[Jonjt]

Hi guys,
I've got an 09 E92 335i with bluetooth and BMW assist but, without USB. I'm currently using the aux in and my MP3 player to play media and, I'm finding it totally inadequate. I want to be able to access all my music via the car's electronics, specifically so that I can use the SWC. IMO, scrolling through lists with a touch screen is extremely dangerous when driving.
Anwyay, I'd also like to keep the interior looking as stock as possible so, I do not want to add an aftermarket HU. Therefore, I see two options. I can either add USB to my current HU or, I can go with idrive.

I'd like to investigate adding usb to my current HU first as, it won't cost me 2.5k. I need to know if the professional HU with USB is capable of handling large stores of music well. I've got a collection of over 20,000 songs that I'd like to throw on an external, and leave in the center console. For those of you who have large collections of music and USB on the Professional hu, do you find it appropriate for navigating through your collection? Or, do you wish you had the larger screen and controller of the idrive? I'd like to gauge the capabilities of the professional HU with USB so that I can decide if spending the money on the idrive system is worth the money.


Thanks.

[ctuna]

Dension gateway 500 or mobridge

Putting in an I drive will be ridiculously expensive.

[Jonjt]

Will either of those units pass folder and song info to my professional HU? Can I still use the steering wheel controls?


Edit: searching suggests that it will but, I just want to confirm that it will. Anyone?

[Jonjt]

No one?

[ctuna]

It don't know the details but they are explained on the websites
of the manufacturers listed . I think it uses they same model as most
USB devices folder mode file mode artist mode etc. How well they interface
to the steering wheel I don't know . These seem to be the 2 devices that offer a little more than the early stock ipod devices that BMW retrofits that only do ipod and not USB. I pretty sure you get steering wheel control with and actual ipod.
If you collection is very large some are using hard drives through the USB
interface though it takes it a very long time to read the list.

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by ctuna

It don't know the details but they are explained on the websites
of the manufacturers listed . I think it uses they same model as most
USB devices folder mode file mode artist mode etc. How well they interface
to the steering wheel I don't know . These seem to be the 2 devices that offer a little more than the early stock ipod devices that BMW retrofits that only do ipod and not USB. I pretty sure you get steering wheel control with and actual ipod.
If you collection is very large some are using hard drives through the USB
interface though it takes it a very long time to read the list.

I will just call them. Thank you.

[FSociety]

Let me know what you decide to go with, I'm also researching to get a ipod integration with SWC

[avx]

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by avx

Thanks for linking this video. However, I do not have idrive. I know what the gateway unit can do but, I need to confirm that it can do what I want, with the professional HU.

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

Let me know what you decide to go with, I'm also researching to get a ipod integration with SWC

Will do.

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

Let me know what you decide to go with, I'm also researching to get a ipod integration with SWC

I contacted a distributor and they said that Denison does not make anything that will do what I'm asking for; that will provide USB capabilities to the car and feed song and folder information to the display. I'm going to call the local BMW dealership and see if there is a retrofit kit that will do what I want.

Edit: just to be clear, I have the "Professional HU", with bluetooth and assist but, without the CD changer. It's an 09 E92.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Jonjt

I contacted a distributor and they said that Denison does not make anything that will do what I'm asking for; that will provide USB capabilities to the car and feed song and folder information to the display. I'm going to call the local BMW dealership and see if there is a retrofit kit that will do what I want.

Edit: just to be clear, I have the "Professional HU", with bluetooth and assist but, without the CD changer. It's an 09 E92.

I have the Professional HU w/ bluetooth & assist as well without cd changer too. 07 e90, I just need to find a good ipod integration since that's all I'll be using for music.

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

I have the Professional HU w/ bluetooth & assist as well without cd changer too. 07 e90, I just need to find a good ipod integration since that's all I'll be using for music.

I do believe you can recode your HU to enable the CD-Changer, and use a Dension Gateway 500 or a Mobridge unit to add iPod functionality. I'm doing more research on this but, since I do not want to remove the BMW hardware (because of MOST issues), my only option is to try this. Retrofitting iDrive is way too much money, for what you get. I'd rather spend that on go fast mods.

[JimVR4]

In your shoes I would be pretty tempted to add 6FL to the armrest.

