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iPod Your BMW Official

They should have copied this guy

The glove box? You want me to hide my iPod in the glovebox?
Wait, let me move the flashlight and the owner's manual to make room...

They should have done something more like this. iPod front and center, glowing apple logo, LEDs just to make it look cool...

Beats the hell out of the glove box.

Ice link looks kind of cool, but over priced. I'm going to try tapping into the CD changer inputs directly on my (parents) volvo.

On the plus side, at least I don't have to lust after a BMW like I thought would.


<edit> Damn, deepkid beat me to it. </edit>
 
macridah said:
But by looking and the pics, there is no dock for the iPod? You just plug it in the glove box. There should be an optional mount kit for external access.
Click to expand...

Agreed. It looks kind of stupid.

But here's my guess. The connector is the 3G ipod standard connector, so you could buy an extra dock. And, if it's at all like the current auxiliary input adapter, you could run it into, e.g., the center console, so you could see your ipod. (if not ,that'd suck). Overall, it looks like a decent solution to retrofit a system that's not really equipped to take full advantage of the ipod.
 
hi,

for those asking why they cant access all of their music, read below:

'to choose one of your playlists, simply use the BMW stereo control buttons labelled 1 to 5, or elect button 6 to access your entire collection'

taken from bmwusa.com/ipod/

so that means you can have 5 playlists, but if you want to listen to all of your music, just hit button 6.

hth,
asif
 
Nice, but I hoped for either an iPod dock in the dash/near the stick shift, or a dock thingie in the glove box where you plush it in, then you can click a cover closed, so your ipod dosn't move around and it won't become scrached.
 
Le Big Mac said:
Agreed. It looks kind of stupid.

But here's my guess. The connector is the 3G ipod standard connector, so you could buy an extra dock. And, if it's at all like the current auxiliary input adapter, you could run it into, e.g., the center console, so you could see your ipod. (if not ,that'd suck). Overall, it looks like a decent solution to retrofit a system that's not really equipped to take full advantage of the ipod.
Click to expand...

Yeah, standard connector. Everything through that one cable. That is one good thing.
–Chase
 
Total Crap

This the the worst thing Apple has done. If you're going to team up with someone to improve the ipod experience then make something great. Having an adapter in the glove box and I still won't have complete functionality of my ipod. What a joke. Why don't they team up with someone to create a new after-market head unit that has a dock built right in (instead of a cassette slot)? The display would be the same as the ipod and put an ipod mini scroll wheel on it. Then start working with the car manufactures on pre-installing them on new cars too.
 
the best thing about this system is no sound quality is lost, unlike with FM transmitters and cassette adapters.

the worst thing about this system is its limitations of controls.

it's alright that the iPod sits in the glove compartment. BMW gloveboxes are most likely air conditioned, so that's probably the safest place to put it. heat will destroy an iPod.

an equivalent solution sound-quality wise is to run a mini-stereo wire (3.5mm) out of the iPod, to the "aux" line-in on your car stereo. you could then mount your iPod anywhere you put the other end of the wire, and if you want to see it you can get the Belkin cupholder-iPod-mount. sure it's a couple of wires between the 3.5mm and the charging cords, but this solution will cost about $25 for parts plus about 30 minutes to an hour of labor (unless you DIY).

this way you can control the iPod with its wired remote, or use the scroll wheel and buttons.
 
What BMW owner doesn't have a CD changer

So it says this in the fine print:

Not available on vehicles with navigation system, CD changer, DSP cassette player or satellite radio. Installation performed by authorized BMW and BMW SAV centers only.


So answer this for me: What owner doesn't have a CD changer in their BMW (or a DSP cassette player- whatever that means) So what they are saying is this is only for those BMW's that have am and fm radios???????????? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
So, is the iPod an accessory to the BMW, or the BMW an accessory to the iPod? :confused:
 
flyfish29 said:
So answer this for me: What owner doesn't have a CD changer in their BMW (or a DSP cassette player- whatever that means)
Click to expand...

Many. A single in-dash CD player is standard. A 6-disc changer is optional, installed in the trunk (for 7 total discs).
 
Rod Rod said:
t

an equivalent solution sound-quality wise is to run a mini-stereo wire (3.5mm) out of the iPod, to the "aux" line-in on your car stereo.
Click to expand...

They already have this, and the part is about $40 and can be installed yourself (I assume this new one can). So really this adds : 1) power 2) steering wheel/stereo controls.
 
