[MusicMan]

Newbie, this is my first post. Hope it's not a repeat.
Thought I would share the info. received recently from BMWNA. I also have a Pre-Sept. build E90 with Nav. Filed a complaint with customer relations regarding the lack of Ipod integration available for my car, as well as the crazy install prices being charged by dealers in S. Cal. Below is the response I received.

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC and shared in reading your inquiry regarding iPod for your E90.

Current information indicates the iPod interface for pre-9/05 E90's with Navigation will be released within about a week. Although we offer MSRP pricing guidelines, BMW cannot set dealer pricing. Servicing schedules are determined by the dealer based on the business operation, the number of technicians available, the volume of service work, etc.

We appreciate hearing you are enjoying your second BMW. I am proud to say that, for the second year in a row, and seventh time in eight years, BMW owners ranked BMW as the highest quality brand in Strategic Vision’s 2006 Total Quality IndexTM (TQI). Moreover, I am pleased to add that the BMW 3 Series was recently voted the 2006 “World Car of the Year.”

Congratulations on having chosen a winner!

[MusicMan]

Bump.. Can anyone confirm this info? JSpira? Actual date?

[drfluid]

I have pre-sept build car, too.

But, what's the difference between pre and post-sept cars? really? I know there's some new features added in the User Interface for the post-sept cars, but I did get the newest software update on my i-drive. (still lacking some features, though)

Is it the computer hardware??

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by drfluid

I have pre-sept build car, too.

But, what's the difference between pre and post-sept cars? really? I know there's some new features added in the User Interface for the post-sept cars, but I did get the newest software update on my i-drive. (still lacking some features, though)

Is it the computer hardware??

Great question! I was wondering the same thing. Why do the Pre-Sept Build cars need a different integration than the Post-Sept cars? Anyone know?

[E90 Enthusiast]

Kept meaning to post this as a separate thread, but I've had my car (July 05 production w/ idrive) back for a week now, and the ipod interface works great. I kept waiting for an objection from my dealer when I ordered the interface ('your car doesn't qualify', etc.), but it never happened.

I will, however, say I was worried. Dropped the car off Thursday the 14th, and didn't get it back until the next Tuesday the 19th. The service manager showed me an inch thick stack of paperwork from all of the programming required.

Still don't have the latest version that skips past the 'Accept' screen though - bummer.

[DrRT]

You listen to Boyz2men, HAHAHAHAHA!@!!

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by E90 Enthusiast

Kept meaning to post this as a separate thread, but I've had my car (July 05 production w/ idrive) back for a week now, and the ipod interface works great. I kept waiting for an objection from my dealer when I ordered the interface ('your car doesn't qualify', etc.), but it never happened.

I will, however, say I was worried. Dropped the car off Thursday the 14th, and didn't get it back until the next Tuesday the 19th. The service manager showed me an inch thick stack of paperwork from all of the programming required.

Still don't have the latest version that skips past the 'Accept' screen though - bummer.

Ok, now I'm confused. So you have the Ipod interface and you have a Pre-Sept build E90 with Navi. According to BMWNA that's not possible!

[drfluid]

I'm confused too, E90 Enthusiast.

You didn't get the latest software update, but got the new ipod integration???

[MusicMan]

UPDATE! Had more e-mail contact with BMWNA today, attached is the result.

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC and shared in reading your reply.
The correct Part # is 65 11 0 403 650.
A dealer bulletin should be out by the end of the week.

Yes, I know this is the same part number as before. I will assume there is now a different software update available for the Pre-Sept build E90 with Navi.

Matt,
Can you please confirm this info when you see the bulletin?

[E90 Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by DrRT

You listen to Boyz2men, HAHAHAHAHA!@!!

lol - I didn't say I was particularly proud of all my past music purchases:rocks:

Originally Posted by MusicMan

Ok, now I'm confused. So you have the Ipod interface and you have a Pre-Sept build E90 with Navi. According to BMWNA that's not possible!

Yep, I was fully expecting to be turned away when I ordered the interface (car was produced late July of '05 for September ED delivery). I think my local service dept was too clueless to question the non-compatibility. It DID take basically 4 days to get the programming right, however. They said I was their first interface installation.

