[jmonier]

Originally Posted by hands on

OK my dealer finally gave me the price for the factory installed ipod setup...ordered my car two weeks ago...$400, seems a little high to me, anyone else get a quote like this?

That's MSRP. It does seem high but that's the way it is.

[jmonier]

Originally Posted by Brett

So for $400 you get a usb jack and this special cable?

There's also the USB interface (at least) and a lot of software.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by cisoid

To connect the iPod a special adapter cable is necessary. The reason is that the iPod won't allow control and/or music streaming over an USB interface (unless you build in a stupid authentication chip made by Apple and then it would only work with iPod Nanos and the Video). Therefore this cable converts USB to serial. Audio comes to the car via an audio jack.

Brilliant!

[LEDZEP]

Yep. My CA verified yesterday that the price is $400, and he also verified that the 6FL is still showing on my order. The price does seem a bit steep, considering, but I still have no second thoughts about it. The integration and functionality will be very nice!

[funkahdafi]

one more question:

does the 6FL support shuffle modes and things like that?

What about the rating fuctionality, can I rate songs just liek on the iPod?

What about album art? Is it being displayed?

Thanks

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by funkahdafi

one more question:

does the 6FL support shuffle modes and things like that?

What about the rating fuctionality, can I rate songs just liek on the iPod?

What about album art? Is it being displayed?

Thanks

I think shuffle is likely to be supported - but very doubtful on ratings and album art.

[stefano7171]

Hello guys,

my question is probably been already answered, but does anybody knows if it would be possible to allow the playback of the videos stored in an ipod video onto the nav screen?
Does the system (usb interface) simply read only "music files" and therefore cannot even detect videos or there is some sort of pybassable block that stops video from being played (in particular when the car is in motion)?.
Thanks!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by stefano7171

Hello guys,

my question is probably been already answered, but does anybody knows if it would be possible to allow the playback of the videos stored in an ipod video onto the nav screen?
Does the system (usb interface) simply read only "music files" and therefore cannot even detect videos or there is some sort of pybassable block that stops video from being played (in particular when the car is in motion)?.
Thanks!

Video? No.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by jmonier

There's also the USB interface (at least) and a lot of software.

I don't care how you look at it. $400 will buy the freakin iPod which offers a lot more for the money.

I am getting it regardless of the price, I just think its a tad on the steep side considering what you actually are purchasing.

-Brett

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Brett

I am getting it regardless of the price, I just think its a tad on the steep side considering what you actually are purchasing.

-Brett

I agree. It's a 'must have' to me, but I think they are pricing it very steeply for what it really is. Of course, there may be some hardware differences for the audio system and perhaps different firmware for iDrive... but I think within two years this feature will be standard equipment on every car made.

[jmonier]

Originally Posted by Brett

I don't care how you look at it. $400 will buy the freakin iPod which offers a lot more for the money.

I am getting it regardless of the price, I just think its a tad on the steep side considering what you actually are purchasing.

-Brett

I agree that the price is high even if there is a fair amount of electronics and software. The Canada price (in Canadian dollars) has been reported at $350 so I was expecting $250-300 US.

Like you, I have to have it so I'm going to pay it but I do feel like I've been gouged.

[TheDuke83]

They probably figured it's a better version of what you pay more for at the dealer. It's a must for me also, I haven't bought a CD in over a year.

[LEDZEP]

I agree Duke... I haven't bought a CD in a long time either! And those that I have are ripped into my iPod!

[cisoid]

Originally Posted by Brett

So for $400 you get a usb jack and this special cable? Wow

It doesn't even support PlayForSure

Atleast tell me this, does it still use the lame CD1-6 tabs for navigating, or do the tabs correctly label (ie: Genre) now? I assume since the CD changer can now be installed its the later, but I want to confirm.

-Brett

I believe you regard to the iPod control using the radio. The 6FL comes with a new user interface. The categories like Genres are correctly labeld. However, with the Radio Professional the display is too small to show the full names. Therefore, abbreviations are used.

PlayForSure is not supported. This is mainly due to Microsofts policy to update their own standard every couple of month. Furthermore, MTP is a real mess and not a standard. Most commands are only optional and you cannot guarantee that the mp3-player manufacturer implements it. In the end this means that you have a 300$ player connected and you cannot use skip commands because the protocol command was not implemented.

I think it is enough to say that Microsoft's own player "Zune" is not PlaysForSure and their box "Blue&Me" that is sold with Fiat does not support PlaysForSure either.

[cisoid]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I think shuffle is likely to be supported - but very doubtful on ratings and album art.

Shuffle is supported.

Music ratings are not supported. This would maybe blow the user interface. But let me know if you have a smart idea about this.

Album art is also not supported.

[cisoid]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Sounds right according to this:

400$ is the price in the US and it does include this "iPod adapter cable". In Europe the price is about 300EUR without the cable.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by cisoid

Shuffle is supported.

Music ratings are not supported. This would maybe blow the user interface. But let me know if you have a smart idea about this.

I always have lots of smart ideas (or is that smart remarks?). I have a realistic expectation I think regarding 6FL. I think ratings and any form of art or visuals would be superfluous to the purpose of the device. Being able to select playlists, artists, genre, etc. and control the iPod via my steering wheel controls and iDrive will make me very pleased!

Trying to engineer to today's ubiquitous and ever changing "standards" cannot be easy.

[iatacs19]

I placed an order for 335i sedan with 6FL option, I guess we'll find out soon enough what this thing does exactly.

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by cisoid

400$ is the price in the US and it does include this "iPod adapter cable". In Europe the price is about 300EUR without the cable.

Glad to know the $400 includes the actual Ipod adapter cable. I was just about to post asking how much it would cost to buy the cable.

[trifona]

Very interesting reading. How will this work without iDrive?

I'm considering ordering a 328xi and trying to figure out how to option the car entertainment wise. I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of an in-dash 6CD, but I'm not keen on going back to a trunk mounted changer either. I do not own an ipod or any mp3 player but I use iTunes to organize all of my mp3's.

The idea of having all of my music on board with me via an iPod that can charge in the car sounds very convenient. However without the Nav screen how will the music be accessed? Does the stock radio scroll text?

Thank you.

[wdogan]

My 328xi is scheduled for week 10 production. I added the 6FL iPod integration option to my order last week, but it's not showing up in my order summary on the owner's circle. Every other option I ordered is showing up so I'm concerned. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks!

[rmorin49]

Anyone know if the the BMW cable will be supplied by the ED center when we pick up our car? If not, can you use another cable to connect an iPod and will it work? If I missed this in the thread I apologize.