[q96]

I wanted to share my install of a dension 500 in my 08 e91. The important thing is that I had a CD changer fitted, so I didn't need any program update from BMW.

Globaly, what was important for me is to have access of the USB socket and the ipod socket from the middle of the car (between the 2 front seats like the 6FL USB Socket when the car is fitted with).

For me this install is based on 2 things, a clean wiring for the power of the dension and a clean installation of the cables.

For the wiring, I found a very interresting DIY on another forum (http://forums.5series.net/topic/5492...y-diy-install/), I'll just copy the text from this forum, it explains which connector you should buy from BMW to allow a rewiring like standard if you want to remove it.

Next to make this install a full plug and play solution you need the following BMW OEM parts

1 x UNIVERSAL SOCKET HOUSING UNCODED 3 POL. 61138377072
1 x UNIVERSAL PIN TERMINAL UNCODED 3 POL. 61136931929
2 x PIN-CONTACT 0,75MM 61130006664
2 x BUSHING CONTACT 0.75MM 61130006663

So what you do is disconnect the plug X18180 from the back of the CD Changer, that will have two power lines and the 2 optical cables.
Remove the RT/VI wire from the position 1 and put a 61130006663 in its place, this will become your +12V.
Then remove the BR wire from the position 2 and put another 61130006663 in its place, this will become you -ve.
Put the RT/VI and the BR wires of the CD Changer that you just removed into 61138377072 in position 1 and 2 respectively. Its always a good pratice to maintain the numbering between plugs, that way you can put things back together later.
Now put two 61130006664 into 61136931929 at positions 1 and 2.
Next join up the wires between Dension Red power line and the wire coming out of the CD changer position 1 and the wire coming out of 61136931929 position 1.
Tape or solder the joint well and then insulate this.
Do a similar thing with the Dension Black power line and the wires coming out of the CD changer position 2 and the wire coming out of the 61136931929 position 2.

If done correctly you should be left with the car's original wires RT/VI and BR going into your new socket 61138377072 and when that mates with your plug 61136931929 that will distribute power to both the CD Changer and the Dension Gateway.

When you was to reverse this all you need to do is put the CD Changer contacts back into the original socket.

Let's have some pictures to explain it.
First of all remove the wiring form the CD changer


Then remove the power wiring from the connector and remove the wire from the connector


And this is the result once everything is connected


After that you can connect the optic wire to the dension and the power you just made


The second important thing is to pass the wire from the center console to the rear near to the cd changer area.
For this you have to unmount the rear seat (to pass the cable under it) and the rear part of the center console


It this stage I decided to pass the cables under the floor mat. For this I started to pass a fin iron cable (sorry I don't know the english word for it, but you can see it on the pictures).

One the cable was through I taped the 2 cables (USB and mini DIN 9 for ipod) to this wire and I pulled it until the cable was on the other side of the carpet

After that I made a way for the cable up to near the CD changer


Once this was done I only had to plus it to the dension. But is was not finished... I wanted it to be clean in the center console, so I decided to adapt the usb wire to the normal 6FL usb socket !!
The problem is that this socket has a special connector


So I decided to cut an exisiting usb wire to solder it directly on it and that's the result :

(ok the soldering is not perfect, but I'm not an expert.... And it works)

Just some pictures to show you how I put it back in the socket



And the final result in the center console



Hope it gives you some ideas for it. For me it worked like a charm. Quick and easy. Almost plus and play.

[Tallest]

just read about this in BMW CAR magazine, cool to find a DIY on it here on E90post. Thanks. I am not sure if this is available in US or many people know what it even does..

[xxxjecxxx]

what does it do?

[q96]

Basically it's just an interface that can be added to have USB and ipod connection in your car (a bit like a 6FL USB)

[779steve]

I have the cd changer preparation wiring as part of the business nav pack. Can I carry out the install of the dension in the boot alone? I don't Mind if this is where the iPod has to live as you don't need to touch it for operation

Great guide btw

[q96]

For me it should be possible because the only thing you need is to connect to the cd changer wiring (optic and power). The thing you'll perhaps need is to program your vehicule for the CD changer option (many post are available on this subject in this forum).

After that you can leave it in the boot, for me it was not that difficult to bring everything in the center console and I needed the iphone in the front on the car !

[tshpark]

Nice write up! I am about to install the Dension for my e90, but I am not sure the wire is enough to bring up front dash from the trunk?

Where did you put the dension main unit? and how long enough the ipod/usb cable from the unit, so you can either locate on the armrest console or on ashtray?

[evysojf]

cheers for info. Very useful as I'm doing my own install at the moment. I'm guessing you already had the 6FL option? makes the USB part of the install very neat. I dont have 6FL ('06 e91 330D) I think the part number for the 6FL interface is 65410007392. Would like to do the same as you (keep aux input, rewire USB to Dension). where could I get this part of the 6FL kit only? a dealer? and how much roughly? any one know

[q96]

For tshpark, I put the dension near to the CD changer between the wheel arch and the wheel arch trim (depending on the cable length). For the cable length I took some available cables from dension (as far as I remember it waas 2 meter long), but it was a bit short !! If you look carrefully the dension din cables can be found in the US at some cable dealers (I don't remember the name, but I found someone who buy one at really decent price in the US (the price is expensive for a cable by dension...))

For evysojf, I didn't have the 6FL option otherwise I wouldn't have made this dension installation. What I did is probably what you want to, is buying just the 6FL interface to fit as OEM in the center console for the USB. I bought the 6FL connector by my dealer, it's not expensive (as exemple see reference : 61319129651)

[mikeisnorml]

did the dealer need to activate any coding for the 6FL aux/usb socket to work in you car prior to the Gateway 500 install? Also what is the white cable hanging in your armrest for? thanks

[Najt]

Hi, so yesterday I've tried to install Dension 500s BT. First I have tried to code the car. But I got error
COAPI-1141: FSW faulty
MP3_CHAMP

so I've code car without this option. We've connected the Dension and everything works fine but I am not sure why I got the error. Is it necessary to have this attribute in MASK?

[fazman]

Anyone in Central NJ done this, I would like to see how it looks works in your car.

[savandija]

is easier to install this kit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261347061445