IPOd Options

liquid · 10-07-2007, 11:30 AM

Is it possible to just plug an i pod into the jack in the arm rest or do you need the kit?

thanks,

james

SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! · 10-07-2007, 12:13 PM

You just need to have a mini to mini jack cable and you're good 2 go!

3.5mm I think specifically

RadioShack should have it for ten or fifteen bucks!

gloster · 10-07-2007, 02:52 PM

There are 4 basic ways to hook up an iPod (and a couple little variations):

1) buy a mini to mini jack cable like Smoke 'Em describes. This will give you sound. You control song choice through your iPod.

2) buy an iPod connector to mini jack output cable. You can get ones that also plug into your outlet. This will power your iPod and give you better sound quality than mini to mini. You still control song choice through your iPod.

3) buy an aftermarket (or dealer installed) iPod integration package. This will charge your iPod, not require you to use your outlet, and will allow you to control the iPod through your radio/steering wheel/iDrive controls.

4) buy the 6FL option when you buy your car (or get it retrofitted). this will do everything #3 will do.

jmonier · 10-07-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloster

4) buy the 6FL option when you buy your car (or get it retrofitted). this will do everything #3 will do.

Note that the only BMW USB retrofit that is available is NOT a 6FL retrofit (although it may have similar functions) and is only for radio configurations that are NOT available on US spec cars. Information on this USB retrofit is rather sketchy so far.

Bottom line is that there is NO 6FL (or BMW USB) retrofit available in the US.

It appears that Denison does have a USB kit available that has similar functions to the 6FL.

liquid · 10-07-2007, 10:18 PM

great info i think i am going to go option 1 or 2 to start with. can i get the iPod connector at radio shack also? how do they compare in cost to option 1?

thanks,

james

NoKids · 10-07-2007, 10:38 PM

i cant wait to use my ipod on my logic 7. it's gonna be so sweet.

gloster, i bought the ipod integration ($350 option in canada), and my dealer says i gotta buy a cable for $60 from him. So what's the 6FL in all of this?. . . is it the ipod integration or the cable or something else. . ..

LEDZEP · 10-08-2007, 06:24 AM

In Canada, you pay for the cable but you get the 6FL option for about the same amount less... so it's a wash. The cable is a must for iPod, so don't scrimp.

gloster · 10-08-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquid

great info i think i am going to go option 1 or 2 to start with. can i get the iPod connector at radio shack also? how do they compare in cost to option 1?

thanks,

james

Here is the one example of option 2, the Belkin Auto Kit for iPods w/Dock Connector for $40

http://www.theistore.com/belkinautokit.html

hotrod2448 · 10-08-2007, 07:14 PM

OK, I'm sure this has been covered eleventy billion times but, with the way people use the terms interchangeably on here I can't keep what's what straight .

Other than the Ipod going in the glove box vs. the center arm rest and one obviously being installed at the factory what is the difference between the 6FL and dealer Ipod integration?

They both display the info on the Ipod and allow use of the steering wheel controls right? Also how flaky are these options? I remember reading a lot of people having issues with their Ipod working properly with one or both of the integration options.

gloster · 10-09-2007, 10:26 AM

All sorts of people have all sorts of problems with each solution. All sorts of people have no problems at all. In the end, it sure seems most people get each solution to work fairly well.

For me, I have 6FL. It worked very well with my 5th gen iPod. I had no real problems. Scrolling speed was decent, not amazing. When I moved to my iPod Classic, I got the issue where it would not disconnect when I turned off my car and the battery would drain. That problem went away for me when I moved to the newest cable. I currently have no problems at all. Scrolling speed remains decent, not amazing.

