[805beemer]

My car has the logic 7 but only has an aux jack no USB slot. I just ordered this from ecs, but was told by a tech from BMW it won't work and my only option is the iPod retrofit kit and have to use an iPod. I would much rather use a USB flash drive or buy a new head unit instead of messing with itunes . Is there anyway to get this to work? Ecs was cool and said I could try and install it and if it works great if not they'll give me a full refund. It's for an 06/08 manufacture date 135 if that matters.

[alexwhittemore]

Retrofitting USB takes more than just the plug. You'll need the control module (MULF) and the cable to hook it up.

To start, does your car have bluetooth? If not, you're looking at a few hundred bucks for the MULF and another hundred or two for wiring. If so, you probably only need one USB cable besides the jack you've got there, though.

[805beemer]

No Bluetooth.... Any chance you know the part numbers for what I'd need? Any coding I would need to have done as well?

Thanks

[alexwhittemore]

ULF retrofit: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85149

I think there are some posts in there elaborating on the USB-specific parts, but anyway it's a pretty common retrofit here.

[805beemer]

Thanks for the link! So according to this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=687463&page=3 I can buy a professional head unit from 2010 or newer and it will have Bluetooth and USB built in and no need for the Ulf. Also needs some coding and Mic, USB wires. Sound right?

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by 805beemer

Thanks for the link! So according to this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=687463&page=3 I can buy a professional head unit from 2010 or newer and it will have Bluetooth and USB built in and no need for the Ulf. Also needs some coding and Mic, USB wires. Sound right?

Also true, I believe - I have no idea how cost compares, but I have heard that perhaps mulfs are hard to come by and new headunits aren't.

[ctuna]

The other option is a Dension or mobridge unit.
Either of these integrate with the Most Bus steering wheel
controls are retained. The Denison gateway 500s bt has usb/ipod Bluetooth
phone and Bluetooth a2dp streaming and so does the equivalent mobridge unit.
Programming is more straightforward than replacing the new Head Unit.
The new Head Unit gets you HD radio but not streaming bluetooth music. (they were around 450
for the ones with most bus)
From what I understand you must have idrive/nav to get bluetooth streaming for music in a OEM BMW setup.
Although its technically correct to call usb memory a flash drive I haven't heard it refereed by that term much lately.
I advise you to vist the Dension webstie.
Those newer radio's were being sold on ebay awhile back . You have to be sure to get one with
a Most Bus connection if you have L7 or other most bus devices.

So let summerize
1)BMW Oem retrofit various modules and programming (early BMW ipod retrofits use
the aux for audio and usb for title info this sucks
as the aux sucks)
2)New BMW radio with bluetooth an usb
microphone and programming
3)Dension or equivelent
attach to most bus and power enable the cdc.
(add cdc to vo or buy the dension enabling device)

I think the easy one that is likely to give you the
most sound for the money is the Dension gateway 500s bt. (it gets you bt phone bt music streaming usb and ipod with steering wheel controls)

[805beemer]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys! I'll probably go with the Denison or mobridge unless I can find a cheap newer head unit. Checked on eBay and they don't have any newer units and the ones they do have are $300+

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by 805beemer

Checked on eBay and they don't have any newer units and the ones they do have are $300+

The problem is that the aftermarket units tend to be MORE expensive

Much better functionality, though.

[805beemer]

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

The problem is that the aftermarket units tend to be MORE expensive

Much better functionality, though.

Yeah I checked the Denison pricing out. But ctuna was saying the newer OEM head units were going for $450 on ebay, plus the part I bought, plus cables, Mic. Now I'm already at the same price as the Denison. Might as well go with that, especially if I can stream Bluetooth music!

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by 805beemer

Yeah I checked the Denison pricing out. But ctuna was saying the newer OEM head units were going for $450 on ebay, plus the part I bought, plus cables, Mic. Now I'm already at the same price as the Denison. Might as well go with that, especially if I can stream Bluetooth music!

It's true, I'd probably go aftermarket either way. I got lucky though (kind of) in that my retrofit was about $100 in parts since I already had a MULF for 6FL.

[ctuna]

Alex how does you factory USB work
Do you just plug in a USB Stick and the music is
available as folders and tunes or comes up on the list function,

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Alex how does you factory USB work
Do you just plug in a USB Stick and the music is
available as folders and tunes or comes up on the list function,

Exactly.

[805beemer]

So when I go to checkout at the Denison webstore it says it won't ship to the US? I see there based out of Budapest. Do I need to buy from a distributer? They have it on amazon but there were 4 reviews and 3 of them were bad...ill check out the mobridge later today.

[ctuna]

There are US distributors and stereo shops that carry them.
It looks like ebay has the cheapest prices .
I think some of the online places carry them to.
I have seen some negitive reviews and some no trouble ones to.

Here are some threads I collected.
Dension 500
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension

There is another thread that is going right now on this topic.

[ctuna]

Better read makkans reply
toward the end of this one.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=916845
He works with these on a regular basis.