MOST Ipod kit for BMW

[Sedan_Clan]

Have any of you ever used (..and installed) this kit on your E9X BMW's? If so, does it interface well with the system? Do you feel that it is worth the associated costs?

[JuniorDee]

I had the kit installed when I had my 335i back in dec 06. in the idrive menu under entertainment the ipod showed up under CD as cd1-cd6(almost as if a cd changer had been installed). the different cd# represented something like songs, artists, etc since it wasnt able to display IPOD titles appropriately. The connector cable was in the glove box as shown in your picture.

There were only 2 problems that I had with it.
1. it was slow to load track names (really slow)
2. the dealer scratched my center trim during the install and it took 2 months to get it replaced properly.

[david @ eas]

The iPod kit that BMW sells is decent, but it isn't the best on the market. We offer two different kits that you might want to look at, (sent you a PM regarding both).

It's the mObridge iPod Interface that we have in stock for you!

Here's some info on how it works:

Standard Features

- Supports iPod Mini, 4th Gen, 4th Gen Photo, Nano, 2nd Gen Nano, iPod Video, 3rd Gen Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch, iPhone
- Firmware upgradeable via memory card for future features.
- 24 bit ADC stereo for a more complete experience.
- 500uA Sleep Current. Lower sleep current draw than OEM specifications. - Configurable for all vehicles via iTune's MP3 tag.
- Configurable for First five playlists, numbered playlists or full folder support for iPod browsing.
- Paging to gain access to lists greater than the CD limitation of 99 giving full access to the iPod. Also possible on radio's without text support.
- Last disc, last folder, last track memory retention for fast startup.
- Access to Playlists/Artists/Albums/Genre/All Songs.
- Random, Repeat, Scan options.
- Auxiliary input for external audio source.
- Exit iPod lockout mode for manual control with the ability to continue track up/down from the steering wheel controls.
- iPod USB charging.
- Bypass switch to remove interface from the MOST ring, allowing "undetectable mode" for dealer visits.
- Dedicated Auxiliary override for phone system input.

Detailed Specifications

Optic fiber connector:
- MOST vehicle interface with integrated wiring
- 12V input switch allowing for Aux audio override

iPod connector:
- iPod shielded cable and socket
- Firmware upgrade via integrated SD slot
- mObridge Audio interface configuration via iPod

Aux Input:
- Auxiliary audio input allowing line level input from any audio source
- Selected via DISC6

Memory Card:
- Memory card allows for easy software upgrade
- mObridge Audio interface configuration
- Media streaming (coming soon)

If you have any questions just refer to my PM or ask on this thread

[09E92M34ME]

not to be a dick but you should have tried to get that option when you were looking for your car if was important to you.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by 09E92M34ME

not to be a dick but you should have tried to get that option when you were looking for your car if was important to you.

6FL would have been a good option, just don't get the over-the-counter iPod kit from BMW. It's terrible in speed and does not support USB charging needed in the current lineup of iPods/3G iPhone.

As Jurrian mentioned earlier - the mObridge is the way to go.

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by 09E92M34ME

not to be a dick but you should have tried to get that option when you were looking for your car if was important to you.

A lot of people don't know beforehand that the 6FL option and the OEM iPod kits are different. I didn't know that until after I had already bought my car. Lucky for me it had 6FL.

[aggie57]

I have the mObridge iPod and Bluetooth kit in my 08 911. Installed by Porsche Australia pre-delivery. Works great with my 2G iPhone for Bluetooth and both an iTouch anf iPod classic for iPod.

Didn't like the hacked iPhone for iPod though - that killed the unit but post sales support was great. It was replaced FOC.

[Mischievous M]

I'm looking to get an ipod interface retrofitted to my E92 M3. Can someone recommend me a decent kit? BMW Brunei are being tossers for being really reluctant to order my kit.

My option is to await 3rd part options OR order the ipod kit from BMW Australia.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Mischievous M

I'm looking to get an ipod interface retrofitted to my E92 M3. Can someone recommend me a decent kit? BMW Brunei are being tossers for being really reluctant to order my kit.

My option is to await 3rd part options OR order the ipod kit from BMW Australia.

The mObridge kit would be recommended if you are not already 6LF equipped.

[Mischievous M]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

The mObridge kit would be recommended if you are not already 6LF equipped.

Thanks mate... I've contacted Julian at mObridge and he was ever so kind to help me out with what model I needed.

Do you have a mObridge in your car? Does the inter face on the screen change much?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Mischievous M

Thanks mate... I've contacted Julian at mObridge and he was ever so kind to help me out with what model I needed.

Do you have a mObridge in your car? Does the inter face on the screen change much?

Not sure what you mean by "change", it interfaces as you would expect the BMW kit to - only much faster.

[Mischievous M]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Not sure what you mean by "change", it interfaces as you would expect the BMW kit to - only much faster.

What I mean by change is, does the screen layout for the ipod give options to scroll through playlists, artists etc.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Mischievous M

What I mean by change is, does the screen layout for the ipod give options to scroll through playlists, artists etc.

Correct, you have a 2-line display for different browsing methods as well as text display from the song in play.

Professional CD units are also much faster in seek time than iDrive units.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 09E92M34ME

not to be a dick but you should have tried to get that option when you were looking for your car if was important to you.

It's not important to me in that respect. None of the cars that were available to me at the time (..and that met my specifications) had the option. I just felt like it would be a nice addition.

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

6FL would have been a good option

I agree, but like I stated above, none of the cars that I was interested in had that option....

...and 6FL wasn't a deal-breaker (..like the lack of certain other options would've been).


Thanks guys for your responses, and thanks EAS for the P/M.

[SECRET M]

what does it mean on the mobridge FAQ when it says you must remove the CDC? what effect does that have on the system? (ie. what features do i lose from OE iDrive system?)

[aggie57]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

what does it mean on the mobridge FAQ when it says you must remove the CDC? what effect does that have on the system? (ie. what features do i lose from OE iDrive system?)

You loose the CD Changer (CDC).

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by aggie57

You loose the CD Changer (CDC).

Correct.

The in-dash CD player is still retained so not all CD capabilities are lost.

[SECRET M]

so essentially it is the same as the DICE kit for my old E46 right? ie if i don't use the CD changer, i'm ok?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

so essentially it is the same as the DICE kit for my old E46 right? ie if i don't use the CD changer, i'm ok?

Since we're on a fiber topic network, the features are a bit different - but the same basic functionabilities are present.

You mave much more options with the mObridge than the DICE ever had.

[ismelllikepoop]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Since we're on a fiber topic network, the features are a bit different - but the same basic functionabilities are present.

You mave much more options with the mObridge than the DICE ever had.

What "options"? i want to get some sort of ipod integration kit, but it doesnt seem like any are quite as good as the original option.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

What "options"? i want to get some sort of ipod integration kit, but it doesnt seem like any are quite as good as the original option.

Jurrian's listed all the features in post #3 above.

One thing be forget to mention is that the OTC BMW kits do not charge current iPod lineups/iPhone. The mObridge kit does support charging.