[ibanezking]

Just traded my 52 plate E46 330d for a E92 335d..............

I pinched my Alpine changer out the boot - to put in the new car

But i'm told the E90's series now are connected by fibre optic cables - my E92 has the connector ready there in the boot - so i presumed it would just be a case of buying the right converter box, that goes from the BMW plug into the Alpine Changer........

The first Audio place i called spoke to alpine and called me back saying it was big bucks - no simple converter box

Went to BMW Warrington yesterday who said my options are :

1) BMW changer, with trim kit and fitted and coded to car - £720

2) iPod interface - head unit/MF S/wheel controls all iPod functions - fitted at £450 - most popular one!

3) iPod cable - connects iPod to head unit but you use iPod to do anything - £40

Is there anything else?

What have you guys done with your E90's cars?????

Max

[doughboy]

Bought one with the factory USB connection already in it!!

Seriously, CDs are a bit old hat now, even me in my old vinyl ways has finally succumbed to the MP3's

Do you have pro nav / i drive or not?

As the cheapest option, If you don't have USB connection, you should still have the Aux input socket under you armrest, any aux cable from any player (no need for BMW lead) can go in there and play through the stereo as an analogue source, but you'll need to control the device manually.

[ibanezking]

sorry, no, my car doesn't have the Sat Nav/iDrive in it............

So the "Aux" socket in the armrest is just a 3.5mm stereo headphone socket????

Max

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by ibanezking

sorry, no, my car doesn't have the Sat Nav/iDrive in it............

So the "Aux" socket in the armrest is just a 3.5mm stereo headphone socket????

Max

Well it's an input socket, not headphones, but yes any 3.5mm stereo jack will go in there, then you select 'aux' input on your HU and way you go.

[ibanezking]

I want something that can be controlled by the headunit/steering wheel.......

Does the BMW 6 CD changer play MP3 discs or just standard AUDIO????

Max

[chris330D]

Your best bet is the iPOD kit, shop around you should get that price down a bit. The kit lets you control the iPOD using the steering wheel controls and displays tack info on the Head unit/NAV screen depending on your car. Not cheap but well worth it. A lot of people here have gone this route.

[ibanezking]

i'm not over keen on iPods - not becos i'm an old git - i'm only 35............. but i prefer discs

But, what i didn't realise is that after having my 52 plate 330d for 4 years - the head unit would only play proper audio CD's so i assumed the new one was the same................

So i stuck an MP3 disc in my new one last night and hey presto the albums come up and then you can select into it and see the track listings - PERFECT!
Don't even need to bother with owt else!

But i then also saw a brand new BMW OEM changer on ebay with the metal mount bracket for £160 so i've bought that - for extra versatility and more capacity and so er indoors can put a few of her discs in it.......

The BMW changer just plugs directly in to the plug in the boot(i checked it is there) - but am i right it needs coding to the car???

Max

[chris330D]

Yes it will need coding, a dealer job unforunately. You don't need to like iPODS just a lot cheaper than the CD Changer and you get to take your entire music collection around. Mine only gets used in the car and when I'm on holiday!

[bakili]

Originally Posted by ibanezking

I want something that can be controlled by the headunit/steering wheel.......

Does the BMW 6 CD changer play MP3 discs or just standard AUDIO????

Max

yes it plays mp3, old cd changers (e46) didnt play mp3, but new (e90) does

[Dr Dave]

The car will need coding to accept the changer and the MOST Bus system will need reconfiguring. All the info on on here [somewhere]