[coopersim]

Does anyone know if the Sport Plus model with USB comes with the required iPod cable?

[rich1068]

I didn't get any additional cables with my E91 Sport Plus.

[B33M3R]

No, it just uses the standard lead that comes with the iPod/iPhone etc.

[hogbmw]

What year? I think 2009 and newer can interface with USB. My 07 needs the aux/usb splice cable thing and the dealer threw it in. But I just use aux because it sounds better loud. The BMW cable allows you to choose the song through the screen though which is neat. PM me if you need the BMW one I don't use mine at all.

[B33M3R]

The thing that surprised me was how little the dealers seemed to know about the iDrive / USB connections etc. I was pretty much talked out of ordering the USB, then 6FL option, as my dealer said there was already a USB in the glovebox for the iPod. For me iPod intergration was a must and after speccing the top professional media package it seemed ridiculous that you then had to buy two further connections 6FL & 6NF to actually use most of it's main features! Fortunately I found this out and managed to change my order before it was locked.

Most of you will know the USB in the glovebox is only for uploading new maps and music you want to store on the cars hard drive ( upto 12gb if I recall). It will not control an iPod.

If the car is the Sport Plus and it has USB in the centre console you only need this to control and listen to the iPod/iPhone. You won't need the Aux jack for this as this was used for the older models that took an analogue signal from the devices rather than the newer models which take a digital signal and decode onboard.

What year is the car? Does it have iDrive ?

There have been several more recent changes. In Sept/Oct '10 the Combox came along bringing Album Art, bluetooth audio streaming and the like. Now Facebook/Twitter apps and video streaming from iPod/iPhone are available.

If you're speccing a new car be careful to research and don't rely on the dealer knowing his/hr stuff!

[chedixon]

I know how u feel, I've ordered mine with pro nav (609), Bluetooth with telematics (633) and USB audio (6FL) but I think I might not be able to have the full iPod integration as I didn't order telephone USB audio (6NF) or mobile apps (6NR), wasn't really explained to me when I ordered so I'm a bit disappointed although they are taking the p*ss a little really when you've already spent £755 on 633 and 6FL and they want another £200 just to display album art and Bluetooth streaming grrrrr....

[coopersim]

No, it just uses the standard lead that comes with the iPod/iPhone etc.

I tried this in an 11 plate 1 series today and it told me the cable wasn't supported.

Will the E92 definately accept the standard iPod USB lead?

[B33M3R]

Originally Posted by coopersim

I tried this in an 11 plate 1 series today and it told me the cable wasn't supported.

Are you plugging it into the USB in the armrest or in the glovebox? Is this a genuine Apple lead?

If the car has this option then this should work fine. I use is this lead in my 2011 3 Series and so far just within my household have used an iPod Nano, iPod Video, iPod touch, iPhone 3GS, and an iPhone 4. No difference between models

[scottc]

You require the BMW lead to use an ipod, it will plug into the aux and the usb slot. You cannot use a normal apple lead.

[coopersim]

Well, I guess it was a 1 series that I have from the dealer at the minute - maybe that's the reason it won't work, which brings me on to, how crap the 1 series is in comparison to the 3 !

brand new 1 series - 700 miles on the clock and it's rattling to fook already... Can't wait to get mine back!

[B33M3R]

Well it looks like BMW could have changed things again....

I've had a quick search and there is some chatter on the Mini sites and BMW US sites that the standard Apple cable is not working with newer models.

Some people have claimed upgrading to IOS 4.2 or later has solved this but others say the problem remains. Some say they get full iPod control but no sound, others say they get a cable not supported message. There's allot of confusion and lots of advice floating around.

I suspect things might have been changed with the latest COMBOX release that includes BMW apps and iPod video playback which might prevent non BMW cables from working, if this is the case then this is very naughty as I can't see this as anything other than a revenue generator off the back of people who have already forked out for expensive options. Unless they are going to be giving the leads away for free, which I doubt they are!

There is mention of a new cable but this is not a 'Y' cable but a BMW lead that looks exactly the same as the Apple one. If this is true then BMW have almost certainly just messed with the pin configuration in the cars USB.

If there is in fact a new 'Y' lead then this is a backward step in my opinion as the 'Y' lead was fitted to older vehicles. This separates the audio signal and sends it to the car via the iPods onboard DAC as an analogue signal which is known for being a bit poor. The USB only lead uses the iPods digital out, in turn using the car's onboard DAC to covert the sound.

Long story short, I'd give the dealer the heads up that you expect the correct lead for the car as you've not been told this extra item was needed on ordering. If it works with the Apple lead your laughing, if not you're covered.

My cars a 2011 spec build date 12/10, perhaps the 03/11 and newer cars have been changed?

I also suggest you update this thread with your finding as I'm sure there will be others trying to find out whats going on!