

[LEDZEP]

Mr.F1Fan - I think you'll be fine. They should have the bugs in the communication process well worked out by then!

[STE92VE]

Interesting to notice that the cable uses both the USB and the Aux input. I would have thought that it would just use the USB.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Interesting to notice that the cable uses both the USB and the Aux input. I would have thought that it would just use the USB.

Nope, it's designed that way. If you were using a simple USB device then just the one would be used. I believe the USB provides the full iPod docking integration but the sound is still sent through the 3.5mm jack. The sound quality is very good though!

[Ryan 330i]

let me see if i understand, the 6FL option is just a cord that plugs into the Aux jack that we all have already?

[X5FX]

no, the aux input is different on the new units. It has a audio in + a USB in.
Plus it has a new ipod cable. Read the threads on this topic...there are plenty of photos.

[LEDZEP]

Also hardware and software changes to the audio system and iDrive.