[dmg1985]

Hi,
well i lasted 10 mnths with a honda but now im back with BMW.

I have just bought a 318d m sport and was wondering if anybody knows how to play a usb stick through the mp3 port in the armrest, or am i that bad with techno it cant be done.

Ant advise is greatly appreciated,

[Kenno]

Unless you have a USB port in the armrest which is usually an optional extra then you would just have the 3.5 mm jack plug(for mp3/ipod devices etc).You're best to just buy a cheap mp3 player and use that.You cannot track select and so forth via the radio or steering wheel controls unless you get BMW to retrofit the USB interface(£800 plus) or if you have an Ipod, the Ipod interface(around £200).I went for the Ipod interface as it was cheaper than the USB or CD changer option(£900).
If you want to see the tracks/artists displayed on the radio display (in the same way an mp3 disc is) then get a cheap Ipod off ebay and have the Ipod interface fiitted or if your'e not that bothered then get an mp3 player and connect it to the jack plug in the arm rest.
I had the Ipod interface fitted and I always leave it in the car as it charges it too.I only have a nano but even that holds nearly 2000 songs,which is more than enough.
Hope this helps.

[milesr3]

Originally Posted by dmg1985

well i lasted 10 mnths with a honda but now im back with BMW.

Conversely after 20 odd years predominantly with BMW I'm pondering buying a Honda because it's simpler and won't need to go back to the menders ten times a year!

On a more serious note I am now starting to think that BMWs have become too complex for the way they build them nowadays and the UK dealer network.

Apologies for taking it OT.

[dmg1985]

[QUOTE=Kenno;8763574]Unless you have a USB port in the armrest which is usually an optional extra then you would just have the 3.5 mm jack plug(for mp3/ipod devices etc).You're best to just buy a cheap mp3 player and use that.You cannot track select and so forth via the radio or steering wheel controls unless you get BMW to retrofit the USB interface(£800 plus) or if you have an Ipod, the Ipod interface(around £200).I went for the Ipod interface as it was cheaper than the USB or CD changer option(£900).
If you want to see the tracks/artists displayed on the radio display (in the same way an mp3 disc is) then get a cheap Ipod off ebay and have the Ipod interface fiitted or if your'e not that bothered then get an mp3 player and connect it to the jack plug in the arm rest.
I had the Ipod interface fitted and I always leave it in the car as it charges it too.I only have a nano but even that holds nearly 2000 songs,which is more than enough.
Hope this helps.[/QUOTE


Thanks for the advise. I thought I would get full functionality with an mp3 player but it appears not. Will stick with my nano for now. :-)

[the_rangdo]

Originally Posted by Kenno

You cannot track select and so forth via the radio or steering wheel controls unless you get BMW to retrofit the USB interface(£800 plus) or if you have an Ipod, the Ipod interface(around £200).I went for the Ipod interface as it was cheaper than the USB or CD changer option(£900).

Sorry to hijack - the Ipod interfaace is only £200?? Is that a fitted retrofit price?

I just got quoted £800+ for USB (after initially being told £500-ish) but for £200 I'll happily buy an Ipod.

[Kenno]

Originally Posted by the_rangdo

Sorry to hijack - the Ipod interfaace is only £200?? Is that a fitted retrofit price?

I just got quoted £800+ for USB (after initially being told £500-ish) but for £200 I'll happily buy an Ipod.

Sorry ,I just checked my receipts and it was more like £270 fitted and that was April 2010.I had the Alpine Hifi system done at the same time and the total was £785 for both(fitted and VAT).The Ipod interface should still be about this price,but ring around a few dealers as the price can vary alot.I didn't use my local dealer as they were too expensive.

[the_rangdo]

Originally Posted by Kenno

Sorry ,I just checked my receipts and it was more like £270 fitted and that was April 2010.I had the Alpine Hifi system done at the same time and the total was £785 for both(fitted and VAT).The Ipod interface should still be about this price,but ring around a few dealers as the price can vary alot.I didn't use my local dealer as they were too expensive.

Yeah, thought I'd ring my local for a giggle.

£240-ish for the parts, £350-ish for fitting - all plus VAT so about £700 in total.

That's some variance

[Kenno]

Originally Posted by the_rangdo

Yeah, thought I'd ring my local for a giggle.

£240-ish for the parts, £350-ish for fitting - all plus VAT so about £700 in total.

That's some variance

Jesus Christ,that's expensive.Mind you my local dealer wanted around £1400 for both upgrades,hence I went further a field and it only cost me half that(plus £10 fuel for the courtesy car!!!).Apparently one of the Barons BMW dealers is supposed to be excellent.See the Alpine Upgrade Sticky.They will need to code the car too usually.