[routenull0]

I've been contemplating getting the Dealer Installed iPod Integration for my 07 335i, but I do not have the navigation system. So I am wondering the user experience with just the BMW professional radio setup.

I mainly just want to load up an ipod with a bunch of songs and just shuffle through them, maybe hit a playlist or two, nothing to major. It would be very rare that I want to drill down to find a specific song, but reading the FAQ there seems to be the 255 "limit" and I wonder if you have an ipod with more than 255 songs on it, do you only get to shuffle through the first 255 or all of them.

Any feedback would be great, I am just sick of having to plug my iPhone in every time I get in the car.

[MusclezMarinara]

Dice Electronics

[routenull0]

Thanks for the link but I looked into DICE as well, and it accomplishes the same thing the Dealer Installed on to my understanding for around the same price.

Going with the DICE I believe I still have to get the dealer to program open the CD Changer, but maybe not since my options sheet says "694 Prep for CD Changer"

I am looking for feedback on the experience of using either really. Is it a pain in the ass to use, simple as ever etc.

[jsunma]

Assuming the dealer-installed iPod interface for an 07 is anything like the one that came as an option on my 08, it's nothing that I'd necessarily go spend a lot of money on. Reading on this forum and others, it seems like this is an expensive dealer add-on if you get them to do it as a retrofit. There are issues with the interface as far as the number of songs in playlists, the number of playlists, and even more important just general ergonomics issues (I find the way to step through songs, lists, etc. to be very kludgy). Even more ridiculous is the fact that it's somewhat questionable as to whether the BMW iPod interface is actually using a digital signal from your iPod! Again from reading forums, the jury is somewhat out on this (the interface connects to both the analog AUX and digital outputs from the iPod and DOES NOT work without use of the special BMW cable).

Something like the DICE unit referenced above would be preferable IMO. I've had great luck with similar units (there's really only one or two of these things that are sold under a variety of different brands/labels) in other vehicles. The best of them (and I think the DICE is in that category) basically just allow the digital signal from your iPod to be ported to the CD changer input on your headunit...and allow some steering-wheel button control over the iPod. Ideally (and this was the case on the Dennison ICE unit I had on my previous car), you can also still control the iPod from its own interface when you want...because when it comes right down to it, Apple did a fine job with the scroll-wheel or touch interface and BMW (or other auto manufs) have done nothing to improve upon that. Forcing the user to control the iPod via two buttons (on the wheel or on the radio) is just not satisfactory 90% of the time. Again, just my opinion.

The main problem you may face in using the non-BMW digital interface is that it can be difficult to figure out if the thing you're ordering is really going to work with your particular radio/headunit. For this, I'd recommend actually calling the customer service people for DICE, etc. and talking through your needs. I've found this necessary in the past (e.g., on a 2007 Toyota there turn out to be about 5 different headunits and several require a slightly different interface box...something that's not always entirely clear from the online ordering systems).

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by jsunma

Even more ridiculous is the fact that it's somewhat questionable as to whether the BMW iPod interface is actually using a digital signal from your iPod!I .

If you are talking about the information output, then of course it's digital.

Regarding audio, I'm assuming you weren't actually thinking the output was digital.

[slim_e90]

well, i have this option on my car... it came with it... it's not the greatest interface, but i haven't found any bugs as some others have indicated.

what i did was made 4-5 playlists that i like and getting to those and shuffling/playing them is quick and easy.

hope it helps.

[roundle]

The iPod connectivity was included in my 2011 328i wagon's "value package". While the interface is not great without Nav, it's certainly not bad. Once the device is plugged in, all you have to do is click the "Audio” button on your dash then use the tuning wheel (also on your dash) to scroll over to 'IPod" and then you're in business.
I'm not a big audio guy (hence my decision to not go with the HK option) and I am not able to notice a difference between the iPod sound quality and CD sound quality. Overall, I'd recommend this option; however, Bluetooth connectivity would be more convenient.

[Karlb]

the Ipod connectivity from factory was not present on my 335d, so I negotiated the dealer installed one into the purchased of the veh. mine has no 255 issue as I can go thru all 800+ songs on my ipod with it.

