Retro iPod integration

desmo900rider · 03-20-2011, 09:56 AM

I have a 07 335xi sedan with Logic7. I have the Aux jack in the center console, but no USB input. What is my best/easiest/cheapest option to get my iPhone or an iPod to integrate with the system? The Aux jack certainly works, but it would be nice to have the phone charge, and have the interface through the radio.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

fdriller9 · 03-20-2011, 10:24 AM

Any integration kit will run you upwards of $300....that's to control the iPod/Phone through the iDrive and charge it.

But you can get a dock for an iPod/Phone and mount it in the ashtray area. You'll have to custom mold it though. But that will allow you to charge/use the line out....which will give you a better signal since the headphone jack is analog compared to the digital line out through the dock connector.

I'm waiting for the iPhone 5 to come out this summer to mold a dock to my ashtray area.

desmo900rider · 03-20-2011, 01:48 PM

Sorry, I should have specified, I have a non-iDrive car. Does that change anything?

desmo900rider · 03-21-2011, 06:00 PM

Talked to the dealer today, they want $550 to put an iPod hookup in the glovebox that interfaces with the head unit. Too much. Any other options out there?

Roast Beef · 03-22-2011, 08:18 AM

I had this same question, so thanks for figuring out the answer. $550 is harsh.

I use the headphone out and a charger and leave everything in the armrest. I don't have control of the iphone this way but at least I get music and charging. Unfortunately there is a noticeable sound quality difference between the iphone and an mp3 CD so I am going to try the dock suggestion to see if the line out sounds any better. I'm hoping the sound problem for me is the iphone headphone connector and not the aux-in connector/processing on the head unit.

fdriller9 · 03-22-2011, 09:01 AM

Personally, I use a black berry stereo gateway which streams music from my iPhone to my aux port over Bluetooth....you cant chArge the phone but you can always just get a car charger.

I have a micro USB plugged into my ashtray cigg lighter all the time and just keep an iPod cable in the car.

The bb stereo gateway also uses the digital line out signal so it sounds better than the analog headphone jack.

It's about 40-50 dollars...shop around online.

Roast Beef · 03-22-2011, 12:28 PM

oh the bluetooth thing is a good idea, that way I can still use my normal car charger with the dock connector. Awesome.

desmo900rider · 03-23-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Personally, I use a black berry stereo gateway which streams music from my iPhone to my aux port over Bluetooth....you cant chArge the phone but you can always just get a car charger.

I have a micro USB plugged into my ashtray cigg lighter all the time and just keep an iPod cable in the car.

The bb stereo gateway also uses the digital line out signal so it sounds better than the analog headphone jack.

It's about 40-50 dollars...shop around online.

Wow, looks like a great solution. I'm surprised it works with the iPhone. Does it just pair with the phone like the BT in the car does? What iPhone do you have? I have a 3GS, just wondering if this is a iPhone 4 only thing.

E91toG05 · 03-23-2011, 07:55 PM

bluetooth gateway works well with 3gs and well as 4

TiAg335i · 03-29-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Personally, I use a black berry stereo gateway which streams music from my iPhone to my aux port over Bluetooth....you cant chArge the phone but you can always just get a car charger.

I have a micro USB plugged into my ashtray cigg lighter all the time and just keep an iPod cable in the car.

The bb stereo gateway also uses the digital line out signal so it sounds better than the analog headphone jack.

It's about 40-50 dollars...shop around online.

This sounds like a great method, but I'm having trouble grasping it as I'm a tech noob. Can someone explain how to do this in really simple terms?

TiAg335i · 03-29-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Personally, I use a black berry stereo gateway which streams music from my iPhone to my aux port over Bluetooth....you cant chArge the phone but you can always just get a car charger.

I have a micro USB plugged into my ashtray cigg lighter all the time and just keep an iPod cable in the car.

The bb stereo gateway also uses the digital line out signal so it sounds better than the analog headphone jack.

It's about 40-50 dollars...shop around online.

This sounds like a great method, but I'm having trouble grasping it as I'm a tech noob. Can someone explain how to do this in really simple terms?

Do I have bluetooth in my car if I have the premium package? Do you just plug the bb stereo gateway into the AUX jack and it automatically streams music from your iPhone into the stereo? Oh yeah, I also don't have iDrive or navi.

jyshim · 04-20-2011, 11:13 PM

Actually, the blackberry gateway plugs into the AUX port as well so it's not going to be better quality than installing the IPOD connector (digital).

You don't need bluetooth in the car at all to use.

Phone ---(via bluetooth)--> blackberry gateway receiver --(Aux in)--> car -->speakers

Hope this helps!

After some googling, it looks like the sound quality going this way is worse since you're introducing another opportunity for sound degradation.
Phone --(Aux In)--> Car would be the next best bet, but you would lose the wireless factor..

fdriller9 · 04-21-2011, 09:10 AM

Well if you use the headphone jack, it outputs an analog signal. The dock connector and Bluetooth streaming both use the digital line out.

