iPhone 3Gs cradle

Blackadder · 12-31-2009, 01:05 PM

Good morning all,

Happy New Years to you and yours.

I watched a video on Youtube a couple of nights ago about an iPhone plug and play cradle that slips in to the centre armrest.

I phoned a dealership and they quoted $130 for the cradle. That sounds reasonable because of what the interface can do with the iDrive system. A couple of days later I phoned a different dealership to find out what the part number of the cradle was (so I could search for the best price) and the Parts gal said that I need two parts. One being the housing unit for $231.00 and the cradle for $130.00.

I am now confused, one dealership said all I need is the cradle, now another is saying I need 2 seperate parts.

If anyone is using the iPhone 3GS and cradle could you please tell me what is going on.

Cheers

Martin

Ramos · 12-31-2009, 01:13 PM

Don't know the answer to your question, but the easier way is to have an Ipod dedicated for music that you never take out of the car (except to load new music on it) and keep the Iphone in your pocket for bluetooth phone calls
easier and cheaper

pruettfan · 12-31-2009, 01:17 PM

I think you need two parts. One is the housing unit that has to be installed by the dealer which attaches to the external antenna. Then the cradle itself that simply snaps into the cradle and that is where the phone pops into.

Kilgore Trout · 12-31-2009, 01:23 PM

A lot of dealers seem confused about 6NL (Smartphone integration). If you have smartphone - you need the cradle only. It just snaps in, and then you can play music from your Iphone, use the shark fin for reception, and recharge.

If you don't have 6NL, then I think you do need to order the base in addition to the cradle. But, the base will then work with other cradles if you swap your phone out at a later point. Without 6NL, you can also not play music from your IPhone unless you jack it in via 6FL.

And, please, make sure that you buy the cradle that is right for your car. There are different cradles for 6NL equipped cars and cars without 6NL.

pruettfan · 12-31-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramos

Don't know the answer to your question, but the easier way is to have an Ipod dedicated for music that you never take out of the car (except to load new music on it) and keep the Iphone in your pocket for bluetooth phone calls
easier and cheaper

The advantage of the cradle is supposed to be the use of the outside antenna. Not sure how much advantage that is however.

fdriller9 · 12-31-2009, 09:06 PM

I know that in my dad's 745i the reception of the phone that is directly connected to the car and using the shark fin antenna is usually 1 or 2 bars stronger because its amplified I think. My phone is usually 1 or 2 bars less.

hunt55 · 01-01-2010, 09:09 AM

Had the set up for four years with two phones. Yes you need the base plate and then the cradle. The two items have two part numbers. Parts and labor were around $400 installed. Great reception and charges the phone. Don't change to different phones too often or you will need another cradle at $130 a pop.

12-31-2009, 01:05 PM	#1
Blackadder Captain Blackadder 11 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mission, BC iTrader: (0)	iPhone 3Gs cradle Good morning all, Happy New Years to you and yours. I watched a video on Youtube a couple of nights ago about an iPhone plug and play cradle that slips in to the centre armrest. I phoned a dealership and they quoted $130 for the cradle. That sounds reasonable because of what the interface can do with the iDrive system. A couple of days later I phoned a different dealership to find out what the part number of the cradle was (so I could search for the best price) and the Parts gal said that I need two parts. One being the housing unit for $231.00 and the cradle for $130.00. I am now confused, one dealership said all I need is the cradle, now another is saying I need 2 seperate parts. If anyone is using the iPhone 3GS and cradle could you please tell me what is going on. Cheers Martin __________________ 2009 335d - Space Grey Metallic - Grey Dakota Leather Audio control LC6i interface + base remote feeding a Boston Acoustics GT50 5 channel amp. Eclipse SC8365 + Focal 165 VRX, rear SP5010. MB Quart RSH304 12" subwoofer. AF&AM
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12-31-2009, 01:13 PM	#2
Ramos Colonel 863 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: G20 2020 M340 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (6)	Don't know the answer to your question, but the easier way is to have an Ipod dedicated for music that you never take out of the car (except to load new music on it) and keep the Iphone in your pocket for bluetooth phone calls easier and cheaper
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12-31-2009, 01:17 PM	#3
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	I think you need two parts. One is the housing unit that has to be installed by the dealer which attaches to the external antenna. Then the cradle itself that simply snaps into the cradle and that is where the phone pops into.
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12-31-2009, 01:23 PM	#4
Kilgore Trout Chicks dig wagons! 43 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: 2009 E91 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Where you can see through the people, but not the air (i.e., Los Angeles!) iTrader: (0)	A lot of dealers seem confused about 6NL (Smartphone integration). If you have smartphone - you need the cradle only. It just snaps in, and then you can play music from your Iphone, use the shark fin for reception, and recharge. If you don't have 6NL, then I think you do need to order the base in addition to the cradle. But, the base will then work with other cradles if you swap your phone out at a later point. Without 6NL, you can also not play music from your IPhone unless you jack it in via 6FL. And, please, make sure that you buy the cradle that is right for your car. There are different cradles for 6NL equipped cars and cars without 6NL. __________________ E91 Montego Blue gray leather burl walnut , Idrive, PDC, Logic7, CA, Sirius, xenons, 6FL, ZPP, heated seats, 17" tires. 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
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12-31-2009, 09:06 PM	#6
fdriller9 Banned 253 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]	I know that in my dad's 745i the reception of the phone that is directly connected to the car and using the shark fin antenna is usually 1 or 2 bars stronger because its amplified I think. My phone is usually 1 or 2 bars less.
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01-01-2010, 09:09 AM	#7
hunt55 Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Had the set up for four years with two phones. Yes you need the base plate and then the cradle. The two items have two part numbers. Parts and labor were around $400 installed. Great reception and charges the phone. Don't change to different phones too often or you will need another cradle at $130 a pop.
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