IPOD Cable for 1 Series
Discussion
Hi All.
I have just taken delivery of a new 135i, which I am very pleased with. I am looking for a very short iPod cable to connect with the aux-in socket under the armrest. There is a recess for the iPod right next to it, so I don't want to have three feet of cable for a 2 inch gap. In the brochure I had for the car, it showed a holder on the underside of the armrest for the iPod (or similar), but that now seems to have been deleted. The only way to avoid a messy installation seems to be a short cable. There is nowhere to thread the cable from inside the armrest storage area, unless you leave it partially open. I have seen a Belkin retractable cable, which could be a neat solution if it is any good. Has anyone used that or an alternative that works well?
The car is through my firm's lease scheme, so I am not sure I am able to have a proper iPod interface installed by the local dealer (it doesn't take long to run out of allowance for options on these cars and I stopped short of that one), but I could ask if there isn't an easier solution.
Or I could just listen to the engine, I suppose. Not a bad sound, that.
Thanks
Andy
I have just taken delivery of a new 135i, which I am very pleased with. I am looking for a very short iPod cable to connect with the aux-in socket under the armrest. There is a recess for the iPod right next to it, so I don't want to have three feet of cable for a 2 inch gap. In the brochure I had for the car, it showed a holder on the underside of the armrest for the iPod (or similar), but that now seems to have been deleted. The only way to avoid a messy installation seems to be a short cable. There is nowhere to thread the cable from inside the armrest storage area, unless you leave it partially open. I have seen a Belkin retractable cable, which could be a neat solution if it is any good. Has anyone used that or an alternative that works well?
The car is through my firm's lease scheme, so I am not sure I am able to have a proper iPod interface installed by the local dealer (it doesn't take long to run out of allowance for options on these cars and I stopped short of that one), but I could ask if there isn't an easier solution.
Or I could just listen to the engine, I suppose. Not a bad sound, that.
Thanks
Andy
Ebay is your friend
30cm
50cm
Or do as I did and buy an £80 baby monitor that came with one free
As to the holder for the Ipod, if its the one that sticks to the underside of the armrest its never been standard as far as I know. You can order it as a retrofit accessory from the dealer though, there's a BabyBMW thread about it here
30cm
50cm
Or do as I did and buy an £80 baby monitor that came with one free
As to the holder for the Ipod, if its the one that sticks to the underside of the armrest its never been standard as far as I know. You can order it as a retrofit accessory from the dealer though, there's a BabyBMW thread about it here
Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 28th October 20:28
I have a 123d with no USB and use a Griffin Autopilot.
It works really well, and allows you to change tracks using the Autopilot controls. It also charges the device and uses the line out, rather than headphone out, socket for better sound.
Here is a link to it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp...
It works really well, and allows you to change tracks using the Autopilot controls. It also charges the device and uses the line out, rather than headphone out, socket for better sound.
Here is a link to it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp...
The £40 BMW one is an Ipod control lead for plugging into USB isnt it, so the head unit controls changing of tracks on the ipod, not really comparable to a 3.5mm jack lead.
As to the under-armrest pocket mentioned above, I forgot that it's only of any worth if you have USB so you can control the Ipod from the head unit, the holder is kinda pointless if you only have the Aux (3.5mm jack) connection because you cant see/control the Ipod when it's facing backwards on the underside of the armrest, so every time you want to play/skip/stop tracks, you'd need to take it out of the holder anyway!
As to the under-armrest pocket mentioned above, I forgot that it's only of any worth if you have USB so you can control the Ipod from the head unit, the holder is kinda pointless if you only have the Aux (3.5mm jack) connection because you cant see/control the Ipod when it's facing backwards on the underside of the armrest, so every time you want to play/skip/stop tracks, you'd need to take it out of the holder anyway!
dibbly_dobbler said:
Gents - can you help me please.
I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
I'd vote for the griffin. Personnaly, i've never thought much of the sound quality from the itrip. And the griffin should sound good in your rather nice car I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
FraserLFA said:
dibbly_dobbler said:
Gents - can you help me please.
I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
I'd vote for the griffin. Personnaly, i've never thought much of the sound quality from the itrip. And the griffin should sound good in your rather nice car I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
From what I can gather from a quick Google - the Aux-In method gives better quality than the FM transmitter so I will probably go with that.
No problem mate
My car doesn't have an AUX input and have to use the bog standard "tune it through the radio" method which is great until you drive near trees, speed bumps, tunnels, brisk winds, pot holes, dodgy roads. Aux method seems to give a much cleaner, clearer sound and doesn't seem to lose connection from what experience i've had with them. Hope it works for you!
My car doesn't have an AUX input and have to use the bog standard "tune it through the radio" method which is great until you drive near trees, speed bumps, tunnels, brisk winds, pot holes, dodgy roads. Aux method seems to give a much cleaner, clearer sound and doesn't seem to lose connection from what experience i've had with them. Hope it works for you!
Ecurie Ecosse said:
The Griffin Autopilot has great sound quality as it uses the line out and bypasses the headphone amp and signal processing etc.
The rattle might be the window in the frame. Touch the window down button very slightly so the window drops about 1mm. That should cure it.
I will try that for the rattle next time I am out. It sounds like it is coming from the door, certainly.The rattle might be the window in the frame. Touch the window down button very slightly so the window drops about 1mm. That should cure it.
Don't want to sound like I am moaning, by the way: I am very chuffed with the car. If only it was run in...
Thanks again for the help.
No worries. Check out www.babybmw.net for some more tips.
Enjoy your car. Remember, if you run it in fast it will always be fast.
Enjoy your car. Remember, if you run it in fast it will always be fast.
dibbly_dobbler said:
Gents - can you help me please.
I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
Quick update for those of you that might be interested - I went for option 2 above, the Griffin Autopilot. ( this). I am contemplating either:
A) An FM transmitter jobbie as per this
or
B) An Aux in jobbie as per this
Both would work fine in my E90 but which would give the better sound do you think ?
Cheers, DD.
It integrates very nicely with a 3 series (and a 1er as well I would imagine). The gubbins all goes in under the armrest (Power and Aux In both plugged in) and the usb cable can reach out and round to the centre cubby hole where the iPhone (or whatever) will sit. (The cable will squeeze out the back so the armrest closes fully and you don't need to fiddle around in there). It charges and plays very nicely and there is enough cable so that you can just select tracks etc by picking up the device and use the onboard controls.
Sound quality is good and no worries about radio interference etc. Am chuffed
Ecurie Ecosse said:
No worries. Check out www.babybmw.net for some more tips.
Enjoy your car. Remember, if you run it in fast it will always be fast.
Cheers for that. It is certainly being used! Enjoy your car. Remember, if you run it in fast it will always be fast.
I cured the rattle by taking it to the dealer for a check. Predictably, this was enough to ensure the rattle went away just as I turned onto the forecourt and it has stayed away since. Or maybe it was because this meant using the passenger seat for the first time. For those who are interested, the dealer said the headrests can rattle at times and moving the seat stops it.
Thanks to all for the info - nice friendly forum.
Andy
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff