[vamc.mc]

I ordered a new 325i recently and awaiting for the vehicle...The IPOD interface is one of the main reasons why i opted for a BMW apart from handling and performance... I am expecting the vehicle in the begining of september..so do you think by that time the IPOD interface should be ready at the dealers for installation......Last week when i was at a dealer for a test drive, i saw a X3 at the showroom and it had a IPOD interface already and it was listed around $250 on the chart for that...Will the new interface also cost that much only....and i hope it does not cost more than $1000...

[Pangearox]

Originally Posted by vamc.mc

I ordered a new 325i recently and awaiting for the vehicle...The IPOD interface is one of the main reasons why i opted for a BMW apart from handling and performance... I am expecting the vehicle in the begining of september..so do you think by that time the IPOD interface should be ready at the dealers for installation......Last week when i was at a dealer for a test drive, i saw a X3 at the showroom and it had a IPOD interface already and it was listed around $250 on the chart for that...Will the new interface also cost that much only....and i hope it does not cost more than $1000...

you ordered a car based on the fact that there is an add on ipod adapter??????

[vamc.mc]

Originally Posted by Pangearox

you ordered a car based on the fact that there is an add on ipod adapter??????

I said its one of the reasons..not ONLY THE REASON....i have a huge collection of songs on my 60GB ipod and i definitely not wish to write CD's to listen in my car and at the same do not want to use a AUX-in...

[LEDZEP]

I guess when BMW says "late July" they really mean "maybe early fall". The only reason the E90 came out on time was because they didn't bother to have it ready in time - just shipped them "as is".

[vamc.mc]

I spoke to a handful of dealers in the surrounding states and most of them are saying that they were supposed to release in july (normally they receive a bulletin if BMW release a new part) but with this one particualrly the BMW encountered some unexpected problems and they are working on to solve it. They also said that it might arrive any time now. A couple of them took my phone number and said that they will call as soon as they receive any notification regarding it.

[bavarian19]

I am starting to get a little impatient with this product... I can easily see it being released in September/October now...

[hkj]

.... wairing since last October.... and still waiting

-hkj

[obLu]

Unfortunately, the SA's at my dealer will most likely be entirely clueless about this part until somebody here posts a part # that I can physically take to their part's dept. Then I can envision them then trying to tell me it'll cost $500 to install, because they like to try to gouge on install times even when they're set by BMW in the bulletins. Next I'll have to contact BMWNA to talk to the service manager and get him involved.

Man I'm pessimistic when it comes to my dealer's service.

I'm so eagerly awaiting this though ... I even bought a new nano to fit in my glove box so I wouldn't have to tote around my big video. Hope it comes out soon.

[SeattleSE]

FWIW, my CA said today that there is some delay getting the part from the OEM that makes it for BMW. He said that Apple and Toshiba are designing the MOST bus adapter and that the delay was on their side. He may be wrong but it seems as logical as anything else.

The parts guy said that BMW consistently underestimates launch dates on accessories like this and suggested that I add two months to the original estimate. This is my first BMW so I don't have anything to compare this to but, if correct, it's no way to make the customer happy. I suppose I can wait but I sort of expect them to be right when they make delivery predictions. It isn't as if this is some huge technical achievement.

[bud001]

At least they are not Audi. They promised the iPod Adapter in NOVEMBER last year. When i was car shopping They are STILL clueless.

BTW, newbie here, just got my car (and since has put 100 miles on it in 3 days)

[hkj]

Welcome to the board. Post some pics of your 330 when you get a chance.

-hkj

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by SeattleSE

FWIW, my CA said today that there is some delay getting the part from the OEM that makes it for BMW. He said that Apple and Toshiba are designing the MOST bus adapter and that the delay was on their side. I suppose I can wait but I sort of expect them to be right when they make delivery predictions. It isn't as if this is some huge technical achievement.

Could be right. Still no excuse. If BMW can't manage their logistics it's still their problem. They always blame the "vendor" though. Here's an idea - if it says BMW on it, then BMW should make good on their press releases. No wonder we stomped the shit out of them in two wars!

"Top Secret Nazi weapon on backorder due to supply problems with OEM manufacturer... meanwhile, Alies beat snot out of Krauts!".

[DrPowers]

Its better for them to make sure it works completely than to rush it out the door

[HKlein]

Apple, Car Makers Team Up
To Offer iPod Connectivity

A WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE NEWS ROUNDUP
August 3, 2006 10:06 a.m.

Apple Computer Inc. struck deals with three major car makers to offer iPod connectors in new models.

Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., said Thursday it teamed up with Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Japanese Ford-affiliate Mazda Motors Corp. to offer "seamless" integration of Apple's iPod portable music players.

GM said its device, called "personal audio link" will sell at dealerships for less than $160, plus installation fees, and be introduced in October. The Detroit auto maker expects to make the device available on all of its 56 vehicle models.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Mich., said it will offer built-in audio-input jacks in 14 2007 models. Customers would be able to play their iPod as well as any other MP3 player with a standard 3.5 millimeter audio output.

In early 2007, Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers will a special audio system that will allow a driver to store an iPod in the glove box and select music using the steering wheel or radio controls.

Mazda will offer iPod connectivity in its entire 2007 lineup of cars and sport-utility-vehicles.

[garethpeate]

The second generation BMW solution is great, but why oh why couldn't they have gone the extra mile and created a new interface from iDrive to explore the iPod rather than using CD1, CD2, etc?

eg, if the iPod kit is installed, then have a new menu alongside AM, FM, CD, TV, Aux, etc called iPod. It could always report "iPod not connected" when not in use, and when it is connected, display Artists, Playlists, Podcasts, Songs, etc instead of CD1, CD2, CD3, etc.

I hope a future software update will add something that's a little more sensible... come on BMW, you can do it!

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by garethpeate

The second generation BMW solution is great, but why oh why couldn't they have gone the extra mile and created a new interface from iDrive to explore the iPod rather than using CD1, CD2, etc?

eg, if the iPod kit is installed, then have a new menu alongside AM, FM, CD, TV, Aux, etc called iPod. It could always report "iPod not connected" when not in use, and when it is connected, display Artists, Playlists, Podcasts, Songs, etc instead of CD1, CD2, CD3, etc.

I hope a future software update will add something that's a little more sensible... come on BMW, you can do it!

No, they can't. BMW knows as much about electronics as the average 4 year old in a third world country. That much should be apparent by now. Anything designed in electronically is contracted out to someone else, and always done half-assed. If you go back a year in time, you'll see that a great number of functions in the E90 did not work, or were terribly buggy when the car was launched.

I wouldn't even mind that so bad, but I highly suspect that this new interface will be very expensive to have installed. Sometimes I think they should replace the Roundel with a pair of brass balls as their logo.

[bavarian19]

I am really hoping that this delay means that they are not going with the CD01, CD02 labels and stating artist, genre, etc...

Somehow, I dont think thats going to be the case...

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I am really hoping that this delay means that they are not going with the CD01, CD02 labels and stating artist, genre, etc...

Somehow, I dont think thats going to be the case...

Nope, but how amazing would that be!

[garethpeate]

It's a shame to see, but LedZep is right.. ho hum.

just.. "wouldn't it be great IF..."

[SCA]

Ugh...I want this like yesterday.

[hkj]

so.. what's the latest word on the delay? How long is this delay for? I assume the US market is still getting this before thr rest of the world does?

-hkj

[cobradac]

I see Jonathans' (JSprira) testing story made it to the August issue of Roundel (minus sound bites ) Good read Jonathan