iPod & USB integration

[Rabbo]

Car is an E87 130i (2006) with Professional head unit, factory bluetooth and dealer retrofit iPod kit. Does anyone know how/if the iPod interface can be changed to a USB interface easily? My brief research would suggest that each interface plugs into a common control unit so it's just a case of swapping the cables. The dealers have been no help so far, and information on babybmw is contradictory to some extent.

TIA

[ZakTroy]

I take it you don't have the USB audio option then? So under the armrest there is just an aux port an no USB?

I don't think the dealer ipod retrofit kit can be converted into USB AFAIK.

I'd look into retrofitting the USB audio, which has nothing to do with the ipod kit.

[stevesuk]

If the cabling etc. isn't already there for standard USB, might it just be easier to buy a cheap iPod (even a used/refurbed iPod Classic from Apple or eBay if its just going to live in the car) and use that with the interface you already have? If you have to pay BMW to fit bits and pieces and maybe code them to the car, it'll probably work out cheaper.

I don't like iPods and stuff myself, but I bought one just to use in the car, and they do work pretty well.

We used to have a 1 series with the professional head unit (older than yours) and it could play MP3 and WMA files from a CD-RW. Not sure if that helps?

[Rabbo]

Correct, I have no USB audio option.

I might hunt down a cheap iPod on ebay to live in the glovebox as it seems to offer the same functionality as the USB interface. Thanks for the advice.

[stevesuk]

You might have to install iTunes on your PC to sync your music collection with the iPod, which is the only downside (unless you already use iTunes of course).

If the standard interface on the new BMWs is anything like the aftermarket kit on the E39/E46, it'll have playback options for podcasts/custom playlists etc. which is quite useful.

[Rabbo]

I already have an iPhone which I use for listening to music when running. I do use iTunes regrettably, as I have all my music on my media centre as Apple Lossless and I also have a subscription to iTunes Match (to save disk space on the iPhone).

[ZakTroy]

Rabbo said:

I already have an iPhone which I use for listening to music when running. I do use iTunes regrettably, as I have all my music on my media centre as Apple Lossless and I also have a subscription to iTunes Match (to save disk space on the iPhone).

Then an iPod for the car is the only way, otherwise you'll have to convert all your music to mp3 to play through the headunit using a USB stick or CD AFAIK.