Discussion
Have just bought a second hand 530d on a '54 plate with a 6 CD changer in the glove box and a single in the dash. I have an ipod which I would like to use in the car but am confused as to the best options out there to make this happen. Spoke to my local beemer dealer who said they do a kit, fitted, which allows the iPod to be operated through the i-drive but it will cost me nearly 400 notes. Another car audio place says they do a kit where the iPod is linked to the car radio by wiring it (using an S something-or-other connector)to the car's radio antenna. However, my brother says that he uses his Pure Highway DAB radio which he bought from Argos, wired in himself, and that has an auxilary port that the iPod can be plugged into and that works just as well. However, as my brother lives many many miles away I haven't been able to sit in his car ( a Jag S-type) and see for myself. I'm not too fussed about being able to operate all the iPod controls via steering wheel buttons or the i-drive, but I also don't want to be left out of pocket with a system that is prone to interference or signal-loss. Has anyone tried any of these options? Which work best? Is the Pure Highway unit good (I would like DAB radio anyway)? Please let me know.....
Its a small wire with a box that sends a signal to your radio...it plugs into your cigarette lighter for power, with the other end plugging into your iPod or iPhone. You then tune the radio to the frequency displayed on the emitter...takes two seconds and really easy to use.
You dont install it...its sort of a plug in and go thing so it wont ruin your dash and it does not clutter your view when driving.
I got mine in currys a while back and used it in countless cars and its the best alternative on the market IMO and it cost <£30...thats less than 10% what you were looking to spend...bargin...ask any electrical store and their bound to have them hidden somewhere...good luck I hope this advice is better than most, doubt it LOL.
You dont install it...its sort of a plug in and go thing so it wont ruin your dash and it does not clutter your view when driving.
I got mine in currys a while back and used it in countless cars and its the best alternative on the market IMO and it cost <£30...thats less than 10% what you were looking to spend...bargin...ask any electrical store and their bound to have them hidden somewhere...good luck I hope this advice is better than most, doubt it LOL.
4 options
1. Dension - cheapest, gives basic control 80 notes.
2. Dice Silverline - literally plugs into back of the cd changer, then into ipod. Allows it to be controlled through iDrive and steering wheel , 100 notes.
3. Intravee - Very sophisticated along with OEM look. Requires Alpine gear too, around 250 notes.
4. Dealers
All give proper sound quality too.
1. Dension - cheapest, gives basic control 80 notes.
2. Dice Silverline - literally plugs into back of the cd changer, then into ipod. Allows it to be controlled through iDrive and steering wheel , 100 notes.
3. Intravee - Very sophisticated along with OEM look. Requires Alpine gear too, around 250 notes.
4. Dealers
All give proper sound quality too.
I was dissapointed by the iTrip, the sound quality was not as good as a direct link.
I got a new kenwood stereo, ipod connector and steering wheel compatabilty dongle thing for just over £300 fitted.
My iPod touch now lives in my glove box and I can control it via my steering wheel buttons or via the stereo fascia.
I got a new kenwood stereo, ipod connector and steering wheel compatabilty dongle thing for just over £300 fitted.
My iPod touch now lives in my glove box and I can control it via my steering wheel buttons or via the stereo fascia.
If you have the factory 6 disc changer in the glove box you can install the ipod interface yourself and save the labour cost the dealer's quoting. No reprogramming is required. There's a chap who posts here (Parts Guru ??) who works at a main dealer who does parts for 10% off - might be worth getting a quote. You'll need the interface unit and its cable and a cover plate for inside the glove box is a nice touch.
Not sure if one of those antenna interface units would work very well on a new BMW what with the diversity aerial system and idrive meaning the actual RF stage of the radio is who knows where.
Not sure if one of those antenna interface units would work very well on a new BMW what with the diversity aerial system and idrive meaning the actual RF stage of the radio is who knows where.
Edited by phelix on Monday 20th April 12:48
I had a 54 plate 5 series into which the dealer fitted the OEM "aux in" socket in the glovebox. No ipod control, but direct wired connection, so no naff FM sound quality either! Can't remember the exact fitted price, but nearer £100 than £400. I got an iPod holder for the cup holder and a decent quality cable, so so I could control the iPod at eye level - ideal, and actually quicker and easier to use than the fully integrated BMW system I have now.
ipwn said:
4 options
1. Dension - cheapest, gives basic control 80 notes.
2. Dice Silverline - literally plugs into back of the cd changer, then into ipod. Allows it to be controlled through iDrive and steering wheel , 100 notes.
3. Intravee - Very sophisticated along with OEM look. Requires Alpine gear too, around 250 notes.
4. Dealers
All give proper sound quality too.
5. Parrot MK6000 (or any of their music ones)1. Dension - cheapest, gives basic control 80 notes.
2. Dice Silverline - literally plugs into back of the cd changer, then into ipod. Allows it to be controlled through iDrive and steering wheel , 100 notes.
3. Intravee - Very sophisticated along with OEM look. Requires Alpine gear too, around 250 notes.
4. Dealers
All give proper sound quality too.
pic of mine
Cost approx £85.
You would also need a bluetooth adapter for the iPod, v cheap off Ebay.
It plays music from my phone at somewhere like 97.5% CD quality, which is fine for me, better than FM. Only drawback is you won;t have any steering controls.
Advantage of the above is that you also get a really rather excellent phone function too, do you already have that on your car??
You pays your money etc.....
mike325112 said:
Hells bells if thats your car in that pic you have a rather low mileage motor sir - looks like new from what you can see!
Aye, it's a bit of a time warp E39 really, I love it so far.OP; does your car have integrated B.tooth phone kit or what?
Post above mentions their brother Parrot being a bit toss. Mine is great, works really very well indeed.
Easy to fit too, with a bit of fiddling about.
ipwn said:
My brother has the latest parrot in his 530d. One with iphone function, sd card etc etc
Biggest pile of crap on the planet, so many glitches.
If you have no integrated bluetooth then I guess it does do.
If you ONLY want ipod functionality then go for something else imo.
Did you know you can update the software via bluetooth? Long shot but maybe it has an update patch that will make it function a little better??Biggest pile of crap on the planet, so many glitches.
If you have no integrated bluetooth then I guess it does do.
If you ONLY want ipod functionality then go for something else imo.
mike325112 said:
I have installed the OEM iPOD kit to an E46 it was a bit of a pain in the arse to be honest. I wasn't impressed with the end result either, it can only cope with play lists as the stereo could not display the iPOD contents. That might be better with a nav screen though.
As far as I'm aware the main 3 ipod aftermarket connectors can only cope with playlists. My Dice Silverline doesn't have the option of going throgh every song A-z
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