[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by Jackdaw

I have identified a further problem with USB hard drives. Because the database build is so slow, the GW500 will sometimes create a corrupt entry in the hard drive's database if the ingnition is turned off and on without the MOST system shutting down properly. This can cause the GW500 to hang which puts it into passive mode causing the CD changer to come back online. If the hard drive is disconnected all is well. Similarly if the .bin files on the hard drive are deleted then the hard drive can be reconnected.
I spoke to Dension today and they have confirmed that they will create a PC utility to build the database on a PC before connection.

Jackdaw,
Thanks for taking the time to try and resolve this issue. Seems like we are getting closer to making the hard drive a feasible option. Once all the issues are resolved, I will probably buy the Dension.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by Jackdaw

I spoke to Dension today and they have confirmed that they will create a PC utility to build the database on a PC before connection.

Good work! Let us know what the speed difference is.

[CyberTron]

Does anyone knows how it works on a non idrive system?

[DrPowers]

Does anyone know if this will work with the sirius sat radio?

[Neurorad]

This seems awesome!

Subscribed.

[drkeng]

Saw an ad today in the paper that Pontiac now has a dealer installed ipod adapter that allows you to use the radio controls to control the ipod, displays ipod info and charges the ipod; I'm gonna try to check it out this week for fun, like to see how fast it is, if it's usb and if I can find any limitations like the bmw dealer unit. This assumes the dealer has a demo or car with it. Unlikely that they'll actually know anything that detailed about it. May have to consider a swap for the also hardtop G6 convertible.

[drkeng]

Update:
Spoke with someone in Canada regarding the Dension GW500. Interesting information about the company and the USA. If they confirm it should work in the e93, then I'm ordering it. I've found a place to do the install. I will also need to get the car coded for a CD changer prior to install, so it can be tested. Hopefully, I will have more good news soon.

On July 17, I wrote:
Wonder who will be the first US guinea pig?

guess it will be me!!

[ntpcrew13]

Originally Posted by drkeng

Update:
Spoke with someone in Canada regarding the Dension GW500. Interesting information about the company and the USA. If they confirm it should work in the e93, then I'm ordering it. I've found a place to do the install. I will also need to get the car coded for a CD changer prior to install, so it can be tested. Hopefully, I will have more good news soon.

how much will the system cost from canada shipped to chicago? i dont seen any reason as to why it wouldnt work on your e93.

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by drkeng

Update:
Spoke with someone in Canada regarding the Dension GW500. Interesting information about the company and the USA. If they confirm it should work in the e93, then I'm ordering it. I've found a place to do the install. I will also need to get the car coded for a CD changer prior to install, so it can be tested. Hopefully, I will have more good news soon.

On July 17, I wrote:
Wonder who will be the first US guinea pig?

guess it will be me!!

Just as an FYI, my dealer refused to code the car prior to the CD changer install. Hopefully, you will have better luck with your dealer.

[drkeng]

Well, it's on the way. Should be here Fri or Sat. Around $560 USD; I forgot how I wrote the cost (US / Canadian) for the unit and S/H. Just said, "Charge it."

Originally Posted by MusicMan

Just as an FYI, my dealer refused to code the car prior to the CD changer install. Hopefully, you will have better luck with your dealer.

They (Canadian distributor for Dension) told me that they've heard of problems getting the dealers to code the car. I have a close friend of friend connection that may be of help. I also may remind my dealer how they wouldn't let me delay my order to get 6FL, which would have eliminated this predicament, and hope to get a little break. They also told me that BMW seems to be the most finicky about picking up the code. When they code the car, they have to actually have a CD changer hooked up to get the car to accept the code. It could take a couple of hours, but I doubt they have to sit and watch it.

Guess I'll have to take it one step at a time; won't make the install appointment until it's coded. I have one weekday off every week, so I'll have to do it on those days. It'll keep this thread current/bumped as I (hopefully)progress. I'm hopeful; apparently, Dension is pretty big in Europe.

[orangelax44]

Hey, it's true. I just received and installed the Dension Gateway 500 myself and my dealer refuses to code the car without having an "official" BMW cd-changer in the car. They said they are not allowed to do it.

The actual install was a bit of a pain because you have to change the MOST wiring and the diagram that shows how to prep the wiring for the CD-changer (which is how the Dension works) didn't work for me.

I followed the instructions for the DIY cd-changer and it disabled the radio/sat radio and got SOS errors. I ended up switching one wire and that completed the loop and everything is back to working normally.

So, looks like I have to buy a CD-changer now to have the dealer code the car, then swap it out for the dension.


What a pain. It was A LOT easier on my 2003 e46 with the adapter.

Originally Posted by drkeng

Well, it's on the way. Should be here Fri or Sat. Around $560 USD; I forgot how I wrote the cost (US / Canadian) for the unit and S/H. Just said, "Charge it."



They (Canadian distributor for Dension) told me that they've heard of problems getting the dealers to code the car. I have a close friend of friend connection that may be of help. I also may remind my dealer how they wouldn't let me delay my order to get 6FL, which would have eliminated this predicament, and hope to get a little break. They also told me that BMW seems to be the most finicky about picking up the code. When they code the car, they have to actually have a CD changer hooked up to get the car to accept the code. It could take a couple of hours, but I doubt they have to sit and watch it.

Guess I'll have to take it one step at a time; won't make the install appointment until it's coded. I have one weekday off every week, so I'll have to do it on those days. It'll keep this thread current/bumped as I (hopefully)progress. I'm hopeful; apparently, Dension is pretty big in Europe.

[drkeng]

Still no unit. Not a good start for what I was told was overnight shipping last Thursday. Not looking forward to the coding issue. Makes me think I should just settle for the dealer ipod, which btw, would also require coding the car for a cd changer. The dealer, therefore, must have a way to do it; you don't have to buy a cd changer when you get the dealer ipod. I wonder how they'd respond to that.

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by orangelax44

Hey, it's true. I just received and installed the Dension Gateway 500 myself and my dealer refuses to code the car without having an "official" BMW cd-changer in the car. They said they are not allowed to do it.

The actual install was a bit of a pain because you have to change the MOST wiring and the diagram that shows how to prep the wiring for the CD-changer (which is how the Dension works) didn't work for me.

I followed the instructions for the DIY cd-changer and it disabled the radio/sat radio and got SOS errors. I ended up switching one wire and that completed the loop and everything is back to working normally.

So, looks like I have to buy a CD-changer now to have the dealer code the car, then swap it out for the dension.


What a pain. It was A LOT easier on my 2003 e46 with the adapter.

I agree it's a pain. However, when there is a will there is a way. Maybe you could purchase a used CD changer on ebay, install, remove, then resell. Maybe, someone in your area could lend you their CD changer for a day or two. I will need to figure it out before I purchase the Dension. I also had the Dension adapter on my e46 and it was no problem to install.

[drkeng]

Got the GW500 today; DHL actually tried to deliver it last Friday and yesterday, but didn't leave a slip. I picked it up at their office this evening.
However, it sounds like dealers will hide behind the warranty issue to refuse to code the car for a cd changer. This seems illogical since the dealer ipod also requires coding for cdc and the dension unit has a switch you flip when you bring the car in for service so it doesn't interfere with the computer. It's not like this thing would interfere with some critical engine or brake or whatever computer, right??

The only option may be to buy the cd changer and then install the Dension. This would make the total cost somewhat ridiculous, since I have no desire for the cdc. Considering the dealer ipod adapter for these reasons.

Or, I wonder, since the dealer ipod also requires coding for the cdc, and goes in the glovebox, I wonder if I could swap it for the dension and remove the bmw ipod thing. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[DrPowers]

Does anyone know if the SAT radio will work with this? I'm planning on purchasing the SAT radio now and the Dension module later in the future.

[marmite]

Originally Posted by drkeng

The only option may be to buy the cd changer and then install the Dension. This would make the total cost somewhat ridiculous, since I have no desire for the cdc. Considering the dealer ipod adapter for these reasons.

Or, I wonder, since the dealer ipod also requires coding for the cdc, and goes in the glovebox, I wonder if I could swap it for the dension and remove the bmw ipod thing. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I have the same dilemna. I want GW500, but car is not coded, nor do I wish to have CDC.

If _anyone_ knows of a friendly BMW dealer or specialist (?) who can simply code for CDC - do please let us in this situation know.

As you said the cost is ridiculous if not, I've been quoted, £294 for CDC itself + £317 for labour! Add to that the GW500 itself of ~£270

So, looking at: £881 before I've even bought a MP3 player / usb mass storage device!

That's why I've been holding off and considering ipod kit retrofit as well. Which they've quoted me costing: £194 kit + £237 labour.

On a side note - does anyone know if the new iPod Touch will work with iPod setup in the same way as iPod 5G's do??

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by MusicMan

So, would it not be possible to ask the dealer to code your car PRIOR to the installation.

No. Can only be done after device is present. More specifically, dealer will only do it in proper sequence when device is present because it will cause errors. BMW NA dealers will - as a rule - not code the cars for third party devices.

