[xpnstos77]

I have a friend that works in the parts department at BMW. A good friend that I went to highschool with and that I still keep in touch with.

I am sure if anyone has any info on what are the basic parts that are needed for the 6FL then I can ask him to look up the parts.

The cars must all be prewired the same and just a few parts added to make the option work.

Obviously there is a cable from the armrest.
Obviously there is some type of CPU or central unit.


I plan to see him on Wed Nov 7th.

[ct335i]

USB 6FL retrofit option available for non-Idrive 3 series model at my dealer in Toronto, Canada but last time I checked the I-drive version is still in the works!

hope this helps.

[xpnstos77]

I have read alot about the dealer installed ipod adapter and the factory installed ipod adapter.

From what I understand the differnces are
a) location of the connction
b) USB vs Ipod Conncector
c) only the factory option allows you to see Albums, Genre, Artists in the idrive, where the dealer installed option just leaves all the songs all bunched togethor.

Can anyone allaborate on the differnces and is it worth it to try and figure out how to retrofit the 6FL

[OC Guy]

I'd do the retrofit in a second (6fl) if it was available.

[Alex@AKMotorwerk]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I'd do the retrofit in a second (6fl) if it was available.

+1

[zenmaster]

I'd just like the ability to hook up a USB hard drive. I could care less about an ipod. The dealer charging so much for the CD-changer coding required for Dension's GW500 to work is BS.

[ipodonidrive]

Can anyone allaborate on the differnces and is it worth it to try and figure out how to retrofit the 6FL[/QUOTE]

Well I believe that the 6FL will allow you to also connect USB devices like thumb drives and USB hard drives.

Also I read (from this forum) that the 6FL is much faster when indexing all the iPod songs, and the controllers and more responsive than the Most iPod kit.

I know that we might not have all the hardware in the BMWs E90 models before 6FL, but I will add it (in a heart beat) if this 6FL retrofit will became available.

[bartman32]

Saturday I went out to the VPC and talked to the master technician about retrofitting my iDrive pre-march build to be able to use USB. It is technically possible but would be a LOT of work.

He actually took me around a car in the shop and showed me what would be involved. Under the rear trunk flap beyond the compartment is a "brain" for the computer. (Sorry I'm not using his technical terms.) That brain in pre March 07 cars does not have a USB connection that is there for the newer cars. Now that piece can be changed out however in order for it to work you would also need to change the entire wiring harness for the car! After that you would need to reprogram the system to make the car think that it is the post March build of the car and activate that USB port. Now if you damage the optical cable at all during all of this your iDrive/stereo/Nav will not work at all.

So YES it can be done, however at quite a bit of expense.

[OC Guy]

So for post-March 07 Production a USB retrofit would be easier and a posibility? I have a Post March 07 production but I didn't get the 6FL USB option.

[etik]

3 weeks ago I went to my dealer for USB/Ipod retrofit (it's not 6FL) but does the same thing with the connector in the glove box instead of armrest.

They installed by mistake the classic Ipod retrofit (no USB). My car goes back tomorrow for replacing the misinstalled interface with the USB/Ipod one.

The dealer installed USB/Ipod give the same possibility as classic Ipod interface but with the possibility to add USB stick / drives on top.

I have used the classic Ipod retrofit for 3weeks now and as from tomorrow I will get the USB one, so I will let you know my findings by end of this week. (first impression by tomorrow)

BTW, I'm from Belgium in Europe and as per my dealer feedback the USB/Ipod retrofit is available to any car in Europe regardless of Idrive / non-Idrive / business radio / non business etc... I will ask confirmation by tomorrow.

But I know US and European car gets very different hifi installation, that could explain the option is available in Europe only ??

[bavarian19]

for those with an ipod, just get the ipod retrofit kit. It works just like the 6fl (with minor changes) and is completely compatible...

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

for those with an ipod, just get the ipod retrofit kit. It works just like the 6fl (with minor changes) and is completely compatible...

The MOST adapter is not as good as the 6FL.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

The MOST adapter is not as good as the 6FL.

It sounds like the 6FL retrofit isnt that great either. Yes, the 6FL would be nice. But going through all that hassle (especially for idrive owners) doesnt sound like fun. There is another option, and just wanted to post it.

