[pharding]

On my son's 06 330 when he plugs in his I-Pod, you cannot see the menus including, play-lists, songs, etc, on the Nav Screen. On my 08 550 Sport I can see all of this with my I-Pod. With a software upgrade will he get menu functionality for his I-Pod on the screen? Thanks.

[siriusinvestor]

Unless your son has a retrofitted Ipod adaptor then your son's 330i has just the AUX outlet, meaning it's like your connecting headphones into your ipod, but the headphones are the speakers of the car. The actual ipod adaptor has an ipod outlet that connects to the bottom of the ipod and is integrated within the idrive software. I have seen this in my friend's 07 e92. I'm not sure if there is a 06 E90 retrofit, because it seems that it would cost alot to rip out the AUX outlet and replace it with the ipod adaptor. Correct me if im wrong here anyone.

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by pharding

On my son's 06 330 when he plugs in his I-Pod, you cannot see the menus including, play-lists, songs, etc, on the Nav Screen. On my 08 550 Sport I can see all of this with my I-Pod. With a software upgrade will he get menu functionality for his I-Pod on the screen? Thanks.

There is an actual BMW iPod adapter that allows you to see the iPod functions on your iDrive/Nav screen that fits 06 E90's. You can purchase from most BMW dealers. It's also easily available on Ebay. I got mine from my dealer. I think it was less than $300.00.

[beatloafer]

I was told that if you get the iPod adapter.. NOT the factory USB... you get iPod functionality through the CD changer. So... i'm guessing its something like... CD1 is Artists, CD2 is Genre, etc. Can anyone confirm this?

[MagicWizard]

on my 07 328i it came with a usb from the factory. i dont know why it doesnt work correctly with that. for 80$ i ordered the actual bmw ipod adapter from the bmw dealership's parts department. it lets you see all the ipod menus through the navigation screen. the factory usb the car comes with is useless and will give you the problem your having.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by LRich187

on my 07 328i it came with a usb from the factory. i dont know why it doesnt work correctly with that. for 80$ i ordered the actual bmw ipod adapter from the bmw dealership's parts department. it lets you see all the ipod menus through the navigation screen. the factory usb the car comes with is useless and will give you the problem your having.

why did you pay $80, the ipod adapter comes free with usb-iPod option?

[JSpira]

This all comes down to a question of what he is plugging into.

On a 2006 3er, that would be the BMW MOST Interface for iPod in the glovebox (if so equipped).

Absent that, the only other option is the AUX IN jack which is audio only.

With the MOST adapter, you don´t see ARTIST GENRE TITLE per se since it´s using the CD Changer interface. Instead you see CD1, CD2, CD3 which correspond to these functions.

[KP22]

Originally Posted by beatloafer

I was told that if you get the iPod adapter.. NOT the factory USB... you get iPod functionality through the CD changer. So... i'm guessing its something like... CD1 is Artists, CD2 is Genre, etc. Can anyone confirm this?

I have dealer installed USB cable and I have exactly what you describe: CD1, CD2 etc..

[japac1]

I am glad I have the 6FL option. It's very nice having the data displayed correctly.

[drkeng]

Just got the dealer glovebox iPod adapter. CD1 is playlists and loads fast. CD2 is artists, CD3 is albums, CD 4 is genre. 5 I think is podcasts. 2-5 load slow. All lists go back to "A" when you go back to whatever root directory you're in. Sound is good.

I'm wondering if my car is now "coded" for a CD changer, since the iPod adapter "emulates" a CDC. I'm toying with the idea of swapping the bmw unit for the Dension Gateway 500 that is more iPod like in its functionality; just don't know if I want to risk it. JSpira, any insight?? I won't hold you to it.
Any chance I can get a straight answer from the dealer?

[Neurorad]

Originally Posted by drkeng

Just got the dealer glovebox iPod adapter. CD1 is playlists and loads fast. CD2 is artists, CD3 is albums, CD 4 is genre. 5 I think is podcasts. 2-5 load slow. All lists go back to "A" when you go back to whatever root directory you're in. Sound is good.

I'm wondering if my car is now "coded" for a CD changer, since the iPod adapter "emulates" a CDC. I'm toying with the idea of swapping the bmw unit for the Dension Gateway 500 that is more iPod like in its functionality; just don't know if I want to risk it. JSpira, any insight?? I won't hold you to it.
Any chance I can get a straight answer from the dealer?

Try PMing JSpira. Great question!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by drkeng

Just got the dealer glovebox iPod adapter. CD1 is playlists and loads fast. CD2 is artists, CD3 is albums, CD 4 is genre. 5 I think is podcasts. 2-5 load slow. All lists go back to "A" when you go back to whatever root directory you're in. Sound is good.

I'm wondering if my car is now "coded" for a CD changer, since the iPod adapter "emulates" a CDC. I'm toying with the idea of swapping the bmw unit for the Dension Gateway 500 that is more iPod like in its functionality; just don't know if I want to risk it. JSpira, any insight?? I won't hold you to it.
Any chance I can get a straight answer from the dealer?

You are right, it´s coded. I would guess worst case it doesn´t work and you swap the unit back.

It IS a pain to install though, requiring taking apart too much of the dash for my taste.