[wdlfbio]

We have a 2007 328xi with I-drive. The wife has been bugging me to get her the Ipod integration kit so she can control her Ipod via the I-drive. So, I called the dealership today to get prices for factory floor mats (we still have the ED mats in) and the Ipod deal. "$319", he says. With installation? I ask. "Nope". He fumbles around a bit and says, "it'll take 5 hours for the install." YGBSM (that stands for you gotta be sh!tn me). Almost $800 for a factory Ipod hookup. Nice job BMW. Never even brought up the floor mats. I think we'll keep the car for another month or two instead of going OEM

[JSpira]

Uh, the floor mats you got in Germany are the factory floor mats.

[JSpira]

Re the iPod, some dealers discount the price (did you ask for your BMW club discount?) and usually they charge for 2-3 hours max. So many have paid somewhere in the range of $525 plus or minus.

[wdlfbio]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Uh, the floor mats you got in Germany are the factory floor mats.

I meant the ones that have BMW raised on them. Ours are plain

I told him I thought most folks were being charged for 2-3 hours. He said that was for older models. The new one takes 5 hours. Ya gotta pull out the seat and carpet, run the cable from the front to the trunk, blah, blah, blah. I think a rookie should get it done in less than that.

I'd pay $500 or so, but not $800!

[youyou]

Have the Most adapter waiting to be installed as soon as my car arrives withing the next 2 weeks.
The dealer charges you only 2 hours and Bmw pays the rest.
This is a standard Bmw policy. It does take about 4:30 - 5 hours install but they can only charge you 2 hours.
So whoever your dealing with is feeding you Bull...
Call another dealer or ask to speak to the Manager.

[rlc]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

The new one takes 5 hours. Ya gotta pull out the seat and carpet, run the cable from the front to the trunk, blah, blah, blah.

I'd pay $500 or so, but not $800!

Install of the MOST adapter requires work around the right dash and glovebox area and removing electronics in the center dash. No pulling of seats or running cables to the back, etc.

The kit is $319 List (you can get it for less with BMWCCA or online order) plus two hours (MAX) labor for the install and the coding is free under warranty. Out the door at $500 is the max you should pay.

[obLu]

I got the adapter from Morristown for $250. Install at the dealer was another $250. It takes 1-2 hours to physically install, no running wires, your SA just didn't know what the hell he was talking about.

The big thing is the programming ... I'm not sure, but I think (and I'm sure Jspira will correct me if I'm wrong) if your car is newer and the software is up to date all they have to do is activate it? If the software isn't up to date, they have to update that first. Which in my case took overnight.

I can understand a dealer not being that enthused about tying up a tech to babysit a software update for a few hours when the quoted install time is 1-2 hours.

I don't have idrive, but I like getting the id3 tags on the stereo. And I like being able to skip forward using the steering wheel button. But it is an expensive toy just for those few abilities.

If I were to do it over again, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't.

We're getting set to order my wife a Q7, and Audi's ipod interface is only $200. That seems like a no-brainer.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by youyou

The dealer charges you only 2 hours and Bmw pays the rest.
This is a standard Bmw policy.

Not true. The dealer can charge whatever they wish for the installation. THAT is BMW of North America's policy. Of course, BMW of North America's policy doesn't apply to Canada.

[nyc3r]

sounds like a rip-off, see the price thread Price

[bavarian19]

That seems to be way too high. I would expect about 2-3 hours of labor if your dealership has not done the install before...