[Lou_2008]

Hi everyone
i picked up my first bimmer on satuday and im over the moon with it!!

i got an ipod lead from the dealers (the aux one), but there is no display on the screen...does anyone know if there is a lead available so i can get the track name/artist on the display??

Thanks in advance!

[- Paul -]

Hi Lou - welcome. Do you have the AUX in only or a USB port aswell?

[Welshman]

If you have the USB interface specified and an Ipod and the correct lead from BMW the name of the artist/the album/the track come up on the radio display.

If you just have the power lead then all you have is power to your Ipod. if you don't have an ipod but just an mp3 player then again all you have is power.

[Serjames]

suggest doing a serach for the 6fl option and see what comes up, there should be a part number for the cable you need.

SJ

[Lou_2008]

Thanks everyone...i only have the AUX in port, no USB... the lead was from BMW, i think its just using my speakers with nothing going to the stereo itself...

thanks again for everyones advice!

[Serjames]

yeah the aux in will do exactly as it says on the tin and no more unfortunatley...

Sound is still ok though

For my ears anyway

SJ

[Lou_2008]

yeah, it sounds good, just wish i could operate it from the stereo or steering wheel...but hey ho, spose you cant have everything!!!!

[Lou_2008]

does anyone know if the wiring loom on the e90 is the same on all models? if so, would the USB conection itself already be on there and just in need of the conector?

the USB interface (6FL) is £205 from BMW for anyone interested...

[squeezebm]

Welcome nice choice

[dxb335d]

Hi Lou, is it Lou as in female or male??

Welcome yo E90post Im sure your enjoy your stay


Carlos

[Serjames]

I think you're best bet would be to look at the denon device, do a serach and it's discussed. Uncle Tony recommends it

SJ

[Serjames]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Sorry all been at work till now.. knackered! Anyway, Ipods and Dension...

Firstly the BMW glovebox Ipod Adapter is £200 for the part only. You need to add on fitting and possible coding too of the car (coding is only required if you DO NOT have the CD changer already). The Ipod Adapter takes the place of the CD changer and hooks up to the IDrive by emulating the multiCD.

Roughly, the cost from BMW fully installed will be in the region of £450-£500 depending on how much they want to rip you off. The integration is ok - however there are some problems. Firstly, the list of artists and albums is limited to 255 of each - with an 80Gb IPod or worse a 160Gb version, you won't be able to scroll through all your MP3 collection. If you have more than 255 albums, it will only allow you to select the first 255 in alphabetical order. On top of that, there is no way to search for a particular artist or album - you have to go through the alphabet from the beginning. Which is MEGA SLOW...

However, there is a solution made by a company called Dension and it's the Gateway 500 model. This again emulates the BMW CD Changer, but is a much more clever box of tricks as the integration is really very good. Controlled by the IDrive knob and screen, it allows you to search using an A-Z directory, of both artists and albums. Therefore to get to the album "Twentysomething" you can just select "T" and search from there, as opposed to scrolling through the whole list from "A". Also, the Dension has no upper limit to the number of albums or artists - so you can use a 160Gb to its full capacity.

Cost of the Dension is around £350, plus installation. A car audio dealer will probably charge around £100 to install it (2 hours labour). However, if your car doesn't have a CD changer already, you'll need a friendly BMW dealer to code the car for you for a CD changer, which obviously adds cost (approx £150). If you already have a CD changer, then you don't need the extra work - so the Dension unit will work out the same cost as the BMW IPod Adapter.

Make sense?

from tony's previous post

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by Serjames

from tony's previous post

Jimmy,fancy a Scrap

[Serjames]

lol not tonight dear, I'm washing my hair ;-P

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by Serjames

lol not tonight dear, I'm washing my hair ;-P

you getting old boy

[Gibbo]

Hi Loubie Newbie enjoy your new car and welcome.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Lou_2008

does anyone know if the wiring loom on the e90 is the same on all models? if so, would the USB conection itself already be on there and just in need of the conector?

the USB interface (6FL) is £205 from BMW for anyone interested...

The wiring loom is not the same unfortunately - and the iDrive will also require reprogramming for a USB option to be retrofitted. As James has already said, the Dension Gateway 500 unit is the best option to go for as a retrofit IPod solution

[Hotcoupe]

Welcome to the Asylum Lou.
Pics of cars are obligatory for a new member, so perhaps you could post a few up.

Can't you just feel the lurve in here:

squeezebm Quote:
Jimmy,fancy a Scrap

Serjames lol not tonight dear, I'm washing my hair ;-P

squeezebm Quote:
you getting old boy

Bless!

[Bumps]

Welcome Lou - pics of your motor please!

[Lou_2008]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Hi Lou, is it Lou as in female or male??

Welcome yo E90post Im sure your enjoy your stay


Carlos

hi, im Lou as in Female



Thanks to everyone for your warm welcome


I spoke to my BMW dealer last night and he says he can sort it for me for around £205-£285, but to be honest, it isnt a priority for me atm, im enjoying my car sooo much, i can sort it at a later date if i feel i need it

ill get some pics sorted this week for everyone to have a gander

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Lou_2008

hi, im Lou as in Female

Uh oh... watch this thread multiply in number of posts and views now....!!!!

On that note then, welcome to the forum Oh, and with regards to the USB/6FL retrofit option that your dealer says he can do for around £300 - be careful and make sure it is actually the 6FL option with the USB slot in the armrest. BMW do have their original iPod solution out which is an interface box that provides a docking point in the glovebox - whilst this works to an extent, it is NOT the 6FL USB option and has several limitations. Firstly, it is quite slow to work with and has no alphabetical search facilities. Secondly, and more importantly, the glovebox option is limited to showing a maximum of 255 artists & 255 albums... which is pants.

If it is the glovebox iPod adapter that the dealer can fit, it's not worth it IMO - better off getting the Dension unit fitted which also works through the iDrive system, and has full alphapbetical searching and no limitations..

[Lou_2008]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Uh oh... watch this thread multiply in number of posts and views now....!!!!

On that note then, welcome to the forum Oh, and with regards to the USB/6FL retrofit option that your dealer says he can do for around £300 - be careful and make sure it is actually the 6FL option with the USB slot in the armrest. BMW do have their original iPod solution out which is an interface box that provides a docking point in the glovebox - whilst this works to an extent, it is NOT the 6FL USB option and has several limitations. Firstly, it is quite slow to work with and has no alphabetical search facilities. Secondly, and more importantly, the glovebox option is limited to showing a maximum of 255 artists & 255 albums... which is pants.

If it is the glovebox iPod adapter that the dealer can fit, it's not worth it IMO - better off getting the Dension unit fitted which also works through the iDrive system, and has full alphapbetical searching and no limitations..

lol, thanks!!!

it is for the 6FL USB option, i double checked...

thanks for the advice & welcome