I have the MOST in my car, and I think its fantastic.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

It sounds like the 6FL retrofit isnt that great either. Yes, the 6FL would be nice. But going through all that hassle (especially for idrive owners) doesnt sound like fun. There is another option, and just wanted to post it.

I have the MOST in my car, and I think its fantastic.

How big is your Ipod? Does is still not show all your titles if you have over an x amount?

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

How big is your Ipod? Does is still not show all your titles if you have over an x amount?

20G. Im OCD, and have my ipod arranged in a few ways to help. I had it this way prior to the MOST being installed.

My arrangement:

Lets say I have a category that might qualify as a playlist (ie hip hop). I have tons of artists, but not enough to warrant each artist having their own name. I probably have about 150 hip hop songs. I change the artist name to hip hop, and then the song title is the artist name - song title. Now all it shows up as under artist is Hip Hop, and then I can scroll through there. Its basically creating a playlist within the artist name. I did this for alternative music as well. Probably 300 songs there.

This allows me to scroll through my ipod normally and through the idrive rather quickly. My ipod is 75% full, and I have no issues whatsoever with not having anything show.

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

So for post-March 07 Production a USB retrofit would be easier and a posibility? I have a Post March 07 production but I didn't get the 6FL USB option.

It should be. In fact Jon if you take out your trunk liner you can see that the brain back there actually has a USB connector on it. You could probably just plug a USB adapter in right there! I think...

[xpnstos77]

I called the Head of Sales at my local BMW dealer today, who is also a customer of mine. I asked him to do some research for me today and he said as of right now this is the only option for US cars. He noted the only differences were

a) Located in Glovebox
b) Uses the CD Changer mode

-CD1 = Customized Play Lists
-CD2 = Artist Names
-CD3 = Albulm Title
-CD4 = Music Genre
-CD5 = Podcasts
-CD6 = All Playlists

c) Cannot use CD Changer or SA 6FL with it

He claims it comes installed with USB

Does anyone know if this info is correct?

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by xpnstos77

I called the Head of Sales at my local BMW dealer today, who is also a customer of mine. I asked him to do some research for me today and he said as of right now this is the only option for US cars. He noted the only differences were

a) Located in Glovebox
b) Uses the CD Changer mode

-CD1 = Customized Play Lists
-CD2 = Artist Names
-CD3 = Albulm Title
-CD4 = Music Genre
-CD5 = Podcasts
-CD6 = All Playlists

c) Cannot use CD Changer or SA 6FL with it

He claims it comes installed with USB

Does anyone know if this info is correct?

That sounds like the dealer installed iPod adapter which does not have a USB option.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by bartman32

It should be. In fact Jon if you take out your trunk liner you can see that the brain back there actually has a USB connector on it. You could probably just plug a USB adapter in right there! I think...

I probably have to get it activated huh?

Passenger or driver's side?

[akhter]

Originally Posted by etik

3 weeks ago I went to my dealer for USB/Ipod retrofit (it's not 6FL) but does the same thing with the connector in the glove box instead of armrest.

They installed by mistake the classic Ipod retrofit (no USB). My car goes back tomorrow for replacing the misinstalled interface with the USB/Ipod one.

The dealer installed USB/Ipod give the same possibility as classic Ipod interface but with the possibility to add USB stick / drives on top.

I have used the classic Ipod retrofit for 3weeks now and as from tomorrow I will get the USB one, so I will let you know my findings by end of this week. (first impression by tomorrow)

BTW, I'm from Belgium in Europe and as per my dealer feedback the USB/Ipod retrofit is available to any car in Europe regardless of Idrive / non-Idrive / business radio / non business etc... I will ask confirmation by tomorrow.

But I know US and European car gets very different hifi installation, that could explain the option is available in Europe only ??

Do you have iDrive?

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I probably have to get it activated huh?

Passenger or driver's side?

Neither. It's a big box under the carpet in the trunk behind our storage compartment. Just yank out that carpet lining. You can't miss it. The USB adapter is under the wire harness on the under left side of the unit. Use a flashlight and look under the wire harness. You'll see it there.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by bartman32

Neither. It's a big box under the carpet in the trunk behind our storage compartment. Just yank out that carpet lining. You can't miss it. The USB adapter is under the wire harness on the under left side of the unit. Use a flashlight and look under the wire harness. You'll see it there.

pic please

idea: can i just plug in my ipod via usb and leave it in the trunk? did anyone try that?