I had a dice unit on my prev 2004 X3 and had minor issues with it all the time. it would do things like every time you restart the car reset the ipod to play the same song over and over, or reset the ipod not to be random anynmore,change the shuffle from songs to album to no shuffle each restart of the car or once it made my cars 1 touch window up function quit working (1 touch down still worked).
each of the problems could be cured by isconnecting the battery for a while and then reconnecting it. the dice would then function correctly for a random peroiod of time (hours,days,couple weeks) and the would bring up one of the above mentioned quirks again. Most of the time it would just tuern off the shuffle at veh start. SO I finally just left it with that fault and got in the habit of resetting the shuffle on the ipod each time I started the car (other than really short trips when it just wasnt worth it)

put me off the dice product. just my experience

[asuresh8]

The belkin fm transmitter is easier to use than the BMW iPod connector, and iPhones charge with the belkin fm transmitter but won't with the BMW connector. Also I got the belkin connector for $15 on sale, a much better deal than the $$$ to get the BMW connector.

[kaishang]

I've got what you describe ie iPod integration, prof head unit but no nav/iDrive although it was a factory and not dealer fit.

You do get all the songs on your iPod. I find using the head unit to control the iPod quite clunky though.

On an older 325 I had with no iPod integration there was a combo 12V/aux in iPod compatible cable where you just used your iPod as normal. I think this was easier and just as safe to use while driving.

In case it makes any difference to you - you only get Roman characters in the display. If you have Japanese/Chinese/Korean/whatever song titles they will not display properly.

[prez34]

how does the dealer ipod integration kit handle folders, play lists etc? does it show up on the one line display on the stereo?

and how does the dice get installed? any user reviews from here?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by prez34

how does the dealer ipod integration kit handle folders, play lists etc? does it show up on the one line display on the stereo?

It works similarly to the factory option - except the display shows CD1 CD2 CD3 etc since it is emulating the CD changer - instead of display Playlist, Genre, Artist, etc. You just have to remember which is which.

It also has some display limitations in terms of the number of tracks that can be displayed within a folder - and this will vary depending on whether your car has the high or low computer option.

Finally, the dealer-installed option handles podcasts MUCH BETTER than the factory kit.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Karlb

the Ipod connectivity from factory was not present on my 335d, so I negotiated the dealer installed one into the purchased of the veh. mine has no 255 issue as I can go thru all 800+ songs on my ipod with it.

Hey guys, sorry to dig up an old thread. I just picked up a 2009 Z4 that has no nav and no premium sound, and I want to add ipod integration (I really just wanted USB, but dealership said no such retrofit available). I have a couple of questions:

1. Are the artist and song name displayed on the Professional HU's display?
2. When you select the audio source for the ipod, is it named "CD" or "IPOD"?

Thanks in advance!

[ctuna]

There are threads on how to get USB

There are two aftermarket modules and the new thing is a BMW Oem euro radio that has USB , bluetooth and HD radio built in .

The aftermarket stuff is the Dension gateway 500 or Mobridge Unit.
the other is

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

The mobridge has a2dp the Dension may have it as an option both are pretty expensive.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by ctuna

There are threads on how to get USB

There are two aftermarket modules and the new thing is a BMW Oem euro radio that has USB , bluetooth and HD radio built in .

The aftermarket stuff is the Dension gateway 500 and Mobridge Unit.
the other is

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

The mobridge has a2dp the mobridge may have it as an option both are pretty expensive.

I've looked and looked and looked, but almost none of aftermarket modules are compatible with the E89, including the Dension and the DICE. I also don't need bluetooth since I already have that as part of the Premium Package, so the Mobridge really isn't any better for me than the OEM ipod interface adapter.

[ctuna]

Dension is, there is DIY's in the DIY section.
Its been reported as being installed successfully before.

http://www.dension.com/sites/default...w_02_12_11.pdf

It requires mp3 and cdc programming

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Dension is, there is DIY's in the DIY section.
Its been reported as being installed successfully before.

http://www.dension.com/sites/default...w_02_12_11.pdf

It requires mp3 and cdc programming

The compatibility list only goes up to 2008 for Z4. E89 is 2009+.

[Crusader]

I had the dice unit on my 03 E39, the BMW factory on my 11 E92. I find the latter more user friendly and I have greater control over the unit, works through the USB with no aux in required. I can't speak to any limit on the number of songs, but my iPod classic kept my wife and me entertained on a 4500 mile trip two months ago.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Crusader

I had the dice unit on my 03 E39, the BMW factory on my 11 E92. I find the latter more user friendly and I have greater control over the unit, works through the USB with no aux in required. I can't speak to any limit on the number of songs, but my iPod classic kept my wife and me entertained on a 4500 mile trip two months ago.

I'm not talking about the stock Ipod/USB option (6FL), I had that in my E92. I'm talking about this retrofit kit here (part number 65110439429):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290795161856...84.m1423.l2648

I just want to know from people who have had it installed if the artist and song name is displayed.