[drfluid]

Originally Posted by MusicMan

UPDATE! Had more e-mail contact with BMWNA today, attached is the result.

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC and shared in reading your reply.
The correct Part # is 65 11 0 403 650.
A dealer bulletin should be out by the end of the week.

Yes, I know this is the same part number as before. I will assume there is now a different software update available for the Pre-Sept build E90 with Navi.

This is a very good news!
But, I'm a little concerned of the same part number
It's only been a month or so since the new ipod integration became available to the post-sept cars. Why didn't they anounce it altoghther??

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by drfluid

This is a very good news!
But, I'm a little concerned of the same part number
It's only been a month or so since the new ipod integration became available to the post-sept cars. Why didn't they anounce it altoghther??

No reason to hold up the iPod intro until PROGMAN 23 arrived.

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by JSpira

No reason to hold up the iPod intro until PROGMAN 23 arrived.

So if I already have Progman 23, the Ipod integration need to be installed and the car need to be coded. Is that correct? Am I missing any steps?

[martieg]

I ordered my iPod adapter, and it didn't work until they reinstalled the software. After the software update, the iPod now works, but there other changes: the Accept button disappears by itself after a few seconds (I love this one) and the font is different.

My E90 was purchased in March 2006, but I don't know the production date.

[MusicMan]

Has anyone other than E90 Enthusiast, with a Pre-Sept build E90 with Navi, had the Ipod adapter installed. I already have Progman 23 installed and want to make sure it will works properly before I take my car in to be coded.

[magmd]

How much are they quoting you guys for ipod interface these days in SoCal??

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by magmd

How much are they quoting you guys for ipod interface these days in SoCal??

I got 2 quotes of 1.5 hrs. (Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks) 1 quote for 3 hrs. (Sherman Oaks) and 1 quote for 4 hrs. (Glendale). According to BMWNA it's up to the dealers or should I say "stealers" to determine the amount of labor they require to install the interface. IMO, that's a bunch of sh*t! BMWNA should determine how much the dealers are allowed to charge. :mad:

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by MusicMan

BMWNA should determine how much the dealers are allowed to charge.

Why would you say that? Do you want to be told what you can charge for whatever it is you do? Dealers are independent businesses and if BMW were to attempt to tell them, it would violate their franchise agreements and fair trade laws.

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Why would you say that? Do you want to be told what you can charge for whatever it is you do? Dealers are independent businesses and if BMW were to attempt to tell them, it would violate their franchise agreements and fair trade laws.

I am saying that because IMO it's ridiculous for one dealer to be charging almost 3 times what another dealer is charging for the exact same service within a few miles of each other. Not sure how BMW's franchise agreements work, since I don't own a BMW franchise. Doesn't BMW limit the amount of labor the dealers chargeback for a 15,000 mile service, or for a recall? Do they accept a chargeback for whatever the dealer deems fair or reasonable? Would it seem reasonable to purchase a Starbucks coffee for $2.50 then go a few miles and pay $7.50 for the exact same coffee at another Starbucks?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by MusicMan

I am saying that because IMO it's ridiculous for one dealer to be charging almost 3 times what another dealer is charging for the exact same service within a few miles of each other. Not sure how BMW's franchise agreements work, since I don't own a BMW franchise. Doesn't BMW limit the amount of labor the dealers chargeback for a 15,000 mile service, or for a recall? Do they accept a chargeback for whatever the dealer deems fair or reasonable? Would it seem reasonable to purchase a Starbucks coffee for $2.50 then go a few miles and pay $7.50 for the exact same coffee at another Starbucks?

You see, there's the difference. BMW can fix the amount IT (BMW) pays to a dealer for a service. They cannot fix the amount a customer pays. They can only recommend.

[MusicMan]

That's my point exactly. BMW in it's infinite wisdom has "fixed" the amount the dealers can charge them for a specific service. Yet, has not provided the same protection to it's consumers. Their "recommended" install time of 1 hour for the Ipod integration is obviously being ignored by most of the dealers. Leaving the consumer scrambling to try and figure out which dealers are being fair and which dealers (stealers) are gouging. Again, this is just my opinion, others may have a completely different take on the situation.

[JSpira]

They cannot legally fix prices. They can only recommend. Again, that would violate fair trade and other laws.