Le Big Mac said:
They already have this, and the part is about $40 and can be installed yourself (I assume this new one can). So really this adds : 1) power 2) steering wheel/stereo controls.
Click to expand...

whoever's charging $40 for that part is a) a marketing genius and b) ripping people off. really, all it takes is a standard 3.5mm to line-in adapter, and that should cost around $5 or so at your local Radio Shack.
 
security?

crees! said:
Well, the glove box is probably where there are easy connections that can be made to install whatever you need to hook up your iPod. That's probably why it is located there.
Click to expand...

um and security? i don't know if you all live in happy bubbles but the fun of having a dashmount dock/holster would get annoying when your windows get smashed and the iPod stolen. i would prefer this so i do not HAVE to take out the iPod every time i make a quick stop.
 
henners said:
indextop06212004.jpg


This is really not an adequate solution, one has to reach over to plug the ipod in. Then it is not properly secured in. Once in, the user has no real control of the iPod, 5 playlists? What about all the other 40 GB+ music? A vague stab without the expected apple touch. Shame
Click to expand...

I have to say that actually looks pretty half baked to me. It DOESNT look like "seamless" integration of design that you might expect from Apple and BMW ( unless someone is joking with the pic of course!). Who wants to drive down the highway with the glove box open so they can adjust their iPod? Not me.
 
Rod Rod said:
whoever's charging $40 for that part is a) a marketing genius and b) ripping people off. really, all it takes is a standard 3.5mm to line-in adapter, and that should cost around $5 or so at your local Radio Shack.
Click to expand...

Well, if you sell a car with a stereo that doesn't have a line in, and instead has a special pin-in adapter set up, you can charge $40. It is, however, a radio shack piece, and not even that good looking. But at least the wires go to the right pins and it clips in correctly.
 
not totally true

Rod Rod said:
whoever's charging $40 for that part is a) a marketing genius and b) ripping people off. really, all it takes is a standard 3.5mm to line-in adapter, and that should cost around $5 or so at your local Radio Shack.
Click to expand...


a lot of car stereo's (*COUGH* SONY *COUGH*) do not allow the line inputs in the back to be active UNLESS a valid device is linked.... or a $99 adapter is used. this makes the car stereo think it is connected to a CD/MD changer and that's why the remote works and the track info is displayed on the car stereo faceplate. the $5 minijack to RCA adapter won't do any of that.

yeah it costs a lot more, but BMWs also cost a lot more than Yugos and which one is still around? there is a cheaper solution, but this is a better one. also the $5 adapter won't charge your iPod. this connection powers the iPod so it won't run down when you get there. yeah you can also run an adapter to the cig lighter but at some point it turns into a rat's nest.

this adapter is also available for car models going back a few years, so it's not a stereo designed specifically for the iPod (or other device)..... if there is more interest i am sure we will see head units with better iPod integration. then again you dont want to browse 75 playlists or 10,000 songs. ok, maybe YOU would want to, but me being in the next lane doesn't want you to. at least with cell phones you can keep your eyes on the road.
 
winmacguy said:
I have to say that actually looks pretty half baked to me. It DOESNT look like "seamless" integration of design that you might expect from Apple and BMW ( unless someone is joking with the pic of course!). Who wants to drive down the highway with the glove box open so they can adjust their iPod? Not me.
Click to expand...

adjust what? put it in the glove box, close it up and drive.
the remote buttons on the head unit or the steering wheel control the iPod's functions. the track info is displayed on the head unit. the volume knob on the stereo is the volume knob. what else do you need?

did anyone actually read the linked page on apple.com?
 
Umm... I've been doing this for months...

Forgive me as I haven't had time to read this thread, so this may have been said, but...

Anyone heard of Icelink, sold by Dension?

I've been doing this for months in my BMW X5 (including controlling the Ipod with my steering wheel), and Dension's solution is arguably BETTER.

First, my X5 is a 2001, so I wouldn't even be supported by this solution (2002+).

Second, my Icelink comes with a dock, which also seamlessly charges the Ipod when plugged in (and the Ipod automatically shuts off when the car is powered down).

Third, the dock can be purchased with a nice, non-intrusive mounting solution that looks great.

That said, as an ardent Apple supporter, I am extremely pleased that BMW has gone ahead and done this- love the Ipod exposure, and applaud car manufacturers moving to support the Ipod.

Go Apple! Go BMW!
 
Very nice. About the sloppy install...it can and will be done better if you want to put the time and effort into making it nicer. You can get a holder for the ipod at proclip.

All the rumors surrounding the ipodyourbmw were directed at bmw, and i'm glad to hear that it will fit the mini as well.

Time to order one for my electric blue/white '03 mini cooper S... :D
 
UH-OHHHH.........! Here comes Competition!

Watch Microsoft attempt to graft their player to a Ford Taurus.

LOL! LOL! LOL! LOL! LOL! :p
 
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