iPhone cradle - advice please

[mudy]

Hi - does anyone know what they do exactly? I've just bought an x5 and want to be able to fit mine or my wife's iPhone 5s into the cradle - I'm happy to buy one but aside from charging what does one do please?

[Osinjak]

Well in mine it gives full functionality of my iDog through my iDrive, music, contacts, etc. There are different cradles out there (or was when I was sorting mine out) with different capabilities and it also depends on the system you have in the car as well as to what functionality you'll have. Not an easy question to answer really without more detail, have you tried sticking your VIN into http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/ to see what spec you car is?

[Roo3Stuart]

I just plug mine into the USB port with the white Apple cable - charges the phone, gives full music functionality - not sure if the cradle adds anything (F10 5 series but I'm sure the same technology).

[mudy]

thanks guys - i haven't even picked it up yet having just bought it so not sure of the vin - will hold fire until i know more! registered jan 2010 X5 35d with the newer hard rive drive I think if that helps

[Jon1967x]

Not sure it does much more than stop your phone sliding around and give access to the better aerial on the roof. I just use the cable and I get BMW apps, music etc all working fine (some of these are more dependent on the car spec than the cradle).

[mudy]

Here's the spec btw -

Model description: X5 3.0sd
Market: Europa
Type: FF02
E-Code: E70
Chassis: Sports Activity Vehicle
Steering: rechts
Doors: 5
Engine: M57D30T2 - 3,00l (210kW)
Drive: Allrad
Transmission: automatisch
Body Color: Carbonschwarz Metallic (416)
Upholstery: Leder Nevada/schwarz (LUSW)
Production date: 22.10.2009
Assembled in: Spartanburg

Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment
S1CBA
CO2 package
S217A
Active steering
S220A
Self-levelling suspension
S226A
Sports suspension settings
S230A
Extra package, EU-specific
S2M9A
BMW M LA wheel, V spoke 227
S2PAA
Lug bolt retainer
S302A
Alarm system
P337A
M Sports package
S3MBA
Indiv. Ext. Line, burnished aluminium
S3MCA
Indiv. roof rail high-gloss Shadow Line
S402A
Electric panoramic roof
S423A
Floor mats, velours
S428A
Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A
Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A
Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A
Smoker package
S459A
Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S481A
Sports seat
S494A
Seat heating driver/passenger
S502A
Headlight cleaning system
S508A
Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A
Rain sensor
S522A
Xenon Light
S534A
Automatic air conditioning
S544A
Cruise control with brake function
S563A
Light package
S5ACA
High-beam assistant
S5DAA
Passenger airbag deactivation
S609A
Navigation system Professional
S612A
BMW Assist
S615A
Expanded BMW Online Information
S616A
BMW Online
S633A
Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S672A
CD changer for 6 CDs
S676A
HiFi speaker system
S698A
Area-Code 2 for DVD
S6AAA
BMW TeleServices
S6ABA
Control for Teleservices
S710A
M leather steering wheel
S761A
Individual sunshade glazing
S775A
Headlining anthracite
S7M5A
M Exterior equipment
L812A
NATIONAL VERSION GREAT BRITAIN
S840A
High speed synchronisation
S863A
Retailer Directory Europe
S877A
Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A
On-board vehicle literature English
S8S2A
Coding alarm signal
S8SCA
Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SMA
Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SPA
Control unit COP
S925A
Transport protection package
SXE7A
Indi. int. strips, piano lacquer, black

[mudy]

Does anyone know what self-levelling suspension means? Air suspension?

[Spuffington]

Can't help with iPhone query, although I do have a cradle for my iPhone and it provides really good reception via roof aerial and charging capability without faffing with leads etc.

Self-levelling suspension basically adjusts the rear suspension according to the load placed upon it. Keeps the vehicle level when either heavy loads are being carried and/or towing.

It's standard on all E70's.

[Osinjak]

You've got the prof nav/media option which means that if you get the right cradle, you can have full control of your iDog for contacts, music, etc. When I got my cradle, there were two types, one that was basic and one that was 'enhanced' which enabled full music/media access to the phone. This may not apply anymore but it's worth asking whomever you buy the cradle off that it's the all singing all dancing one as opposed to a boggo one. The price can make you wince though! The real advantage as others have said is that it gives you access to your car's aerial for supposedly better phone reception and you also won't have it rattling around with cables and so on, it also looks smart when clipped in. That might not be top of your list of course but important for some.

Can't help with the suspension query - sorry!

