[Fresh330]

I've searched around the forum and I'm completely confused on what is and is not compatible as an iPod retofit for my car. Here's my sistuation:

I have an '06 330xi w/o iDrive. The current setup is just an AUX in the center console. What I've been looking to do is switch out the ashtray with a dock that can charge AND play my iPod Touch (Gen. 2). It would be nice if I could hook it up directly to my headunit (BMW Professional) so i can see song names and change tracks, but that's not the highest priority.

I'm assuming this is all possible but there so much info out there, I can't found what is relevant to my case. Anyone shed some light or point me to threads that can help me?

[enforcerman]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175658

Thats my experience. Things to remember. The BMW Ipod retrofit will not charge the iphone 3g or the itouch 2g w/o an adaptor. The adaptor is 20-30 dollars from places like cablejive.com. Other than that you should be fine. Spec makes a dock for the ashtray. that sucker aint cheap. One thing I didnt like about that dock is your whole phone is supported by the thin piece of metal that goes into your iphone/itouch. Didnt look very secure.

As for the retrofit, the stock place to run the cable is the glovebox. I have been told that the cable is long enough to reach the arm rest console. I didnt take any chances and bought an extender from cablejive. Mine is in the middle of my center console next to the shifter. Pictures in that thread. Love my setup.

As for my problems, ignore the bluetooth trouble. The dealer should have no problem getting the ipod retrofit to work. Its gonna cost ya though. I'd say 1-2 hours of labor, less if your lucky.

[Fresh330]

Oh WOW. Definitely a little more intense then I expected. I basically want my ipod hardwired to charge and play music through the AUX input. Did the iPod mount come with the retrofit kit? If I could get something like that, I'm sure I can hard wire a car charger within the console as well as the AUX cable.

Thanks for the info.

[tintivilus]

No, the retrofit kit just has a cable that hangs in the glove box. The dock is just a dock-connector passthru, so you can use it with whatever floats your boat.

Since you just want analog audio & power, this sounds like just the ticket:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=1299

It's got RCA connectors for audio (use a short RCA -> 1/8" Y cable to the aux in jack, or splice them in) and 12V/GND wires to splice into your cigarette lighter circuit.