You would have a better chance AFTER it's installed however because that removes the dealer's concern about errors. But it's still a bit unlikely that they will agree to do this.

[Neurorad]

Originally Posted by JSpira

BMW NA dealers will - as a rule - not code the cars for third party devices.

This means that you can never install a 3rd party CD changer? Or stereo, for that matter, because of the need for a re-code? Sorry, I'm a noob when it comes to aftermarket stereos.

I guess it will be a couple years before BMW offers an OEM HD. The best solution would be to purchase the OEM changer, and get re-code, and then install the Dension.

[drkeng]

See the new thread. There's a USB ipod interface available as a retrofit, depending on your car and radio. I'm getting it at the latest next Thursday.
The shock is the $775 retail price (unit plus install; tax not included). I'll post a new thread when I get it. Now I gotta hope the Dension folks live up to their word and take back my Gateway 500.

[orangelax44]

UPDATE!!! I got the Dension Gateway 500 iPod adapter working in my 2006 330i!! Looks like I'm the first US spec car guinea pig! :rocks: Although I'll write up a better DIY in another post later on, here's how the install went:

1. Followed instructions for the CD-changer retrofit. (do a search) The wiring diagram in the pdf did not show the correct fiber optic cable connection, so I had to fool around with it a bit until I got the light to arrive at the cd-changer connector in the trunk. I can detail which ones worked for me. When you have the wrong wiring hooked-up, you'll know it, your sat radio stops working, and you get errors.
2. Assembled the dension fiber optic cables and connectors. Easy enough
3. Opened the trunk area where the cd-changer connector is.
4. Tapped the cd-changer prewiring for power
5. Connected the dension to the most wiring and power.
6. Since it was connected properly and completes the MOST loop, the radio works fine. (And you can see the fiber light).
7. It was at this point I went to the dealer to "code" the car for the CD-changer but they refused to unless I had an "official" bmw cd-changer.
8. Picked up an older cd-changer off of ebay for pretty cheap and installed it.
9. Paid the dealer $120.00 to push a few buttons to code the car for the cd-changer.
10. Now that the cd-changer works with the car (and new iDrive menus) I connected the dension back up.
11. Ran the cables to the front of the car near the center console.

The verdict... It works great!! It's pretty fast, the UI is good and intuitive. The sound quality is awesome, much better than sirius. Browsing through artist/folders is pretty speedy, it takes about a second to "load" the folder up, and moving around tracks seems just as fast as a cd. It remembers the last song played on your ipod and plays pretty instantly when you plug it in your car. Some additional features: There is a virtual folder of A-Z where you can quickly get to an artist or album in case you have a ton to scroll through. Discs 1-6 have different features... Suppose you are listening to a random playlist and Van Halen is playing. You can select one of the CD discs (CD-2 I think) to start playing all the songs from Van Halen or from that album. It's called Album Play or Artist Play which Dension had in their previous product. I've only been playing with it for a little while and definitely haven't touched all the features like random yet.

So, was it all worth it? Maybe, the cost was a bit high... $460 for the Dension, $120 for the cd-changer coding and $250 for the used cd changer which I can re-sell. Part of the reason I didn't want the dealer installed option was that I am leasing my car, the install cost was huge and the dealer was going to charge me to uninstall it. So with this, at least I can take it out, sell it or use it in my next bmw. Kind of bad timing that there is talk of a retrofit for the new ipod adapter, but I think this is a good option. I'm just glad its working on my car.

I will post pictures of the install and give more details of how its working sometime this weekend.

Originally Posted by MusicMan

I agree it's a pain. However, when there is a will there is a way. Maybe you could purchase a used CD changer on ebay, install, remove, then resell. Maybe, someone in your area could lend you their CD changer for a day or two. I will need to figure it out before I purchase the Dension. I also had the Dension adapter on my e46 and it was no problem to install.

[kplonk]

Originally Posted by marmite

I have the same dilemna. I want GW500, but car is not coded, nor do I wish to have CDC.

If _anyone_ knows of a friendly BMW dealer or specialist (?) who can simply code for CDC - do please let us in this situation know.

As you said the cost is ridiculous if not, I've been quoted, £294 for CDC itself + £317 for labour! Add to that the GW500 itself of ~£270

So, looking at: £881 before I've even bought a MP3 player / usb mass storage device!

That's why I've been holding off and considering ipod kit retrofit as well. Which they've quoted me costing: £194 kit + £237 labour.

On a side note - does anyone know if the new iPod Touch will work with iPod setup in the same way as iPod 5G's do??

did you get anywhere with this?

[fizzle]

any update on this? i know im bringin old thread back.....