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      03-19-2008, 04:29 PM   #1
FieldingMellish
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Simple ipod Aux cable?

HI folks. I know there are probably loads of threads on this already so apologies, but can someone just quickly clue me in on what I'll need to connect my ipod to my BMW on delivery day. The car does not have idrive or anything, so do I just need a simple cable which comes out of the bottom of the ipod and into the AUX socket in the armrest compartment?

And once I connect that, what functionality can I access via the car stereo and/or the steering wheel?
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      03-19-2008, 04:39 PM   #2
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Er none unless you have the 6fl option - you just press play on the mp3 player and it comes out of the speakers.
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      03-19-2008, 05:43 PM   #3
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You're correct about the cable. All you need is an audio cable with 3.5mm male jacks on each side, which is the standard headphone jack for most mp3 players.
The only functionality you'll have on your car stereo will be the volume unfortunately, but you can get a wireless remote (not IR) for your ipod and keep the player in the armrest. Targus makes one and it has good reviews. (Link) and there's also Ijet from ABT.
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      03-19-2008, 06:00 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1stnewcar View Post
Er none unless you have the 6fl option - you just press play on the mp3 player and it comes out of the speakers.
Really? So I can't even hit 'skip' to go to the next track or anything?

You'll be telling me next that the ipod socket doesn't even charge the ipod!
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      03-19-2008, 06:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FieldingMellish View Post
HI folks. I know there are probably loads of threads on this already so apologies, but can someone just quickly clue me in on what I'll need to connect my ipod to my BMW on delivery day. The car does not have idrive or anything, so do I just need a simple cable which comes out of the bottom of the ipod and into the AUX socket in the armrest compartment?

And once I connect that, what functionality can I access via the car stereo and/or the steering wheel?
The only functionality via the wheel and the stereo is to increase or decrease volume.

The best cable is the monster low profile car charger:

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...n/Product.html

You also need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm phono cable - surprisingly difficult to find but Currys should have a few in stock:
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      03-20-2008, 02:43 AM   #6
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I was disappointed with the sound quality when just using the standard phono cable approach. I had to turn the ipod up to max and turn the car system up too. All very well until you flick back to radio or CD and get deafened. But the sound quality was just not great either.

I don't bother with it now, just use CDs!
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      03-20-2008, 03:25 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threethirty View Post
I was disappointed with the sound quality when just using the standard phono cable approach. I had to turn the ipod up to max and turn the car system up too. All very well until you flick back to radio or CD and get deafened. But the sound quality was just not great either.

I don't bother with it now, just use CDs!
Well, I don't know anything about the BMW system, but in general I think you get a better audio signal by using cables which connect to the bottom of the ipod, ie. where you plug the ipod into its charger. Cables which come out of the headphones jack will not produce as high quality a connection - or so people say.
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      03-20-2008, 03:25 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threethirty View Post
I was disappointed with the sound quality when just using the standard phono cable approach. I had to turn the ipod up to max and turn the car system up too. All very well until you flick back to radio or CD and get deafened. But the sound quality was just not great either.

I don't bother with it now, just use CDs!
Was this using the ipods headphone socket?

You can get better sound using the dock connector, which has an unamplified line out.
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      03-20-2008, 03:30 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by needforspeed View Post
Was this using the ipods headphone socket?

You can get better sound using the dock connector, which has an unamplified line out.
Think our posts must've crossed over there, needforspeed!

Yeah, 'dock connector', that was the phrase my addled brain was struggling for. Certainly with the cassette adapter I use in my current car, the signal is fine, and adjusting the ipod's voulme has no effect.

BUt just another point to clarify: the only functions I will be able to control from my steering wheel are volume - but will I be able to do thinks like skip to next track, using the cd player controls? Or do I need a special adapter for this?

Surely there's not much point in providing an ipod socket in the armrest, if yu have to open it up to skip to the next track?!
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      03-20-2008, 03:38 AM   #10
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If you only have the aux in - the ONLY control you have is volume.
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      03-20-2008, 03:45 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FieldingMellish View Post
BUt just another point to clarify: the only functions I will be able to control from my steering wheel are volume - but will I be able to do thinks like skip to next track, using the cd player controls? Or do I need a special adapter for this?

Surely there's not much point in providing an ipod socket in the armrest, if yu have to open it up to skip to the next track?!
The socket in the armrest isn't an iPod interface, its a plain aux in socket and you have no control over it at all other than volume. If you've bought the 6FL iPod interface then you'll have access to a whole load of iPod control (most things you'd expect - track selection, playlists, skip etc).

If you didn't buy the iPod interface there are a couple of options for getting one fitted after you get your car.
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      03-20-2008, 03:59 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC View Post
If you've bought the 6FL iPod interface then you'll have access to a whole load of iPod control (most things you'd expect - track selection, playlists, skip etc).
I've bought an ex-management car, so as far as I know it just has the AUX socket. I assume the 6FL is something you have to add when ordering a new car?


Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC View Post
If you didn't buy the iPod interface there are a couple of options for getting one fitted after you get your car.
Ok, what are these options?
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      03-20-2008, 06:33 AM   #13
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Have a look in the center console - if it has a USB socket you have 6fl - if not you have AUX
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      03-20-2008, 06:35 AM   #14
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Just to clarify - I was referring to the headphone socket on the ipod and using a standard 3.5mm lead. Quality not great.

There was a recent thread about what kit to buy to use the docking connection on the ipod - possibly this one:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123568
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      03-20-2008, 06:48 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1stnewcar View Post
Have a look in the center console - if it has a USB socket you have 6fl - if not you have AUX
Not got the car yet, but have confiremd with the dealer that I do not have the 6fl. And this cannot be retrofitted I gather, at least not officially?

Just seems a little silly that you can connect your ipod and hide it away nicely in the armrest, but you have to open the armrest up again to skiop a track! I suppose, as suggested above, a wireless remote is the solution. Ah, yet more ipod-related purchases!
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      03-20-2008, 06:56 AM   #16
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No retrofit unfortunately due to the programming I think. You can get dedicated ipod solutions that go in the glove box etc.
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      03-20-2008, 10:12 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1stnewcar View Post
No retrofit unfortunately due to the programming I think. You can get dedicated ipod solutions that go in the glove box etc.
Not sure why people keep saying this.

There is a 6FL retrofit kit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...L+USB+Retrofit

I even got as far as ordering it before the dealer realised it wasn't compatible with my radio ('Professional'). This was a while back, there might be an option available now that is compatible for me.

My dealer didn't even know what the kit was until I waved the part number at them.

Failing that, there is the factory fitted iPod interface kit, your dealer will know all about it, its not fantastic but it works pretty well - it's what I ended up getting.

If you dont want to go the BMW route there is a company called Denison who make a product called the Gateway 500 which also provides a proper iPod interface.

There are a number of other iPod for BMW interfaces you can find on the web, they pretty much all seem to be incompatible with the E9x series although some of the companies / resellers are not clear on the topic - avoid these.
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      03-20-2008, 10:14 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC View Post
Not sure why people keep saying this.

There is a 6FL retrofit kit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...L+USB+Retrofit

I even got as far as ordering it before the dealer realised it wasn't compatible with my radio ('Professional'). This was a while back, there might be an option available now that is compatible for me.

Failing that, there is the factory fitted iPod interface kit, your dealer will know all about it, its not fantastic but it works pretty well - it's what I ended up getting.

If you dont want to go the BMW route there is a company called Denison who make a product called the Gateway 500 which also provides a proper iPod interface.

There are a number of other iPod for BMW interfaces you can find on the web, they pretty much all seem to be incompatible with the E9x series although some of the companies / resellers are not clear on the topic - avoid these.
So I can have 6fl retrofitted?
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      03-20-2008, 10:19 AM   #19
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Only:

a) if you have a SA 662 (Business radio) or SA 667 (Audio radio), no idea what people with Logic 7 or HiFi get but us mere mortals got something called a Professional Radio.

or

b) In the 6 months since the retrofit kit came out BMW have brought out one which supports the Professional radio.
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      03-20-2008, 10:24 AM   #20
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Thats me - I'm a mere mortal!!!! Did you get a price Dave?
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      03-20-2008, 10:31 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC View Post
Only:

a) if you have a SA 662 (Business radio) or SA 667 (Audio radio), no idea what people with Logic 7 or HiFi get but us mere mortals got something called a Professional Radio.

or

b) In the 6 months since the retrofit kit came out BMW have brought out one which supports the Professional radio.
Nope, I think I just have the mere mortal 'Professional' raido. Thing is, it seems a bt like a half-measure that BMW provide an AUX socket by default but not the USB. And if you are going to provide an AUX socket, but users will have to keep the ipod out to skip tracks etc., then hiding that AUX socket away in the armrest compartment is sorta counterproductive....

If I'd been ordering a new car from the factory, and had known about the USB thing, I would have added it as an extra, although 200 quid seems a bit steep.

My current setup, in the VW Golf, is using a tape adapter, which at least allows me to go back or forward through the tracks, using the cassette 'Rev/Fwd' buttons. I never use those of course, because the fact tha the ipod is connected to the tape deck by a shortish cable, and therefore needs to be nearby, measn teh natural place to leave it is in the slot below the radio, so the ipod controls are thus easily accessible.

(I tried an iTrip once, but the signal quality was unbearably bad. All my daughter's friends use iTrips but then they are used to the sort of audio quality you get playing mp3s out of mobile phones! Kids today, etc.)

My new setup, then, is going to be ipod plugged into Aux, and armrest closed, requiring the extra faff and expense of a wireless remote!

Of course, the big advantage with teh Beemer, will be the ability to play CDs of mp3s....
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      03-20-2008, 02:50 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by needforspeed View Post
The only functionality via the wheel and the stereo is to increase or decrease volume.

The best cable is the monster low profile car charger:

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...n/Product.html

You also need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm phono cable - surprisingly difficult to find but Currys should have a few in stock:
Nice one Needforspeed, I have just ordered one
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