Like some others with a very large music collection, I use the genre hack (search for genre in the forum for details) to be able to quickly get to any artist/album I want.

hotrod2448 · 10-09-2007, 12:42 PM

Do you know if the 6Fl and dealer installed integration provide the same level of functionality?

liquid · 10-09-2007, 09:46 PM

thanks guys, i just went with option 1 it was $13 at radio shack

10-07-2007, 11:30 AM	#1
liquid Lieutenant 72 Rep 583 Posts Drives: graphite 328i E92 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South FL iTrader: (1)	IPOd Options Is it possible to just plug an i pod into the jack in the arm rest or do you need the kit? thanks, james
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10-07-2007, 12:13 PM	#2
SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! Lieutenant Colonel 220 Rep 1,795 Posts Drives: 06' E90 330, 20' F97 X3m Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: L.I, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i SPORT [7.34]	You just need to have a mini to mini jack cable and you're good 2 go! 3.5mm I think specifically RadioShack should have it for ten or fifteen bucks! __________________ LIVE FAST..DRIVE FASTER!!
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10-07-2007, 10:18 PM	#5
liquid Lieutenant 72 Rep 583 Posts Drives: graphite 328i E92 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South FL iTrader: (1)	great info i think i am going to go option 1 or 2 to start with. can i get the iPod connector at radio shack also? how do they compare in cost to option 1? thanks, james
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10-07-2007, 10:38 PM	#6
NoKids Major 338 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 328i [0.00]	i cant wait to use my ipod on my logic 7. it's gonna be so sweet. gloster, i bought the ipod integration ($350 option in canada), and my dealer says i gotta buy a cable for $60 from him. So what's the 6FL in all of this?. . . is it the ipod integration or the cable or something else. . .. __________________
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10-08-2007, 06:24 AM	#7
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 443 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	In Canada, you pay for the cable but you get the 6FL option for about the same amount less... so it's a wash. The cable is a must for iPod, so don't scrimp. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-07-2007, 02:52 PM	#3
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	There are 4 basic ways to hook up an iPod (and a couple little variations): 1) buy a mini to mini jack cable like Smoke 'Em describes. This will give you sound. You control song choice through your iPod. 2) buy an iPod connector to mini jack output cable. You can get ones that also plug into your outlet. This will power your iPod and give you better sound quality than mini to mini. You still control song choice through your iPod. 3) buy an aftermarket (or dealer installed) iPod integration package. This will charge your iPod, not require you to use your outlet, and will allow you to control the iPod through your radio/steering wheel/iDrive controls. 4) buy the 6FL option when you buy your car (or get it retrofitted). this will do everything #3 will do.
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10-08-2007, 07:14 PM	#9
hotrod2448 grand poobah 257 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	OK, I'm sure this has been covered eleventy billion times but, with the way people use the terms interchangeably on here I can't keep what's what straight . Other than the Ipod going in the glove box vs. the center arm rest and one obviously being installed at the factory what is the difference between the 6FL and dealer Ipod integration? They both display the info on the Ipod and allow use of the steering wheel controls right? Also how flaky are these options? I remember reading a lot of people having issues with their Ipod working properly with one or both of the integration options. Last edited by hotrod2448; 10-09-2007 at 12:41 PM..
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10-09-2007, 10:26 AM	#10
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	All sorts of people have all sorts of problems with each solution. All sorts of people have no problems at all. In the end, it sure seems most people get each solution to work fairly well. For me, I have 6FL. It worked very well with my 5th gen iPod. I had no real problems. Scrolling speed was decent, not amazing. When I moved to my iPod Classic, I got the issue where it would not disconnect when I turned off my car and the battery would drain. That problem went away for me when I moved to the newest cable. I currently have no problems at all. Scrolling speed remains decent, not amazing. Like some others with a very large music collection, I use the genre hack (search for genre in the forum for details) to be able to quickly get to any artist/album I want.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2007, 12:42 PM	#11
hotrod2448 grand poobah 257 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	Do you know if the 6Fl and dealer installed integration provide the same level of functionality?
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10-09-2007, 09:46 PM	#12
liquid Lieutenant 72 Rep 583 Posts Drives: graphite 328i E92 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South FL iTrader: (1)	thanks guys, i just went with option 1 it was $13 at radio shack
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