You're right it does introduce noise into the system. But it's worth it. It's not like you can hear any of the noise over music anyway.

Moat phones can have multiple Bluetooth profiles simultaneously aswell. This allows me to use my OEM Bluetooth for calls and the bb stereo gateway for music.

Music is automatically paused when a call comes in, then fades back on when the call is ended.

Doesn't matter if you have iDrive or not.

TiAg335i, if you have BMW Assist, you have Bluetooth. The phone needs to be paired to the bb stereo gateway initially. After that it will automatically connect when you turn your acc power on, 2 presses of the start button, ^no foot on brake.

alpine335xi · 04-25-2011, 11:13 AM

has anyone tried bavarian sound works or any of the dice products offered on bavarian autosport? i am in the same boat and am looking to do sat radio & ipod integration.

03-20-2011, 09:56 AM	#1
desmo900rider Enlisted Member 4 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 07 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (1)	Retro iPod integration I have a 07 335xi sedan with Logic7. I have the Aux jack in the center console, but no USB input. What is my best/easiest/cheapest option to get my iPhone or an iPod to integrate with the system? The Aux jack certainly works, but it would be nice to have the phone charge, and have the interface through the radio. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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03-20-2011, 10:24 AM	#2
fdriller9 Banned 252 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Any integration kit will run you upwards of $300....that's to control the iPod/Phone through the iDrive and charge it. But you can get a dock for an iPod/Phone and mount it in the ashtray area. You'll have to custom mold it though. But that will allow you to charge/use the line out....which will give you a better signal since the headphone jack is analog compared to the digital line out through the dock connector. I'm waiting for the iPhone 5 to come out this summer to mold a dock to my ashtray area.
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03-20-2011, 01:48 PM	#3
desmo900rider Enlisted Member 4 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 07 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (1)	Sorry, I should have specified, I have a non-iDrive car. Does that change anything?
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03-21-2011, 06:00 PM	#4
desmo900rider Enlisted Member 4 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 07 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (1)	Talked to the dealer today, they want $550 to put an iPod hookup in the glovebox that interfaces with the head unit. Too much. Any other options out there?
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03-22-2011, 08:18 AM	#5
Roast Beef Doomed 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	I had this same question, so thanks for figuring out the answer. $550 is harsh. I use the headphone out and a charger and leave everything in the armrest. I don't have control of the iphone this way but at least I get music and charging. Unfortunately there is a noticeable sound quality difference between the iphone and an mp3 CD so I am going to try the dock suggestion to see if the line out sounds any better. I'm hoping the sound problem for me is the iphone headphone connector and not the aux-in connector/processing on the head unit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2011, 09:01 AM	#6
fdriller9 Banned 252 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Personally, I use a black berry stereo gateway which streams music from my iPhone to my aux port over Bluetooth....you cant chArge the phone but you can always just get a car charger. I have a micro USB plugged into my ashtray cigg lighter all the time and just keep an iPod cable in the car. The bb stereo gateway also uses the digital line out signal so it sounds better than the analog headphone jack. It's about 40-50 dollars...shop around online.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2011, 12:28 PM	#7
Roast Beef Doomed 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	oh the bluetooth thing is a good idea, that way I can still use my normal car charger with the dock connector. Awesome.
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03-23-2011, 07:55 PM	#9
E91toG05 Captain 343 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 45e Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	bluetooth gateway works well with 3gs and well as 4
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04-20-2011, 11:13 PM	#12
jyshim New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Actually, the blackberry gateway plugs into the AUX port as well so it's not going to be better quality than installing the IPOD connector (digital). You don't need bluetooth in the car at all to use. Phone ---(via bluetooth)--> blackberry gateway receiver --(Aux in)--> car -->speakers Hope this helps! After some googling, it looks like the sound quality going this way is worse since you're introducing another opportunity for sound degradation. Phone --(Aux In)--> Car would be the next best bet, but you would lose the wireless factor..
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04-21-2011, 09:10 AM	#13
fdriller9 Banned 252 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Well if you use the headphone jack, it outputs an analog signal. The dock connector and Bluetooth streaming both use the digital line out. You're right it does introduce noise into the system. But it's worth it. It's not like you can hear any of the noise over music anyway. Moat phones can have multiple Bluetooth profiles simultaneously aswell. This allows me to use my OEM Bluetooth for calls and the bb stereo gateway for music. Music is automatically paused when a call comes in, then fades back on when the call is ended. Doesn't matter if you have iDrive or not. TiAg335i, if you have BMW Assist, you have Bluetooth. The phone needs to be paired to the bb stereo gateway initially. After that it will automatically connect when you turn your acc power on, 2 presses of the start button, ^no foot on brake.
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04-25-2011, 11:13 AM	#14
alpine335xi Private 48 Rep 72 Posts Drives: alpine white 335xi 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	has anyone tried bavarian sound works or any of the dice products offered on bavarian autosport? i am in the same boat and am looking to do sat radio & ipod integration.
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