[mudy]

Ooo, that's exciting thank you I'll check I have the enhanced cradle on Thursday when I pick the beast up!

[Osinjak]

mudy said:

Ooo, that's exciting thank you I'll check I have the enhanced cradle on Thursday when I pick the beast up!

Mate, I've had a think and I may not be 100% right on this - sorry. When I ordered my cat I had to spec the USB/Bluetooth bit (essentially the thing you're on about under your armrest) separately from the Prof Nav. I remember at the time that a few people had been caught out by this and ended up with the prof nav (which you have) but no iPhone functionality because they didn't spec a particular option (6NF and 6FL I think) and I can't see those last two options on your readout. However, when I stick my VIN in it doesn't show those either and I know I have them! You're getting a well specced car so I'd be surprised if you don't have those but it can happen.

I appear to be confusing the issue, think it's best to ask on the day. Sorry!

[mudy]

Thanks for taking the time osinjak - I've emailed the surprisingly on it parts guy at Dick Lovett with your description so hopefully all will become clear!

[Osinjak]

Right, I was being a plank, I got one digit wrong on the VIN thingy so when I put the right one in for mine it came up with the right spec. In amongst them all is these two:



The latter one is the most important, this gives you the functionality you're asking about. I was also advised to get the USB interface as well but for the life of me can't remember why.

Good luck with it, let us know how you get on.

Edited by Osinjak on Monday 11th August 22:04

[mudy]

Oh well - looks like I'll have to rely in the aux cable and the iPhone screen for playlists etc. but will report back - thank osi

[bad company]

Take a look at this thread. - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=138...

Mine is still not working properly.

[Osinjak]

Jon1967x said:

Not sure it does much more than stop your phone sliding around and give access to the better aerial on the roof. I just use the cable and I get BMW apps, music etc all working fine (some of these are more dependent on the car spec than the cradle).

I forgot to update this. In mine, you have to plug it in to the cradle to play music, it doesn't stream over Bluetooth. However, it will pair with my iDog for contacts, etc.

Edited by Osinjak on Thursday 21st August 14:42

[Jon1967x]

Osinjak said:

Jon1967x said:

Not sure it does much more than stop your phone sliding around and give access to the better aerial on the roof. I just use the cable and I get BMW apps, music etc all working fine (some of these are more dependent on the car spec than the cradle).

I forgot to update this. In mine, you have to plug it in to the cradle to play music, it doesn't stream over Bluetooth. However, it will pair with my iDog for contacts, etc.

Edited by Osinjak on Thursday 21st August 14:42

I don't bother with bluetooth streaming myself. Its hard to know what options you need for accessing the music via the normal lead. My phone is a 4 so old type of connector - might be different with the new shape.

[Osinjak]

It's an odd one, I've heard of some people, with the same year of car, being able to Bluetooth their music without having to plug it in anywhere however I've never been able to do it. Mind you, I've never needed to and nor do I miss the ability to do so, I just snap it in and go. Job done innit.

[Jon1967x]

Osinjak said:

It's an odd one, I've heard of some people, with the same year of car, being able to Bluetooth their music without having to plug it in anywhere however I've never been able to do it. Mind you, I've never needed to and nor do I miss the ability to do so, I just snap it in and go. Job done innit.

I think its a function of BMWs confusing "whats an option, whats standard and what does it do". It seems to vary between cars and models and years and whats bundled with what. The Media pack on my X5 didn't include extended voice control which was part of the Professional Nav on my previous 3 series - the sales man had no idea. There are loads of people who are annoyed because they've spent 30k+ on a car only to find that they missed a £100 option they wanted. In this case I think the bluetooth streaming comes as part of Enhanced Bluetooth.

[Osinjak]

Jon1967x said:

I think its a function of BMWs confusing "whats an option, whats standard and what does it do". It seems to vary between cars and models and years and whats bundled with what. The Media pack on my X5 didn't include extended voice control which was part of the Professional Nav on my previous 3 series - the sales man had no idea. There are loads of people who are annoyed because they've spent 30k+ on a car only to find that they missed a £100 option they wanted. In this case I think the bluetooth streaming comes as part of Enhanced Bluetooth.

See, I've got all that, the enhanced Bluetooth and all the rest of it but no music streaming (again, not an issue) but bizarrely, I had to spec a £70 option (USB I think, can't quite remember now) otherwise none of it would work. WTF?! I rather suspect that was a load of old pony but I do recall some people being properly and rightly pissed off that they bought the all singing all dancing media thing but couldn't use it properly because of a cheap option. Bonkers.