[ctuna]

The ipod only retrofit on an older BMW(by BMW)is around 500 bucks(non idrive)(there idrive retro is around a grand).
But the mobridge or Dension has USB and the possibility of A2DP
with the right add on. Thats what I have read here and others have reported here. I understand the Dension will do I drive or non idrive and is much better than the BMW retrofits .

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Jonjt

I do believe you can recode your HU to enable the CD-Changer, and use a Dension Gateway 500 or a Mobridge unit to add iPod functionality. I'm doing more research on this but, since I do not want to remove the BMW hardware (because of MOST issues), my only option is to try this. Retrofitting iDrive is way too much money, for what you get. I'd rather spend that on go fast mods.

I hear ya, def not worth iDrive retrofit either

Originally Posted by ctuna

The ipod only retrofit on an older BMW(by BMW)is around 500 bucks(non idrive)(there idrive retro is around a grand).
But the mobridge or Dension has USB and the possibility of A2DP
with the right add on. Thats what I have read here and others have reported here. I understand the Dension will do I drive or non idrive and is much better than the BMW retrofits .

Do you have the info for the ipod retrofit ?

[ctuna]

I have gone to the BMW dealer Web Sites and read there offerings
which is where I got the info for that. The Mobridge and Dension info is
at there sites and there are some articles and DIY's here in the appropriate
sections for both. Do a search here for Dension and Mobridge.
It would be nice to get another sticky going on this subject since the thing
you want after and audio upgrade is a way to get your Music Library into the car.

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by JimVR4

In your shoes I would be pretty tempted to add 6FL to the armrest.

6FL? This is the USB factory option?

Edit: According to this thread, the 6FL option is for the CCC of CIC, I have neither. If I code CDC (CD changer, I believe), will the 6FL work? I'm pretty sure the Denison or Mobridge options, will.

[JimVR4]

Originally Posted by Jonjt

6FL? This is the USB factory option?

Edit: According to this thread, the 6FL option is for the CCC of CIC, I have neither. If I code CDC (CD changer, I believe), will the 6FL work? I'm pretty sure the Denison or Mobridge options, will.

The 6FL option is for iPod support using the Aux/USB port in the armrest and a BMW Y cable to connect the iPod / iPhone.

It can be installed in cars that have iDrive (either CCC or CIC types) or in cars that don't. I'm not sure of the minimum head unit requirement but I have the Professional Radio and 6FL with no iDrive. Check my sig for a link to my iPhone charging mount that plugs into the 6FL system.

CDC is the CD changer. I'm not sure if it can co-exist with 6FL, but if you have 6FL then what's the point in having a CDC? You would already be able to plug in a USB stick or iPod with MUCH more storage.

There are tons of threads about 6FL. You can have the dealer install it but it will be expensive. If you are good at researching and working on your own car it is possible to purchase the USB / Aux socket, modules, and cables, and install everything to factory specs, then code the $6FL to your vehicle order (VO).

Here's a thread to start reading but there are more recent ones with ALL the details on what you need to buy.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=adding+6fl

[JimVR4]

Here's a couple more threads on the topic. The first two discuss some of the HW and include pics. The others discuss coding.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=6fl

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=16

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=6fl

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=6fl

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by JimVR4

The 6FL option is for iPod support using the Aux/USB port in the armrest and a BMW Y cable to connect the iPod / iPhone.

It can be installed in cars that have iDrive (either CCC or CIC types) or in cars that don't. I'm not sure of the minimum head unit requirement but I have the Professional Radio and 6FL with no iDrive. Check my sig for a link to my iPhone charging mount that plugs into the 6FL system.

CDC is the CD changer. I'm not sure if it can co-exist with 6FL, but if you have 6FL then what's the point in having a CDC? You would already be able to plug in a USB stick or iPod with MUCH more storage.

There are tons of threads about 6FL. You can have the dealer install it but it will be expensive. If you are good at researching and working on your own car it is possible to purchase the USB / Aux socket, modules, and cables, and install everything to factory specs, then code the $6FL to your vehicle order (VO).

Here's a thread to start reading but there are more recent ones with ALL the details on what you need to buy.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=adding+6fl

The CDC is necessary for one to use aftermarket AUX/USB addon modules from Denison and Mobridge. That's why I was talking about it.

Thanks for the links.